Things to do in Oxford

Living at Merton means living in Oxford. World famous for its historical buildings, its beautiful surroundings and its fantastic university(!) it's also a nice compact city where there's lots to do - and all within walking distance.

It would be near impossible to cover everything available in Oxford, and many websites have already had a pretty good go at doing this, so we're not going to go into much detail here but point you in the right direction.

Needless to say there is shopping to cover lots of tastes on the High Street, Cornmarket Street and the two shopping centres (The Westgate Centre and The Clarendon Centre) with most major stores - though you will encounter many people wondering why there isn't a Woolworth's or H&M! The covered market off of the high street houses many more unique shops and restaurants.

Oxford is home to many a coffee-house. Possibly Europe's first coffee house, The Queen's Lane Coffee House is the nearest to Merton but there are countless alternatives including three Starbucks' (and counting), a Caffé Nero, a Costa Coffee to cover all the big names along with a whole load of local names. Hot Chocology (in the covered market) and a Café Thorntons provide for those who prefer something a little more chocolate-y. If you're more into afternoon teas then a nice selection of places including The Rose, The Grand Café and the Randolph Hotel (for 'Tea at the Randolph') can be found right in the centre of Oxford.

The choice and selection of great restaurants is indicated by the fact there are at least three websites devoting themselves to sorting through them! Needless to say Oxford is great, whatever kind of food you like - and at a nice variety of price points to. For more information, we suggest you check here, or indeed here, and definitely here.

Oxford's variety of Nightlife isn't endless but is quite comprehensive in variety and choice. For more about ZOO (that would be the Student Union's Entertainment arm) organised club nights try this site. The variety is endless: from cocktails at Thirst to big nights out at Park End or The Bridge, or even a night at the theatre - perhaps the New Theatre, The Burton Taylor, The Old Fire Station, or the BMW Mini Factory (seriously!).

There's also cinemas and laser quest not to mention a million other things including University Botanical Gardens and Museums. Oxford is really a lively city - and it's expanding and developing all the time: the new Oxford Castle development houses restaurants and a hotel in a very new-meets-old Oxford way and there are even plans afoot to overhaul the Westgate Centre shops.

For more information on Oxford try one of the following sites: