Regional Guide - Central Oxford
City Centre
Even though most accommodation in the city centre is owned by Oxford University, it is possible to find some rare gems (see right). All areas of the city are easy to get to from here, making the area very popular with students from both universities.
For shopping, The High, Cornmarket St, Queen St, the Clarendon and Westgate centres are your best bet, and most shops stay open ‘til 8pm on Thursdays.
Steep yourself in atmosphere at some of the city’s legendary historic pubs - the Eagle and Child, The Turf, the Three Goats Head and The Bear are among the finest.
The city’s nightlife is at its most varied here, with The Bridge, Po Na Na’s, Thirst and Lava Ignite continuing to be the popular heavyweights of the student clubbing scene. You can find more diverse crowds and music in the smaller venues- check out Love Bar, Thirst Lodge, the Honey Pot, the Purple Turtle and the Cellar to find out more.
Grandpont and Abingdon Road
Practically in the city centre, and only a short walk or bus ride to most parts of Oxford, Grandpont is popular with students from either university. We have a mix of Victorian, Edwardian and modern property here, with many renovated to a very high standard (see left).
The city centre is on your doorstep, but there are a couple of great pubs and restaurants even closer- notably the Head of the River, and the new Riviera restaurant. Keen rowers should note that here you are only a stone’s throw from the university boathouses.
Abingdon Road begins once you cross Folly Bridge. This area is quieter and generally less popular with Brookes students as there is no direct bus route to Headington, but there are frequent buses into town and friendly local shops along the way.
Osney and Botley Road
Osney is an ideal location for students at both universities, as it is located within 5 minutes walk from the city centre and all the colleges, but also on a direct Brookes bus route to the Harcourt Hill campus and the Westminster Institute of Education. The train station is here, so you are well connected for travel around the country.
The houses in this area are similar to the kind you’ll find in Jericho- the area is not quite as popular but the location is just as good.