Oxford Information

The Oxford area

The city of Oxford is set in beautiful countryside and surrounded by waterways. The city is famous for its stunning and ancient architecture and fascinating heritage, as well as its associations with Inspector Morse, Harry Potter (much of the new film was filmed in the Bodleian and Christ Church) and Bill Clinton!

The University

There is evidence of teaching at Oxford as early as 1096 and the oldest colleges (University College, Merton and Balliol) were established between 1249 and 1264. Lady Margaret Hall (where the conference will take place) was the first women's college and was established in 1878.

The City

While the city of Oxford owes much of its unique atmosphere to the University, it is also a modern city full of variety and vibrancy. The High Street, Cornmarket Street and Queen Street are always bustling with shoppers. Blackwell's bookshop in Broad Street is excellent. There are also a great number of second-hand and specialist Book and Antique shops.

Things to do

There is always a huge variety of things to do in Oxford! You can rely on a good selection of classical concerts, often in historic buildings such as the Sheldonian theatre or the University Church. Theatre, opera and dance is to be found at the Apollo theatre and Oxford Playhouse and there are many museums and art galleries, most of which are free.

For an overview of the history and heritage of Oxford visit the Oxford Story Exhibition in Broad Street or go on one of the Bus Tours. The Tourist Information office also organises tours to nearby towns such as Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and London.

Places to Eat

Oxford has a large range of restaurants, from the traditional English pub (try the Mitre on the High Street or the King's Arms near the Bodleian Library) to chains such as Pizza Hut, Bella Pasta or Browns, to exclusive restaurants such as La Gousse d'Ail.

For further information about Oxford try the following links:

• Daily Information - up-to-date information on life in Oxford, reviews of restaurants, suggestions of things to do
• This is Oxfordshire
• Oxfordshire County Council Web Site
• Oxford City Council Web Site
• Tourist Information - the official Tourist Information site, with full details of tours, museums and exhibitions
• Oxford University Home Page - Interesting facts about the history of the University and its unusual federal structure.

About England

The climate

The weather in Oxford in March can be extremely unpredictable. It could snow. On the other hand, early attempts at summer are not uncommon. Swimming costumes are not recommended! To have a look at what the weather is doing at the moment visit the Met Office's 5 day forcast for Oxford

Useful Information

• The exchange rate with the US Dollar is approximately £1 = $1.40 or $1 = £0.70 Currency Converter

• The voltage used in England is 240v. Plugs and adapters can be bought at the airport and in most hardware shops.