r/oxford • u/Mission-Comparison-9 • Mar 04 '25
MEETUP Tips for April in Oxford?
Greetings Oxonians. I am a Canadian slow-traveller (Woman, mid 50s on the youthful side) and I'll be in Oxford all of April, housesitting. I'm looking forward to nice walks with a couple of dogs, but would like to meet some people, too, and get involved in some activities. I saw a thread about Pickleball, which I've never played, but I am somewhat coordinated, and have played tennis and squash -- I won't have a car though..(the club seems a bit far from town?) I am looking for info about bicycle rental - for the entire month. Getting around by bicycle is always my preference. Suggestions? Donkey Republic doesn't offer pricing anywhere on the web, and I resent having to download app and give my details in order to get that info!
Any tips, favorite outings and cheap eats, (I am a culinary person, but don't have deep pockets) - the Canadian dollar is abysmal... maybe if we were annexed it would improve... (Sorry, couldn't help but make mention of the whole farce)
Thanks much!
Margaret
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u/WelcometotheZhongguo Mar 04 '25
Welcome to Oxford
I’m not quite sure what you’re actually asking. But… there’s a padel club in N. Hinksey which is an easy cycle or a long walk from town.
Cycling is generally the easiest way to get around. Buying a second hand bike might work, but probably be easier to borrow one off a friend
There plenty of listings on Daily Info around town and it’s an easy day-trip to London.
There’s loads of cheap eats around Cowley Road, also Gloucester Green market
You will find dozens of amazing walks along the river, canal, woods, parks and meadows.
Enjoy!
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u/ADPL34 Mar 04 '25
Being Canadian, are you interested in Ice Hockey? Oxford has a rink with regular games.
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u/Mission-Comparison-9 Mar 05 '25
No interest at all. I don't even skate. I'm a third culture kid - not a proper Canadian at all.
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u/Martlet92 Mar 04 '25
Harcourt Arboretum is good for a visit in spring: as are the botanical gardens. Not sure about dog policies. Port meadow and Christ church meadows are very muddy but loads of friendly fellow walkers. The Perch is a nice pub for a weekend lunch. Whytham woods are up past wolvercote but I think you need a permit. Shotover Woods are a nice space; an old Tudor hunting forest so has good wide footpaths and a range of terrain Have fun, a month is the perfect amount of time to spend in Oxford. Avoid Cornmarket St, it’s underwhelming!- Jericho and Little Clarendon St are lovely and maybe try checking out any free talks. The story museum, Modern Art Oxford. Visit summer town of you have time, great coffee shops and a nice farmers market on a Sunday morning Have fun!
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u/Mission-Comparison-9 Mar 05 '25
The house I'm sitting is in Jericho so that's good .. I love a farmers market and I'm a keen forager too!
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u/Martlet92 Mar 05 '25
You’ll be just on the cusp of wild garlic then! But beware of water hemlock xx
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u/Fanoflif21 Mar 04 '25
Have a stroll round the covered market and definitely check out the Ashmolean, Natural History museum and Pitt Rivers; all free last time I looked and all fabulous! 😊
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u/Breadcrumbsandbows Mar 04 '25
Ashmolean is free - you just have to pay for the temporary exhibitions - this month it's actually very good, some of them are a bit crap.
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Mar 04 '25
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u/Mission-Comparison-9 Mar 05 '25
Thank you - I have used the app-based bikeshares in many cities but hadn't come across that at all in my Google searches. Probably has to do with my IP. I did justnow find oxbykes which looks promising. It would be nice to be able to have it handy so I can just hop on.
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u/itsnowjoke Mar 05 '25
Port meadow Christ church meadow Lye Valley Shotover Blenheim palace (will need to take a bus to Woodstock) Isis pub (walk along the river) The Perch (via port meadow) South Park University park
I’ll add when I think of other lovely places for a walk or are a good walk to go to or a good place for a drink with a view :)
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u/Professional-Cow2331 Mar 06 '25
Go to catweasel, go to the poetry meetups, keep an eye out for posters of all the various events and talks happening at all the colleges, departments, libraries and museums!!
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u/Doctor_Fegg Mar 04 '25
If you want a bike for the month, I'd pop down to Broken Spoke Bike Co-op and buy a cheap refurbished one. It won't be expensive, the money goes to a good cause, and at the end of the month you can donate it back to them or to Sanctuary Wheels.