Dreaming of city spires

DON’T LET THE KIDS FOOL YOU, THERE’S LOTS TO LOVE ABOUT OXFORD, WRITES RICHARD ABBEY.

old and most celebrated of cities.

Oxford University is the oldest higher education institution in the Englishspeaking world and to date one of the best and most prestigious in the world. It is made up of 39 independent colleges, the most famous being Christ Church, Trinity and Balliol, which intermingle with shops, museums, restaurants and gardens throughout the centre.

Highlights for tourers include the Radcliffe Camera, an iconic landmark and a working library which is part of the Bodleian complex, and the Hertford Bridge. Often called the Bridge of Sighs, this distinctive skyway nestled amongst Oxford’s quaint honey-coloured streets joins two parts of Hertford College.

It was at this latter attraction that my children showed their true colours.

“Is that it?” they said in harmony.

“I thought it would be bigger.”

“Doesn’t it go over a river?”

Ignoring their negative comments, we joined a throng of tourists and a walking tour posing for pictures and thoroughly enjoyed exploring the many narrow streets and quads. It was anything but underwhelming.

Whilst you’re working your way around the many colleges, don’t forget to stop off at the Ashmolean, the University of Oxford’s museum of art and technology and Britain’s first public museum. This free-to-visit space houses the world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings, Egyptian pre-dynastic sculpture and ceramics, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, outstanding Anglo-Saxon treasures, and the foremost collection of modern Chinese paintings.

The History of Science Museum, opposite Trinity College, is also worth a stop-off (entry is free) and is home to an unrivalled collection of scientific inventions, devices, and instruments from different cultures, places, and times in human history.

Cornmarket Street is just a short walk from here and marks the start of Oxford’s main shopping area. Head down and to the left and you’ll find the Covered Market, which dates back to the 18th century and is a hub of independent retailers selling everything from books to clothing.

Head in the opposite direction and you’ll happen upon Westgate, a brand new retail quarter featuring the best of British high street names as well as prestigious global brands. A stunning roof terrace offers panoramic views over the city and is also home to a good number of restaurants as well as a cinema.

If you’re planning more than a day trip to the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, as we did, the Holiday Inn Oxford offers the perfect base from which to explore the city as well as the surrounding area. Located just off the A34 at the Peartree Roundabout it is sited next to a park and ride which offers easy access to the city – parking is free and a family ticket cost us just £5 return for the ten-minute bus ride into the centre.

The Holiday Inn has just undergone a £1million refurbishment to transform its public spaces and showcase a brand new ‘open lobby’ concept on the ground floor. This has seen the traditionally separate zones of a reception, lobby, bar, lounge, restaurant and business centre merged into one cohesive space where guests can eat, meet, relax and socialise as they choose.

Key features of the open lobby include free high-speed wifi, a ‘To Go’ café where food and drinks are available around the clock, a versatile dining space with a range of seating from booths to high and low tables, a living room-style media lounge with comfy seating, games, magazines and TV, and an E-bar where guests can plug in with lots of power points, a wireless printer and more.

“There are so many options and areas to plug in or switch off, that our business and travel guests will love what we’ve done,” said general manager Gavin Webster. “Customer satisfaction is a top priority for me and my team and this refurbishment allows us to deliver our best-ever service with no barriers between us and the guests.”

This high-level of customer service was evident throughout our stay at the hotel; staff were eager to please and engage you in conversation making you feel very welcome. The vibrant décor really added to the ‘open lobby’ concept and created a bright and bubbly atmosphere in areas that can often be soulless. It made for a refreshing change.

The restaurant operates an extensive all-day menu and we tucked into dishes of king prawn skewers (£8.25), sirloin steak (£25.95) and chicken makhana curry (£17.25). Children are well catered for too with a ‘build your own menu’ and eat for free with paying adults.

Breakfast is served buffet style and featured a range of cereals and pastries, fruit and cold cuts as well as your traditional hot favourites, including eggs cooked to order.

The refurbishments at the Holiday Inn Oxford haven’t been limited to the lobby but have been extended to the bedrooms too. Our King Room with pull-out sofa bed was both spacious and comfortable.

The location of the hotel is not just convenient for the centre of Oxford but also offers easy access to the Cotswolds, nearby Blenheim Palace and the Bicester Village designer shopping outlet is just a ten-minute drive away.

Our children (and ourselves) were seriously impressed with the hotel, for once being overwhelmed. We’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

The Holiday Inn Oxford is an IHG Hotel. To find out more, visit www.ihg.com. For information on the Peartree Park & Ride, visit www.oxford.gov.uk

For Oxford visitor information, head to oxfordcity.co.uk