Spending the day in Oxford on Friday – will be driving down from Up North, arriving probably before 9.

Doesn’t look the best place for parking, so figured park and ride- from the outskirts would be the way to go.

Anyone local know the best option to go for?

Never been before, can’t really picture how big Oxford is.

Cheers!

Westgate, well priced too for a shopping centre.

Use whichever of the Park n Rides is closest to your route. Oxfords a sod to drive in so just dont bother.

Peartree is best P&R from the North.

Yep, they don’t like cars so park and ride will get you most places

Someone more local than me will be along shortly hopefully. But, yes to park and ride – parking is very tricky in the middle of town and P&R easy enough. That said I only properly know the ones coming in from the South Side, but Pear Tree Park and Ride should be fine.
Most of Oxford is really easy on foot once you’re in the centre – all the colleges, museums, libraries, famous boozers all within easy reach of town centre.
Only commonly visited part that’s a good way out is the Cowley road, the ‘edgey’ bit of town where music venues, interesting food etc is to be found.
Bodleian Library, Pitt Rivers/Natural History museum, Ashmolean for museums etc Don’t know many pubs sadly, but Turf Tavern is great and Eagle and Child is the JRR Tolkein pub.

The Bear and the King’s Arms are 2 more old pubs filled with braying students during term time.

Eagle and Child is closed. Don’t miss the Pitt-Rivers, particularly if you have kids, Kings Arms does good beer and good food, Merton college has the best bells (every 15 minutes (roughly)) and great chapel if you can get in.

Exactly the sort of stuff I needed to know – thanks all!

Top tip, remember which park and ride you used, we didn’t and had to ask bus driver by describing it.

Walking tour was fab, I usually hate that sort of thing but enjoyed it.

Loads of indie coffee shops, just ask locals on here.

Natural History Museum for Dinosaurs. It leads into the Pitt Rivers.

As an ex local this would be the walking route I’d do. If coming M40 then A34 I’d use Oxford Parkway park and ride (frequent buses). I’d recommend getting off at the stop just before St Giles (opposite Little Clarendon Street). Walk down Keble Road, right along Parks Road (Pitts Rivers / University Museum). I’d recommend The Kings Arms on the corner (best to sit in the snug at the back for atmosphere) to Catte Street (Bridge of Sighs), down Queen’s Lane to the High Street, across to Magpie Lane, right along Merton Street back to the High St, right then left past St Mary’s church, left down Brasenose Lane to covered market, out along Cornmarket towards The Ashmolean Museum and back to St Giles. Sounds complicated but have a look at Google Maps. Takes maybe an hour normal walking speed. You’ll see a lot of recognizable places. Oxford city centre really isn’t that big. Have a great day.

That sounds like a good plan above.
What’s your visit for, who is coming?

Perfect, thanks all!

Down for uni open day with Tyred Jr, not sure how much museum or pub time there’ll be but good to know what’s there.