Relax - Mingle in literati city

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SINGAPOREAN ABROAD
IN OXFORD WITH...
Wang Ruobing
Age: 34
Occupation: Artist and doctoral student
at Oxford University
Length of stay: 2 years, 10 months

British university enclave Oxford will awe you with its hallowed corridors of learning and discovery

Home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford is often called the City of Dreaming Spires because of the harmonious architecture of its university buildings.

Though comparatively small, with a population of about 165,000, the British university town is diverse and exciting, with lots to offer any traveller, says artist Wang Ruobing, 34.

"From music to punting, politics to art, academics to activism, you can indulge in whatever you fancy," says Ms Wang, who is studying for her doctorate in fine art.

Oxford has numerous tourist attractions, vibrant museums, affordable restaurants and pubs with significant literary connections.

In recent years, the city has also attracted a steady stream of movie fans. Several scenes in the Harry Potter movies, which were first released in 2001, were shot in Oxford University's buildings.

The Divinity School, whose ceiling features images of beasts and biblical scenes, served as the fictional Hogwarts School’s sanatorium.

The Bodleian Library was the setting for many of Harry’s adventures, while the dining hall in Christ Church College was the site of the magical Great Hall at Hogwarts.

The Great Hall at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies, which was
shot at the dining hall at Christ Church in Oxford University, Britain.

GETTING AROUND

The best way to get around the place is....

On a bicycle. Cyclists enjoy greater freedom than commuters on buses or cars, as they can park their bikes anywhere along the streets.

The best way to explore the place is...

On foot. The university has a myriad of treasures which are best discovered by simply taking the time to walk around.

The best time to visit is ....

From June to August. The weather is warm and it is extremely pleasant. Winter is cold and miserable, as daylight hours are very short.

The coldest months are from November to February and are best avoided. The weather in summer varies between 20 and 28 deg C while in winter, it can dip to -3 deg C.

CULTURE

Which places really excite you?

The Pitt Rivers Museum (South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PP, tel: +0186-5270-927, www.prm.ox.ac.uk/) because of its extensive anthropological collection.

Many early anthropologists, explorers and missionaries made donations to the museum. The display is arranged thematically according to how the objects were used.

This is an unusual method as it reflects the historical and regional variations of the same objects and has become a distinctive feature of this museum.

The entire city has so much to offer, where does one start?

The Covered Market (North of High Street, www.oxford-covered-market.co.uk/) is the best place to kick off your trip.

Located in the heart of Oxford, it is said to be the oldest covered market in England. It is a bit like the wet markets of Singapore. You can buy a great selection of meat, vegetables, fish and numerous cheeses.

Apart from green grocers and butchers, there are plenty of gift shops, bakeries and cafes. Do not miss this very unique and traditional shopping experience.

You also get to see a bit of history. The Covered Market opened on Nov 1, 1774.

After the Covered Market, you should visit Radcliffe Square which is just a stone’s throw away. It has one of the finest groups of buildings in Europe, forming the heart of the university with the Divinity School, the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library and Schools’ Quadrangle.

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Its extensive collection of manuscripts and artefacts was only open to scholars in the past but is now accessible to everyone.

Your favourite cultural stop is...

College and hall visiting. The university has 38 independent and self-governing colleges and six permanent private halls.
A few top-choice colleges are: Christ Church, whose dining hall is a must-see if you are a Harry Potter fan; St John's College, whose arcaded and richly decorated Canterbury Quad leads to the college's fine gardens; Exeter College for its chapel with a strikingly gothic spire; University College, one of Oxford's oldest colleges; and Magdalen College, if you want to see wildlife such as deer visiting its grounds.

The Eagle And Child is a legendary watering hole in Oxford, Britain
that was patronised by literary lights such as J.R.R Tolkein and
C.S Lewis.

FESTIVAL TOWN

Any key festivals to work into one's travel plans?

There are all kinds of festivals available throughout the year, such as art, jazz, film and literary festivals. All I will say is, if you are visiting Oxford for the first time, just go when the weather is pleasant.

SHOPPING

The best bargains are at...

The Thursday market, which opens once a week at Gloucester Green. It is located near the bus station and you can find all kinds of things and fine handicrafts for gifts at reasonable prices.

The richest variety of products can be found at...

Carfax. Derived from the French "carrefour", meaning "crossroads", Carfax is located at the centre of the city. Along its four streets, you can find the richest variety of goods from children's clothes to all kinds of Oxford trinkets – fridge magnets, caps, T-shirts and mugs.

FOOD

The best breakfast is at...

The Big Bang (124 Walton Street, tel: +0186-5511-441, www.thebigbangrestaurants.co.uk/aboutus.htm). The English breakfast there costs only £3 (S$7) and you get a fried egg, sausage, oven-grilled tomato, beans, sauteed mushrooms, toast and hash browns with juice and tea or coffee.

You calso get a an vegetarian version for £6.95. The Veggie Banger consists of two fried eggs served with a vegetable sausage together with oven-grilled tomato, beans, sauteed mushrooms and hash browns.

Both are great value for money. In fact, you are unlikely to feel hungry till tea-time once you have had its substantial English breakfast.

The best brunch is at...

The Nosebag Restaurant (6-8 St Michaels Street, OX1 2DU, tel: +0186-5721-033, www.nosebagoxford.co.uk/) is located in the centre of Oxford.

It has an extensive range of dishes and is very popular with vegetarians as well. The portions are large and prices are not too high. It is a perfect place for a quick lunch and also a cosy place to meet and chill out with friends.

I like their beef lasagne at £7.85 which is served with three salads and garlic bread. If you do not fancy beef, go for their tomato and coconut-chilli chicken served with rice and green salad, which also costs £7.85.

The best dinner is at...

Try the Fishers Restaurant (36/37 St Clements, tel: +0186-5243-003, www.fishers-restaurant.com/). It has a wide range of fresh seafood shipped in daily. I like their Scottish mussels (£6.25) cooked with white wine, shallots and cream. If you have the appetite, go for the three-course party menu which costs about £27.50.

SUNDOWNERS

The best drinks are at...
Oxford's many pubs, like The Turf Tavern, The Kings Arms, The Lamb And Flag and The Eagle And Child. My favourite is the Eagle And Child (49, St Giles) because The Inklings, a small group of famous writers, used to meet there regularly in the past. Famous Inklings include the fantasy writers J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

This pub is said to have contributed to the final form of both Lewis’ Narnia books and Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings series. From 1939 to 1962, the Inklings met there every Friday before lunch to drink and talk, usually in an area at the back of the pub, which is now known as the Rabbit Room. It is a haven for book-lovers.

What is the one must-try drink in town?

Ale and wine at The Lamb And Flag (12 St Giles). British poet and novelist Thomas Hardy is believed to have written much of his novel Jude The Obscure (1895) in this pub. In the novel, the city of Christminster is a thinly disguised version of Oxford, and it is thought that a pub that appears in certain passages of the novel is based on The Lamb And Flag.

What is the coolest place to chill out?

The Turf Tavern (off New College Lane and Honeywell Street, www.theturftavern.co.uk/) which dates back to the 14th century. This historic pub located just outside the Oxford city walls is frequented by university students, academics, local families and visitors to Oxford.

They have good wines and the environment is superb. A pint of ale costs between £3.50 and £4.75. Wines by the glass cost between £2.50 and £3.60 for 175ml, or £3.50 to £4.95 for 250ml. Bottles are £9.95 to £14.45. Expect to pay around £35.95 for champagne. This pub is popular with students celebrating the end of term.

Is there a Clarke Quay equivalent?

Not really. Oxford has quite a different cultural heritage.

FURTHER OUT

What is there to explore?

There are several interesting places to explore, including Blenheim Palace (www.blenheimpalace.com/), situated 12.8km north-west of Oxford. This World Heritage site is an exquisite baroque palace surrounded by sweeping lawns, gardens and a magnificent lake.

About 16km south of Oxford is Didcot Railway Centre (www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/), which displays lovingly restored steam locomotives and passenger coaches. Visitors can also enjoy unlimited rides on trains there.

Cotswold Wildlife Park, 32km west of Oxford, is home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.

If you like shopping, head to Bicester, a village made for shopping. It is near Bleinhem Palace and the main attraction there is its market square selling produce and designer clothes at reduced prices.

deepikas@sph.com.sg

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.

Mingle in literati city

By Deepika Shetty, The Straits Times | Wed, Sep 2 2009

British university enclave Oxford will awe you with its hallowed corridors of learning and discovery.

Keywords

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