Oxford is the name which reminds us of the prestigious Oxford University, but there is a lot more to this quaint old city that promises to make a visit to it an experience of a lifetime. The amazing history, culture, architecture, markets and culinary delicacies are just a few of the attractions it has to offer.
Here are the 10 places you must visit in Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires:
Oxford University’s History Colleges
The historic Oxford University dates back to the 12th century and it comprises of more than 30 colleges, which span the medieval city. The colleges boast of architectural diversity and cultural richness. Some of the most famous amongst these are University College, Magdalen College and Christchurch College.
Blenheim Palace
A World Heritage Site, the famous Blenheim Palace is the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill ad also the residence of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. The glorious palace stands as an ovation to the 18th century Baroque Architecture. In addition to the magnificence of the palace itself, the beauty of the 2000-acre gardens that surround it is a great attraction for the visitors.
Bicester Village
If you are an avid shopping enthusiast, a trip to the famed Bicester Village in the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside can be the highlight of your tour. This happening shopping destination is home to sophisticated boutiques which showcase top fashion brands such as Gucci and Chanel. Bicester Village promises a unique retail experience, along with amazing food and drinks at its restaurants and cafes.
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Another must-visit attraction in your Oxford itinerary is the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, one of the oldest in the world and the oldest in Great Britain. Founded in 1621, the 1.8 hectare sprawling garden houses more than 8000 plants species, making it one of the most diverse collections in the world. A true wonder for nature lovers!
The Bodleian Library
Also famous as “The Bod”, the Bodleian Library is the home of each and every book that has been published in the UK and Ireland. The library stores countless books, not only above the ground but in its vast underground networks. The crests of all the colleges of Oxford adorn the massive wooden doors of the library.
The Sheldonian Theater
Just adjacent to the Bodleian Library is the Sheldonian Theater, a famous concert venue named after the Archbishop of Canterbury Gilbert Sheldon. The theater also conducts the customary Matriculation Ceremony, which involves induction of new students to the Oxford University as its official members. The Graduation Ceremony marking the end of the academic year of the students here is also held at the Sheldonian Theater.
The Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum holds the credit of being the first-ever public museum, making it another impeccable attraction of Oxford. The contents of the museum are truly amazing, with the likes of Lawrence of Arabia’s robes, ancient Greek statues and Egyptian mummies.
The Oxford Castle
Oxford Castle is the oldest building in the city, which continues to be a relic despite the fact that most of it was devastated in the English Civil War centuries ago. Built in the 11th century, the castle’s ruins were used as a prison after its initial destruction. Later, they were rebuilt from 1785 onwards and then transformed into a luxury retreat in 1996.
The Grand Café
An instance of old-world opulence is the Grand Café, which is located on Oxford’s High Street. The café is popular for its elegant high teas as well as sumptuous cocktails and is loved by students and tourists alike. It dates back to 1652 and stands just opposite to another famous café, the Queen’s Lane Coffee House.
Ancient Pubs
Oxford is not only known as the educational hub but also for its ancient pubs, which happen to be amongst the oldest establishments in the city. The Bear and the Turf, which date back to the 13th century, are the most famous of these pubs.
The picturesque appeal as well as the historical magnificence of Oxford has made it a favorite location for the film industry. Harry Potter series has been shot at the locales of the Bodleian Library, parts of Christ Church and New College.
Here are some of the numerous benefits of Yoga the Zen:
Yoga is an excellent therapy for alleviating accumulated stress that is part and parcel of modern lifestyle. The postures as well as breathing techniques help release the pent-up pressure from the body and the mind. They help in detoxification by eliminating the negative energies and thoughts, ensuring inner peace and relaxation.
Practicing Yoga everyday makes one flexible and supple. Asanas such as Surya Namaskar involve comprehensive stretching of almost all the bones and muscles of the body. Regular practice tones up the muscles and imparts strength to them, and at the same time, improves the general body posture. Flexibility and correct posture ensure that a person gets rid of chronic muscular pain and related problems.
Yoga comes up as a highly effective, natural and pocket-friendly method of weight loss, as compared to sweating out for hours in gym and spending a good deal of money too. Moreover, the weight loss achieved with Yoga is sustainable and keeps one in good health, besides making one fit. Yoga even helps one control food cravings as it strengthens the control over body and mind.
Yoga not only heals disease but curbs it too. Research has proved that people who practice Yoga have higher immunity levels and this is attributed to the fact that breathing techniques used in Yoga improve blood circulation to vital organs and they function in a better manner. Better performance of these organs lead to improvement in overall health due to better immunity.
The Make
The Comfort
The Look
And finally, the price!
Price – £65
On such days, keeping your look simple is the way to go. But you’ll probably object that lazy or not, you always need a little bit of jazz. After all, you are a trendy diva, aren’t you? Ordinary turnout is not your thing. Neither is it mine. So I arranged a quick-fix that would turn my plain, comfy outfit into statement attire which screams “casual chic”. I put on some classy fashion jewellery and immediately, I felt and looked so much better!
And that’s when I decided; I must do a post on how to glamorize simple attire using classy, contemporary jewellery. As you can see, I’m wearing a pair of fitted, basic blue jeans by Next and a striped blue-and-black kaftan top by COs Stores. I wore string sandals to match my informal clothing and stayed away from all accessories other than some light jewellery.
The pieces I am wearing – the beaded necklace, the charm bracelet and the statement rings – are all by an up and coming brand Deevara Jewels. I first encountered their collection at the Bollygoods Show this year and was instantly captivated. You see, even though the brand makes only contemporary fashion jewellery, there is something very elegant and exclusive about it. It doesn’t look like junk jewellery you bought off the streets – it is beautiful and subtle and very fashionable!
The red and white beads of the necklace offer a contrast to the black and blue beneath. Since the top has a boat-neck hemline, it’s perfectly suited for a long neckpiece. The silver bracelet too went well with the colour scheme. The delicate charms and multiple wrap-around strings make my wrist look more dainty. Both statement rings have a chunky stone set in German silver. This adds a wee bit of rustic appeal to the otherwise uber-modern outfit.
And this is what I love about Deevara Jewels’ – their unique approach to jewellery design. Their pieces are a fusion of classic aesthetics and contemporary stylistics. They bring something new to the table and that, to me, is very alluring. They use semi-precious stones for creating Indo-fusion jewellery that is spectacular yet affordable. Currently based out of Denham, Deevara’s collection can be accessed through their Facebook Page and Instagram accounts. I’m adding the links so may check them out too!
My little bundle of joy makes sure that I have sleepless nights but I am very particular about my morning or evening jog as it not only helps me burn the calories but also de-stresses me after the long nights. One of the easiest exercises, jogging is super-effective for eliminating the stubborn post-partum fat and getting you back to your original shape. It also gives your lungs the much-needed oxygen ad relaxes your body and mind.
Everyone loves taking trips to major destinations like London, Scotland or Oxford when it comes to visit United Kingdom, often visiting mainstream spots like the London Eye, Madam Tussauds, the Buckingham palace and other such popular places. However, UK has a lot more to offer than these traditional destinations. Through my blog I aim to showcase the eccentric but real and culturally rich English destinations on my blog, because UK as a country is full of beautiful places to see.
The wildlife park and the gardens have something for every age group. It has several exciting exhibits like; The reptile house, Madagascar, the Walled Garden, The wood walk, Tropical House, Train, Adventure playground, and Bat House among a few other attractions.
Nestled in Cotworld, the park is surrounded by serene beauty. The drive to the location is really pleasant and filled with natural beauty, since it is located away from the hustle and bustle of city lights. It’s a great place to spend the weekend with family or spouse, and have a picnic in the midst of nature. The best part about this place is that it is not a proper zoo. The animals are kept in lovely enclosures which were well maintained and clean with plenty of space for them to move around. The walk around the attractions is exquisite and you can get up close to the animals.
You can see Turtles, Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes, Zebras and other magnificent creatures. The giraffe enclosure has a ramp, where you can walk up and be at eye level with the animal. The farm animal section is also lovely and reminds me of old countryside farms. The park also has a nice play area for the kids with a small helter skelter. I decided to let the child in me out and enjoy the ride, it was probably my first time on such a ride and I was scared to death. But enjoyed none the less, also I love mini trains as it always reminds me of my childhood days. The park has an entrance fee of £ 15 for adults, which is reasonable for the experience they provide.
Overall, I had a really positive experience and would recommend anyone visiting UK to spend a nice sunny day having a picnic in Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens.
Have you ever visited any eccentric places in UK? Let me know in the comments below.
Gaga for Gingham
