Oxford's 10 Best Summer Activities

A city of unspeakable beauty and home to the oldest English-speaking university, it is no wonder that Oxford has inspired countless artists, writers, and musicians. Offering an eclectic mix of architecture from every period of English design, the Saxons specifically, as well as an exciting range of choice, Oxford has much to tempt the everyday tourist. We discover an array of things to do in the City of Dreaming Spires.

Ice-cream at G and D’s

Set up by two Oxford students wishing to provide Oxford with “real ice-cream”, G and D’s has gone from strength to strength since its establishment in 1992. Founded on the simple principles of providing good quality ice-cream, reasonable priced food, and friendly and efficient service, all within a cosy and unpretentious atmosphere, the cow-themed café delivers, providing town and gown (a term coined to refer to the students and the natives) with a mouth-watering range of ice-creams and bagels that are sure to leave the customer hungry for more. Not only is the range exemplary, with exciting flavours such as “Mango and Malibu”, “Black Beauty”, and “Salted Caramel”, there are sparks of mischief and vitality that add to the atmosphere; a customer favourite is a watercolour, with the title “The Total Eclipse of the Moose”, a homage both to the pervasive cow-theme and the Bonnie Tyler song. There are three ‘branches’ of the G and D’s ice-cream shop in Oxford town. These are: George & Davis, 55 Little Clarendon St, Oxford, OX1 2HS, +44 1865 516652 George & Danver, 94 St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BT, +44 1865 245952 George & Delila, 104 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JE, +44 1865 727111

2. Novelty Cakes at The Cake Shop

Market, Bridge, Church, Market, Shop, University

Novelty Cakes at The Cake Shop

An absolute favourite go-to place for every individual with an inner child within them, The Cake Shop can be found in the historic and famed Covered Market. Not only does it offer an incredible range of customised cakes and sugar products, from little graduation cakes decorated with a sugar mortarboard, to huge tiered themed wedding cakes, its glassy façade also allows passers-by to watch the artisans as they work on their projects. It is especially famous for displaying its annual showpiece, which is usually a famous Oxford monument represented in cake, such as Christ Church’s Tom Tower, Hertford’s Bridge of Sighs, or the Bodleian’s Radcliffe Camera. This in itself draws huge crowds of tourists and natives on a daily basis, as they love both to watch the artisans at work as well as gazing upon the beautifully crafted cakes. The Cake Shop, 123 – 127 Avenue 4, The Covered Market, Oxford, OX1 3DZ, +44 1865 295 270447

Water plants in the Conservatory. Botanic Gardens, University of Oxford, UK | © Jorge Royan/Wikicommons

3. A Stroll through the Botanic Garden

Pub

A Stroll through the Botanic Garden

Founded in 1621, the Oxford Botanic Garden houses over 8,000 different species across a relatively small area, thus making it one of the most diverse yet compact collections of plants internationally. Other than being highly educational, it is also beautiful visually, as its architecture and layout are awe-inspiring and aesthetically pleasing; firm favourites include the Danby Gateway, one of the earliest structures to use the early Baroque style, and the symmetrical Rose Garden, which is said to have inspired the Croquet Game in Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. There is no time during the year that there isn’t something on at the Botanic Garden, and a special summer exhibition worth going to is called “The Fox Got You”, an exhibition by Françoise Sergy celebrating six unassuming plants which have become the basis of five major medicinal drugs. Both intellectually and visually stimulating, the Oxford Botanic Garden has something for everyone. The Fox Got You is on until August 31 2015 The Oxford Botanic Garden, Rose Lane, Oxford, OX1 4AZ, +44 1865 286690

Picture of the corner of the Eagle and Child pub, in Oxford (England), where the Inklings met (1930-1950) | © Tom Murphy VII/Wikicommons

4. A Pint in The Eagle & Child

Market, Pub

A Pint in The Eagle & Child

A “traditional pub with a unique character”, The Eagle and Child has so much more to offer the weary itinerant than its eclectic range of real ales and quality pub lunches, though that in itself is worthy of praise. Known affectionately as “The Bird and Baby” (and sometimes even “The Fowl and Foetus”!), The Eagle and Child is most famous for being the favourite watering hole of The Inklings in the mid-20th century, an Oxford writers’ group that included C. S. Lewis (writer of Chronicles of Narnia) and J.R.R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings). It was also regularly frequented by Colin Dexter, and subsequently, his fictional creation Inspector Morse. The literary connections that the pub has thus serves to create an incredible aura of magic and greatness and this has drawn flocks of tourists to the ‘sacred’ spot ever since. The Eagle & Child, 49 St. Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LU, +44 1865 302925

5. A Customised Milkshake at Moo-Moo’s

Market

A Customised Milkshake at Moo-Moo’s

Unapologetically pink in its fun décor and widely considered the best milkshake joint in the whole of Oxford, Moo-Moo’s offers an astonishing and mind-boggling array of milkshake flavours and chilled fruit smoothies. Using the name coined by the eldest daughter of the proprietors to refer to milky drinks when she was a child, Moo-Moo’s not only allows the customer to choose their favourite sweet treat, and blend it into a delicious ice-cream-smoothie-milkshake confectionary delight (such as Cadbury Crème Egg©, Cherry Drop©, or After Eight©, to name but a very, very, small handful), the happy customer can also stretch the limits of their creativity, and combine a whole host of flavours and treats to create The Perfect Milkshake. Infectiously fun, funky, and unadorned by any pretentious frills, Moo-Moo’s is the perfect place for anyone looking for the Absolute Customised Milkshake To-Go, without wanting hassle or excessive expense. Moo-Moo’s, 34/35 The Covered Market, Oxford, OX1 3DZ, +44 1865 200025

Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, UK | © Jorge Royan/Wikicommons

Exploring Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum Together

One of the favourite go-to places for Oxford students to relax and explore, the joined Museum of Natural Historyand Pitt Rivers Museumhas a collection so varied, so vast, and so exotic, that a visitor can quite easily visit the museum continuously on a monthly basis, and still find something new and exciting within the glass confines of the exhibits. In addition to its exhibitions and special displays, the Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museums are a veritable smorgasbord of ethnographic treasures, including assorted weaponry, shrunken heads, dinosaur bones, and perhaps most excitingly of all, the skeleton cast of an extinct Dodo. At the moment, there are a whole host of specialised exhibitions to go to, including “My Siberian Year, 1914 – 1915”, a showcase marking the centenary since the Oxford/Pennsylvania Siberian expedition, and “Sensing Evolution”, which allows explorers, through touch, to understand mammalian and reptilian evolution. My Siberian Year, 1914 -1915 is on at the Pitt Rivers Museum until February 28, 2016 Sensing Evolution has been on at the Museum of Natural History since May 8 2015, and is now a permanent exhibition Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW, +44 1865 272950 Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Road, +44 1865 270927

Sunset over the “bathing place” at the old toll bridge, Wolvercote (Oxford UK) 2007

6. A Dip in Port Meadow

A Dip in Port Meadow

An ancient plot of land that has not been ploughed for at least around 4000 years, Port Meadow is both a living artefact of archaeological interest and the perfect place for barbecues, summer socials, and bathing. It contains several well-preserved archaeological remains, including Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age settlement remains, and foundations of fortifications built during the English Civil War. However, as well as having an usually rich history, its bucolic beauty and incredible views ensure that aspiring artists and poets, such as William Turner, are drawn to it annually, using it as the inspiration for future great works. On a typical summer’s day, therefore, it is not unusual to see students, natives, and tourists flocking to Port Meadow to enjoy its nature walks, its swimming areas, or its expanse to have a relaxing time socialising and enjoying the summer sun. Port Meadow, Oxford, OX2 0NG, +44 1865 252240

Punting [in] Oxford April 2015 | © Tejvan Pettinger/Flickr

7. Punting Along the River Cherwell

Punting Along the River Cherwell

The ability to punt skilfully, as well as to play croquet or row, is practically a prerequisite in Oxford circles – it is such an integral part of summer in Oxford, that claims of disliking or being unfamiliar with punting is often met with reactions of surprise! Dating back from before 1880, punting in Oxford is a quiet and rural experience, allowing the punter to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the rivers and fields surrounding the city centre. The hot spot area to punt, however, is definitely around Port Meadow, where it is easy to navigate, has beautiful scenery, and is also dotted with famous pubs such as the The Trout Inn, best known for being featured in episodes of the Inspector Morse dramas. Therefore, not only is punting an excellent way of seeing a more tranquil and bucolic side of Oxford, it is also a wonderful way to become part of a centuries’ old tradition, as has been represented both in literature and in art. Oxford Punting, Old Horse Ford, High Street, Oxford, OX1 4AX, +44 1865 202643

St Giles Fair in Oxford St Giles Fair is held every year on the Monday and Tuesday after the first Sunday in September | © Steve Daniels/Wikicommons

8. Delving into St Giles’ Fair

Church

Delving into St Giles’ Fair

One of the greatest fairs nationwide, St Giles’ Fair has been held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (1st September) regularly since the 19th century. The fair was first properly established in 1625 to commemorate the feast day of the patron saint, St Giles, and of the consecration of the St Giles’ Church in 1200. It was, and is, on such a huge scale that it has even drawn comment on its sheer enormity from the poet John Betjeman, who had been a student at Magdalen College. Having evolved from a simple fair to a funfair, it has all sorts to offer to everyone, including carousels, teacup rides, and dodgems, and enough candy-floss, candied apples, and burgers to feed a small army! St Giles’ Fair will take place on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 September 2015 this year. St Giles’, Oxford, OX1 3JS By Tara Heuzé Tara Heuzé is a 20-year-old undergraduate living in Sunny Albion. She loves Asian cooking, reading plays, and trying to decipher inscriptions in crazy languages. Usually found panicking over some form of essay or translation crisis, she also tries to keep up a (sporadic) blog, which can be found here.

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