I am going to be in Oxford for several days in late April. I'd like to find a cozy B&B close to central city. Clean, quiet, shower, and relatively inexpensive. Any suggestions?

Also they aren't in the central city but can anyone tell me about the B&B's Falcon and Newton?

I'm studying abroad in Oxford currently and am not aware of any B and Bs. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm more familar with the city centre, in which there are a number of hotels. However, these are apt to be a little noisy.

Sorry, one more thing. You could check and see about getting a room in one of the Colleges. My College (New) has a couple of nice guest rooms.

JoeTro, I am thinking you are a student at Oxford U. As is my son. He is in Hertford. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check into guestrooms.

Yes - I'm an American at New College for this year.

Enjoy Oxford - there are so many incredible buildings.

There are MANY B&Bs and small hotels in Oxford. You really don't need to stay in the very city centre because there is an extensive and very convenient bus system. Accommodations in Oxford tend to be on the expensive side because tourists, business travelers and college visitors make it a really popular place. So if you are willing to be a bit farther out you have a better chance to find lower rates.

check this site www.smoothound.co.uk/

It has lots of good links to hotels, guest houses and and B&Bs

(I can't recommend a specific place because I used to live near there and when I return I rent a self-catering cottage or flat for a week or more. Other Fodorites may have recommendations)

janis, I might be in Oxford for as long as a week, so would be interested in taking a look at a flat or a self-catering cottage. Any suggestions? Thanks for the website address.

I usually stay out in a village because I always have a car.

But take a look at the one www.oxfordcity.co.uk/accom/studioflat/

it is a large- ish studio some friends of mine used and liked a lot. It is in Jericho which is a neighborhood w/i walking distance of the Ashmolean and pretty much all of central Oxford.

That same oxfordcity.co.uk home page links to about a dozen other weekly rentals - but a few are out a bit farther.

janis, thank you for the help. the one flat is too big for me, I just need a place for one, possible two people. And the more I think about it the more interested I am to maybe be out a bit. I think I'll be renting a car. I like the main site, and have contacted some of the people. If you have any suggestions for places further out, I would be interested. Thanks again

Adam:

It's impractical to depend on a car if you're a tourist in Oxford. Parking inside the ring road (roughly a 2 mile radius from the central point) is limited, generally restricted to 2 hr maxima (even on Sundays) or extraordinarily expensive in the few places without a time limit. There are generally spaces at the B+Bs or hotels within the ring road but outside the historic core.

If you're staying outside the ring road, you need either to park+ride at the ring road or to take a train or bus from where you're staying. If you're staying inside the ring road, feet, bus or bike are really the only ways you can get to the historic stuff. As a general rule, walking is always safe and (except in lousy weather) the best way to get about, even from a mile or so out of town.

adamsparks: "the one flat is too big for me, I just need a place for one, possible two people"

I'm confused by your post. The flat I gave the url for IS a studio for one or two people. Couldn't be much smaller and still be a flat. . . . .

I got the idea you wanted to be in Oxford and needed to be near the city center. If so, you don't want a car nor do you really want to be out in a village and have to deal with the traffic and park & ride.

If on the other hand you are just doing a day trip into Oxford and are going to spend the rest of the time outside of town, then a cottage in the country and a car makes more sense. Here are some agencies and one-offs you can check out:

Cottage in the Country www.cottageinthecountry.co.uk Well run agency with cottages in the Cotswolds, Thames Valley, Berkshire, and other areas.

Manor Cottages & Cotswold retreats www.manorcottages.co.uk Cotswold-based agency with properties of all sizes/prices

Wiggall’s Corner Cottage www.ukaccommodation.com/wiggallcot.htm
Delightful 3 bedroom cottage on the village green in Kingham between Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Norton. Convenient for Oxford, Woodstock and the Cotswolds. I know this one is larger than you need but it is VERY inexpensive and in a village with rail connections.

Winton House Cottage [email protected] 011-44-4789-720500 Tiny studio conversion in Upper Quinton near Chipping Campden. Four poster bed, full kitchen and garden.