Oxford
Mar 13th, 2006 | 06:40 AM
#2
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 75,008
Likes: 50
couple of comments -
Oxford is a fabulous place. But staying in the city centre as a base for seeing the Cotswolds isn't all that practical.
If you mainly want to see the Cotswolds - stay IN the Cotswolds. A cottage in any Cotswold village will cost less than a flat (of the same quality) in the middle of Oxford. And then it is easy to do Oxford as a day trip - drive to one of the park and ride lots and take a bus into town.
If one wanted to spend several days exploring Oxford and just take one day to drive around the countryside - then I'd stay in Oxford. But if you want to do the opposite - explore the Cotswolds for several days and spend a day in Oxford - I'd stay in a Cotswold village.
Oxford is a fabulous place. But staying in the city centre as a base for seeing the Cotswolds isn't all that practical.
If you mainly want to see the Cotswolds - stay IN the Cotswolds. A cottage in any Cotswold village will cost less than a flat (of the same quality) in the middle of Oxford. And then it is easy to do Oxford as a day trip - drive to one of the park and ride lots and take a bus into town.
If one wanted to spend several days exploring Oxford and just take one day to drive around the countryside - then I'd stay in Oxford. But if you want to do the opposite - explore the Cotswolds for several days and spend a day in Oxford - I'd stay in a Cotswold village.
Mar 13th, 2006 | 07:24 AM
#3
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Well, up to a point, janisj.
The Cotswolds are a 70-80 mile strip of pretty scenery running SW-NE. Oxford's outside the Cotswolds: it's 13 miles - normally 20 minutes when Mrs C-S is driving, or about 30 for sensible folk - from these flats to the Cotswolds' nearest bit, at the range's extreme NE point. To get to somwhere at the extreme SW of the hills (near Bath, say) is usually about 90 minutes each way. All these times can vary hugely, but only to get longer. Personally, I'd find driving back to Oxford each night a bit of a slog from the SW. Especially if I'd been spending most of the day walking, which is the only sensible way of getting around.
BUT, there's simply no question that Oxford is probably a million times more fun to stay for many people than a Cotswold town where the evening choice is between a takeaway Indian and an overpriced hotel meal. Oxford's food and entertainment options aren't quite as stellar as it sometimes likes to fantasise. But they knock the Chipping Norton Chippy (thoroughly estimable though it is) into a cocked hat.
And, of course, everyone knows that the bits of the Cotswolds closest to Oxford contain the prettiest scenery, the nicest (and wisest) inhabitants, and the very, very best churches and medieval paintings.
So I wouldn't dismiss Oxford as a base. I just wouldn't plan to go to Bath or Cheltenham too often from it.
The Cotswolds are a 70-80 mile strip of pretty scenery running SW-NE. Oxford's outside the Cotswolds: it's 13 miles - normally 20 minutes when Mrs C-S is driving, or about 30 for sensible folk - from these flats to the Cotswolds' nearest bit, at the range's extreme NE point. To get to somwhere at the extreme SW of the hills (near Bath, say) is usually about 90 minutes each way. All these times can vary hugely, but only to get longer. Personally, I'd find driving back to Oxford each night a bit of a slog from the SW. Especially if I'd been spending most of the day walking, which is the only sensible way of getting around.
BUT, there's simply no question that Oxford is probably a million times more fun to stay for many people than a Cotswold town where the evening choice is between a takeaway Indian and an overpriced hotel meal. Oxford's food and entertainment options aren't quite as stellar as it sometimes likes to fantasise. But they knock the Chipping Norton Chippy (thoroughly estimable though it is) into a cocked hat.
And, of course, everyone knows that the bits of the Cotswolds closest to Oxford contain the prettiest scenery, the nicest (and wisest) inhabitants, and the very, very best churches and medieval paintings.
So I wouldn't dismiss Oxford as a base. I just wouldn't plan to go to Bath or Cheltenham too often from it.
Mar 13th, 2006 | 07:45 AM
#4
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
I'd also take into account that the Oxford Ring Road was designed by Satan. (Apologies to Mr. Gaiman.)
Getting out of the city, or any of the suburbs inside that ring road, takes a lot of time, energy, and particularly for those unused to driving in a left-hand drive vehicle, nerve on the numerous roundabouts.
If you are a very nervous driver, or have children, bad eyesight, stiff neck, or are just trying to minimize stress this trip, staying just outside that ring road may chop off a lot of time and stress.
Having said that, I find CotswoldScouser's advice, in all things, unimpeachable.
Getting out of the city, or any of the suburbs inside that ring road, takes a lot of time, energy, and particularly for those unused to driving in a left-hand drive vehicle, nerve on the numerous roundabouts.
If you are a very nervous driver, or have children, bad eyesight, stiff neck, or are just trying to minimize stress this trip, staying just outside that ring road may chop off a lot of time and stress.
Having said that, I find CotswoldScouser's advice, in all things, unimpeachable.
