Oxford Accommodations
Dec 1st, 2007, 04:36 AM
#1
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Oxford Accommodations
We're a family of 6 from Virginia visiting our daughter in UK in March, where she is spending the semester. We plan to stay in Oxford and branch out from there with day trips by car/rail.
Does anyone have suggetions regarding accommodations in the Oxford area?
We're most interested in self-catering flat or apartment or lodge, rather than multiple hotel rooms.
In our group of 7, there are three "pairs" and a single.
We've all been to London before; Caitlin will be studying at Exeter; so we figured that Oxford will be a good spot from which to see places like Bath, Warwick, and even London again.
Any suggestions would surely be appreciated.
Does anyone have suggetions regarding accommodations in the Oxford area?
We're most interested in self-catering flat or apartment or lodge, rather than multiple hotel rooms.
In our group of 7, there are three "pairs" and a single.
We've all been to London before; Caitlin will be studying at Exeter; so we figured that Oxford will be a good spot from which to see places like Bath, Warwick, and even London again.
Any suggestions would surely be appreciated.
Dec 1st, 2007, 05:01 AM
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Oxford's traditionally an extremely expensive place for property, and there's more demand for short-let accommodation than supply.
Try www.oxfordcityapartments.co.uk or www.oxstay.co.uk. I'm no expert, but they strike me as a bit pokey, and you need to be very clear about the practicalities of parking, since there's a severe shortage of parking places in the city centre.
If you want a mixture of car and train travel, you might google for self-catering places in towns on the railway lines into Oxford and onto London, of which by far the prettiest are those along the Cotswold line. Moreton in Marsh and Charlbury both have some rental flats and cottages within 5-10 minutes' walk of their stations: Kingham might. Most of us recommend against these towns for people wanting to see the Cotswolds, because they're for living in, not sightseeing. But they're perfect bases for driving or training to the rest of England, as well as being extraordinarily pretty and civilised places to stay.
Try www.oxfordcityapartments.co.uk or www.oxstay.co.uk. I'm no expert, but they strike me as a bit pokey, and you need to be very clear about the practicalities of parking, since there's a severe shortage of parking places in the city centre.
If you want a mixture of car and train travel, you might google for self-catering places in towns on the railway lines into Oxford and onto London, of which by far the prettiest are those along the Cotswold line. Moreton in Marsh and Charlbury both have some rental flats and cottages within 5-10 minutes' walk of their stations: Kingham might. Most of us recommend against these towns for people wanting to see the Cotswolds, because they're for living in, not sightseeing. But they're perfect bases for driving or training to the rest of England, as well as being extraordinarily pretty and civilised places to stay.
Dec 1st, 2007, 05:11 AM
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It's lovely around Oxford, but there is a lot to do and see if you based in Exeter. ...Devon and the area in the south is gorgeous.
If you are going to visit your daughter, I would think you'd want to be close to her....she can show you "her" area,,, you can be with her at some meals etc.
(all the above, UNLESS she is having a school break and will be traveling with you some~~~you didn't say)
If you are going to visit your daughter, I would think you'd want to be close to her....she can show you "her" area,,, you can be with her at some meals etc.
(all the above, UNLESS she is having a school break and will be traveling with you some~~~you didn't say)
Dec 1st, 2007, 08:23 AM
#4
I rented a lovely cottage in Kingham on the village green. But if I remember it is only set up to sleep 5 max.
I agree w/ flanner that finding anything IN Oxford will be difficult and very pricey. You can google for self catering properties in Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury or Kingham if you want to be on a rail line. Or include Woodstock, Bladon, Long Hanborough, Stanton St John, Islip and Wheatley which are close to Oxford but not on raill lines.
I agree w/ flanner that finding anything IN Oxford will be difficult and very pricey. You can google for self catering properties in Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury or Kingham if you want to be on a rail line. Or include Woodstock, Bladon, Long Hanborough, Stanton St John, Islip and Wheatley which are close to Oxford but not on raill lines.
Dec 1st, 2007, 01:13 PM
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You might want to look into some of the National Trust or Landmark Trust properties that rent out odd corners of historic places to aid in their preservation. You can even stay in Hampton Court Palace.
Dec 1st, 2007, 10:25 PM
#6
Yes - one of the Landmark's in Hampton Court Palace does sleep 8 - however it is definitely not convenient as a base for Oxford.
These two good agencies specialize in properties in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, Thames Valley and there abouts. You can search by size/location.
http://www.cottageinthecountry.co.uk/
http://www.manorcottages.co.uk/
These two good agencies specialize in properties in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, Thames Valley and there abouts. You can search by size/location.
http://www.cottageinthecountry.co.uk/
http://www.manorcottages.co.uk/
Dec 2nd, 2007, 05:11 AM
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I can tell you a little about the Landmark Trust properties in and around Oxford.
My family stayed at The Old Parsonage in Iffley, a riverside suburb of Oxford. It's amazingly gorgeous, with a dining room, living room full of comfy sofas and chairs and many books (no TV), with a long garden that goes right down to the river, and is a short walk to the tow path, on which you can walk straight into Oxford, takes about an hour. There's a pub with a garden on the way. Rents for about 1400 gbp a week in March, but only sleeps 6 (2,2 and 2). From the top bedroom you can see the towers of the colleges in the distance at night.
You might supplement with the Steward's House, at 7 St. Michael's St. right in Oxford, for two people, at about 540 gbp a week in March. That one gets pretty noisy though, apparently.
Depending on your budget and tolerance for travel, there are a number of other options.
The first step is ordering (or borrowing from a friend) their handbook. Go to landmarktrust.org.uk for information, but you can order it for $25 from Landmark Trust USA in Vermont.
I can't say enough good things about this organization. Every property I've been to has been every bit as good as pictured, and the staff has been helpful.
My family stayed at The Old Parsonage in Iffley, a riverside suburb of Oxford. It's amazingly gorgeous, with a dining room, living room full of comfy sofas and chairs and many books (no TV), with a long garden that goes right down to the river, and is a short walk to the tow path, on which you can walk straight into Oxford, takes about an hour. There's a pub with a garden on the way. Rents for about 1400 gbp a week in March, but only sleeps 6 (2,2 and 2). From the top bedroom you can see the towers of the colleges in the distance at night.
You might supplement with the Steward's House, at 7 St. Michael's St. right in Oxford, for two people, at about 540 gbp a week in March. That one gets pretty noisy though, apparently.
Depending on your budget and tolerance for travel, there are a number of other options.
The first step is ordering (or borrowing from a friend) their handbook. Go to landmarktrust.org.uk for information, but you can order it for $25 from Landmark Trust USA in Vermont.
I can't say enough good things about this organization. Every property I've been to has been every bit as good as pictured, and the staff has been helpful.
Dec 2nd, 2007, 10:13 AM
#9
another comment re Landmark Trust (and the National Trust as well). They both own/manage really remarkable one-of-a-kind properties - especially the Landmark. But they also book up months and sometimes years in advance. They are also more expensive than other rentals. This is not at all a criticism - they incur huge costs for re-habbing the historic homes/flats that are often rescued from redevelopment.
I donate to the Landmark Trust and belong to the National Trust.
So if you find a Landmark that meets your needs AND fits in your budget - terrific. (yes you must buy the Landmark's handbook before you will see their inventory). But the number is limited and there are many other wonderful rentals for less money. You'd really need to consider that a major portion of the rent is a donation to their good works.
I donate to the Landmark Trust and belong to the National Trust.
So if you find a Landmark that meets your needs AND fits in your budget - terrific. (yes you must buy the Landmark's handbook before you will see their inventory). But the number is limited and there are many other wonderful rentals for less money. You'd really need to consider that a major portion of the rent is a donation to their good works.
Dec 2nd, 2007, 03:18 PM
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I would agree with Janis that it's really a somewhat off chance that you would find one of the trust properties that worked out for you. We've looked into them on several of our trips to UK, but never come up with the combination of location, length of stay, and availability that worked. Despite than, I'd have to say our investment of $25 in the Landmark Trust book was well worth it; the assortment of unique and odd properties preserved is truly fascinating.
Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:18 AM
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Let me clarify that nobody is strongarmed into buying the Landmark Trust handbook as a condition of booking, in case anyone was concerned. If you can borrow one, or have an old one, that's fine. (Nobody was implying they did, I just wanted to dispel any impression that the group was just trying to sell handbooks. They do contain a lot if information, and are temptations for future travel though.)
I, personally don't think they're that expensive. I see the links to properties other people on this board are considering, and think it compares favorably. My family had some bad surprises with other agencies before finding LT (VERY selective photography, not revealing property was shared, etc.) that LT was a revelation when we found it.
Only once have we not gotten the property for exactly the week we wanted, and we just took it for the following week. You can check availability online.
I would say you do pay a small premium for space, aesthetics and privacy, and I grateful for all three.
I, personally don't think they're that expensive. I see the links to properties other people on this board are considering, and think it compares favorably. My family had some bad surprises with other agencies before finding LT (VERY selective photography, not revealing property was shared, etc.) that LT was a revelation when we found it.
Only once have we not gotten the property for exactly the week we wanted, and we just took it for the following week. You can check availability online.
I would say you do pay a small premium for space, aesthetics and privacy, and I grateful for all three.
Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:47 AM
#13
Bluehour: not to beat a dead horse here (and sorry about highjacking the thread a bit). Since only a few thousand LT books are sold in the US every year, the chance one knows someone who has one to borrow is more than a little remote. Though it does happen. Practically - the only way to be sure to see one is to pay for it. (Even IF one doesn't plan on renting from the LT, it is something folks might want to buy just for the 250 pages of photos of "dream" accomodations. Including a handful in Italy and New England BTW)
As for prices - I think the LT is quite competitive in London. Their properties in Cloth Fair are as good a value for money as most any you will find.
But out in the countryside, comparable privately rented cottages will be much less expensive. Of course there really aren't that many "comparable" places since LTs are so unique. Many people will agree that the extra atmosphere/history is worth more money.
But for many others, paying twice as much for a cottage is a deal breaker. Just need to know the options. Just as some don't blink at 5* hotel prices.
You may have been very unlucky - I've rented probably 50 or 60 places in the UK from tiny studios and amazing penthouses in London to a working watermill in the Cotswolds, to a converted barn in Devon, to a resort condo in the north of Scotland, and have not had any but the most minor of problems.
The Landmark Trust is wonderful and highly recommended IF they fit in one's budget. But for many visitors, they are simply too expensive.
As for prices - I think the LT is quite competitive in London. Their properties in Cloth Fair are as good a value for money as most any you will find.
But out in the countryside, comparable privately rented cottages will be much less expensive. Of course there really aren't that many "comparable" places since LTs are so unique. Many people will agree that the extra atmosphere/history is worth more money.
But for many others, paying twice as much for a cottage is a deal breaker. Just need to know the options. Just as some don't blink at 5* hotel prices.
You may have been very unlucky - I've rented probably 50 or 60 places in the UK from tiny studios and amazing penthouses in London to a working watermill in the Cotswolds, to a converted barn in Devon, to a resort condo in the north of Scotland, and have not had any but the most minor of problems.
The Landmark Trust is wonderful and highly recommended IF they fit in one's budget. But for many visitors, they are simply too expensive.
Dec 3rd, 2007, 08:01 AM
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That's all I'm trying to do. Let people know their options.
Because LT doesn't show its properties and price lists online, and people hiss "expensive" every time they're mentioned, I think it puts people off, imagining "expensive" to be all kinds of things. It IS a bit more trouble to call, send for the book, etc., just to find out IF they have anything you want and can afford.
So I'm just trying to put a frame on it, based on actual numbers. Their most expensive property is something like $7,500 a week for the whole property, and sleeps like 8 people in grand style. (I don't have the book with me today. It might be a little more. But that's the top level in summer. There's PLENTY below that.)
Fit that into your definition of expensive however you like.
And enjoy whatever you choose!
Because LT doesn't show its properties and price lists online, and people hiss "expensive" every time they're mentioned, I think it puts people off, imagining "expensive" to be all kinds of things. It IS a bit more trouble to call, send for the book, etc., just to find out IF they have anything you want and can afford.
So I'm just trying to put a frame on it, based on actual numbers. Their most expensive property is something like $7,500 a week for the whole property, and sleeps like 8 people in grand style. (I don't have the book with me today. It might be a little more. But that's the top level in summer. There's PLENTY below that.)
Fit that into your definition of expensive however you like.
And enjoy whatever you choose!
