New Westgate Shopping centre in Oxford

New Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford

New Westgate Shopping centre in Oxford

From The Oxford Mail:
The opening of the Westgate led to a rise in footfall in Oxford city centre this year, new figures have revealed.

Westgate Shopping Centre - Oxford
Westgate Shopping Centre – Oxford

Footfall counters in Queen Street, Cornmarket and St George’s Place recorded a 3.1 per cent rise compared to the previous year to date.

During the week of the Westgate opening, October 23-29, some 929,260 visitors were recorded in the city centre.

The busiest day was Saturday October 28 with 160,027 visitors, approximately 10,000 more than an average Saturday.

The increase compares to an average year to date change percentage of +0.3 in the South East Region, and -0.8% for the UK as a whole.

New Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford
New Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford

Cornmarket Street was still recorded as the busiest location.

Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “The latest footfall figures reflect a vibrant city centre whose retail offer has been greatly enhanced by the opening of Westgate Oxford.

“The confirmation of Cornmarket as the busiest location is encouraging as this means that business continues to be brisk in other parts of the city centre.”

The city council also reported that there are currently 20 empty units – or 6.4% – in retail areas of the city centre.

Mr Price continued: “There is still a high demand for retail space in the centre of Oxford and the migration of some of the existing retailers to the Westgate provides a great opportunity for other businesses to secure premises in the heart of the city, and this demand will continue to be monitored.

“The Council is working with the landlords of all the vacant units to discuss future leasing plans.”

Easy to get to

The new Centre is easy to get to from the Olive Tree Suite, a convenient bus ride into the town centre takes typically 10-15 minutes.

Westgate Centre Opening Hours

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The Best Cafés And Coffee Shops in Oxford

Oxford Dreaming Spires

Where to go for a Coffee in Oxford?

Oxford’s café culture is on the rise. From the coolest brunch hangouts to the weird and wonderful world of the board game café, here are some of the best places to eat and drink in this beautiful city.

Vaults and Garden

This central café has got it covered whatever the weather. If it’s raining, cosy up inside under the stunning vaulted ceilings of the University’s Old Congregation House with a hot chocolate; if the sun is shining head out into the garden, and enjoy your tea with incredible views of Radcliffe Camera. Vaults and Garden serves breakfast and lunch, as well as a good selection of cakes and scone, but it’s the little extras – like offering picnic blankets in the summer and hot water bottles in the winter – that makes this place so special.

Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :

8:30 am – 6:00 pm

The Missing Bean

If you’re after a really good cup of coffee in Oxford, make The Missing Bean your first call. This buzzy, independent espresso bar was inspired by the cool coffee shops of Sydney, and serves up great coffee in a laid-back atmosphere. The owners are serious about their coffee – they even have their own micro roaster just down the road, where they roast their own beans on a weekly basis.

Address & Phone
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri :

8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat :

9:00 am – 6:30 pm
Sun :

10:00 am – 5:30 pm

The Grand Café

No trip to Oxford is complete without a visit to the historic Grand Café. Sat on the site of the first coffee house in England, this elegant, gilded café is the place to head for a sophisticated high tea. Work your way through the delicious finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and petit fours, alongside a pot of tea. Or, if you’re the glamorous surroundings have left you feeling particularly extravagant, treat yourself to a salted caramel éclair and an espresso martini.

Address & Phone
Opening Hours
Mon – Sun :

9:00 am – 6:30 pm

The Handle Bar

The ultimate breakfast spot in Oxford has to be The Handle Bar. From the cool, Instagram-worthy interiors and the friendly atmosphere to the top-class coffee and delicious menu (how will you pick between the coconut pancake stack and the smashed avocado on toast with tomato and wild garlic?), this popular café is the perfect place to spend a lazy Saturday morning. There are plenty of veggie and vegan options on the menu too.

Opening Hours
Mon – Tue :

8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wed – Fri :

8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat :

9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun :

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

The Natural Bread Company

If the smell of freshly baked bread doesn’t draw you into the café, the display of tempting cakes and pastries will! The Natural Bread Company is an artisan bakery in the heart of Oxford, with a small café inside. Here you can sample first-hand the delicious freshly made produce; whether that’s sourdough toast with your Full English or an afternoon pot of tea with a slice of homemade orange polenta cake. And of course it would be rude not to stock up on some warm loaves and pastries at the shop before you leave…!

Opening Hours
Mon – Sat :

7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sun :

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Jericho Café

Tucked away in Oxford’s coolest neighbourhood, The Jericho Café is a friendly, bustling café serving great food from morning ‘till night. Although it’s just minutes from the city centre, The Jericho Café feels a world away from Oxford’s main tourist trail; something that only adds to its appeal. Using mainly local suppliers, the food and coffee is excellent and the award-winning all-day brunch is well worth halting an afternoon of sight-seeing for.

Address & Phone
Opening Hours
Mon – Thu :

8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri – Sat :

8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun :

9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Thirsty Meeples

Something of an Oxford institution, Thirsty Meeples is the city’s first and only board game café. With over 2,500 games to choose from, you’re invited to grab a table, pick your game and get competitive over a cup of great coffee or craft beer. The food menu is small but perfectly formed, with a choice of freshly made sandwiches, hot snacks and bowls of nuts, crisps and sweets for when your attention is on the game! But it’s not really the food people come here for, it’s the nostalgia kick of spending an afternoon playing board games you forget, or never knew, existed. Thirsty Meeples can get busy very quickly, so it’s always best to book ahead if you can, especially if you’re coming with a large group of friends.

Address & Phone
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri :

11:00 am – 11:59 pm
Sat :

9:00 am – 11:59 pm
Sun :

9:00 am – 11:00 pm

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OXFORD: One of the best places to live in Britain.

Oxford Dreaming Spires

OXFORD and Wallingford have been named as some of the best places to live in Britain.

Oxford Dreaming Spires
Oxford’s Dreaming Spires

As part of an annual survey by The Sunday Times, the city and market town were recognised as some of the most desired places to settle in two separate categories.

Oxford was placed 16th in the nationwide ‘Old Favourites’ category- behind the likes of Cambridge, Bath and Cheltenham.

The Sunday Times wrote the city has ‘everything going for it’ – so long as someone isn’t looking for an affordable home.

They wrote: “Great schools and lifestyle, improving transport links, extraordinary architecture and one of the best universities: Oxford has everything going for it, as long as you’re not looking for an affordable home.

“The pressure on prices, compounded by a lack of space for news homes, is turning incomers away from the favoured ‘villages’ of north Oxford and across the river in Old Marston, family-friendly Headington and traditionally studenty areas towards Cowley.”

Summertown and Jericho have still been deemed the ‘prized hot spots’ and the opening of Oxford Parkway is thought to have ‘enticed people’ north of the ring road.

Meanwhile, Wallingford’s links with Agatha Christie were noted as the town was placed 15th in the ‘Best Places To Live in the South East’ category.

The ‘genteel town’ was praised for its packed, ‘pretty brick and flint properties’.

The Sunday Times said: “Wallingford is a place where there’s always something going on, whether it’s a pancake race, the St George’s Day parade, swan-upping, the car rally, the rowing regatta, the Blues and Beer festival or Bunkfest.”

From The Oxford Mail

Luxury Rental Accommodation in Oxford - Olive Tree Suite

Areas and Neighbourhoods in Oxford

A brief guide to Areas and Neighbourhoods in Oxford

Living & Staying in Oxford

Iffley Lock and River Thames
Iffley Lock and River Thames

As with any city in the world, there are neighbourhoods which may be more or less desirable to live in, and more or less affordable than the others. So what are the different neighbourhoods in Oxford, and what are the rents and housing like?

Our favourite:  Iffley Village is a 10 minute walk from our Olive Tree Suite in Oxford

 

 

A guide to the Areas and Neighbourhoods of Oxford City

  • Central North Oxford – This area is north of the city centre, primarily around Woodstock and Banbury roads. It is within walking distance of the University and city centre, has large individual houses, shared houses, and several apartment complexes. Rent tends to be highest in this area.
  • City Centre – There are few properties available for rent in the city centre, as most housing is owned by the University.
  • Summertown – Approximately two miles north of the city centre on the Banbury Road (near Marston Ferry Road) is the self-contained town of Summertown. There are many Victorian and Edwardian homes in this area, as well as several apartment complexes and shared houses. Summertown is on a direct bus route to the city centre. Rent is still fairly high in this area, but less than Central North Oxford.
  • St. Clements – East of the city centre, along St. Clements Street. This area is popular with students. Rents are lower than in Central North Oxford or Summertown.
  • Cowley Road – East of the city centre, along Cowley Road, and the side streets. This area is popular with students. There is a great ethnic mix in this neighbourhood, and many shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs can be found here.
  • Headington – Headington is a town in its own right. There are many suburbs, with all types of housing, and a full shopping centre. Oxford Brooks University is located here, as well as the popular Headington High School (currently attended by Emma Watson – Hermione of Harry Potter fame). Rents vary greatly in this area. It is not walkable to the city centre, but there are buses that run often into Oxford.
  • Marston – Marston can be found along Marston Ferry Road, east of Summertown. Houses are much newer here, and so lack the character (and some say, the beauty) of many of the homes in Oxford.
  • Jericho – Very near the city centre (easy walking distance), west of St. Giles and along the canal is this lovely part of town which boasts narrow streets, century old cottages and townhouses, and a good shopping and eating area along Walton Street. Rent isn’t cheap here, but the housing varies greatly, so good rents can still be found.
  • Osney – Near to the railway station, it’s similar in look to Jericho, but not as appealing, and slightly further away from the city centre. And there is no equivalent to Jericho’s Walton Street.
  • South Oxford – Abingdon Road is the centre of this neighbourhood. Rents are less the further south you go from Oxford’s city centre. Many homes in South Oxford are walkable to the city centre.
  • Wolvercote – There is ‘upper Wolvercote’, which is just west of North Oxford (just before the Wolvercote Roundabout), and ‘lower Wolvercote’, which is over the bridge and down the hill. Upper Wolvercote is a ‘working class’ neighbourhood with many shared homes and flats, in addition to single family homes. Lower Wolvercote is next to Port Meadow and has a more rural feeling. Rents are lower here than in North Oxford.
  • Botley and Cumnor – West of the City, outside the ring road, and connected mainly through the Park & Ride system. There is a mixture of old and new homes and apartments here. Rents are lower the further outside the city you go.
  • Iffley – Iffley is a village within a city, with many lovely old homes and buildings and quiet neighbourhoods.

Luxury Rental Accommodation in Oxford - Olive Tree SuiteFor More Information on Luxury Rental Accommodation and Apartment Suites in Oxford, please Contact Us