For two days in early September, after the summer tourists have gone home and before the students…read moreget back, the people of Oxford celebrate. I'm not quite sure what we celebrate but it is great fun. I no longer go on rides that swing you high in the air or turn you upside down but if you are young enough to enjoy that sort of thing then there is something special about catching glimpses of secret court-yards, quadrangles and lawns behind the yellow walls of the colleges just before you are flung upside down again or hurled towards the ground. For the more sedentary of us there are more traditional rides such as the wonderful merry-go-round and helter skelter. Or you can just wander around enjoying the sights, sounds (and it can be very noisy), smells and tastes (sugar cane as well as candy floss last year) Rumour has it that the rides are longer in the afternoon before it gets busy. If you aren't going to the fair then be warned that all the buses that normally go along St Giles are diverted for 2 days and the road is closed to traffic.

Evolved from a 17th-century parish wake, St Giles fair is a yearly spectacle in the centre of…read moreOxford. Every September excitement grows as bigger and better rides are added to the substantial collection of fairground attractions. Our Oxford teams love this annual event.

This is a wonderful quirky space. Like the attic of your eccentric uncle who travelled widely,…read morebrought back whatever he could carry, then carefully catalogued everything (idiosyncratically) and then left it for you to go through--that is, if your uncle was the entirety of the British empire. Can't say enough. You can spend days here and still be saying "did you see THAT?"

We had a great time exploring the Pitt Rivers Museum! There is SO much on display it's almost hard…read moreto take it all in. If you're an anthropology buff, this is your place. So many neat things to see and everything you can imagine, too many to list. From clothing to masks to weapons to toys all from different cultures and different times. We even saw a Totem Pole! Overall a fascinating place to visit, just wish we'd had more time to explore!

My favorite bar / place to party in Oxford!…read more This is a super spacious, BEAUTIFUL building. It was originally an old church that's since been refurbished. You can still admire the beautiful stained glass windows, though. There's a ton of space to mingle with friends or strangers. When we came at night it tended to be dimly lit with loud music playing, definitely a club type atmosphere, so you could get lost in the crowd pretty easily. Of course, they may have since changed that vibe since it's been a few years since I visited...but I loved it at the time. The friendly bar staff also fixed me the best White Russian I've ever had, too, so that definitely helps with the nostalgia factor. :)

A church converted into a pizza and beer and wine spot, this spot made a tasty thin crust pizza…read more There's come cool, hopefully, local art adorning the walls. At 7 p.m., the place was empty. Man, if this was the states, everybody and their mother would be waiting for a table. One pizza is about medium size and just enough for one person. My only small complaint was that it was extra oily but take a napkin and sop it up. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Pretty cool cinema. I saw a documentary at the cinema and it was very interesting. Buying my ticket…read morewas quite simple and the movie went over quite well. The coffee shop made it feel very welcoming and snug. I enjoyed that there weren't too many screens.

Was at Oxford University for an exchange MBA program thing, had to watch iron man 3 on opening day…read more(it wasnt going to open in the US for another 2 weeks)... came here, its familiar like any other theater on this planet. seat are comfy, place is clean, and this place is deceptively large for what i thought it would look like from the outside... i mean, how the hell did they find this much space for a theater?? from the outside it looks like a small piece of crap... *** LIKES: youre in oxford... do you really have a choice for another theater? DISLIKES: nothing OVERALL: you dont have a choice.... youre going to come here if you want to watch a new movie.

A very popular and vibrant cinema in Oxford. A student clientelle dominates with the occasional…read morelocal popping in for the latest arthouse film. This is the Ultimate Picture Palace for the residents of Jericho, but you could argue it's slightly better. Why? i) Better location ii) It has a bar (which also has a weekly quiz) iii) They also have events here - screening of student films, talks from famous actors etc. With the Phoenix and the UPP in Oxford, we are all very, very spoilt.

The Phoenix Cinema is a great little gem - as 'local' a cinema as you'll find in Oxford. Yes, it's…read morein Jericho, but it's only a few minutes walk from town and it's a refreshing change from the sticky floors and Hollywood blockbusters of the Odeon. Prices are pretty typical, but the good value food and drink makes you feel you're getting a good deal: Full price £7.00 Members £5.50 Child £5.00 Concessions £6.00 Weekday performances before 5pm are about £1 less for the higher price range. You can see some of the normal films that are out in mainstream cinemas, if the Odeon's screening times are inconvenient or you fancy a smaller screen. Of course, the main attraction is the great range of foreign films (French films most Tuesdays), which are subtitled for non-linguists; period films, art films and independent documentaries. A word of warning: Don't assume that just because the films are obscure, you can rock up at the last minute and get in; films are often sold out and it's a good idea to book in advance if there aren't many showings. Finally: the best thing - check out the funky toilet seats and neon lighting. A great addition to the other-worldy experience!

Our Oxford team enjoy playing tennis in the summer months on grass at Alexandra Court, off Middle…read moreWay in Summertown.

Ohhh, the Thirsty Meeples!…read more An absolutely OUTSTANDING board game cafe. My experience may be colored by the fact that it's the first one I ever went to and I was super enchanted by the idea...but nevertheless, we had an absolutely incredible time on all our visits. Their cocktails are amazing (try the Brazilian Monk for a decadent dessert drink) and they have snacks and coffee, too. Really impressive collection of board games for all skills, ages, and interests. Staff are fun and friendly and make great recommendations. If you're looking for a great way to spend the night with pals in Oxford, look no further. I miss this place.

We love boardgames, so Thirsty Meeples seemed a natural choice for myself and a couple of…read moreboard-gaming friends. Proper treasure for geeks, the place offers a vast selection of games to choose from! Moreover, the staff is extremely helpful and offers you games to play depending on your preferences. It's especially cool that they are happy to explain the rules! Lovely food and drinks and relaxed atmosphere. Make sure you book - the place is always busy!