For all it’s annoying habits Oxford is an exceedingly special place. I’ve spent many happy hours in Oxford for both work and pleasure. Once again Oxford worked it’s magic on me and I fell in love with it’s charms all over again.
With some insider knowledge you can beat the draconian parking regime, the crowds and avoid the tourists that make Oxford bulge at the seams. In the short time we were in Oxford we packed in a nostalgic tour of the golden spires, my favourite foodie emporium and finally managed some shopping without feeling overwhelmed. We also enjoyed the company of friends who came out in force for a reunion that led to a very late night, or perhaps I should say early morning.
The covered market in Oxford has hardly changed at all. One or two shops have changed hands but most are exactly the same as they were when I left. This was a blessed relief. I am not sure what I would have done if things had moved with the times too much. The news cafe was always my favourite place to refuel, that’s had a makeover but it still has that laid back charm and they still serve outrageous hot chocolate piled high with cream and marshmallows.
It’s the food shops that I love most about the covered market. After all where else in the world could you find such a wide range of pies in one shop. I can thoroughly recommend the duck and orange pie.
There are also several butchers selling traditional cuts of meat. Towards Christmas you can find whole venison, braces of game and other seasonal goodies hanging from large hooks outside the shops. It’s like something from a dickensian novel. I was tempted to buy some wild boar but that’s something we know we can get from our neighbours in New Zealand from one of his hunting trips.
The shop that almost makes me go weak at the knees is the Oxford Cheese Company. I have been dreaming of buying cheese from there ever since we left for New Zealand. I wasn’t disappointed and we’ve been enjoying the best of British cheeses. This has of course started to take its toll on my waistline but I figure I’m on holiday…..!
Imagine my delight to see racks and racks of seeds on display. A timely reminder of our growing adventures to start when we get back home.
The thing I love most about Oxford is the fact that you can shop in a wide range of independent retailers, many of them down side streets and in the covered market, and meet all your shopping needs. It didn’t take me long to find my shopping confidence again. Before very long I had moved off shopping for food and onto shoes, bags and clothes. After feeling overwhelmed in so many other towns we’ve visited I finally found Oxford just opened up it’s retailing arms and gave me an enormous hug.
The fact the two main thoroughfares in Oxford are being dug up causing even more traffic chaos hardly mattered. Oxford has been digging up the roads as long as I can remember. People just seem to get on with what they have to do. I was enjoying myself so much I didn’t care about a minor inconvenience. Although I know I would have been moaning if I was still a local and had to deal with it every day.
All in all Oxford allowed me to indulge a little. It was definitely good for me as I have been getting ever so slightly cynical and a little bit cross about retailing in the UK. I am now reassured that at least my favourite city is still as good as I remember. Not just for the shopping but for the sights and sounds I love so much.