Today I was asked

Today I was asked whether visitors should avoid coming to Oxford on graduation and matriculation days when the Sheldonian Theatre area, Divinity and Clarendon ‘Quads’ are closed to the public for part of the day.

It’s a personal choice of course. Clients usually choose to avoid it, but I would say ‘do it anyway’. You’ll see a more rare view of Oxford.

Usually you can come back later in the day and the inner sanctum of University ceremonies will be open again..

Q: “Do you know anyone who could offer 3 months’ accommodation in Oxford for my son?”

A: In my view, the best place to look is still Daily Info, Oxford’s long-running local noticeboard. It has been the go-to site since the 1960s for housing, jobs, and events, and it remains the most effective advertising platform in the city. You can find it here: https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk.

Today my group had a a flat on their coach and missed their ferry from France.

We shifted their tour from 9.30 am to 4.30pm and by 5pm they were hungry and asked me if there was anywhere they could eat together for £10 other than Mc’Do’s. That is something I can help with. Visit the Business to Business page for more information

British classic cusine

A client asked today

If the colleges are rated in terms of most successful careers of their graduates. No, However the Norrington Table, introduced in 1962 analyses academic persormance of colleges relative to each other. Failure rates remain a private statistic.

Today I saw

A group obviously anxious to make the most of their time in Oxford looking confused around a map near the epicentre of Oxford’s grandiosity on Turl Street.

I asked if I could help and learnt that the group were from Argentina and wanted to see the School of Engineering.

It was clear that engineering was his passion and so he wanted to see the engineering school. I warned him that it was a fractured collection of overwhelmingly victorian and 1970’s type buildings opposite University Parks.

He dismissed my scepticism about whether he would enjoy as much as he seemed to anticipate. My doubts dismissed in a way that was quite reassuring.

#notjustmedievaloxford

Q: “I was asked today what walking tour in Oxford works best for families with three children.”

A: I usually recommend the excellent Christ Church tour. It brings together history, architecture, film locations (including Harry Potter), and the magic of one of Oxford’s most beautiful colleges – perfect for capturing children’s imagination. You can find full details here: [insert link].

Today I was asked…

By my clients from Ghent on Assumption Day… 15th May

If we celebrate assumption day in the UK? A bank holiday in Belgium in recognition of the Virgin Mary rising up directly to heaven, thus evading mortal decay.

We don’t. And we rigorously destroyed all depictions of this miracle in the 16th century reformation and did a job of finishing the work already started during the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell’s Republic in the 17th century.