Oxford is an amazing place to visit, and spring is one of the nicest times of year to see the city. The city’s literary festival (http://www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com/) is running from the 20^th to the 28^th of March, featuring authors such as Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel and Phillip Pullman. The city also boasts the Ashmolean Museum (http://www.ashmolean.org/). Founded in 1683, it is one of the oldest museums in the world. The Ashmolean has recently undergone a substantial renovation project to make it more visitor friendly, making it an ideal place to while away an interesting afternoon.

The Bridge of Sighs in central Oxford

Oxford is also a wonderful place to just walk around and enjoy the sights of the city. One of the most famous of these is the beautiful Bride of Sighs (pictured), which joins together the old and new quadrangles of Hertford College. Other sights well worth a view in Oxford are the covered market, the Sheldonian theatre and any of the university colleges the city is famous for. Expect to pay a few pounds for entrance, and if you can, get a full tour, as you’ll be able to access areas tourists aren’t normally allowed.

If you feel like a more active stay, a great choice is punting on the river. Punts can be hired from Magdelen Bridge, but be warned – punting is a lot harder than it looks! I once hit a friend of mine on the head with the pole used to propel the punt – they are very heavy and metal. It is best to hire a guided trip if you lack experience. For those who want to keep their feet on dry land, a walk around the lovely Christchurch meadows, accessible from St Aldgates or Rose Lane, is always a treat. It is also possible to hire bikes around the city. Oxford has a strong history of cycling, and it is one of the best ways of seeing the town and surrounding area.

Whatever you do during the day, the perfect way to end a day in Oxford is by visiting one of the city’s famous historical pubs. Most old pubs in Oxford city centre have a story to tell, and the bar staff will be happy to share stories with you, but my favourite is the Eagle and Child. This is the pub the “Inklings”, who included C.S. Lewis and Tolkein, used to meet in to discuss their writing.

There are some nice caravan parks around the Oxford area. Lincoln Park Farm (http://www.lincolnfarmpark.co.uk/) is based in nearby Witney and boasts excellent facilities including resident chickens!

If you’re tempted to take off to Oxford this weekend, remember to check that your insurance is still in date before you travel.

Tags: Caravan, oxford, places to visit

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