Restaurants, Shops, and More: The Best of Oxford List

In an effort to procrastinate from packing, I would much rather reflect on my favorite places and such in Oxford. It is going to be a bit of a random list, but I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed doing these things:

Best Sandwich: Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella panini at Le Parisien
Two pounds, fifty pence of pure delicious--no other way to describe it. Le Parisien also wins for best pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant). 

Coolest Pub: The Turf
It used to be a bear pit and is tucked away in alley, but only a few steps from Oxford's main sites, like the Bridge of Sighs, the Bodleian Library, and the Sheldonian Theatre.   

Best Atmosphere Pub/Restaurant: The Perch
Paradise in Wonderland: the willows, Port Meadow, the Isis River, the river boats...Absolutely stunning.

Best Pimms: Eagle and Child
When you think of eating dinner out in England, ordering fish and chips with either ale or Pimms is your best bet. Pimms is a signature English cocktail and each pub or restaurant makes it differently. Eagle and Child used all fresh ingredients and made a beautiful presentation using a mint sprigs and the fruit. 


Best Fish and Chips: The Anchor; Honorable Mention: White Horse Tavern for presentation
A lot of pubs in Oxford claimed to have the "best fish and chips"--I had quite a few fish and chips at different pubs, and The Anchor definitely won.

Best Afternoon Tea: The Old Parsonage, Oxford; Laduree, London
I loved the Grand Cafe, but The Old Parsonage had the best scones combined with a great atmosphere. Since Laduree is technically a French tea house, I cannot count it as my favorite place for England, but definitely one of my favorite experiences period.  

Best Chips and Cheese: The Boss Kebab Stand in Summertown
Also should be categorized under "Best Bargain for 2 pounds."

Favorite Weekend Trip: Brighton; Honorable Mention: London
Visiting Bath, London, York were also beautiful in their own way, but Brighton was by far my favorite. It is probably a win by default because it is by the ocean and has an awesome pier. Seeing Fashion Week certainly does not hurt its ranking either. Going to the Christian Louboutin exhibit and having tea at Laduree in Harrods makes a close second. 

Favorite Affordable Shopping: Primark
Think Forever 21 but cooler. The fashion at Primark is trendy, but it is still wearable for seasons to come. Also a great place to get souvenirs which are less expensive than the tourist shops in city centre. 

Favorite Historical Monument: Roman Baths
The best thing about the Roman Bath is that they remain active because of the hot spring they are built on. It was great to see wonderfully preserved Roman architecture in England. 

Favorite Museum Exhibit: Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary at the London Design Museum
I suppose if I was a truly cultured individual, I would put the Renaissance Art Display at the Ashmolean Museum or the Dodo Exhibit at the Oxford Museum of Natural History, but seeing all of those red-sole shoes was a feast for the fashion hungry eyes.  

Best Purchase: Wall Art
I have to say, the souvenir for my oldest brother is amazing--and not just because I picked it up on sale. He is tough to buy for, but I figured this was something he would love. Brilliant. 


Best Classroom Memory: Convincing my Shakespeare professor that a homo-erotic relationship exists between Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar and the lecture on the significance nonsense during Literature of Oxford at The Perch 

Oxford, Day 18: Magdalen College

I HAVE INTERNET! YAY!

In class, we visited Magdalen College where renowned author C.S. Lewis studied. Magdalen College, named after Mary Magdalene, is located off of High Street, a two minute walk from New College and a five minute walk from Christ Church College. We walked around the quad, the cloisters, the chapel, the walking path and the Deer Park.

Yes. Magdalen College has a deer park.

There is also a bar by the river where people can go punting. To explain punting a little more, it involves directing a narrow river boat by using a long pole that touches the bottom of the river. In other words, punting involves serious concentration and a solid workout for the person actively directing the boat with the pole. For the passengers, they only require patience and a prayer for the "punt-er" to not crash the boat into a bridge.

The class did not go punting, but we watched other people punt from a cafe overlooking the dock.

The weather was so agreeable that after touring the campus, a few friends and I went back to Binsey and went to The Perch. Sipping tea under the willow tree made for a perfect evening.

Our professor pointed out The Grand Cafe to us on the way back from Magdalen College. It is the oldest coffee house in England and looks like one of the most elegant. My roommate and I want to have tea there before class tomorrow--hopefully it works out!

The New Building--built in the 1600s

Addison's Walk

Deer Park

Punting!

Old Kitchen Bar

Green Tea and Chocolate Cake

Dining Hall

Chapel

Walking back to Binsey

The Perch

Tea

British mini cooper

The Grand Cafe--the oldest coffee house in England since 1650