Quick Facts

Location: Oxford --> Oxfordshire --> South Central England

Population: 134,248 people

Geography: 51°45'07" N latitude and 1°15'28" W longitude at center of city. 87km (54 miles) NW of London; 87km (54 miles) SE of Coventry

Language: English

Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

Time Zone: GMT/UTC and BST (British Summer Time) - 5 hours ahead of EST

Country Dialing Code: +44

Telephone Area Code: 01865

Voltage: The standard electrical voltage in Britain is 240 v AC, 50HZ. A three square pronged adapter plug and/or electric converter for appliances is required.

Currency

England chose to stay with the Pound as their currency, and did not switch to the Euro.

To find the most current exchange rates, click here for a Currency Converter.

The British Pound comes in the following denominations: Coins - one penny, two pence, five pence, ten pence, twenty pence, fifty pence, one pound, two pound; Notes (bills) - five pound, ten pound, twenty pound, fifty pound.

The best exchange rates can usually be found by withdrawing cash from an ATM machine, but check with your bank before you go to see how much they charge for using international ATMs.

Note from the editor: when traveling overseas, it's always a good idea to notify your credit card company and bank so that they don't detect a new spending pattern and put a hold on your card.

Climate, Sunrise/Sunset Times, Average Precipitation

Driving

People in England drive on the LEFT side of the road. When crossing a street, always make sure you look to the right! The stoplights in Oxford flash yellow just before they turn green. This means to check to the left and right for pedestrians and make sure it's safe, and then you can go. Drivers must stop for pedestrians at marked pedestrian crossings, but walkers should always look in both directions to make sure drivers are stopping before crossing the road. There are many bicyclers on the roads in Oxford. Drivers must give them enough room, as they have the right to share the road.

Tipping

Many restaurants clearly include a service charge (check the menu), and in this case there is no need to tip. Otherwise tip a minimum of 10%. In pubs, tipping after a drink or two is not customary. If you have been at the pub for a while, and have had a few drinks, you should offer to buy the server a drink - especially if you are at the hotel bar and expect to return. Taxi drivers are commonly tipped 10%. Hotel porters that assist guests with bags expect between £1-£5, depending on how many bags there are.

Telephone

If you are in Oxford and need to dial a local number, there is no need to dial the area code of 01865. Just dial the remaining 6 numbers. If you are dialing outside of Oxford, you must dial the area code as well as the number. If dialing any of the establishments from overseas, you must dial the country code + the area code + the phone number. For example, if you are dialing from the US, you would need to dial your international access code first (usually 011) then 44 + 1865 + local number.

Living/Staying in Oxford

As with any city in the world, there are neighbourhoods which may be more or less desirable to live in, and more or less affordable than the others. So what are the different neighbourhoods in Oxford, and what are the rents and housing like?

• Central North Oxford - This area is north of the city centre, primarily around Woodstock and Banbury roads. It is within walking distance of the University and city centre, has large individual houses, shared houses, and several apartment complexes. Rent tends to be highest in this area.

• City Centre - There are few properties available for rent in the city centre, as most housing is owned by the University.

• Summertown - Approximately two miles north of the city centre on the Banbury Road (near Marston Ferry Road) is the self-contained town of Summertown. There are many Victorian and Edwardian homes in this area, as well as several apartment complexes and shared houses. Summertown is on a direct bus route to the city centre. Rent is still fairly high in this area, but less than Central North Oxford.

• St. Clements - East of the city centre, along St. Clements Street. This area is popular with students. Rents are lower than in Central North Oxford or Summertown.

• Cowley Road - East of the city centre, along Cowley Road, and the side streets. This area is popular with students. There is a great ethnic mix in this neighbourhood, and many shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs can be found here.

• Headington - Headington is a town in its own right. There are many suburbs, with all types of housing, and a full shopping centre. Oxford Brooks University is located here, as well as the popular Headington High School (currently attended by Emma Watson - Hermione of Harry Potter fame). Rents vary greatly in this area. It is not walkable to the city centre, but there are buses that run often into Oxford.

• Marston - Marston can be found along Marston Ferry Road, east of Summertown. Houses are much newer here, and so lack the character (and some say, the beauty) of many of the homes in Oxford.

• Jericho - Very near the city centre (easy walking distance), west of St. Giles and along the canal is this lovely part of town which boasts narrow streets, century old cottages and townhouses, and a good shopping and eating area along Walton Street. Rent isn't cheap here, but the housing varies greatly, so good rents can still be found.

• Osney - Near to the railway station, it's similar in look to Jericho, but not as appealing, and slightly further away from the city centre. And there is no equivalent to Jericho's Walton Street.

• South Oxford - Abingdon Road is the centre of this neighbourhood. Rents are less the further south you go from Oxford's city centre. Many homes in South Oxford are walkable to the city centre.

• Wolvercote - There is 'upper Wolvercote', which is just west of North Oxford (just before the Wolvercote Roundabout), and 'lower Wolvercote', which is over the bridge and down the hill. Upper Wolvercote is a 'working class' neighbourhood with many shared homes and flats, in addition to single family homes. Lower Wolvercote is next to Port Meadow and has a more rural feeling. Rents are lower here than in North Oxford.

• Botley and Cumnor - West of the City, outside the ring road, and connected mainly through the Park & Ride system. There is a mixture of old and new homes and apartments here. Rents are lower the further outside the city you go.

• Iffley - Iffley is a village within a city, with many lovely old homes and buildings and quiet neighbourhoods.

For more information about housing in Oxford, visit these sites of Oxford Estate Agents:

• ANDREWS ESTATE AGENTS - 101 London Road, Headington 01865 763443

• THOMAS MERRIFIELD - Holyfield House, 1 Walton Well Road 01865 515000

• KEMP & KEMP RESIDENTIAL - Grove Street, Summertown 01865 510000

• HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL - 216 Banbury Road 01865 512332

• CLUTTONS - Seacourt Tower West Way, Oxford OX2 0JJ 01865 728000

• SAVILLS OXFORD - 11 West Way, Botley 01865 269000

• BRECKON & BRECKON - 5 King Edward Street 01865 244735

• FINDERS KEEPERS - various locations

• ELWOOD & CO. - 214 Banbury Road, Summertown 01865 426410

• PINK & BLACK - 01865 515919

• JOHN D. WOOD - 235 Banbury Road, Summertown 01865 311522

• JAMES C. PENNY - 113 Walton St, Oxford 01865 554422

• SCOTT FRASER - Headington: 01865 761111,  Summertown: 01865 554577, East Oxford: 01865 244666

• CHANCELLORS - 215 Cowley Road 01865 240842

• BUCKELL & BALLARD - 257  Banbury Road Summertown 01865 516201

• BECKMANN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - 52 Cornmarket Street 01865 723743

If there is any information you would find helpful that can't be found on this page, please send an email to the editor.

Important Contact Information

• Oxford Police Station - www.thamesvalley.police.uk

• Cowley Police Station - 0845 8 505 505

• National Domestic Violence Helpline - 0800 2000 247

• NHS Direct - 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

• Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital - A & E - 01865 741166 or www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk

• Oxford Friends Gay & Lesbian Helpline - 01865 726893 or www.oxfordfriend.co.uk

• Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre - 01865 726295

• Racism Action Line - 01865 815121

• Way Out - Gay, Lesbian, and Young People's Group - 01865 243389

• Citizens Advice Bureau - 01865 247578 or www.nacab.org.uk

• Oxford City Council - Town Hall - 01865 249811 or www.oxford.gov.uk

• Oxford Information Centre - 01865 726871

• Centre for the Deaf and Hard Of Hearing - 01865 722247

• National Express Bus - 08705 808080

• Stagecoach - 01865 772250

• Oxford Bus Company - 01865 785400

• Oxford Train Station - 0845 7484950