Oxford

[Mooria]

I am planning a tourist trip to Oxford on Wednesday and we plan to go to Christchurch, and have a look round there, can anyone help with the best place to park? TIAx good people!

[sherrardk]

Can't help with parking, but if you have some spare time go to the Pitt Rivers museum - http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/

It is the most interesting museum I have ever been too, it is so quirky and it's free!

[sunny-dave]

Yes indeed sher - the Pitt Rivers is a stunner :)

I'm sure Chris will have some Park & Ride info about Oxford ...

[bednobs]

definitely park and ride - parking is terrible in Oxford, and buses are very good. There are 4 of them - which way will you be approaching from?

[mushroom25]

christchurch recommend the westgate car park -
http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decTS/Car_Parks_occw.htm
it's quite pricey though, £11.50 over 4 hours but less than 6 and £17 for more than 6, for example. But that might still be cheaper than the park & ride if there's a lot of you, as bus fares are quoted as "from £2.40", and there's still the parking fee of £1.70 to find.
http://www.parkandride.net/oxford/html/oxford_frameset.html

[Mooria]

Thanks chaps the plan was to do both the Pitts and Christchurch do u think that is possible? And park and ride defo seems the best idea!

[Mooria]

Oh and bednobs I'm coming from Northampton. Any ideas the best P&R to use?

[sherrardk]

We always went to the Pitt Rivers with young children so we only stayed two hours max (as it was as long as their attention son could take). Wish we lived nearer now, would love to take them back again. Have a lovely time.

[bednobs]

yes possible to do both although they are opposite ends of town as i recall. I have to admit to being rather hazy about the geography of where northampton is, but the p&r will be signposted whatever road you come in on

[bednobs]

when i say opposite ends, if you are ok with walking, it's a perfectly reasonable walk

[bednobs]

also, if you aren't all that great at walking, take the cheesy open topped bus tour - you can get on and off wherever you want. When i lived there, i used to take my lunch on board, and stay on it for ages - they change the guide every circle at the station (or they used to) and i'd find out loads of different stuff from each guide

[ummmm]

Northampton is Junc 15 & 16 off the M1.

[Buenchico]

A43 South to join the A40 at Jn 10, signposted 'London, Oxford, Newbury'.

Leave at next Jn (9), taking the A34 towards 'Bicester, Oxford, Aylesbury, Newbury'

Follow 'Park & Ride' signs to Water Eaton Park & Ride. Parking is free. Return travel is £2.70 before 9am or £2.40 thereafter, but 2 adults travelling together pay £4.50 at all times.

[Buenchico]

PS: If you're using satnav, the postcode for Water Eaton P & R is OX2 8HA.