Oxford

About Oxford

Town View, Oxford

Town View, Oxford

Oxford is a city and the county town of Oxfordshire in south east England. Oxford is approximately 55 miles west of London and 75 miles to the east of Bristol. Located in the city centre, the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Oxford is known as the “city of dreaming spires”, a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford’s university buildings. Oxford has numerous major tourist attractions, many belonging to the university and colleges. As well as being an extraordinary sight for tourists, Oxford city centre is a very attractive location for the consumer to visit and is a good location for socialising with notable cosmopolitan character. The historical buildings make this location a popular target for film and TV crews.

Oxford is twinned with Bonn in Germany, Grenoble in France, Leiden in the Netherlands, León in Nicaragua, Perm in Russia, Umeå in Sweden, Oxford in the state of Michigan in the United States.

History

  • “Oxenaforda”, meaning “Ford of the Oxen” was first occupied in Saxon times beginning with the foundation of St Frideswide’s nunnery in the 8th century.
  • In the 10th century, Oxford became a frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was raided by Danes frequently.
  •  The prestige of Oxford is seen in the fact that it received a charter from King Henry II, granting its citizens the same privileges and exemptions as those enjoyed by the capital of the kingdom. The university at Oxford was founded in 1167, during the Middle Ages there was a lot of tension between townspeople and students in Oxford. Tension continued because kings granted the students certain privileges which were seen to disadvantage the merchants of the town. From this original tension came the decree that all students should live in approved ‘halls’ which could control some of their behaviours,subsequently the university developed as colleges and the halls came to an end.
  • Oxford became a manufacturing town noted for cloth and leather but by the 14th century depended on its students. Manufacturing declined and Oxford was renown for brewers, butchers, bakers, tailors, shoemakers, coopers, carpenters and blacksmiths. In the later Middle Ages, Oxford declined in importance.
  • In the 16th century, the importance of Oxford declined further however it remained a fairly large town by the standards of the time and dependent on the university. The students provided a large market for beer, food, clothes and other goods and the hostility between ‘town and gown’ had died out. In 1542, Oxford was made a city and was given a bishop.
  • In 1651, the first coffee house in England opened in Oxford – coffee, the new drink at that time, soon gained popularity resulting in many coffee houses being opened where middle class and upper class men could meet, have a drink, read newspapers and talk shop. In this century, Oxford remained a market town where produce from the surrounding area was bought and sold but most industry in Oxford was still geared to supplying the needs of the university.
  • A railway linking Oxford to London was built in 1844 by Great Western Railway using Paddington station, a second line to London (Euston) arrived in 1851 and a third link to London arrived in 1964. Oxford was made a county borough in 1889.
  • In the 20th century, the fate of Oxford was changed in 1913 when a man named Morris began making cars in the city. Over the years the car industry here has changed ownership with the current BMW owner producing the Mini here. By the 1930s, Oxford was an important manufacturing centre and it was also a prosperous city. Furthermore, the city escaped serious damage during World War II. In 1954 Roger Bannister recorded the first four minute mile running at Iffley Road track.
  • In the 21st century, the main industries are still car manufacturing and making vehicle parts as well as publishing and there is now a significant and important biotech industry in Oxford linked to the university.

Facts

  • Population – 153,900 (2008)
  • Governing Authority – Oxford City Council
  • Major Industries – Mixed including Manufacturing (cars and automotive parts); Printing and Publishing; Education; Public Administration
  • Post town – OXFORD
  • Postcode – OX
  • Dialling code – 01865
  • Police – Thames Valley Police
  • Fire – Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – South Central Ambulance Service

Discover Oxford – links to city guides, what’s on and places to see

The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

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