

It's a sausage and mash restaurant, believe it or not, right in the heart of Oxford's Castle Quarter, and it's just 'right' - a celebration of all that's great about great British food. It's not a chain, but a single place, run by a single guy and his enthusiastic team. He's bound to be there, telling you which creation of sausages goes best with which creation of mash. Local beers, local staff and a good feel. Best place I can recommend
www.thebigbangrestaurants.co.uk
42 Oxford Castle Quarter, OX1 1AY +44(0)1865249413
Google map: bit.ly/XdLamH
There are gardens everywhere in Oxford but they're not always that easy to get into. Oxford with its college gardens provides a cornucopia of just about everything and the art is to think about when you can get in them without paying the entrance fee that many now extract. Two of the most interesting and varied are those of Magdalen College and Merton College and one such occasion is the Oxford Open Doors weekend held every September. To add to the variety there are endless other colleges to visit with a huge variety of planting and landscape, such as Wadham, Worcester and New Colleges; of course, taking in as well, the delights of the historic and learning environment.
www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk/
Magdalen College
High Street, Oxford OX1 4AU
+44(0)1865 276000
Google map: bit.ly/llGX6I
A small but lovely modern art collection exists on the upper floor of the newly refurbished Ashmolean Museum. It contains pieces by lesser known artists in addition to lesser known works by famous artists. I was amazed to see Tea Party in America, one of the first paintings by Howard Hodgkin, created when he was just 16! In addition, until 20 February there’s a special exhibition of sculpture by contemporary British artist Thomas Houseago, the Ashmolean’s first collaboration with Modern Art Oxford.
www.ashmolean.org/
Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH
+44(0)1865 553 823
Google map: bit.ly/gtuiSz
Largest stock of new and second hand books on Mind, Body, Spirit, Health and the Unexplained that I know of in the UK. Good for browsing and also internet service.
111 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RQ
+44(0)1865 245 301
www.innerbookshop.com/
Google map: bit.ly/9pR5iN
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
Your tips about Oxford
Most popular tips about Oxford
Posted by PhilSen
Posted by PhilSen
Posted by PhilSen
Posted by originalfacsimile
Posted by AudreyC
Posted by PhilSen
Posted by snapshotMal
Posted by Accaber
Posted by Accaber
Posted by PhilSen