http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30965 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30965 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29210 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29210 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28600 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28600 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28092 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23098
After you've been, wander up the Cowley Road away from the city to get a taste of Oxford beyond the gown-ridden centre.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21863 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21863 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21224 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21224 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17683
As well as a weekend saturday night Kinetic night, there is also a weekly gay night which has even attracted interest from MTV, and a Thursday student night with a different theme each week, including foam parties (with foam often reaching as high as the roof of the basement) snow parties, water fights (with over 2000 water guns provided) and fancy dress nights. There is also a thriving bar, as well as the main dance floor and smaller dance floor, and also an outside smoking area with heater lights and perfectly comfy seating. As well as being within five minutes of the city center and the Oxford train station, it is also just around the corner from a taxi rank. It can also be booked out for private parties regularly and the staff are all extremely outgoing and friendly, and will often get involved with the fun. That is why I recommend Coven II as one of the best nights out in the whole of the country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13616
It's not too done up, has a lovely long zinc bar, and serves strong cocktails and proper pizzas.

Plus there is seating out the front to people watch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13616 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11094
I've seen all three of their productions so far - Talking Heads, Canterbury Tales and Aesop's Fables, and the standard is seriously high, especially given how young and inexperienced they are. Their productions are simple, relying on well-acted plays rather than fancy effects and costumes, and are well worth a look.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9666
The Trout serves great food (minted lamb shanks are my recommendation), though it gets very full at the beginning and end of Oxford terms. Most of all it's the atmosphere that people come for - cosy inside in Autumn and Winter, and a large outdoor terrace in Spring and Summer.

It has a history which encompasses Henry II, Alice in Wonderland and Colin Dexter of Inspector Morse fame! It can be reached by car (a large free car park indicates how popular it can get), but far better to walk all the way up Port Meadow to the very top, by which point you will deserve your lunch thoroughly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9666 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9654 St Clements is at the far end of the High Street, but Moya is worth the expedition.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9654 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9575 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9575 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9561 to be made. If 30 signatures are collected the management will consider making it.
The cafe also serves great pizza bagels for those who need a savoury snack. It is open until midnight and, although there are plenty of students in term-time, it's worth making a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8036 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8036 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7668
As you walk through the tiny cells and atmospheric prison corridors, you hear all about the real people and events from the site’s turbulent past: the first Oxford teachings, the owners, visionaries, activists and inmates.

People like Marshall William Smith, the King’s prison keeper, who in the 1600s made Oxford Prison as feared and as notorious as Colditz; Mary Blandy a convicted murderess, who became an 18th-century celebrity; Jack Ketch, the public executioner and the man on which the Punch & Judy hangman character was modelled; and Anne Green, who survived her own hanging and narrowly escaped being anatomised by an Oxford medical student in 1650!

After your tour of the Prison there is the chance to climb the 101 narrow steps of the Saxon St George's Tower and enjoy the spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the Oxford skyline.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7668 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5507 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5507