Monday 28 September 2020

Our First Trip To Oxford - Seeing The Sights, The Best Meal At Mowgli & Staying In A Prison!

 2 weeks ago George and I had 2 nights in Oxford for our latest UK staycation (I think staycation technically means staying in your own city but I'm going with it) and to be honest I'm still quite sad that it's over! I had planned on sharing this post last week but with the UK going crazy again, my mental health was not at its best and I felt very much like I did in March when all of 'this' started. Who knows what's to come next but whatever happens, I'm glad we've been able to have a little bit of freedom recently and our trip to Oxford is one I'll look back on and smile.Radcliffe Camera, OxfordI didn't know a huge deal about Oxford and what it had to offer before going but I'm honestly already wanting to book another trip. As soon as we arrived, I was just in awe of how beautiful the city is. Before we properly got to exploring we checked in at our hotel which was the Malmaison Oxford, a former prison which now has 95 converted rooms. I'm weirdly fascinated by prisons, don't ask why cos I don't know but because of that, the Malmaison is a hotel I'd wanted to stay in for years. It was incredibly cool to walk through and know you're genuinely in a prison but in the rooms, you'd have no idea! I loved the industrial style design of the room and the view out of the window was just stunning. It's not a hotel I'd necessarily rush to stay in again just yet for a normal stay just because a lot of it is about the actual experience of staying in a prison and obviously we've done that now and explored it all but for a special occasion in the future, I'd definitely consider it.Malmaison Hotel, OxfordAfter checking in we headed to Cafe Loco which I'd seen recommended a few times whilst researching the places to visit in Oxford. It was really big and spacious so felt really safe and the cake there was honestly one of the best I've ever had. You also get the most stunning views.Cafe Loco, OxfordAfter a short walk we then found some of the main attractions, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, Bodleian Library and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. I can't get over Radcliffe Camera, it's just amazing to look at but the whole area is so picturesque. I've seen these places on TV in so many shows before but I never thought they'd be quite so beautiful up close. The weather was perfect too (I mean maybe a bit too hot) so the sun was shining the whole time we were there.collage - Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Camera, University church of st mary the virginThat evening we had booked a table at Mowgli and it was an absolute taste sensation. I honestly think it's one of the best restaurants we've ever been too. It was really reasonably priced, the decor is just gorgeous and the cocktails were lovely. We had a variety of small dishes to share but my favourite would have to be the Himalayan Cheese Toast. It was so good we ordered seconds and it will 100% be the first thing I order next time. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Tea Steeped Chickpeas which I'm going to have to try and re-create at home. Just the most heavenly meal.MowgliMowgliThe next morning started off with brunch at The Breakfast Club. Hash browns and fried bread are life, you can't tell me otherwise. We then headed to the Covered Market which was full of independent shops and cafes. A really unique place that I'd love to spend more time at next time. We also managed to fit in a second visit to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin but this time we actually went in and looked round. I didn't take any photos as it didn't feel appropriate but inside was really beautiful. You can climb to the top for apparently the best views of the city which I was so tempted by but it was sweltering and I genuinely feared I would pass out. Something to do next time though, hopefully when it's much cooler.

Later that afternoon we booked for the tour of the Oxford Castle and Prison. Not all of it has been converted into a hotel so there's still a lot that's been kept as it was and there are tours there each day. It was so interesting to find out more about the prison and our tour guide was really funny. We were only in a small group which made it much better and we got plenty of time to explore ourselves at the end. I could definitely see us going again one day as there's so much to take in.Oxford Castle and PrisonFor our final night we had a lovely meat at Ask Italian then headed back to the hotel to pack and get ready to leave the next morning. We had 2 nights in Oxford and we did get to see so much as everything is quite close-by to one another but I'd have loved an extra night. There's still so much on our list to see so I guess it just means we'll have to go back one day? As much as I absolutely loved it in Summer, it was so hot and I am not a Summer girl AT ALL. I think next time we'd plan to go later in Autumn or maybe even near Christmas when the markets are on? Either way it's a fantastic city and I really do miss it already.

Have you ever been to Oxford?

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24 comments

Little Miss Mel said...

It looks like a lovely place to visit and it sounds like you had a great time.

https://littlemissmelanie.com/

Hena Tayeb said...

Wow sounds like such a wonderful staycation.

Sarah Trademark said...

omg I want to go here so bad! sounds amazing xx

Kelly~Diane said...

It sounds like you had a great staycation. Staying in an old prison sounds like such a fun and unique place to stay.

Beautylymin said...

I love Oxford - it's so beautiful! I spent a few months there when I was at uni and loved it! x

Beautylymin

Alice Anne said...

Oooo I've heard about the prison hotel! I'm sure a friend of mine stayed there a few years ago. I haven't been to Oxford in years - hopefully soon xx

jennyinneverland said...

This sounds like the perfect little getaway and staying in a prison sounds like such a cool and different thing to do! I’d love to see more photos of the room if you have any x

Nic said...

Thanks for sharing your mini escape to Oxford, I have been to a couple times to Oxford, but never stayed overnight, looks like you had a great time :)

Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

Sophie said...

This sounds like a lovely little trip, I've never been to Oxford but so much of it looks absolutely beautiful! I love the hotel. There's a bar where I went to uni that used to be a prison and the rooms with the larger tables in are the old cells and still have cell doors on them. It was my absolute favorite place to grab a drink, so cool x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

Julia said...

Oxford is one of my favourite cities in England! There is so much to do and see. The place you stayed at is awesome! So so cool, never heard of it before but you better believe this is where I'll stay next time I'm in Oxford! Thank you for sharing, it's great to hear you had a good time :)
Take care x

Julia x
Last Post: My 2020 Autumn Bucket List 🍁

Hannah said...

This sounds like a lovely trip! I think it's so cool that the hotel is an old prison, it must be such a strange feeling to think about what once happened right where you are currently standing. I've always wanted to visit Oxford and you've convinced me to boost it up the list haha! All of your trips away always look incredible! Hope you're doing well xx

Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

Tiffany Timms said...

It was brilliant, I miss it so much xx

Tiffany Timms said...

It was just what we needed xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I couldn't recommend it all enough! Such a beautiful place xx

Tiffany Timms said...

It was so cool! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Ahh really?! I can't wait to go back one day xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Hope you get chance to go soon, I loved it so much xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Yeah of course, I'll definitely send you some! It was such a cool experience xx

Tiffany Timms said...

We really did, I can't wait to go back xx

Tiffany Timms said...

The hotel was so unique, nothing like I've ever stayed in before! x

Tiffany Timms said...

Ah fab! So glad it's inspired you, it's such a cool hotel xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Yeah definitely! It's crazy what they've done to it but it still has so many of it's original features. So glad it's made you want to visit! I couldn't recommend it enough xx

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