The Oxford Coach Drivers Guide 2011 provides information to help you make the most of your visit to this wonderful city. In planning your visit,

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2 The provides information to help you make the most of your visit to this wonderful city. In planning your visit, do take advantage of the quieter periods outside the summer months. Since Oxford's attractions stay open throughout the year, and many of Oxfordshire's places of interest are also open to groups 'out of season' you can always be sure of finding plenty to enjoy. Accessing Oxford City Centre The city centre is approached from the Oxford Ring Road, as follows: From the north via the A4144 Woodstock Road & A4165 Banbury Road / St Giles From the west via the A420 / Botley Road. There is a height restriction of 4.11m (13 6 ) at the railway bridge near Oxford Station on the Botley Road. From the south via the A4144 Abingdon Road / Folly Bridge. Please note that there is no access for coaches to the city centre to the Main Coach Route from the east, via the A40 / A420 / Magdalen Bridge. Coaches approaching from the east should turn onto the Ring Road and enter via the roads outlined above. Getting Around Oxford City Coaches may move around the city using the Main Coach Route marked in red on the map which includes St Giles, Beaumont Street, Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street, Hollybush Row, Oxpens Road and Thames Street. The Main Coach Route is two-way and may be followed in either direction. Should they need to do so, visitor coaches are also permitted to enter the street given below, observing the appropriate restrictions: Speedwell Street: entry only via Thames Street. All vehicles, except local buses, must turn left after crossing Folly Bridge. Coaches are not permitted in the Exclusion Zone between and hours without an Access Permit. Access Permits may be issued where considerable difficulty or hardship would otherwise ensue. To apply for a permit call +44 (0) or write to Oxford Parking Shop, Oxfordshire County Council, Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, Oxford, OX1 1NE. Applications for permits should be received seven days prior to the visit. 2

3 Parking Oxpens Coach Park, Oxpens Road, OX1 1RQ, Capacity: 34 spaces Charges: minibuses 0-4 hours 5.00; 4-24 hours 7.50 Coaches 0-24 hours 7.50 ( 10 from January 2011) Payment: in coins or by card by telephoning RingGo You can register your card in advance on to save time but please pay on the day. Facilities: toilets 10 minutes walk to the city centre Setting Down and Picking Up Passengers Drivers are encouraged to set down and pick up passengers in the safety of Oxpens Coach Park. If the group wishes to be picked up elsewhere, coach drivers should ask the group leader to call/text them by mobile phone when the whole group is assembled and is ready to re-embark, before leaving the coach park. Drivers will thus avoid the inconvenience of being moved on. There is one coach drop/pick up bay near to the Oxford Playhouse on Beaumont Street; max 10 minutes waiting time. Please note that there is no equivalent bay or drop off point on the opposite side of the street. Bus stop clearways are for local service buses only. Visiting coaches are not permitted to stop on these clearways. The Highway Code states that on roads other than Red Routes, despite yellow marks on the kerb indicating that loading or unloading goods is prohibited, you may stop while passengers board or alight. Please check this in your own copy of the Highway Code. Loading Restrictions Please note that loading restrictions apply on other roads included in the Main Coach Route and that no waiting is allowed. Loading restrictions apply on key roads during the following hours: St Giles: (east side along the frontage of St. John s Terrace), Beaumont Street: (in the vicinity of junctions), Worcester Street: , Hythe Bridge Street: , Hollybush Row: and , Thames Street: and , Speedwell Street: and , Norfolk Street: and

4 Shopmobility Oxford s Shopmobility scheme offers the free use of wheelchairs and electric scooters to people who need them for shopping and sightseeing in the city centre. Even if you only have temporary mobility problems you can still take advantage of the service. The scheme operates Monday to Friday 8.00am-6.00pm; Saturday and Sunday pm. The Shopmobility office is located on the ground floor (Level 1c) of the Westgate multi-storey car park. Only users of the Shopmobility scheme are entitled to free parking. Mobility aids and RADAR keys are available from the Shopmobility unit. Long-term wheelchair hire can be arranged. There is a nominal fee for this service. New members of the Shopmobility scheme will be given a full induction and training regarding the safe use of the mobility scooters. Please note that new members can only be given this training between the hours of 10.00am-4.00pm. New members will also need to bring personal identification such as a driving licence or utility bill. The Red Cross Medical Loan Service also operates from the Shopmobility Unit 10.30am-12.30pm Monday- Friday. The Red Cross can be telephoned on +44 (0) For further details regarding the Shopmobility service please telephone +44 (0) or Shopmobility@oxford.gov.uk There is more information on the Oxford City Council website 4

5 Oxpens Coach Park, Oxpens Road Capacity: 34 coaches Maximum Stay: 24 hours Charge: Minibus 5.00 (0-4 hours); 7.50 (4-24 hours) Coaches: 7.50 (0-24 hours) Payable in coins or by phone using debit/credit card. ( 10 from January 2011) Facilities: Public Toilets Walking time to City Centre: mins. Welcome Break Services, Pear Tree Roundabout, OX2 8JZ (at the junction of A34/A44, adjacent to Park & Ride) Capacity: 8 coaches bringing passengers to use the services Maximum Stay: tbc Charge: 2 hrs free (see above) then charge applies approx 22 tbc voucher for coach driver Facilities: Starbucks, Waitrose, KFC, petrol and hotel Regular Park & Ride Service to City Centre. Journey time: approx 20 mins. Ferry Hinksey Road PSV Parking, (off Botley Road) Capacity: 1 psv Maximum Stay: 2 hours Charge: None (return prohibited within 2 hours Monday- Friday ) Regular bus service to city centre along Botley Road. Journey time: approx 10 mins. Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4XP Capacity: 15 spaces Charge : 10 To book: tel +44 (0) or Available: daily except when Oxford United football team plays at home. Facilities: eateries, bowling, cinemas 5

6 Plan Your Trip Please check out our suggested itineraries on for things to do and places to go in Oxford and Oxfordshire. There's such a variety of experiences out there - you just need to know what they are! You'll probably wish you'd arranged to stay longer most people do And for starters, why not sample Official Guided Walking Tours of Oxford The most fascinating, enjoyable and educational way to explore this amazing city, its history, University, famous people and odd traditions, is on foot in the company of our friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining guides who are members of the Oxford Guild of Guides. The most popular introductory tour is the Oxford Past and Present Tour, which lasts 2 hours. There is also a wide variety of Themed tours which explore the city s links with the subjects listed below: Alice and Lewis Carroll Oxford Children s Stories Oxford s Literary Heritage (including authors J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman) Oxford Detectives Gardens Jewish Heritage Magic, Murder and Mayhem Science Oxford in the Civil War TV and Film Sites William Morris and Victorian Oxford Stained Glass Women in Oxford Tudor Oxford Oxford s West End Religion in Oxford John and Charles Wesley For further information please contact the Tours Coordinator on +44 (0) or wtours@oxford.gov.uk ; alternatively use to book on-line. Tickets for Attractions in Oxford and Oxfordshire Buy tickets for your groups in advance to save time - and money! Use our eshop to purchase them on-line or call + 44 (0) Blenheim Palace - discounted Cotswold Wildlife Park - discounted Warwick Castle - discounted Bill Spectre's Ghost Tours City SightseeingOxford Castle Unlocked Buy in advance to be sure of your places! 6

7 Some places of interest have special arrangements for groups: Contact the Tours Coordinator +44 (0) Bill Spectre's Ghost Trail Climb a tower City Sightseeing Tour Official Guided Walking Tours of Oxford Suggested times: 10.30, 11.00, 1.30 or 2.00 or 2.30 in summer. Also delightful in the quiet and cool of the evening - maybe following a conference. Can be arranged for groups of any number. Arrange a spooky tour to suit your timetable. Not recommended for small children or people who dislike heights. Hop on hop off, tickets valid all day. Large groups can charter their own bus. Available in English and other languages. There is a variety of tours: from the Oxford Past and Present Tour to Inspector Morse Tour and Pottering in Harry's Footsteps Tour. Tel Carfax Tower (views of the High) St Mary the Virgin (views of the Spires) St Michael at the North Gate (an easy climb for those who dislike heights ) The Sheldonian Theatre cupola - good in the rain - you stay inside! Picks up at the railway station and Tourist Information Centre. +44 (0)

8 Ashmolean Museum* Bodleian Library Read the hand-out for Groups. Then education/about us/booking/ Book a tour to include the Divinity School, Duke Humfrey's Library and Convocation House All groups must book in advance. Book lunch space (0) (0) Both short and long tours are offered. Bate Collection Entertaining talks/tours for all ages Book on +44 (0) Christ Church Phone to check access to the Great +44 (0) (College and Cathedral) Tudor Hall Evensong at: Christ Church All year 6.00pm Christ Church time Cathedral Evensong at New College University Term only 6.15pm Evensong at Magdalen University term only 6.00pm College Hinksey Pool Open air pool with kiddy splash or area. Ask about free swimming for children. Museum of Natural All groups should book in advance +44 (0) History Museum of Oxford * Advance booking is essential for +44 (0) groups Pitt Rivers Museum All groups should book in advance +44 (0) Oxford Botanic Garden Oxford Castle Unlocked Oxford Ice Rink All groups must pre-book. Programme for Primary and Secondary school children. Enjoy a group tour with a costumed character guide. Group rates (17 +) Lessons. Birthday parties. Book lunch space for children. +44 (0) Not forgetting the after dark castle tours - popular in winter +44 (0) (0)

9 Oxford University Press Museum Ever wondered where Oxford's first press was set up - and how the mouse's tale in 'Alice' was printed? +44 (0) Groups must book in advance for a tour. Oxford River Cruises Enjoy the elegance of an Edwardian +44 (0) electric launch (no noise, no smell) as you follow the river up to Port Meadow - like the real 'Alice'. Booking essential Punting or rowing boats Don't mention the pedaloes Cherwell Boathouse +44 (0) Magdalen Bridge Science Oxford Salter's Steamers river trip Discovery Zone for younger age group. To Iffley and back - or Abingdon and return by bus. Book in advance +44 (0) Interactive science shows and workshops for primary and secondary age groups. +44 (0) (0) Trips Outside Oxford Absolute Touring Minibus Cotswold tours +44 (0) Cotswold Roaming Trips to the Cotswolds and other beautiful places of interest in a comfortable minibus (8 & 16 seats) with picture windows and an experience and knowledgeable guide Blenheim Palace, Bath, Castle Combe, Stonehenge, Stratford and Warwick Castle +44 (0) Oxfordshire Narrowboats Hire a day boat (with or without a cream tea) to travel the Oxford Canal, one of the earliest ever built - by prison labour. Sho 4 Travel Escorted day visits in spacious 6- seater air-conditioned vehicles +44 (0) The Cotswolds, Stratford and Stonehenge and Bath

10 Accommodation for Groups Full details of quality inspected accommodation in and around Oxford are on our website: Oxford Tourist Information Centre Let Oxford s Tourist Information Centre help plan your visit to Oxford and make the most of your time. Staff will be happy to help you with: Information about Oxford and the surrounding area Reservations in quality-assured accommodation Discounted tickets for attractions including Blenheim Palace Official walking tours of the city with qualified guides - probably the best way to see Oxford A wide range of quality souvenirs, including local produce and personalized hampers A comprehensive range of maps and guides Broad Street Oxford OX1 3AS tic@oxford.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44(0)