City Escape | Oxford
Words by Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Photography provided by Artist Residence and Mason Arms
Oxford is famed for its university, Dreaming Spires and, perhaps most importantly, for providing the Hogwarts set location in the Harry Potter films. Avoid the cliches and take tips from a local to best experience the beauty, calm and heritage of the city and its surrounding area.
Nestled deep in the countryside just a twenty minute drive from the city centre, Artist Residence is one of Oxfordshire’s hidden gems but it’s a secret too good to keep. The thatch-roofed pub-meets-boutique hotel is reached via a winding, tree-lined lane and boasts a food menu that’s simple, wholesome and rustic.
Fiona Wilson, the hotel’s General Manager, has lived in the area her whole life. What makes it the right location for a space like Artist Residence is simple, she says. “The village feels like a quiet haven but it’s close enough to drive into the city if you want to explore. It’s the perfect balance of urban and rural living.”
Start the day with coffee. “Eden Cafe or Coffee Smith in Witney are the best in the area. They’re both quite small and I don’t think you’d find them if you didn’t know where to look.” Then it’s just a twenty minute drive into town.
“Avoid the open top bus at all costs,” she says. “Oxford is surprisingly small and you can easily do it by foot. I always recommend exploring the covered markets as its full of independant, quirky shops.”
Her top three culture spots? “Ashmolean Museum is a must. It’s home to ancient, modern and fine art as well as beautiful antiques. Exhibits change regularly so you can go time and time again and never get bored. The Bodleian Library is also pretty special. It’s the main research library for Oxford University and one of the oldest in Europe. Alternatively, walking the grounds at Blenheim Palace is a lovely way to spend the afternoon – it hosts light shows in the evening at Christmas.”
If enjoying the countryside tops your agenda, bikes and wellies are available for Artist Residence guests to borrow. The walk from the hotel to the local village of Sutton offers some of the most picturesque views in the area and Wilson recommends going from pub to pub, spotting deer along the way.
Great food is easy to find if you know where to look. Head chef at the Mason Arms, Ben Hallam, uses local produce to create his seasonal dishes. “Our recipes start with the freshest ingredients,” he says. “We’ve got our own kitchen garden, we source rainbow trout from a town a few miles down the road, eggs from a local farmer and meat from suppliers in Oxfordshire or Gloucestershire.” The pub’s eclectic interiors feel just as considered as the menu, capturing a modern take on quintessential British charm. Oversized armchairs and exposed wooden beams celebrate traditional design while quirky furnishings, printed wallpaper and neon wall signs add unexpected details. It’s a look that continues through each of the eight adjoining bedrooms and every corner of the space is brimming with personality.
Similarly charming and just a short journey away are The Five Alls at Filkins and The Bell at Langford – cosy spots that Wilson recommends as being a close joint second for hearty, traditional food. “For a truly English afternoon tea, try Huffkins in Burford,” she says. “The independent, family-owned company has been making ‘the best scones in the UK’ since 1890.” So whether you’re looking for a healthy dose of culture, a boutique hotel with whimsical charm or the best scone southern England - Oxfordshire promises to deliver on making it a memorable spot for a weekend away.
“For a truly English afternoon tea, try Huffkins in Burford,” she says. “The independent, family-owned company has been making ‘the best scones in the UK’ since 1890.”
