Here are a few helpful shops and some of our favourite gems from around Oxford:
Supermarkets:
- Co-operative located right behind college (on the corner of Little Clarendon and Walton Streets) with another slightly further up Walton Street, this is the closest convenience store to college. With average prices, this is very useful for picking up some milk or a quick evening meal!
- Tesco is a slightly larger supermarket about a ten minute walk away on Magdalen Street. Prices here are slightly cheaper and with a much larger choice this is the place to go for your weekly shop!
- Sainsbury’s is located right next door to Tesco which is also handy if Tesco is too busy.
Essential to Oxford living is a good bicycle:
- Somerville College early in Michaelmas term the lodge auction off any abandoned bicycles from the previous year. This is a good way to pick up a cheap secondhand bike, although quality isn’t guarenteed.
- Oxford Students Swap Shop similarly this facebook page is useful for buying second hand bikes and other household items.
- If you are after a bike of slightly higher quality then Summertown Cycles offer a good range and customer service!
- If you just need to repair a bike already have there are several do-it-yourself bicycle repair locations where for a small fee a volunteer will guide you through doing your own repairs. The nearest one to Somerville is at the University Club every Wednesday. If you prefer to have the pros do it the closest bike shop to Somerville is Walton Street Cycles although Bike Zone on St Michael’s street is our favourite.
When you are in need of a good coffee:
- Common Ground and Tree Artisan on Little Clarendon street. Perfect for rolling out of bed in the morning and grabbing Coffee on the way into the office.
- Barefoot Jericho on Walton street does both coffee and big slices of cake. It is only a short walk from college and on the way to Port Meadow
- Brew is a little out of the way on North Parade, though it has been said to be ‘the best coffee in Oxford’
Our favourite cafes and pubs:
- G n’ D’s – one of many across Oxford – is located on Little Clarendon Street just across from Margery Fry. They are open late (11pm) and sell good bagels, coffees, and cakes, but they are famous for their ice cream.
- Rickety Press is a pub in Jericho that sells reallly good food! In particular pizza and burgers, for which there are deals dependant on the day.
- The Gardeners Arms be careful, there are two, but we mean the one on Plantation Road. It sells only vegetarian food – though you wouldn’t know the burgers are veggie – and has a lovely beer garden.
- The Victoria sells good pies and has a big garden. What more could you want from a pub that is only a few minutes down the road?
Quick bites to eat:
- Peppers Burgers located about a ten minute walk up Walton St, Peppers burgers is the perfect lazy meal.
- Soloman’s vs. Hussain’s – the debate for which is the better kebab van continues. Solomon’s is located about 5 metres closer to college than Hussain’s, so I have my favourite…! Find both around the corner from college on St Giles.
- Pizza Artisan Van might not strictly be a ‘quick bite’ as it is located a little walk from college on St Aldates, but they do a great wood fired pizza!
Fancier bites to eat:
- Pierre Victoire is an independent French restaurant on Little Clarendon Street. The food is second to none and the prices are very reasonable with a set menu.
- Gee’s is on the pricier side, however the setting (a very Instagram worthy glass house on Banbury Road) and food definitely make it worthwhile.
- Kazbar when the Great British weather is getting you down then venture to Cowley Road, the ‘sunny side of Oxford,’ for some Tapas. The atmosphere and sangria are guaranteed to make you forget you are in England.
Cocktails:
- Somervillians are spoiled for choice if you are after a good cocktail, being bang in the middle of Jericho. We reccomend Raouls, though it can be a bit pricey. The Duke of Cambridge have good happy hour deals, and is located right outside the MCR. If you fancy venturing further in to town then The Varsity Club is worth a visit, go to the roof terrace for views over Oxford’s dreaming spires!
Other useful things:
- Clothing Alterations/Dry Cleaning: The closest dry cleaner to Somerville is at the intersection of Woodstock Rd. and Bevington Road, approximately 5 min walk north of College.
- Ideal Eyes Located in Summertown, provides comprehensive eye exams and friendly staff. But this does come at a cost – lenses and frames are expensive.