<<

Your Guide to Renting a Property in The Radcliffe Camera Bienvenue à Powitanie Добро пожаловать на Wilkommen in Hoş geldiniz يف كب الهأ Fáilte roimh Laipni lūdzam Welcome to Oxford Oxford is often known as ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’ due to its stunning skyline, made up of the University’s historic buildings. Although long established as a world leader in education, Oxford also has a diverse economy, which includes manufacturing, research, travel and tourism, publishing and and biotech companies.

Oxford’s cultural life embraces both the traditional and modern with music venues, theatres, museums and festivals to cater for all tastes. The city has a cosmopolitan feel with a wide variety of eating places, and nightclubs.

Whether you are moving within the area or are relocating to Oxford, we hope this guide is useful.

Inside Typically “Oxford” • Flat finder • Guides to the Oxford area • City and county maps / Moving Checklist / FAQs / Why choose Breckon & Breckon? Typically “Oxford”

Essential things to see ] and do while you are in Oxford

Go punting Get high! See the sights of Oxford from the peaceful To enjoy the City of Dreaming Spires in Rivers Cherwell and Thames (also called the a different way, why not climb one of – just while it flows through Oxford). towers in the city centre? Many colleges have their own private punts, Visitors can experience the view over the but there are boathouses at Magdalen rooftops from the tower of the University Bridge and Cherwell Boathouse, Bardwell Church on the High Street, Carfax Tower Road which hire boats to the public. at Carfax, the tower of St Michael at the You could try and master the skills of Northgate, Cornmarket Street or the dome punting, hire a boat or a pedalo – or of the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad Street. spoil yourself by hiring a chauffeured boat. Visit a Museum oxfordpunting.co.uk Christ Church Cathedral and gardens cherwellboathouse.co.uk Oxford is home to many world-famous museums which contain exhibits which you Explore the University’s colleges will never see anywhere else. The Museum of the History of Science on curiosities from around the world, including Broad Street includes a blackboard on a cape of hummingbird feathers and entire The colleges of Oxford University dominate The Ashmolean Museum reopened in 2009 which are the scribblings of Albert Einstein, dinosaur skeletons. the city centre and have been part of city after a multi-million pound refurbishment and houses an amazing collection ranging made on a visit to Oxford in the 1930s. life since the 13th century. There are 38 Hire a bicycle colleges in total, including many beautiful from Egyptian mummies to Anglo Saxon The Natural History Museum (also newly quads (courtyards) and gardens. jewellery and early musical instruments. reopened – and Pitt Rivers Museum house Oxford is a cycling city… why not hire a bike and see the city as a true Oxford resident? Some of the best known include Magdalen, On a bike you can go places where cars are All Souls, Brasenose, Christ Church and not allowed, cycle the towpaths of the River New College. The Great Hall, Christ Church, Thames and Oxford Canal, and not have to where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed worry about paying for parking! is a popular attraction. baintonbikes.com/bikehirerange.html ox.ac.uk/visitors_friends/visiting_the_ oxford-cycles.co.uk university Visit Take a walking tour A tour of the historic Castle site includes The colleges are best explored by bike or tales of murder, betrayal and execution. on foot; there are several good walking Your guide will be one of the characters tours, which leave from various points in the who were once inmates of the prison! city centre and show you those little corners of Oxford which are easily missed. Punting on the oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk ] breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] Some developments can be hard A snapshot of Oxford Flat Finder to locate from the name alone Area Guides and the surrounding area

X Our map makes finding a great apartment just that bit easier X City Centre Gloucester Green, Oxford Castle, Lion Brewery

Location of block or development Oxford has distinct areas, and knowing Yarnton 1 Blenheim Court/ 9 Lion Brewery roughly where you would like to live Apsley Court 10 Empress Court is a good start. The next few pages 2 Woodstock Close 11 Rowland Hill Court give a brief introduction to Oxford 3 Thackley End 12 Court Pear Tree and , and should help you Interchange 4 Waterways 13 Place narrow down your preferred area. 5 Waterside 14 Varsity Place Cutteslowe Roundabout 6 Foundry House/ 15 Reliance Way Renowned for its ancient University, the city Furness House 16 Oxford Road centre is very popular with students and Roundabout 1 7 Stream Edge 17 Bishops Court academics. Wolvercote 2 O 8 Oxford Castle 18 Mews x W You might come across the phrase ‘Town fo O r O Summertown 19 Edwin Court d D and Gown’, which encapsulates the C S A 4 20 Nursery Close a T 0 A O RST T n MA ON N traditional (and generally friendly) interplay 3 h C FE O a a R 21 Cherry Tree Court 4 R R m l K Y T

W R H 4 R B D e ER between the working city of Oxford and the s A 22 Dean Court E D ll N S N e BY T B PA University which tends to define it in the Wytham E w S 5 U S R r 3 R Marston N e Y eyes of the wider world.

h B Barton R

Y C

D P A New Sandhills Oxford’s nightlife is always buzzing, with The Old Bodleian Library S Binsey S Marston D RD 6 R N ancient pubs and modern clubs, meaning DO Headington N N Jericho LO O Roundabout there is always something going on. There

Botley T 17 Headington

S Interchange OXFORD R Quarry Selected Language :

A are always musical and theatre events, in A

19 STATION 4 M 1 Oxford Language Centre, Oxford of BOTLEY 18 7 4 some of the most beautiful surroundings. In 20 RD Oxford 2

T

E English, Lake School Of English, British Study 9 H

A summer, plays are put on in college quads. E 8 A 22 Osney S Wood

A B S

10 St Clements T Centres Oxford, St. Clare’s Oxford, Eckersley 21 3 L I

11 E 4 N Farm C A Public transport is excellent, with all areas

S O R G W D

O N Oxford, King’s School Oxford, College of

Botley U D L E E O

T Y B of the city well served by buses; there H N

12 R Y E D International Education.

R I P

N R F 13 A are good coach services to all parts of D F

B T L 15 S Y h E

N P Grandpont Temple S Secondary schools: (Private) North A a Y the country, with rail and coaches serving S m Cowley S New R e D Magdalen College School P. Oxford’s other s and its airports 24 hours a day. R 16 Hinksey There are both bus and rail stations. secondary schools are located in suburban 14 areas. Cowley Types of property in the city centre are Kennington Cowley Junction mixed, with period houses and modern Local Authority: Oxford City. Roundabout Interchange A423 Rose Hill flats available, but prices are generally quite Local Breckon & Breckon Letting office: A4142 Blackbird high. Very few city centre properties have a Oxford City Centre: 01865 201111 Leys Heyford Hill garden, so if outside space is important to Roundabout Roundabout you, then you may need to consider moving Littlemore Greater Leys outside of the city centre. Kennington Sandford- on-Thames X breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] A snapshot of Oxford Area Guides and the surrounding area

R To the North Jericho, Summertown, Woodstock P To the East Cowley, Headington, Marston

North Oxford boasts some of the finest Heading out of the city to the East, you schools in the country, such as the Dragon travel over Magdalen Bridge – where the and St. Edwards. Further out is Blenheim famous Oxford May Day celebrations take Palace, a World Heritage Site. With journey place – to The Plain, from where roads times to Birmingham and London at around leading off to St Clements and Headington, 40 and 75 minutes respectively, North Cowley and Iffley. Perhaps the most eclectic Oxfordshire is an ideal area for those looking areas of the city. to escape the hustle and bustle of city life to Multicultural Cowley is best characterised as find calm and serenity in the countryside. alternative, with a vast array of ethnic Jericho is close to the City Centre. It has a restaurants and shops, many pubs, an good range of local shops and facilities, independent cinema and the O2 including the independent Phoenix Cinema. nightclub, Oxford’s main live music venue. There are characterful narrow streets and Cowley is also the location of Oxford Science canalside walks. A mix of student and private Park and Oxford Business Park, home to accommodation. Landmarks include Oxford large companies such as Blackwell University Press, Radcliffe Observatory. Publishing, Oxfam and British Gas. Woodstock Town Hall Bury Knowle Park, Headington Summertown has a good range of Landmarks include the Mini factory, Iffley supermarkets and small, privately owned Road Sports Ground and Iffley Lock. shops, a wide range of restaurants, sports Secondary schools: (State, Private) The five Oxford hospitals are all located University: Oxford Brookes University. clubs and other amenties including punting Cherwell S, Gosford Hill S, The Dragon P, St in Headington, making Headington and Secondary schools: (State, Private) from Cherwell Boathouse. Landmarks Edward’s P Marston popular areas with doctors and S, Icknield Community include Port Meadow, Cherwell Boathouse, Local Authorities: nurses. Headington is also a popular area College S, Lord Williams School S, Oxford Cutteslowe Park. Jericho, Summertown: Oxford City. for Oxford Brookes students, so some School S, St Gregory the Great Catholic Woodstock is a charming country market : Cherwell. areas can be noisy during term time. A wide School S, North Oxfordshire Academy S, range of houses and flats are available all town which started as life a coaching Surrounding towns & villages include: S, year round, but there is a huge demand stop. Majestic Blenheim Palace holds Bicester, Kidlington; Bladon, Bletchingdon, P, P in August and September, so be ready to events all year round, which attract visitors Charlton-on-Otmoor, Chesterton, Enstone, Local Authority: Oxford City. make fast decisions if you are looking to from near and far. Woodstock has all the Fringford, Islip, Kirtlington, Tackley, Upper & move then! Landmarks include South Park Surrounding towns & villages include: necessities such as a post office, banks, Lower Heyford, Wootton, Yarnton. ; Beckley, Garsington, Great Milton, and a supermarket. Properties range from and the John Radcliffe Hospital. Outlying Local Authorities: Holton, Horton-cum-Studley, Horspath, beautiful character cottages in the town Old Marston Village is particularly Cherwell, South Oxfordshire Ickford, Islip, Stanton St John, Wheatley. and surrounding villages, to blocks of desirable, with many period, stone and Outlying Local Authorities: flats for those preferring apartment living. Local Breckon & Breckon Letting offices: thatched cottages. Cherwell, South Oxfordshire. Landmarks include Blenheim Palace, Summertown: 01865 201111 London Oxford Airport, Eastern Cotswolds. Woodstock: 01993 810100 Local Breckon & Breckon Letting office: Headington: 01865 763999 P breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] A snapshot of Oxford Area Guides and the surrounding area

S To the South , Abingdon on Thames, Q To the West , Osney, Botley

South Oxfordshire is on the rise. Transport Quaint villages with easy access to city and links are excellent, with bus, train and road countryside are found on the western side links giving easy access to Oxford and the of Oxford. From historic cottages in the rest of the country. Cotswolds to tightknit riverside villages. New Hinksey/Abingdon Rd Popular with Osney – or Osney Island – is Oxford’s best families. New Hinksey outdoor heated kept secret. Just minutes from the railway swimming pool and water park is popular in station, this enclave is surrounded by the summer. A mixed range of houses, flats and Thames and Osney Stream. On the island student accommodation, just a short walk you enter a world of boats, wildlife and the from the City Centre. Landmarks include calmness of the river. Landmarks include College boathouses on the Thames, and Marina. Hinksey Park and Bagley Wood. Botley is a well situated suburb that is The oldest continuously occupied town served by regular bus service and easy in , Abingdon on Thames is a access to the railway station and city centre. historic market town with narrow streets County Hall, Abingdon on Thames Botley has a good stock of properties The Thames at Osney and riverside walks which is currently ranging from period housing to detached being redeveloped. Accommodation Secondary schools: (State, Private) and semi-detached properties from the Secondary schools: (State, Private) includes family houses, town centre flats Blessed George Napier Catholic School S, 1930s and modern flats. Neighbouring S, Bicester Community and premium riverside properties. Plenty Didcot Girls’ School S, is the location of Oxford’s College S, School S, Carterton of activities for children, such as the family S, S, King Alfred’s S, Rugby and Tennis clubs. Landmarks include Community College S, Chipping Norton water park and pitch & putt; good sports S, S, Tower, Jarn Mound, Hinksey School S, Matthew Arnold School S, The facilities. Adults enjoy the Thames Path and S, Manor P, Heights Course. S, The S, P, P The Marlborough Church of England School Hanson Way, a National Cycle Network Nestling on the Eastern edge of the S, S, route. Landmarks include the Old Gaol, Local Authorities: Cotswolds, Witney is a vibrant market town Preparatory School P, Cokethorpe P , White Horse Leisure Centre. New Hinksey: Oxford City. Abingdon: Vale of full of historic buildings, bustling shops, Since 2003, Didcot has changed beyond White Horse. Didcot: South Oxfordshire. restaurants and pubs. The Cotswold towns Local Authorities: Osney, Botley: Oxford City. Witney: West Oxon. recognition. A £50m shopping centre Surrounding towns & villages include: and villages play host to many festivals opened in 2005, with an arts centre, cinema Wallingford, Wantage; Benson, Chalgrove, and carnivals over the summer months. Surrounding towns & villages include: and dozens of new shops. The iconic Culham, Dorchester-on-Thames, Grove, Accommodation ranges from period and Burford, Carterton, Charlbury; Bampton, power station cooling towers are set to Harwell, Stadhampton, Sutton Courtenay. village properties to modern family homes Eynsham, Kingston Bagpuize, Long Hanborough, Stanton Harcourt, Standlake. be demolished in 2015. Properties range Outlying Local Authorities: and contemporary apartments. Landmarks from famliy houses to country cottages. South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse. include the Buttercross, St Mary’s Church, Outlying Local Authorities: The beautiful countryside around Didcot is Cotswold Hills. West Oxfordshire. Local Breckon & Breckon Letting office: peppered with quaint villages. Landmarks Local Breckon & Breckon Letting office: Oxford City Centre: 01865 201111 include Wittenham Clumps, Didcot Power Oxford City Centre: 01865 201111 Abingdon on Thames: 01235 554040 Station and the Ridgeway. Witney: 01993 899972 Q breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] Selected places Oxfordshire and main transport links A Moving Experience

To Birmingham A423 & The Midlands Moving home – especially to another city or country – can be g very stressful, so here is a checklist of things you musn’t forget A422 Banbury 11 C 3 Tick when the item is completed. h e To M1 & r w Northampton e

Bloxham l l Six weeks before moving Two weeks before moving Brackley A422 To M1 & _ Confirm the date of your move. _ Start packing non-essential items such To Moreton- Milton Keynes in-Marsh _ Check your contents insurance – make as books and non-seasonal clothes into A361 A43 M40 Deddington Buckingham sure you have cover from the day you boxes.

O x move in to your new home. _ De-register from your doctor, dentist f 10 S Chipping Norton o r A421

d

and optician if you're moving out of the A4260 C _ Obtain written quotes from several

To Worcester a

Cotswold Enstone n

a catchment area. l removal firms. Get references and check Hills Bicester the limits of their insurance. _ Visit the post office, or apply online, to A44 A41 A4095 Charlbury To Aylesbury _ Book extra storage space if required. arrange for your post to be forwarded A361 Evenlode 9 (you will be charged a fee for this

A424 Woodstock To Aylesbury _ Notify the relevant utility companies of & London service). A34 your departure. Kidlington _ Notify your milkman and newspaper _ Start getting rid of possessions you no To Horton-cum- Cheltenham London Oxford Islip shop that you'll be moving and give them Airport Studley longer need. Decide which items can be Burford A40 Beckley a date you want the service to stop. A40 Witney taken to a charity shop, sold at car boot To W Eynsham Stanton _ If you have children or pets, arrange for i Aylesbury sale, or offered to your friends. Carterton nd Oxford St John ru s A40 Thame someone to look after them during the A4095 h _ A34 If you need new furniture or carpets – A361 8A S A418 Thame move. Wheatley 8 order them now and arrange delivery for Bampton 7 A4142 _ Make a list of everyone who should Lechlade Kennington Chinnor when you move in. Thames A329 M40 know about the move. Send change of Abingdon- A420 on-Thames Chalgrove address. 6 Kingston Lewknor Bagpuize A415 _ Finalise arrangements with your removal Faringdon Watlington Dorchester- company. Confirm arrival times and A417 on-Thames A338 To make sure your removers have directions London to your new address. A4130 Wallingford Chiltern To Swindon Didcot Hills & Bristol A417 _ Arrange a time to collect the keys for Wantage A4130 Lambourn Downs your new home from the letting agent. To M4 A34 A329 & Swindon _ Notify the bank of any changes to direct Thames Henley-on- debits and standing orders. Thames To M4 & The South A4074

Motorway with Railway with station Location of 10 S junction & services Breckon & Breckon Major road River / Canal Letting office Thames Main road Oxfordshire boundary Reading

breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] Your Questions

We try to answer some questions about renting y property in Oxford which don’t have an obvious answer

Where should I start? Firstly, narrow Can I take a property without viewing down the location of where you hope to live it? No, unfortunately not. However, if you and then decide your budget. Don’t forget, have a relative or friend in the UK, they can the advertised rental amount usually does usually view on your behalf. not include council tax or utility charges so What is an HMO? An HMO is a House in you should budget for those separately. Multiple Occupancy. In Oxford, these often need a special licence. This will usually only apply if you are a group of 3 or more sharers or students. What do I need to do to reserve a property? You will need to complete an application form and pay an administration fee. Further guidance can be found in our Applicant Guide; please ask for a copy. Waterways, , is a very popular development in which to rent an apartment Once I have found a property, how long before I can move in? This really depends on the property: if it is empty we can usually Can I smoke in the property? No. We do which will be produced by an independent move you in within a week, however most not permit smoking in any of our properties. clerk. The inventory is vital as it fully lists the Our properties are beautifully presented properties will be occupied and will have an Can I install Sky, cable and broadband? condition of the property, making deposit availability date advertised. It is quite likely that this has already been resolutions much more straightforward. The landlord pays for this, but the tenant will When should I start looking? We usually Will I need a guarantor or someone to installed and you can switch the account. If pay a check-out charge at the end of the advise that applicants start looking 8 weeks co-sign my lease? It depends. If you have not, you will need the express permission of tenancy, which varies depending on the size before they need to move. Generally, that a full time job then probably not, even if it is the landlord. of the property. Further information can be is plenty of time to find your next home. your first time living in the UK. If you are a What furniture is included? If listed as provided on request. Don’t panic if you have less time than that student or arrive looking for work, you will be ‘furnished’ most items will be included, ie: though, properties come onto the market asked to pay the rent in advance for the full sofas, beds, etc, but you should confirm Will I need insurance? You will need to with varying availability dates, so it is almost term of the tenancy, or to provide a with your agent as there are other variations cover your personal possessions and we guaranteed that you will find a home to suit guarantor. such as ‘furnished and equipped’ which recommend that you also cover against your requirements. How long is the tenancy? Most are for includes cutlery, crockery and linen and accidental damage [check wording] How do I view a property that I’ve seen twelve months but it can be more, or less, ‘unfurnished’ which only includes white Will I be responsible for maintenance advertised? Just give the office a call and depending on the landlord’s circumstances. goods (cooker, washing machine, fridge and repairs? No. The landlord will be request a viewing; most appointments will Are pets allowed? This will depend on the etc), carpets and curtains. responsible for repairs. However, you will be be during normal working hours and may landlord and you would need their express Will I get an Inventory Report and do responsible for any damage caused and for sometimes be restricted but we will do all permission; an increased deposit may be I have to pay for it? Almost all of our general upkeep, ie: cleaning and gardening. we can to help at a time that suits you. required. Pets are rarely allowed in flats. tenancies are accompanied by an inventory y breckon.co.uk | Y [email protected] Vouch Breckon A5 Ad_Layout 1 25/03/2014 10:00 Page 1

Dining & competitive, “ professional Experience Deals and personal A £40 dining experience home insurance” at Browns for just £20 Classic dishes close to people's hearts since 1973. Browns Oxford, set near the centre of ‘that sweet city with her dreaming spires’, was the second branch of Browns to open. It has become a landmark in the city, an institution not quite as ancient as the university’s world-famous Based in Oxfordshire, colleges, but one which has nonetheless stood the test of the way our local knowledge has time. Conditions apply. This is not a voucher* enabled us to negotiate forward... a number of exclusive Eat at Iffley Blue. Grab a £30 facilities with our insurers. voucher for just £15 Try the newly opened Retaurant at Hawkwell House Situated just a couple of miles from the centre of Oxford, Iffley Blue is the new Whether you are a landlord restaurant at Hawkwell House Hotel in the beautiful village of Iffley. or a tenant, call us today Conditions apply. This is not a voucher* and we will provide you with the best advice and Eat at 4500 Miles from Delhi £30 a competitive quotation. We’ve got voucher for just £15 One of Oxford’s finest City Centre Indian Restaurants it covered Not just another 'up market' Indian restaurant, quite literally 4500 Miles from Delhi, the restaurant offers diners an ingenious fusion of Asian herbs, spices, Landlords Buildings fresh meat and vegetables. Conditions apply. This is not a voucher* and Contents Buy your vouchers now at Property Owners www.bridleinsurance.co.uk T 01865 742211 E [email protected] Liability www.vouchoffers.co.uk FOLLOW US VOUCHOFFERS VOUCH_OFFERS Tenant’s Contents Bridle Insurance Deer Park House A £84 Spa Experience Accidental Damage Range Road for just £50 Witney OX29 0YN Fancy a half day at Randolph Hotel Spa? All Risks Cover You will be looked after by some of the best spa therapists in Oxford at the Spa at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel. The T 0845 034 9648 hotel offers a range of treatments that will calm and soothe Legal Expenses you. Select one treatment from: Aroma back relief E [email protected] massage, Aroma time precious facial, Tranquility scalp massage, Aroma foot relief. Treatment times 30 minutes. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority breckon.co.ukConditions apply. T|his Yis not alettings voucher* @breckon.co.uk Why Choose Breckon & Breckon?

A word from Greg Barnes, our MD; see what some existing clients think of our service, and if you still need persuading, £50 off!

Breckon & Breckon is proud to offer one It’s no secret that letting and property The Breckon & Breckon Network of the most trusted and reliable letting and management can be complex to navigate property management services across and our job is to ensure that everything Our network of seven residential letting “We have been Oxfordshire. runs smoothly and seamlessly for you, so and sales offices covers Oxfordshire delighted with the service Our experienced teams have one sole you enjoy minimum void periods, reliable tenants and swift resolution of any issues. 13 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LP focus – you, the client. That means S (01865) 201111 – Letting you have provided – whether you are making your first foray into We would be delighted to discuss our Y [email protected] from start to finish” the lettings business, or you are a long- services in greater detail with you, or term landlord with an extensive property answer any questions you may have, so 118 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BX portfolio, you can be confident that you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with S (01865) 244735 – Sales your property and your tenants are in safe your nearest office and one of our team will Y [email protected] and capable hands. be only too happy to help you. 3 High Street, Abingdon on Thames Simple principles of honesty, reliability, Oxfordshire OX14 5BB “We have been very happy exceptional customer service and good S (01235) 550550 – Sales with the service you offer communication are the basis of our S (01235) 554040 – Letting approach – values that have helped us Y [email protected] and have recommended you build an extensive client base across the Greg Barnes FARLA MNAEA, county. Managing Director 109 London Road, Headington, to friends already” Oxford OX3 9HZ S (01865) 750200 – Sales S (01865) 763999 – Letting Discount Voucher Y [email protected] 274 Banbury Road, Summertown, “I must commend you Oxford OX2 7DY Presentation of this voucher entitles you to S (01865) 310300 – Sales guys for the work you Y [email protected] a reduction of £50 (inc VAT) on our standard Administration Fees. are doing – everything 34 High Street, Woodstock OX20 1TG is perfect” Applicant name S (01993) 811881 – Sales S (01993) 810100 – Letting Y [email protected] Property address We are affiliated to the following bodies, to 21 Corn Street, Witney OX28 6DB ensure you receive the best service. S (01993) 776775 – Sales Date S (01993) 899972 – Letting This voucher can only be used once for one application at any property let through Breckon & Breckon. Y [email protected] Expiry date:

£50 breckon.co.uk Y [email protected] |

Breckon & Breckon (Letting & Management) Ltd Y [email protected] 13 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LP S (01865) 201111 or (01865) 261261 3 High Street, Abingdon on Thames, Oxfordshire OX14 5BB S (01235) 504040 109 London Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 9HZ S (01865) 763999 21 Corn Street, Witney OX28 6DB S (01993) 899972 34 High Street, Woodstock OX20 1TG S (01993) 810100 breckon.co.uk