Travel and transportation
Bicycle
Cycling is very popular in Oxford and many locals transport their children on bikes either in child seats or trailers. There are many cycle shops in Oxford; the closest to college are Walton Street Cycles. The college partners with OxBykes, a second-hand bike sales and rental company run by Oxford students. Its aim is to provide quality refurbished bikes quickly and easily, and in doing so, reduce the bike wastage in Oxford. You can find out more on their website.
Sustrans, a charity enabling people to make sustainable travel choices, provides good information about cycling with children: About us – Sustrans.org.uk.
The Broken Spoke Bike Co-op offers cycle training for both adults and children – see their cycle training FAQs. The University can help with the costs of training – see Get cycling | Travel (ox.ac.uk) for more info.
Bus
Buses in Oxford are clean and safe and offer marked areas for prams and pushchairs. Individual tickets or day passes can be purchased on the bus in cash or by card. Weekly, monthly or yearly passes can be purchased, or at the Oxford Bus Company Travel Shop based at Gloucester Green coach station. Children under 5 ride free, and children 5-15 are half-fare.
Car
Running costs for car owners and drivers are high in the UK, and Oxford has particular challenges with its one-way systems and restrictions on parking, so we do not generally recommend that you bring a car to Oxford or purchase one here. However, if you need to hire a car while you are here, there are a number of car hire companies in the city including Zipcar. It is possible to park at some of the College’s accommodation sites for a charge (subject to availability, booking essential). If you live on Observatory Street you will need to obtain street parking permits from the local council at the online Parking Shop.
Please contact the Lodge Manager to discuss parking permits for other college accommodation sites (eg St Margaret’s Road and Lord Napier House) and be aware these are very limited.
