There are many reasons for taking a weekend or an even longer break amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford.

If you are not familiar with Oxford it is worth getting an overview of the history of this ancient city by joining a walking tour or by riding one of the open-top buses. If you are a fan of detective fiction on television, you cannot help but recognise the backdrops to Morse, Lewis and lately Endeavour, all wonderful characters based on novels by Colin Dexter. Morse was brought to life by that fine British actor the late John Thaw while Lewis leaped onto our screens starring Kevin Whatley and Endeavour - a young Morse - was portrayed by Shaun Evans.

Having got your bearings and depending on your interests there are several worthwhile museums to take in, including the magnificently renovated Ashmolean with its art and antiquities, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the History of Science as well as the Pitt Rivers Museum with its collections of the weird and wonderful.


Oxford University has existed for some 800 years so allow plenty of time to absorb the atmosphere of its beautiful colleges, many of them with lovely grounds. The colleges began as medieval halls of residence for the students – the oldest, Balliol and Merton, were founded towards the end of the 13th century. Magdalen (pronounced mawdlin) College was founded in 1468 and is arguably the most beautiful – a joyous blend of architecture, deer park and river. (C. S. Lewis, author of the Narnia books, is said to have been inspired by some of Magdalen’s statues, and Oscar Wilde was one of its most infamous undergraduates.) Christ Church, founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey, is considered to be the grandest college. Today’s visitors often experience a feeling of deja vu when standing in the Great Hall, until they realise they are looking at the inspiration for Hogwarts hall from the Harry Potter films. The college buildings and gardens also feature in the Alice books written by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) for Alice Liddell, the Dean’s daughter.

In fact famous names crop up regularly in Oxford – John Donne, Shelley, T. S. Eliot John Betjeman, Graham Greene, John Le Carre, J. R. Tolkien and Philip Pullman to name but a few literary greats. And then there are politicians like William Hague and Tony Benn, TV playwright Dennis Potter and Dudley Moore, comedian and jazz pianist. The list is seemingly endless.

The afore mentioned fictional characters of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour have left their mark on Oxford. Devotees of these series can follow in their footsteps and sit with a drink in the bar used for TV filming; it is known as the Morse Bar and can be found in the elegant Macdonald Randolph Hotel.

Indeed the Macdonald Randolph Hotel is another good reason for staying in Oxford. Dating back to 1864, it was designed to be a first-class hotel, and it certainly still is. The bedrooms offer every modern facility with old-fashioned comfort and luxury – even down to the hospitality trays with proper teapots. There is the tranquil haven known as The Spa hidden away in the hotel’s cellar, offering a wide range of treatments, and also the restaurant where their Head Chef and his staff create delicious dishes to be served in the Randolph’s elegant dining room. The Macdonald Randolph is also renowned for its afternoon tea – pastries and homemade scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream , along with special blends of tea.

A stylish Afternoon Tea at the Randolph

Celebrities from around the world and people from all walks of life have enjoyed this five-star hotel’s discreet and attentive service. For more information or to book your weekend at this 5 Star hotel please click on The Randolph Hotel.

Oxford might be steeped in history but it certainly does not live in the past. It is also a bustling and vibrant city, thanks in part to its youthful and lively university students. There are excellent bookshops and a wide range of shops and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets – one of the most popular is Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Jamie’s. Try your hand at punting by all means, but be warned, it’s not quite as easy as it looks; take in a concert at the Sheldonian Theatre or climb one of the towers for a rooftop city view.

It has to be said that parking is difficult and expensive in the town centre, but there are park and ride schemes and good train and coach services to and from London and its airports, making Oxford and its dreaming spires readily accessible.


As you will have seen from our Home Page, award winning actor, best-selling author and explorer Michael Palin will be the guest speaker at a special literary lunch on Tuesday, 16th July at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel, Oxford. The event will celebrate the publication of the paperback version of his latest and highly acclaimed novel, The Truth.

An ingeniously plotted and gripping tale, The Truth is Michael Palin’s second novel. At a crossroads in his life, journalist Keith Mabbut is offered the opportunity of a lifetime – to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a highly influential activist and humanitarian – he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of north-east India. The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him – and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry really who he claims to be? As Keith discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it...

Michael established his reputation with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Ripping Yarns; his work also includes several films with Monty Python as well as an award-winning performance in A Fish Called Wanda, while his television credits include two films for the BBC’s Great Railway Journeys. Michael is also well known for the books which accompanied his eight very successful travel series, Around the World in 80 days, Pole to Pole and Full Circle to name a few.

Guests are welcome from 12noon to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink before sitting down to the two-course set lunch at 12.30pm, which is followed by coffee (vegetarian option available). Tickets also include a paperback copy of The Truth to take home, which Michael will sign personally.

Set in Oxford’s historic city centre, the luxurious, five-star Macdonald Randolph Hotel enjoys an enviable reputation for exceptional cuisine, fine wines and stylish accommodation.

For more information and to book tickets, which are priced at £35 per person, call the ticket line on 07912 696658. For details and directions to the Macdonald Randolph Hotel (Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LN) visit www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/Randolph.