We will be driving from Heathrow to the Cotswolds on a Sunday in a few weeks and would like to stop in Oxford along the way. Any recommendations on parking? We would like to maximize our time there so don’t mind paying more for parking if it means we can walk rather than waiting for busses. We are primarily interested in seeing the University. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Sweden
6848 posts
Use one of the park and rides on the outskirts. If you're coming from Heathrow I'd suggest Thornhill Park and Ride. You would need to wait for buses, but they are pretty frequent.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5424 posts
The most obvious central location is the car park for the Westgate Shopping Centre. However, in the runup to Christmas it gets increasingly busy particularly on a Sunday, as does traffic in general in the centre. 6-12 hours parking costs £24.00, card only.
Considering park and ride, the first one you will come to from the M40 is Thornhill to the south east of Oxford but you might prefer to navigate round the ring road earlier rather than later on Sunday & go for Pear Tree to the north.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7557 posts
You could shoot for the Westgate parking option, especially if you get there early. That would definitely give you the most time. Worst case, if it's full, you could get drive north to the Peartree Park and Ride.
Posted by
OP
Tucson, AZ
60 posts
Thanks everyone. I just looked and saw that the Thornhill parking lot is having paving through October 1 (we will be there mid- September) and that the buses are meeting at an adjacent parking lot rather than the Thornhill. Complicates things a bit for someone who is unfamiliar with the area. In any case thanks for all suggestions.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33450 posts
if driving into Oxford remember and be aware of the 20 mph speeds not only in the centre, camera enforced, and bus lanes, camera enforced.
The Botley Road is still a basket case.
There is significant construction at the A40, A44, A34 junction with diversions and delays. I'd use the A40 if going up through Burford and the A44 if heading to Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold.
Where in the Cotswolds are you heading?
Are you driving right after flying into Heathrow?
Many colleges, if open on Sundays, are not open until the afternoon. Which colleges are you interested in?
Posted by
OP
Tucson, AZ
60 posts
We will be picking up a car at the airport after spending six days in London and going to Chipping Campden. We won’t get the car till around 11 so won’t be at Oxford before noon. Not sure what colleges to see as I really don’t know much about the university. As such, any advice is appreciated.