There is no better place to celebrate success than the academic city of Oxford, awash with a rich scholarly history and an impressive alumnus. Wander the cobbled streets and walk in the footsteps of some of the world’s most iconic names and influential figures as you explore Oxford University’s stunning gothic architecture dating back over nine centuries. Our boutique hotel in Oxford is the perfect base for your Oxford University adventure.

History

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and to date one of the best and most prestigious universities in the world. Teaching at the university began, in some form, as early as 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. From the very start there was friction between the townspeople and students, leading to many years of the Town vs Gown riots which actually caused the foundation of the University of Cambridge after some Oxford scholars fled the conflict to Cambridge. The university was founded soon after. In the 13^th century the first colleges were founded – each with their own buildings and land. Today Oxford University is united within their town’s community and embraced as an academic city. The university has 38 independent, self-governing colleges connected by the university’s federal system; these close academic communities help foster the leading research that Oxford is known for and has around 22,000 students.

Oxford’s Famous Faces

Oxford has a giant legacy for educating a whole host of famous and influential faces throughout history. Their impressive alumni record features 50 Nobel Prize winners, 27 British Prime Ministers, 89 archbishops, 120 Olympic gold medallists and a whole host of successful academics, authors and actors. Oxford’s rich literary history is reflected through iconic authors such as Oscar Wilde, T.S Eliot and even Dr Seuss who have all graced the university’s halls. Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland while teaching mathematics at the university and Hugh Grant, Margaret Thatcher, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bill Clinton and the late, great Stephan Hawking all studied there to name just a few.

University Open Days

Our hotel in Oxford is the perfect base for you to explore the iconic and quintessentially British Oxford University and luckily for you regular walking tours of the university are offered by the Oxford Guild of Guides and you can find out more here. Alternatively, rent a bike or take a wander around the many beautiful colleges at your own pace and soak up the scholarly atmosphere. Find out about the colleges opening times to the public here.

If you’re interested in enrolling at the university they have an upcoming Open Day weekend on the 27-28^th June and another on the 14^th September.

Vanbrugh House Hotel, a boutique hotel in Oxford, is ideally located in the centre of Oxford, near to the area’s top Oxford museums, Oxford theatres and Oxford bars. To check availability, email us or call us on 01865 244 622.