Oxford Students are Never Short of Things to Do or Buy

Shopping in Oxford for Students

One of the advantages of student living and letting in Oxford is the wide range of shops that are available. Small family-run shops on the Cowley Road, all the big retail names on the High-Street, and the huge retail superstores in just out-of-town retail parks.

On the busy, 20mph-limit Cowley Road, family-run businesses are still numerous, though declining in number. Grocers, butchers, newsagents, stationers, cafes, bike shops, betting agencies, mobile phone repair shops (3!), sex shops (3!) and a men’s club can all be found within long rows of shops. Large chains are however starting to appear, and there is also a large Tesco Express, Costa Coffee, Nandos and the ‘Carling Academy Oxford’ (formerly the much-loved Zodiac club).

In the city centre, it is actually the case that almost none of the big retail names are on the High Street; they can be found in Oxford’s two central shopping centres or in the two adjoining pedestrianised shopping streets Cornmarket and Queen Street. There are numerous clothing shops, mobile phone shops, jewellers, banks and all the typical high street brands – a student favourite is Primark! There are also two Sainsburys, a Marks and Spencer and a large Boots which has a popular lunch deal.

Oxford is also full of small, specialist local businesses. The Covered Market is famed nationally for the wide selection of shops and sandwich bars that can be found in the somewhat unique marketplace. Judging by the queues, a particular student favourite is the cookie shop! There are also many smaller businesses on Turl Street and the High Street, including a tobacconist, second-hand bookshop and other specialist shops.

Further out of town are the big retail parks. While they’re not a student haunt, it’s useful to know they’re there, for when you come to build that theatre set/fix that car (your mate’s, obviously) etc. The Botley Road retail park is so big it features almost every retail park brand in existence, except B&Q. Halfords, Comet, Currys, PC World, Homebase and Maplin are just a few. And if you need them, there are plenty of bed superstores... B&Q, a second Halfords and other superstores can be found in the Templar Square retail park near the end of the Cowley Road, and a drive through Burger King, huge Tesco superstore and many other superstore-size retail shops, which are not often found so large, can be found in the retail park off the roundabout at the end of Cowley Road.

Oxford Student Attractions

Once the novelty of Oxford’s architecture wears off, fear not as there are plenty of popular attractions for students. The Ice Rink is located on Oxpens Road - on the way to the train station from St Aldates, and there are two Odeon cinemas within two minutes walk of each other in the city centre! (Unfortunately neither particularly great). There are also two art-house cinemas, on the main roads in Cowley and Jericho, showing a wide variety of unusual or classic films. On the outskirts of town are a large multiplex cinema, bowling alley and collection of restaurants at the Kassam Stadium arena. Although not a frequent destination for students (transport being one main reason), the entertainment factor here is on top-marks and it’s not too pricey either.

If you’re interested in what ‘historical Oxford’ has to offer, see our section for parents also.

You can search our high quality student rental accommodation in all parts of Oxford here.

Oxford Students are Never Short of Things to Do or Buy

Shopping in Oxford for Students Oxford Student Attractions

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