January 2019 – Experience Oxfordshire

Jan 31 2019

‘Enron’ at Oxford Playhouse

Ten years after its triumphant West End debut, University of Oxford Student Company TheatreGoose brings Lucy Prebble’s award-winning Enron to Oxford Playhouse from Wednesday 30 January to Saturday 2 February. Sending waves across the economic world in 2001 as one of the largest scandals in corporate history, now the rubble of Enron’s collapse comes pulsing…

Jan 31 2019

Oxford Bus Company’s PickMeUp Service Scoops Innovation Accolade at European Industry Awards

Oxford Bus Company’s innovative PickMeUp service has been rewarded at the respected annual European Transport Ticketing Global Awards. Judges awarded Oxford Bus Company and parent company The Go-Ahead Group with Most Innovative Customer Serving Operator at the official presentation ceremony at Landing Forty Two in London, following the successful introduction of PickMeUp in Oxford. The awards reward…

Jan 31 2019

Compass Hospitality Complete Extensive Refurbishment of Hawkwell House, Oxford

In line with its plans for improving the quality and offering of its hotels within the UK market, Compass Hospitality has completed an extensive £400k refurbishment of the 4-star Hawkwell House Hotel in Iffley Village, Oxford. The 5-month project was completed in Summer 2018, and saw the complete overhaul of the Hotels exterior, with a…

Jan 31 2019

What’s New and Exciting in Oxfordshire During 2019

2019 is set to be a great year for the county with even more reasons to visit, with plenty of new attractions, events and accommodation openings, exciting anniversaries to celebrate, and innovative products and tours to discover. Experience Oxfordshire are your one stop shop for all things Oxfordshire so here are some great reasons to…

Jan 31 2019

Palace Deep Clean Re-Unites ‘The Favourite’s’ Real Stars

Blenheim Palace’s annual deep clean has temporarily reunited the real characters behind the Oscar-tipped ‘The Favourite’. The film, which has already won a Golden Globe award for Olivia Colman, depicts the tumultuous relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill, the First Duchess of Marlborough, who helped build the Palace in the 18th century. Portrayed by…

Jan 31 2019

Acclaimed Artist Tania Kovats Creates New Public Artwork Inspired by, and for, the Bodleian Libraries

Acclaimed British contemporary artist Tania Kovats has created a new public artwork at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford. Titled The Space of Reading, the permanent commission is a sculpture created from casts of 21 open books and has been installed above the public entrance of the Weston Library. The artwork was unveiled on 29 January and…

Jan 31 2019

Vintage Bus Goes off for Repairs and Repaint

The Oxford Bus Museum has send its 1961 Dennis Loline II (304 KFC) to Selby in Yorkshire to have its front end straightened and for a complete repaint. The last repaint was over 20 years ago. Chris Butterfield, a Museum Trustee, commented that “Although the Loline is in running order, 180 miles is a long…

Jan 31 2019

The King’s Centre, Oxford, Install New Booking System to Improve Service

The King’s Centre, (TKC) Oxford, has invested in a new market leading booking system to improve service and efficiency. Artifax, the Venue and Event Management System, was installed last week for The Kings Centre Oxford team to use for all aspects of venue bookings. Maria Waskiel-Smit, Operations Manager, at TKC, Oxford, said: “The investment in…

Jan 30 2019

From the Tower of Babel to Brexit, Bodleian Libraries Exhibition Explores the Power of Translation

Babel: Adventures in Translation | Weston Library, Broad Street | 15 February – 2 June 2019 Babel: Adventures in Translation, a new exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries, explores the power of translation from the ancient myth of the Tower of Babel to the challenges of modern-day multicultural Britain in light of Brexit. Featuring a stunning range…

Jan 29 2019

Henley Royal Regatta 2019: Return of the King’s Cup

In commemoration of the centenary of the 1919 Royal Henley Peace Regatta, Military VIIIs will once again compete against each other at Henley Royal Regatta after a one hundred year hiatus. For the first time, male and female military athletes will row in the same boat at an elite international event. The King’s Cup will…

Jan 29 2019

Outside Half

Making its debut in the Championship, Outside Half is the perfect beer to help you stay happily propped up at the bar while the action unfolds. Light amber with a mellow fruity taste this easy drinking ale will touch down on your taste buds with a refreshing touch. Beautifully balanced and brewed by Hook Norton…

Jan 28 2019

Valentine’s Day 2019: Our Top Picks

For an evening of fun with a mate or a date, we have the top picks in Oxfordshire for you. Get booking soon, these events will sell out fast! Junkyard Golf Club Does Valentine’s Did Valentine’s Day just get EPIC? Join Junkyard Golf Club for a loved-up evening, as they send ALL golf proceeds…

Jan 28 2019

Uh Huh Honey it’s Valentine’s at Dirty Bones Oxford

Whether it’s with a mate or a date, celebrate Valentines at NYC-inspired comfort food and cocktail concept Dirty Bones Oxford. This Valentines, Dirty Bones introduce the Rose-Tinted Club, a cocktail special for both the lovers and the haters. A Dirty Bones riff on the classic Clover Club cocktail, the Rose-Tinted Club blends a house-made Raspberry…

Jan 28 2019

Oxford Bus Company’s PickMeUp Service Listed for Three Industry Awards

Oxford Bus Company’s innovative PickMeUp service is in the running to scoop three awards. PickMeUp, the demand responsive ride-sharing service launched in the Eastern Arc of Oxford last year, has earned national and international recognition across the transport and low-carbon sectors. It was the county’s first transport service of its kind when it was introduced…

Jan 28 2019

Thames Travel Pledges to Help Reduce Loneliness With New ‘Chatty Bus’ Campaign

Thames Travel has pledged to help support a national drive to tackle loneliness and social isolation with the launch of a Chatty Bus. The Thames Travel 41 service which operates between White Horse Leisure Centre and Abingdon town centre in Oxfordshire has been selected for the launch of the Chatty Bus on Tuesday (January 29th)….

Jan 28 2019

Blenheim Palace Launches Search to Find Lost Fire Engine

Blenheim Palace has launched a nationwide search to try and track down one of its old fire engines. The Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site is appealing to anyone who may know the whereabouts of the Merryweather steam fire engine. Blenheim Palace had its own brigade from the mid to late 1800s and owned a variety…

Jan 28 2019

Fairytale Farm Launches Winter Sale

Fairytale Farm, Oxfordshire’s magical farm attraction, is offering 12-month annual passes at a 25% discount off the 2018 price, which is its biggest ever sale. Farm owner, Nick Laister, explains that this offer will only be available for a limited time: “On 16th February, the price of our annual passes will be increasing to bring…

Jan 25 2019

UK Expecting Boost in Visits from China as Chinese New Year Approaches

The UK is expecting a boost in visits from China as Chinese New Year approaches on Tuesday 5 February. Forward flight booking data showed that bookings from China to the UK were up 24% from Wednesday 30 January to Tuesday 12 February, compared to the period when Chinese New Year fell last year. Longer term…

Jan 25 2019

Thames Travel Buck National Trend to Expand Great Western Park Service

Thames Travel has launched a new off-peak service between Didcot town centre and the southern neighbourhood of Great Western Park. The new Connector 97 service operates Monday to Friday with buses running hourly, connecting residents of Great Western Park to Didcot town centre. Additionally, the Connector 98 service from Didcot Parkway to the Great Western…

Jan 24 2019

Thousands of Items Left on Oxford Bus Company Services per Year

The Oxford Bus Company have revealed the unusual items which were lost by passengers last year. Among the thousands of items left on buses and coaches in 2018 were a light sabre, a fireman’s hat, vampire teeth, a man’s toupee and a letter detailing sexual fantasies. And for the second year in a row a…

Jan 23 2019

Green Tourism: Blenheim Palace

At the moment, lots of businesses are going the extra mile to reduce their carbon footprint. Blenheim Palace is in a league of their own. Celebrate National Energy Saving Week (21st – 27th January) by visiting Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire; the UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the UK’s greenest attractions. With over 300 years…