<p>Our family will finally be able to take a trip to England late in July. I notice that there are several Oxford University owned properties open for tourist use during the summer and that are used as residence halls or conference centers during term. </p>
<p>Has anybody had experience in Oxford with this type of thing and any recommendations? The third listing is apparently a conference center. We’ve stayed on campuses many times in the US during summer music institutes and and have no problem with this type of lodging. I understand the British facilities, while much older, are maintained at something of a higher standard than most in the US.</p>
<p>Here’s what we found:</p>
<p>Old Mitre Rooms
4B Turl Street Oxford OX1 3DR
Type: College owned </p>
<p>Rewley House
1 Wellington Square Oxford OX1 2JA
Type: College owned </p>
<p>The Rachel Trickett Building
St Margarets Road Oxford OX2 6LE
Type: College owned</p>
<p>No recent experience but about 40 years ago the Mitre, since closed, was a very traditional and pleasant and historic hotel–the name of the Old Mitre Rooms is certainly evocative of that. Turl Street runs between several of the Oxford colleges as I recall, very narrow, picture perfect. So for charm and great location, that sounds like a wonderful option no matter what the facilities are like.</p>
<p>As an old Oxfordian (though I always stay with friends), Turl Street is a GREAT place to stay. It is right in the center of Oxford, surrounding by Exeter (Tolkien’s College) Jesus, and Lincoln Colleges, across from the market. Couldn’t be beat for central location.</p>
<p>I lived in Wellington Square - it is between Worcester (my college) and Somerville, in the northwest quadrant, near the music buildings (not far from the Oxford Theatre and the Friends Meeting, if it matters!). The whole area has been “renewed” (when I lived there 30 years, it was a dumping ground, though include lots and lots of interesting squatters.) Close to the Ashmolean Museum, but you’d still be much more central on Turl.</p>
<p>St. Margaret’s Road is further up the northwest quadrant. I think this area used to be called Jericho - it is Jude the Obscure territory, or a little beyond, in the “conservation area”. The Trickett Building is actually a dorm for St. Hugh’s College. This is a bigger walk (or better, a bike ride) from most of what you are likely to want to see.</p>