Waking up in the rather large, cosy, king sized bed at the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel was a type of morning I’d like to repeat. Every weekend. But sadly I can’t. My bank balance probably wouldn’t thank me and there’s a small issue of who would look after the dog. So when we do get to enjoy, boy am I going to saviour it. Probably one of the snuggliest beds I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay in, my night sleep was perfect. With a quick cup of tea before heading down for breakfast, it meant I could revel in for an extra 15 minutes longer.
We went down for breakfast at around 9am and were greeted with smiley faces and a buffet for days! Cereals, fruit, yoghurts and pastries were all on offer which you could help yourself to before a nice big plate of full English appeared ten minutes later. (I don’t think I’ve ever seen such sausage so thick & big. Now, now. You mucky things!) Whilst everything was pretty tasty however it didn’t blow me away. But, it most certainly did fill up our tums before we head off for another spot of exploring before we set off back home. Which is exactly what we needed.
Why is Oxford’s high street so babing? I mean look at all the pastel buildings? Kinda kicking myself that we didn’t head in to the Grand Cafe because it looked so bloody good. Oh well, there is always next time, right?
First stop was a little wander around the buildings of the Bodleian Library, sadly with it being a Sunday we couldn’t go inside (and it was a little early) but the buildings were just magnificently intricate. I was having to crane my neck up to look at all the carvings and the architecture and there’s something so magical about it because it’s rare to find something like this in the modern world. I love how the old just sits there proudly and won’t budge and how Oxford just makes you feel things because of it’s beauty (which is terribly aesthete of me, but I don’t care.) Oxford really is a natural beauty. Again, the Bodleian Library was home to some Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets & Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
We also happened to find the “Bridge of Sighs” which is a little nod to the Venetian Rialto bridge that sits over the canal in Venice. This bridge corridor connects two colleges, Hertford College over New College Lane. It’s just one of those landmarks you must see in Oxford if you ever go.
We slowly made our way back to the hotel to collect our bags for our journey back home, but not before we managed to snap some of the gorgeous, colourful buildings that line the high street. We tried to find the Harry Potter shop but sadly we didn’t have much luck with that one.
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been to somewhere so Instagram-worthy in my life (FYI, you’ll see that I took full advantage of it on my own insta feed.) I always thought my hometown, York, could not be beaten but I hate to say it but there is somewhere else in the UK that rivals it and that is Oxford.
Before we left I managed to get some final shots of the quaint, cobbled street just outside our hotel and we said our final goodbyes to this gorgeous city. We have fabulous memories of this stunning place (oh and a driving ticket when we got home to say we drove in a bus lane. Thanks Oxford City Council. We got lost okay?!) and we really do want to go back.
If you haven’t had enough Oxford fix, then you can watch my short vlog here:
A massive thanks goes to Mercure Hotels for inviting us to experience there boutique, 4 star hotel – we couldn’t have wished for anything better for a little weekend getaway. If you fancy going you can check out their deals right here!
Let me know if you plan on heading to Oxford anytime soon, you won’t regret it if you do!
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*Our stay with Mercure Hotels was complimentary but all opinions of this gorgeous hotel/City are my own.
