Oxford Aromatics

Nestled in Oxford’s historic covered market is Oxford Aromatics, a redolent haven for anyone who loves bathing. This little boutique bath store houses a wide selection of bombs, melts, soaps, lotions, serums, jellies, powders and perfumes within its tiny walls, most of which are sourced from small, independent manufacturers.

Natural products are the order of the day here, with products typically unsullied by petrol chemical, parabens or synthetic fragrances. Instead, a potent, heady waft of quality essential oils is yours for the taking, complemented by natural moisturisers such as shea butter and rosehip oil. Mother and baby friendly products are in abundances here, as is items for those with sensitive skin. Whether its relaxation or stimulation you are looking for, genuine aromatherapy is available here.

What is particularly noteworthy of Oxford Aromatics however is the curious selection of sumptuous and diverse products. For example, alongside the locally sourced products is a huge selection of plain old soaps from reputed French company Savon de Marseille, who offer dozens of scents from blue bell to cinnamon to almond. Such intrigue is continued through other products, such as frankincense face cream, and cardamom body lotion. The star product at Oxford Aromatics however has to be their bath bombs. Smaller than traditional bath bombs, these moisturising nuggets are enriched with pure coco butter, and are available in utterly gorgeous scents, such as thyme and rosemary, Moroccan rose and black pepper. They even come packaged in little egg boxes to keep them safe.  

Oxford Aromatics has a huge selection of interesting bath and beauty products that you will struggle to find elsewhere, and what’s more, their prices are exceptionally reasonable. They would be an ideal place for finding Christmas stocking fillers, or even a few little pick-me-ups for yourself over the festive season.

http://www.oxfordaromatics.co.uk/

The Jericho Tavern

The Jericho Tavern, hidden away from the tourists slightly in the north of the city, is not only one of the best pubs in Oxford, but it is also home to the city’s best music venue. Downstairs is the pub – a beautiful space full of traditional English touches. There are plenty of leathers, velvets and woods, with a palette of plums, burgundies and emeralds, furnished with subtle golden lighting and huge arched windows. There is a vague modern vibe to the place however, and the subtle licks of bohemia stave off any staid, old-fashioned pretence that could potentially accompany such decor.

The Jericho offers plenty of marvellous touches that every good pub should offer. They host inventive nights including quiz nights, book swapping events and roast dinners on Sundays, as well as the odd lot of sport on a big screen TV for traditionalist. They have a heated, covered beer garden that hosts BBQs in the summer, and a good selection of real ales, wines, spirits and continental ciders and lagers. They have plenty of tables and chairs – always an important element in a pub, and there is an eclectic indie jukebox which is not so loud that you cannot hear the person next to you.

On of the best things about this pub though is the food. The Jericho Tavern offer amazing pub grub, very much “New English” fair which is classic, inventive and tasty. As well as the Sunday roast, there is a snack bar and sandwich menu, a fix prix menu and a main menu, which includes food as varied as warm pork belly with balsamic beetroot and sweet potatoes, fig, goats cheese and pecan tart and potted mackerel with horseradish on toast. All meals are under £10 (except the 10oz steak, which will set you back fifteen whole pounds).

Upstairs though is The Jericho’s piece de resistance. Accessed via a collection of numerous staircases is a marvellous den clad in black, with a teeny stage and surprisingly good sound. There is loads of space to both stand and sit, and the upstairs venue even has its own bar. The Jericho has recently hosted the likes of Summer Camp, Braids and Cults, although in a previous life the venue hosted Radiohead’s first gig, and Supergrass purportedly signed their first record contact there too.

The pub became part of the Scream chain in the late 1990s, but returned to indie ownership, and reinstated the music venue in 2005. It even has cheap and easy parking, especially for Oxford.

http://www.thejerichooxford.co.uk/

The Grand Café

The Grand Café is allegedly the oldest coffee house in England. The establishment is said to have featured in Samuel Pepys’ diary, and records show the oxford site has featured a coffee house since the 1650s. This luxurious teahouse, bar and café has become an Oxford establishment, frequented by tourist and students alike. The café is even said to have been a regular favourite of Chelsea Clinton when she was studying at Oxford, with Bill reputed making the odd appearance.

 The Grand Café specialises in cream tea and high tea, both of which are full of traditional English tea staples such as scones, finger sandwiches, lashings of loose-leaf tea, ground coffee and the odd spot of champagne. They also serve lunch, offering a range of English and Italian inspired sandwiches, salads, seafood dishes and free-range meat pies. In the evening the café makes a final transformation into an opulent cocktail bar, with good quality cocktails, liqueurs, beers and fine wines.

 The food at The Grand Café is not extravagantly upmarket, but it does offer a nice snippet of luxury, and is certainly nice when you fancy a posh little treat. The prices might be a little over the odds, but the whole point of visiting The Grand Café is that it is an occasion. The café itself is beautifully laid out, with marbled pillars, filigree and gold leaf adorning every surface. There is a grandiose art deco feel about the place, which is ultimately what make it a stylish, lavish, and coolly aloof independent treasure, and a nice stop-off on a day trip to Oxford.

http://www.thegrandcafe.co.uk/