The Missing Bean Turl Street

An indépendant coffee store in the heart of student land, Turl Street.  I recently read in the local student newspaper that the council did not provide them with a very high hygiene rating.  I have been in a couple of times when I can get a seat and the standard of the coffee was very good, so I am not sure what they failed to meet the mark on.  It is always very busy!

The Hassan's Kebab Van

Oxford is famous for the number of Kebab Van's that come into the City centre after dark.  These van's provide quick cheap meals for those coming home late after a night out on the town.  Hannan's Kebab Van on Broad Street is very popular with students from the three college's on Turl Street as well as the two on Broad Street, a prime location in Oxford I would suggest.

Ahead Is On Your Left

Saw this sign on the junction of Turl and Broad Streets, but I am not sure why there is an arrow on it? Ahead in Oxford must mean on the, or to the left? Strange don't you think?

Turl Street Arts Festival

Today was the final day of the week long Turl Street Arts Festival, according to there website the festival is, an annual week-long festival held in February, involving students from the three Turl Street Colleges in Oxford: Jesus College, Exeter College and Lincoln College.

While most colleges in Oxford have some kind of Art's celebration during the year, the Turl Street event is unique that it is the only festival to bring three colleges together in one event. Members of the public are more than welcome to most of the events, if you missed out this year, keep an eye out for next years Turl Street Arts Festival.

New Turl Street Kitchen

Noticed this trendy little cafe had just opened up this week at the Broad Street end of Turl Street, it is called the Turl Street Kitchen. It has already got a strong following and it has only been open a couple of weeks if that. Not been in yet, but could not resist snapping this photo with the sun streaming into one of the rooms and all the reflections. Will have to pop in and see what all the talk is about.

Jesus College Open Day

Continuing on from yesterdays post, again to across Oxford most, if not all of the colleges had there doors wide open for anyone to wonder in and have a look around. These days are aimed at future students, however if you were visiting Oxford over these days, you can also just sneak in and have a look around also. Bonus if you where in Oxford today!

Independence Day In Oxford

While most of the world know that on the 4th of July the United States of America celebrate Independence Day, in Oxford not everyone recognises this date in the same way. Retailers in Oxford, that is Independent Retailers have used today to encourage customers to give your local independent store on the High Street a chance, and I would agree. Oxford is very fortunate that we still have a large number of unique stores like Walters on Turl Street who offer a very different shopping experience and product compared to the National chains. The retailers are not anti multi nationals, just want to encourage people to have a look at the smaller independent stores and you may be surprised.

Evening Photo Of Turl Street Oxford

Out for a pint at the bar at the back of The Mitre, which is called The Turl, a nice bar close to everything in the city centre that is normally not that busy. This would be a tourist tip acually, wanting a nice place to relax in the centre of Oxford, the Turl Bar at the back of the Mitre is your spot.

Oxford Hub Window

On the corner of Ship and Turl Street this afternoon I noticed all these posters on the building that used to be QI. They are all linked to Oxford Hub which is the focal point for charitable activity at Oxford University, connecting students with causes - whether local, national, or international. It’s the place to go to get involved in charitable, volunteer and social environmental issues. It appears that in the near future this will be a shop front for the organisation. I have never heard about this body before, but I am very interested in it and would like to know more, might go along to an event once the students are back in Oxford volunteer and socially entrepreneurial activities, and for training and information on a range of social and environmental issues, events, and careers

Exeter College Antony Gormley Statue

I have not taken a photo of Anthony Gormley's Naked Man that was put up on top of Exeter College about a year ago since first seeing it shortly after it was installed. This time I managed to take in from Turl Street managing to just get in the shot the window of the student lodgings.

I have just looked at my previous postings, here and my first photo of Naked Man was in February 2009. How time flies when your having fun!

Statue by Antony Gormley On Exeter College

Planning permission, what's that?  Don't the council know that Oxford University run this town?  First opportunity to get down and have a look at the new statue of a naked man on the corner of Turl and Broad Street's that was put up on Sunday with out planning permission.  The Labour Lord Mayor of Oxford officially unveiled the statue that has not been given planning permission, so I think we all know who she represents at council. Apparently it cost £250000 and is of the artist Anthony Gormley who was responsible for the Angle of the North.  I like it.

Was down Turl Street this afternoon trying to get a photo of all the activity that was happening down that way.  There were film crews everywhere shooting an episode of Lewis, but I could get get to the area that was being filmed, but I did see this bike between two of the film trucks.

Brasenose Lane Bike Rack FULL

Bikes are everywhere in Oxford which is good for the traffic, however then you get into town you can struggle to get a spot for your bike in one of the racks. As you can see in this photo of the Bike Racks in Brasenose Lane these Rack are always full. Handy spot for the colleges in Turl Street and also close to the Covered Market just across the road.

Wet Turl Street

Taken from Lincoln College looking down Turl Street towards Broad Street on a wet May day, not very nice at all.