The spaceWhat's great about it is that it's ideally located, close to the centre of Summertown, while being in a very quiet development - set back 60 meters from the main road (Woodstock Road).
Inside, the apartment is recently decorated and recarpeted, with a tasteful wooden floor in the spacious and bright sitting/dining room. The sitting room is bright, with south facing french windows. The room has a dining table for 6 people, 2 sofas, a coffee table and a dresser unit with lots of storage space. If you feel like chilling out after a day of exploring, there is a new 40" Sony TV with Netflix and Amazon Instant Video subscriptions and a Blu-ray player. Music is also taken care of with a bluetooth enabled mini hi-fi.
The kitchen is new and well equipped with a dishwasher, washing/drying machine, fridge/freezer, kettle, toaster, filter coffee machine and electric oven and induction hobs. There is also a good selection of plates, crockery, pots and pans.
The bedrooms all overlook the Summertown tennis courts (available for your use - see Neighbourhood description), which is a wonderful sight to wake up to. The master bedroom contains a double bed and fitted wardrobe. A second double room also has a double bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. The third bedroom has a comfortable single bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers.
There is a tasteful shared brand new bathroom with all new fixtures and fittings (refurbished March 2017).
Being on the first floor (not ground level), the apartment feels very secure and also benefits from an intercom door entry system.
Outside, the apartment sits in a quiet, pleasant development just off Woodstock Road in Summertown. The development is surrounded by attractive, well maintained gardens. Adjacent to the development is an excellent children's play area, basketball and tennis courts.
Additional notesGuests should be aware that the space in the smaller double room is somewhat compact. We have a large wardrobe and chest of drawers in this room. With these and the double bed, there is little additional floor space in this room. The single room is also pretty small, but we have managed to squeeze in a full-sized single bed, bedside table, wardrobe and chest of drawers - and there is still some floor space!
The single room is also somewhat compact, but also has a wardrobe, chest of drawers and a little floor space.
This apartment has no bath, just a great powerful shower.
Neighborhood overviewOxford is a fantastically vibrant and exciting modern city characterised as much by the diversity of its inhabitants, institutions and industries as it is by the sheer wealth of history that exists here. Occupying a setting steeped in history, Oxford offers everything from world class museums, galleries and gardens to fabulous bars, restaurants and shops. Not forgetting of course, the world's second oldest university in continuous operation - since 1096, ranked 1st globally - Oxford University. The nearest Oxford College, St Hugh's, is less than 1 mile south of the apartment.
The apartment is situated in the leafy North Oxford suburb of Summertown. Summertown is a attractive, affluent and forward thinking area a short bus (or cycle) ride north of the city centre.
The neighbourhood is well served by a fine selection of coffee shops, restaurants, bars and boutique shops. South Parade - Summertown's premier street with a great selection of restaurants - is less than 500 meters from your front door! Banbury Road (Summertown High Street) is 5 minutes walk and has all the amenities you could need - 4 supermarkets, deli's, coffee shops, banks, restaurants and bars.
The apartment overlooks Alexandra Park tennis courts where you can play anytime for just £6 per court per hour (£3 if you're joined by an under 16 player) simply by booking online. In addition to 6 just resurfaced all weather courts, the facility also offers the opportunity to prepare for next year's Wimbledon with 5 grass courts!
Check out my local recommendations, click on "Danny's guidebook" below for my top tips on where to eat, drink, shop and visit!
Getting aroundThere is a bus stop less than 1 minute walk from the apartment with busses to the city centre, rail station and other destinations across the city.
You can also walk into the city centre along the beautiful tree lined Banbury Road, with it's imposing Victorian mansions, in about half an hour. I would suggest turning right off Banbury Road down St Bernard's Road, then walking the rest of the way into town on Walton Street. This takes you through the vibrant suburb of Jericho, another great spot for restaurants and bars.
The bus stop also has frequent services running to Blenheim Palace, the historic town of Woodstock and the picturesque Cotswold town of Chipping Norton. Further afield, you can also catch buses to the Gloucestershire towns of Cheltenham and Gloucester from this stop.
Summertown shops, pubs, bars/pubs and restaurants are within less than a 5 minute walk.
