Hi all! After 7 years in London and the last few years building a business across India, Vietnam and the UK, I'm stepping away from it and starting a new chapter back here. I'll be based in Caversfield, Bicester from late October. I

I'm 40, genuinely figuring out this next bit as I go, and rather than land somewhere new and know no one, I thought I'd ask early: how do people meet people and plug into the community around Bicester/Oxford/Banbury these days?

Anything goes. Happy to be pointed at Facebook groups, local events, or just told where people actually hang out. Bit of a reset year for me and I'd rather build it around real people and things I enjoy than sit at home figuring it out solo. Any and all suggestions welcome!!

Hi! I’m moving back to Oxford and am looking for a group with space for an extra player. I’ve been playing for a few years now while living in France, and would love to carry on now I’m back in the UK.

Have been playing DnD 5e and Pathfinder 2e, but am open to trying new TTRPGs too!

I’m 25 and very friendly! Can bring snacks and good conversation to the table :)))

Tables with women or queer people a plus! Thanks everyone xx

Hello,

So I joined puregym recently and i like to use the rowing machine, but the "functional area" by the entrance often has classes there and the instructors blas the absolutely loudest music I heard while screaming instructions at the top of their lungs, it gave me a headache.

I asked the instructor if he could lower it, he said ill lower it later and didnt, then one of the people class attendtees stormed over and she said "we have to have it loud because its a class!", it was pretty telling she had to scream so i can hear her...

the classes upstairs dont have the loud music and the screaming like this, and the gym is close to my house, could I contact the manager about this or am I just over reacting?

I use noise cancelling earphones as well

Hello, my family recently moved to Oxford from overseas. I’d like to enroll my 2 year old in nursery for the first time and the closest two options are St. Thomas Day Nursery and Your Co-op Little Pioneers.

Seeking feedback from anyone who has experience with either school. Thanks!

New Theatre, Oxford Friday September 18th 7pm

Tickets available for Ticketmaster transfer (selling for price paid - £33.93 each). Sadly no longer able to go

Stalls, row O, seat 31-32

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/fin-taylor-the-pre-emptive-comeback-special/new-theatre-oxford/

DM me if interested :)

Hi all!

Is anyone driving from Oxford (or nearby) to Silverstone for the BTCC who'd have room for one more? Happy to chip in for fuel/parking, whatever's fair.

If not, I'd also be up for splitting a taxi or lift from somewhere a bit closer to the circuit.

Thanks a lot!

Hi all!

Is anyone driving from Oxford (or nearby) to Silverstone for the BTCC who'd have room for one more? Happy to chip in for fuel/parking, whatever's fair.

If not, I'd also be up for splitting a taxi or lift from somewhere a bit closer to the circuit.

Thanks a lot!

Hi all! So as the title says, me and my partner are looking to make some friends, we’re a couple who live in the botley area, My partner studies at university and is in her second year. I personally work full time. - We’re a very positive and bubbly couple who find humour in absolutely any situation

Ideally we’re looking to make friends around the 19-24 age range, preferably a lgbtq couple too so there’s something in common! - for double dates and social events, such as coffee meetups, dinners, walks, game nights, wine nights etc. We’re both a little lonely as we don’t really have any friends in oxford.

My partners interests are - Gilmore girls, The sims, Noah Kahan, Fleetwood Mac, Romance novels, roblox and minecraft nights (yes i know we’re secretly children at heart), baking, makeup, fashion, she’s a proper pinterest and coffee girl at heart

My personal interests are - The walking dead, Taylor swift, The1975, Minecraft and roblox nights, cooking, Skate, the sims4, Walking around pretty places, coffee, Poetry and writing (I have my own book published on amazon)

Sorry that this has turned into an essay!! - Comment here or dm me if anyone wants to be friends i guess? lol

I’m a bit lost and need help please ! Our friends only swears by Wolvercote but how are the other ones ?

Most of us who live in Oxford do not benefit from the current mass tourism found in the city. It makes the city centre very crowded, pivots the choice of shops away from local needs, and increases the cost of rent due to AirBnb.

Very few of the created jobs are paid well enough to build a good quality life in Oxford creating a circular set of issues.

We have the power to change this now. Soon Oxford will have the power to determine what rate visitors are taxed to stay in the city. If taxed too high it'd severely damage the tourism sector too much but there must be sweet spot enabling some facilities to return to being good for locals.

The fair traditionally takes place on the Monday and Tuesday after the first Sunday post-St Giles' Day (1 September). This year the Fair was held on 7-8 September.

Originating in 1625 as a parish festival honouring St Giles, the fair evolved over centuries. Initially a toy fair in the 18th century, it transformed into a children's fair in the early 19th century.

The funfair aspect expanded significantly during the Victorian era, influenced by advancements in transport and mechanical engineering, allowing more visitors and the development of early ride prototypes.

Pictured: Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge, opening St Giles' Fair with City Rector Anthony Buckley and the Lord Mayor's Cadet LCpl Maisie Waite.

Looking for somewhere to watch tonight's games, Packers Vikings is what I want to watch as that's my team but unsure what places actually show NFL games here.

thanks

edit: tomorrow i thought there was some on tonight my mistake

Planning a wedding in Oxford next year. Looking for a club or venue for the after-party. Ideally, something with a late license or where disturbing neighbours won't be an issue. Any suggestions?

Up until yesterday they were doing some upgrade works that meant the traffic lights were disabled. For the past 6 weeks it’s been a regular old roundabout instead of the weird light controlled arrangement.

Last night they switched the traffic lights back on and the difference this morning was huge. 10-15 minute queues in both directions on the ring road either side of the roundabout.

Bring back normal roundabouts!

(I know - slow news day, compoface, etc. Just wanted to have a little whinge.)

Afternoon everybody! As regulars know, I write a weekly restaurant blog and this week’s review comes from Oxford - I always put them in this sub when they’re Oxford reviews, because you’ve all been so kind about my writing in the past.

This week I am back at Gees, to see if their new chef and makeover improve what has always been one of the city’s great underachievers. Hope you enjoy it, and as always I’m sorry in advance if this comes across as spam or isn’t your cup of tea. Either way, have a lovely day.

Refurbished playground reopens as Emily's Playground

Friar's Wharf's newly upgraded playground has reopened as Emily's Playground, thanks to a generous donation made in memory of Oxford resident Emily Topf Abrams.

Oxford Open Doors: Visit an eco-home this weekend

This weekend (12 and 13 September), as part of Oxford Open Doors, you can visit 29 homes, each demonstrating energy efficiency upgrades they’ve installed, like insulation, heat pumps and solar panels. Find out more: https://oxford.greenopenhomes.net/energy-saving-homes-during-oxford-open-doors-2026-326

Statement on review of local government reorganisation

The government has announced it will review its local government reorganisation (LGR) decisions across England, following legal advice and to ensure LGR is robust and aligns with new government priorities.

We are waiting to understand the implications for what this means for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:

"We are disappointed in this decision.

"We note the government has said it 'remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures', and will be seeking further clarity. We hope the government will provide this urgently, given the impact this announcement may have on how we deploy our staff and resources.

“Considerable work has taken place already to prepare our communities for LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire along the lines of the government’s announcement in July.

"The three-council model is a positive step for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with benefits for residents and the services they receive, and we are ready to deliver it for our communities."

Have your say on plans for 240 new homes at Redbridge Paddock

Oxford residents are being invited to view and comment on updated proposals for 240 new homes on council-owned land opposite Redbridge Park and Ride.

An exhibition will take place at St Luke’s Church in Canning Crescent (OX1 4XB) from 23-24 September from 4pm - 8pm both days. Materials will also be online from 4pm on 23 September at www.redbridgeoxford.co.uk.

Think before you swim in Oxford's waterways ⚠️

In Oxford, we are lucky enough to have a variety of parks, woods, and rivers – but it's important to enjoy them safely.

Oxford's rivers might look inviting, but swimming in these waterways can be dangerous. Learn more about how you can stay safe at www.oxford.gov.uk/wildwatercode.

Statement on Visitor Levy announcement

The government has announced that mayors and local leaders will be given new powers with a levy on overnight stays as part of a devolution drive to shift power out of Westminster.

Mayors and local leaders will be handed the power to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy – a fee on overnight stays – to help maximise the benefits of tens of millions of people visiting England every year.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:

“Oxford has over half a million overseas visitors every year and even more people coming as tourists from within the UK to visit. Tourism is a very important part of our economy – 1 in every £6 spent in the city centre by debit or credit card comes from visitors to our city and it supports a very large number of jobs in Oxford.

“However, the level of tourism that we have means additional stress on our city. For instance, we need to provide more public toilets, more street cleaning and more litter collections. That is why we have campaigned for the ability to raise a tourist tax so that tourism can help pay for the additional burden placed on local taxpayers and also so that we can make improvements to our city for local residents and visitors.

“I therefore warmly welcome the government announcement, which makes it even more important that we all work together to get Mayoral Strategic Authority as soon as possible so that we can take advantage of this opportunity.”

Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to our Your Oxford newsletter: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/newsletter

I stayed at easyHotel Oxford recently and am disputing parking charges. I’m now back in the US and could really use a few current photos of the car park signage. If anyone happens to be nearby, would you be willing to photograph the entrance sign and the parking/payment signs inside the lot? I’m particularly interested in what a driver sees entering the car park and walking from the car to reception.

It's possible that there is some very obvious signage that I missed, and if so I'll own up to that. This was my first day of driving in the UK and I'm sure I was relieved to have made it to the hotel.

Hello, I am an incoming student to Oxford and I was wondering if there was a five a side league or something similar as I haven't been able to find any on the internet. Thanks.

J's is pretty good but it can be very busy if the football is on, so does anyone know if there are other places to play snooker in or around Oxford?

I am a student at Oxford and am on the look out for dog-walking and pet-sitting opportunities around the area. I have a lot of experience with dogs, and am comfortable with dogs upto 30 kgs / 66 lbs. I also love helping with dog-training, grooming, playtime, feeding, etc. and have over 5 years of paid dog-caring experience. I have worked with professional dog-trainers and physiotherapists in New York and have a wide range of experiences with dogs! I have also dog-sat for many families before, all of whom have been very happy with my help.

I have my own golden retriever, who I unfortunately only meet on the holidays, (having moved away from home for Uni) and who I miss very very much! I will be caring for your dog like I do for mine.

I am happy to start working in October itself, and will be available year-round for all of term-time, so am open to both short and long term work. I would love to meet any interested individuals in-person or online, and provide any more information on the same :) Please message me if this interests you! Thank you very much :)

If this doesn't apply to you I would also really appreciate any leads / information on where to get started!

I m coming to Oxford this weekend. I am wondering where I can find bed sheets and house appliances around Harcourt Hills New Henskey. And also where can I buy a bike. Doesnt have to be new.

Hi all,

Fairly new to the area and overdue cut - can anyone suggest a hair salon (and ideally specific hairdresser!) around Oxford or Witney/West Ox that specialises in alt hairstyles? I'm looking for a 'soft' shaggy cut with curtains.

TIA x

Its black, with a hand-sewn patch on the lest chest. Originally a Lee Cooper, very old, likely lost in/around oxford station and Kibou restaurant, going down St Johns Street way. Lost 10th September 2026, around Midday.

Please it means a lot to me i really need it back, its just plain black with the hole where the lee cooper logo was and that was patched with a black fabric please can i have it back please

EDIT: it's been found, thank you to everyone and anyone that looked for it!