The Oxford Student Guide: Headington

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About the author: Hi, I’m Heather! I am a third-year Media, Journalism and Publishing student at Oxford Brookes University, but I am originally from Devon. I am a weekly host on Brookes Podcast, and in my spare time, I love spending time with friends and family, reading and baking.

Nestled east of Oxford’s bustling city centre and home to a university campus, it’s no surprise that Headington is a sought-after spot amongst students.

If you’re curious to know more, read the guide below and clue up on what to do in Headington, Oxford, from where to shop to where to have the perfect pint.

The location of Headington, Oxford

Headington is situated on the eastern side of Oxford and is home to Oxford Brookes University, making it one of the most popular areas for students to reside. One of the most desirable aspects of Headington is its excellent connectivity to the rest of the city, with it being only a 20-30 minute walk to Cowley Road and a 30-40 minute walk to the city centre.

However, on a rainy day or when you don’t have time to walk, the public transport is frequent and reliable. The 400, 8 and Redline X20 take you right into the heart of Oxford city centre in as little as 10-15 minutes. The Oxford Tube is also very popular with students. This is a 24/7 bus that runs between Oxford and London, stopping at Brookes campus and Headington shops. This is perfect for a day out in London without the worry of making the last train home, and is an affordable option with student return tickets priced at around £20.50.

The shops

Headington boasts a thriving high street, making shopping one of the best things to do in Headington. From a range of supermarkets to Boots, Savers, Up & Running, and the Card Factory, every day-to-day purchase (plus your weekly food shop) is covered.

However, for me, the charity shops are the star of the show. With six different stores being located only steps away from each other, it’s practically impossible not to find the perfect bargain!

Other things to do in Headington

One of the first places to check out is the famous Headington Shark. This is an impressive 25ft long shark sculpture embedded head-first in the roof of a local house. This unusual sight makes for a great spot for Instagram photos.

Headington is also surrounded by many luscious green spaces that would be a crime to miss. Headington Hill Park and Bury Knowle Park make for the perfect spots for a picnic or a quiet spot to read a book. Alternatively, Shotover Country Park is also worth a visit and offers some beautiful walks through the woods and some striking views over Oxford. Whilst located slightly further out, it is still accessible via bicycle or car and is definitely worth the trek!

For any book lovers, The Kilns (C. S. Lewis’ house) is also highly recommended. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you can snag a spot on a guided tour to learn more about the author’s home life and see exactly where his inspirations came to life.

Finally, the Headington Market is not to be missed. It takes place every Saturday between 9 AM and 2 PM on London Road. The market is organised by Headington Action, a charity that promotes the area and undertakes community and environmental projects. This is great for purchasing locally sourced produce, like fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and meat, bread, and hand-crafted goods (Secret Santa gifts, anyone?). You can even grab some lunch there from one of the hot street food stalls!

The best food & drink spots

Headington’s food and drink scene should definitely not be underestimated. When it comes to pubs, the White Horse is a favourite among students, located only a five-minute walk away from Brookes. This is one of the most affordable pubs in the city and offers several food and drink deals, as well as running student nights like Happy Fridays. This involves a live DJ playing all the classics and subsidised drinks. What’s not to love?

The Britannia, which is just up the road from White Horse, is also popular. I’m a particularly big fan of their breakfasts, which are as easy on the wallet as they are on a hangover. The Up in Arms is another personal favourite and is conveniently located opposite Clive Booth Student Village. This is a cool, trendy pub armed with the best craft beers and pizzas.

For food, the Acropolis Greek Taverna offers a great atmosphere and traditional Greek menu for when you want to ‘escape’ rainy England. I also recommend JuiceBay, which does amazing acai bowls and smoothies, and Treatz for your dessert fix. I especially recommend the white chocolate and flake crepe!

If you’re after a nice café to get some work done in, the obvious choice is New Ground Coffee, which features beautiful, minimalistic interiors and a sophisticated menu of drinks. The atmosphere in here is always great.

Student housing in Headington

Headington is home to many students and is not shy of accommodation options. Oxford Brookes offers a number of student halls, including Clive Booth (the best - I promise I’m not biased!), Cheney and Warneford.

However, when looking for a house, UniHomes is the place to go. The website is easy to navigate and allows for filters to be applied, helping you to easily find your future home in Headington. There’s everything from cosy one-bed flats to larger six-bed houses perfect for groups, so you can always find something that suits your needs and preferences. You can bag yourself a room from around £147 per week, all with bills included to ensure you stay on budget.

Now that you know some of the best things to do in Headington, sort your student accommodation here today or explore options for housing across the rest of Oxford.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.