- Daily Info over Christmas
- Postal info
- Travel at Christmas
- Opening hours
- Volunteering at Christmas
- Christmas trees (getting them, and recycling them)
- Eating out (including Christmas Day lunch)
- Warming Winter drinks
- Sustainable Christmas (inc recycling and waste collection)
You can track Father Christmas and his team of elves & reindeers progress at santatracker.google.com or play games with them at www.noradsanta.org
Do you have information about your business at Christmas which you would like us to include on this page? Just let us know: : info@dailyinfo.co.uk
Daily Info over Christmas
Our bumper festive sheet will be going out early December and we will have another sheet out in mid January. Plus all paid ads are getting twice as long online for the same price.
Daily Info Christmas bonus: paid adverts place from now onwards get even longer online! We're extending ads through to 5th January 2024 to save you having to renew during the Christmas break. Book yours now online or by email.
We'll be in the office: until Friday 20th December and then again from Monday 6th January - operating normally. From 21st December - 5th January there'll be staff checking the website, email and answerphone every couple of days, so do send us messages and we'll pick them up as soon as we can.
And of course over Christmas you can continue to place adverts and event listings online via the website as normal. Just click here to place an advert or click here to place an event listing and follow the instructions. You can also email us with requests for box and line adverts - though we may not be able to get back to you with our standard rocket-ship immediacy as we'll be operating a skeleton staff. Queries? Email us.
Daily Info's fantastic online Advent Calendar is available for your delight and delirium. This year we're focusing on the amazing festive events Oxford has to offer.
Staying Healthy this Christmas (COVID and vaccines)
COVID cases are on the rise again over flu season, so continue to test and get vaccinated to prevent the spread of Covid to loved ones over the holidays. If you're experiencing symptoms, take a lateral flow/PCR test - while these can no longer be obtained for free on the NHS, they can be purchased in pharmacies or online. You may also be able to get free lateral flow tests if you're eligible, which you can find out here.
Check to see if you're eligible for a COVID booster jab here, and find pharmacies near you that offer an NHS flu vaccine here.
Up to date information about testing, traveling abroad and how to avoid the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the official government page - If you test positive over the holidays, we still recommend to isolate until you test negative again.
Postal information
Royal Mail says:
Allow plenty of time for posting. Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries. Please also continue to refer to our live service updates for the most up to date information on our services around the world. We recommend you post as early as possible to ensure your Christmas letters and parcels reach their destination in good time.
The recommended latest posting dates for Christmas are as follows:
Within the UK
Royal Mail Bulk Economy: Thu 14th December
2nd Class/2nd Class Signed For: Wed 18th December
1st Class/1st Class Signed For: Fri 20th December
Royal Mail Tracked 48: Fri 20th December
Royal Mail Tracked 24: Sat 21st December
Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed: Mon 23rd December
International posting
For more details, which show you when you should post your Christmas presents abroad, see the Royal Mail website [some parcel companies can be found online who will get things to eg. the USA after the last Royal Mail posting dates for not too much].
Late openings
Some Post Offices are open later than expected in the run-up to Christmas, and some open at weekends when they'd usually be closed, but there isn't a hard and fast rule. You can search for your local Post Offices using the Royal Mail's Branch Finder and find your nearest branch with extended hours.
Pedal and Post
Pedal and Post offers same day eco delivery within Oxford with a large cargo bike fleet which is fast, reliable, cost effective and will deliver come rain or shine. Regular deliveries will be operating until the end of Christmas Eve; services will then be closed from Dec 25th to Jan 2nd.
-->Travel at Christmas
Bus & Coach Travel
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel will be operating special timetables over the festive period between 24th December 2024 and 2nd January 2025.
Christmas Eve: Services 3X, 41, 45, 63, 91, 92, 95, ST1 and ST2 will operate to a Monday to Friday timetable.
Night bus services (N280, N400, NX1, NX2, NX40, NU1 and NU5) will not operate.
All other services will operate to a Saturday timetable, but with an early finish. The full list of early finishes can be found here.
Boxing Day: A special service will operate on services 3, 3A, 5, 6, 8, 15, 35, 300, 400, X2, X40 and the Airline; find local timetables here and Airline timetables here. No other services will be operating.
Fri 27th: Services 3X, 41, 45, 63, 91, 92 and 95 will operate to a Monday to Friday timetable. Services ST1 and ST2 and night bus services (N280, N400, NX1, NX2, NX40, NU1 and NU5) will not operate. All other services will operate to a Saturday timetable.
Sat 28th: All services will operate to a normal Saturday timetable, except night bus services (N280, N400, NX1, NX2, NX40, NU1 and NU5) which will not operate.
Sun 29th: All services will operate on a normal Sunday timetable.
Mon 30th: Services 3X, 41, 45, 63, 91, 92 and 95 will operate to a Monday to Friday timetable. Services ST1 and ST2 and night bus services (N280, N400, NX1, NX2, NX40, NU1 and NU5) will not operate. All other services will operate to a Saturday timetable.
On New Year's Eve, services 3X, 41, 45, 63, 91, 92 and 95 will operate to a Monday to Friday timetable. Services ST1 and ST2 and night bus services (N280, N400, NX1, NX2, NX40, NU1 and NU5) will not operate. All other services will operate to a Saturday timetable, but with an early finish. On New Year's Day, a special service will operate on services 3, 3A, 5, 6, 8, 15, 35, X2, X40 and the Airline. No other services will operate. All services return to normal school holiday timetables on Jan 2nd; BROOKESbus services operate a vacation timetable, with semester timetables recommencing from 18th January.
The Gloucester Green Travel Shop and High Street Visitor Information Point in Oxford will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Find full details here.
Trains
Chiltern Railways: The line will run an amended timetable on Christmas Eve with trains finishing earlier thn usual across all routes; find last train times here. There will be no service on Christmas Day, but there will be a special service on Boxing Day, calling at principal stations between London Marylebone and Oxford Parkway. An amended timetable will be in peration on the 27th, with some additional and lengthened trains between Marylebone - Bicester Village - Oxford.The railway is closed between Great Missenden and Aylesbury all day due to planned engineering works.
Great Western Rail: Major engineering works will be taking place throughout the Christmas period, so take care to plan your route accordingly. On Christmas Eve, normal GWR service will operate until the early closedown. Train services will finish from approximately 20:00 on most routes on Christmas Eve. Please check to make sure you can complete your journey.
There will be no GWR services running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. From Dec 27th to Jan 2nd, major engineering work means significant changes will be made to the usual timetable, including no mainline train services at London Paddington on the 27th; head to the National Rail website to find suggested alternate routes and replacement bus services.
Cross Country: Services will be finishing much earlier on Christmas Eve and engineering works will be taking place throughout the festive period, meaning some services will use replacement buses. There are no services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
For more details consult the National Rail's 2024/5 Christmas Travel Information.
Opening Hours
Oxford City Council
Oxford City Council's phone line will have the following opening times:
Town Hall
22 December 2023 -normal opening hours
23 December 2023 - 9am to 5pm
24 to 26 December 2023 - closed
27 to 29 December 2023 - 10am to 5pm
30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 - closed
2 January 2024 - normal opening hours
Museum of Oxford
22 December 2023 - normal opening hours
23 December 2023 - 10am to 5pm
24 to 26 December 2023 - closed
27 to 29 December 2023 - 10am to 5pm
30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 - closed
2 January 2024 - normal opening hours
Face-to-face housing service
22 December 2023 - normal opening hours
23 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 - closed
2 January 2024 - normal opening hours
Face-to-face customer services
22 December 2023 - normal opening hours
23 to 26 December 2023 - closed
27 December 2023 - 10am to 3pm
29 December 2023 - 10am to 1pm
30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 - closed
2 January 2024 - normal opening hours
Telephone
22 December 2023 -normal opening hours
23 to 26 December 2023 - closed
27 to 29 December 2023 - 8am to 5pm
30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024 - Closed
2 January 2024 - normal opening hours
Westgate Oxford
The Westgate will be closed Christmas Day. It will be open:
10am - 5pm on Christmas Eve
10am - 6pm on Boxing Day
10am - 5pm New Year's Eve,
10am - 6pm New Year's Day
Gloucester Green Market
Over the Christmas period Gloucester Green market will be closed on 25th, 26th & 27th December, and 1st, 2nd & 3rd January. The market remains open as normal on Saturday 28th December and Saturday 4th January 2025.
The Covered Market
The Covered Market will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. It will be open:
8am - 4pm on Christmas Eve
8am - 4pm New Year's Eve
Templars Square
Monday 23rd December: 8am – 6pm
Christmas Eve: 8am – 6pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: 10am – 4pm
New Year’s Eve: 8am – 6pm
New Year’s Day: 10am – 4pm
Petrol stations
24 hour petrol stations include:
Tesco Petrol Staion
Oxford Retail Park (Cowley), OX4 6XJ
(01865) 441445
Shell Cowley
44-48 Garsington Road, OX4 2LG
(01865) 350704
BP Woodstock Connect
A40 Woodstock Road, OX2 8LA
(01865) 557164
BP MRH Cowley Service St
44-56 Oxford Road, Cowley, OX4 2DT
(01865) 748434
BP MRH Eynsham
A40 Eynsham, OX29 4EN
(01865) 883530
BP Cherwell Drive
OX3 0NA
(01865) 765692
Shell, London Road
OX3 7RD
(01865) 750299
Shell, Peartree Roundabout
OX2 8JZ
(01865) 511639
Asda Petrol Station
154 London Road, Wheatley OX33 IJH
(01865) 873888
BP Oxford M40 Services
OX33 1JN
(01865) 876372
Volunteering
Want to give something back this Christmas season? Here are some opportunities if you'd like to give your time.
Volunteers needed! Oxford Christmas Lunch will once again be feeding 500 people on Christmas Day at the King's Centre in Osney. For more details check out their Facebook page here.
OX4 Food Crew is a partnership of 9 grassroots organisations across Oxford looking to fight food inequality; find your nearest mutual aid group and get involved here.
The Gatehouse provides hot meals, showers and support for though sleeping rough in Oxford. Learn more about their volunteering opportunities here.
Asylum Welcome is always seeking volunteers to provide support for vulnerable asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Oxford - whether you want to teach English, deliver food or run the welcome desk! You can also open up your home as a Sanctuary host to provide vital shelter to those in need.
Crisis are seeking handypersons, drivers, nail techs and hairdressers among their volunteer opportunities to provide support, activities and companionship to people experiencing homelessness at Christmas; you can find out more on their Christmas in Oxford page.
Oxford Conservation Volunteers will get you outside maintaining some of the county's best-loved nature reserves, with activities like hedge planting, scrub removal and a festive Christmas dinner taking place over the holidays.
Oxford Mutual Aid has both in-person and remote roles to help them deliver food parcels and meals to over 800 of our Oxford neighbours.
Cherwell Collective help distribute and grow food for the community and repurpose household waste to reduce our community's carbon footprint: find out what you can do to contribute on their volunteer page.
For a variety of good causes, we like OCVA's volunteering lists; this year they've put together a Volunteering Advent Calendar with daily suggestions on how to give back to your community. Oxon Volunteers' also sports a range of specific vacancies includes trustees and people with specialist knowledge (eg of accounting) to help out charities locally.
And finally, Oxford University's handy list, (aimed at students, but most roles are suitable for all) is certainly worth a peruse.
Christmas trees (getting them, and recycling them)
What tree?
The increasingly popular Nordmann has thickish dark green needles, and is non-drop. Blue and White Spruce have very pretty, thick, blunt needles but tend to shed them a little. Scots Pine holds its needles well, and its strong branches can cope with heavy decorations. Lodge Pole Pine is similar to Scots Pine. Small Fraser Firs can be bought potted, rather than cut, meaning they don't shed and have a rather pleasant fruity smell. Norway Spruce, while the most satisfyingly traditional-looking of all, is a dedicated shedder. This helpful guide on the Gardener's World website suggests a multitude of tips for reducing the chance of 95% of your tree's needles ending up in the vacuum cleaner a week before Christmas Day.
Where to buy
Oxford Sea Cadets Christmas Trees, Donnington Bridge,
off Meadow Lane, OX4 4BJ
(01865) 249158
The Cadet Corps is a national charity providing young people with opportunities
for adventure. They've been fundraising through the sale of Christmas trees
since 1972. Nordmann Firs (£40-£90) plus wreaths, decorations. Delivery / click
and collect. 7 days a week 9am-7pm.
Bunkers Hill Plant Nursery,1-2 Bunkers Hill, Nr. Kidlington Oxon OX5 3BA
01869 331492
3ft-15ft+ Premium-grade English-grown Nordmann Firs from £40-£150+ (cheaper Standard-grade available onsite). Pot-grown trees also available. Oxfordshire delivery and click & collect both available, or visit in person for socially distanced browsing, free hot chocolate, the annual fundraising Reindeer Hunt and the Bunkers Raffle Bonanza. Open 9am-7pm every day in December up to Christmas Eve, when they wil close around 3pm.
Farmer Gow's, Fernham Road, Longcot, nr. Faringdon, SN7
7PR
(01793) 780555 / enquiries@farmergows.co.uk
7 Different varieties of locally grown, freshly cut and potted trees. £27- £85.
Click & collect. Delivery and/or installation available. Open every day 9am-5pm, until December 15th, thereafter 10am-5pm until December 23rd
The Garden, 99-100 Covered Market, OX1
3DY
(01865) 240709/mktgarden@thegardenoxford.co.uk
4ft-9ft Nordmann Firs & Norway Spruces from £40-£150. Delivery available within the ring road and certain outside areas (see website for details) £6.95 for next day delivery, no deliveries on Sundays. 8am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm some Sundays, open until noon Christmas Eve.
Appleton Christmas
Barn
Eaton Road, Appleton, OX13
5JJ.
01865 862908
As well as choosing trees, you can say hello to two very special residents:
Tiny Tim and Bonnie, the real life reindeer.
Fraser Firs, Nordmann Firs, Norway Spruces and Serbian Spruces. £19.95-£145.95. Mon - Wed 10am-6pm. Open til 8pm Thu
and Fri. Open 9am - 6pm on Sat - Sun. Closes 3pm on Christmas Eve.
The Tree Barn, Greenfield Farm,
Christmas Common, Watlington, OX49 5HG
01491 614206
Small family business selling a wide variety of trees mostly grown on their
farm. Cut trees and pot grown trees available. 5 Different varieties from 3ft
to giant 30ft! £20-£1260
Daily 9am-5.30pm & late night on Thu & Fri until 7.30pm. Click &
collect and delivery available. Order deadline Wed 15th Dec for last deliveries
on Fri 17th. Christmas Shop open until 12pm on Christmas Eve.
Tree recycling
Oxford City Council will collect your real, unadorned tree on your green/brown bin collection day from 5th to 29th January 2021. Or you can take it to one of 12 collection points around the city.
For information about recycling your Christmas Tree, see Oxford City Council's Christmas Recycling page, which also includes information on what to do with extra recyclable goods & food waste, festive recycling tips, changes to bin collection days over the Christmas and New Year period and even a festive recycling colouring sheet.
Eating out (including Christmas Day lunch)
Eating out on Christmas Day
If you've had one burnt turkey too many, you may be considering abandoning your traditional home-cooked Christmas dinner for a more, er, professional affair. Booking in advance will be vital, you'll almost certainly have to pay a deposit (which may not be refundable if your plans have to change). We know of the following eateries serving lunch on the day:
Gee's, 61 Banbury Road, OX2 6PE
Open 11.30am-4.30pm, £140 for 3 courses (£50 for children), including a selection of small bites on arrival.
Menu
Old Parsonage Hotel, 1 Banbury Road, OX2 6NN
Hotel package available from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day
Christmas Day - food served throughout the day, 11.30am until 5pm, includes canapés on arrival and 3 courses for £150 + 12.5% service charge (£50 for children).
Menu
Quod Brasserie & Bar, 92-94 High Street, OX1 4BN
Christmas Day Menu is available 11.30am until 5pm, £135 for 3 courses, plus 12.5% discretionary service charge (£50 for children).
Menu
Browns Oxford, 5-11 Woodstock Road, OX2 6HA
5-course menu for £95.
Menu
Malmaison, Oxford Castle, 3 New Road, OX1 1AY
4 course Christmas Day feast. £129.50 including a glass of Champagne.
Menu
The Trout Inn, 195 Godstow Road, Lower Wolvercote, OX2 8PN
Three course menu for £94.95. Upgrade for £15 to include glass of Champaign to start, cocktail to finish. Children eat for £49.95
Menu
The Folly, 1 Folly Bridge, OX1 4LB
Sittings start between 12 - 3pm, 5 course menu £130 per person.
Menu
Head of the River, Folly Bridge, St Aldates, OX1 4LB
3 course menu £105 per person
Menu
The Red Lion (Gloucester Street), 14 Gloucester Street, OX1 2BN
4 courses £79.95 per person, or 4 courses plus champagne to start and cocktail to finish £84.95. Children dine for £45.95
Menu
Outside Oxford city
The Rose Revived, Newbridge, Witney, OX29 7QD
3 course menu, petit fours and a glass of prosecco £74.95 (Children's menu for £26.95)
Menu
The Old Post Office, Wallingford, OX10 OAA
£105 per head, three courses. Children for £50
Menu
The Black Horse, Thame, OX9 2BL
£99.95 per head, six courses.
Menu
The Merry Miller, Cothill Rd, Dry Sandford, Abingdon, OX13 6JW
£110 (£55 for under 12s) per person
Menu
Help with Christmas Dinner?
This year, Oxford communal Christmas dinners are back in full force, as well as festive hampers that will be delivered by local organisations focused on food security.
Oxford Christmas Lunch returns to the King's Centre in Osney Mead, organised by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action - see our Volunteering section if you want to get involved in the preparations! The free sit-down meal from 12:30PM - 4PM seats about 500 diners, from refugees and those experiencing homelessness to people just looking to connect to the local community.
In East Oxford, local organisations Waste2Taste and Ark-T are once again preparing 'festive hampers’, with festive food and a treat suitable for families. Donations can be dropped off at the Waste2Taste café until the 15th of December, and you can find out more information about the hamper scheme on the Waste2Taste Facebook page.
Flo’s Place in the Park is offering a free Christmas lunch from the Oxford Community Action kitchen chefs at their café in Florence Park - text 07732298282 if you want to organise a surprise gift for any kiddos coming along.
The Porch Community Cafe will be open on Christmas Day serving a full roast dinner with all the trimmings They're also putting together hampers for the festive season with locally sourced ingredients - if you want to show them your support you can donate to their crowdfund here.
Botley Bridges are providing Christmas hampers for lower-income household in West Oxford, Botley, North Hinksey and Cumnor; if you want to request a hamper or donate, head to their website.
And be sure to check the Council's Emergency Help over Christmas page for a full rundown of community groups and local larders.
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Warming Winter Drinks
Our techie's Really Fabulous Mulled Wine
After a few hours staring at a string of code, you need something to take the edge off life.
Take 1 orange, 1 lemon and 1 lime (if you have it) or whatever citrus fruit you have lying about.
Peel large peels of citrus skin with a vegetable peeler (or a knife - a zester will produce thin strands which you may feel compelled to strain out later).
Place in pan, on medium heat. You can put the peel in the pan as it heats up, so long as you're careful not to let it get too hot while you add the next ingredients. A bit of pre-toasting has a nice effect, though.
Add 100 grams of the darkest sugar you can find. Likewise, can be on the heat, if you're careful.
Squeeze the orange into the pan.
Add enough red wine to cover the sugar and the peel.
Make it BOIL. You want to reduce this down to a sticky thick dark syrup.
While you are making it boil (immediately) add 1 cinamon stick, 3 cloves, 1 bay leaf, loads or grated nutmeg, 1 cardamom pod and half a vanilla pod, split down the middle (if you have one - makes a nice flavour though).
Continue to make it BOIL stirring carefully to ensure complete sugary dissolution and lack of sticking and burning.
Before you made it boil, preferably ensure that the sugar is dissolved. Making it boil will help with this in most circumstances.
Once it's thick and sticky (about 5 mins depending on the ferocity of your saucepan and heating), turn the heat down and add 1 star anise (fennel seed works well too, though is a bit bitty in the glass) and add the rest of the bottle of wine.
Heat gently until it's warmed through. Balance the heat of the mull with the amount of alcohol you're willing to lose. Those in fear of having inhaled most of the booze while heating (it's rather nice, and no doubt good for the nostrils), do add brandy or dark rum at this point. (Though that does make the mull a little harsher - the finer balance is to be found in the unadulterated, carefully heated version. YMMV).
Serve in something heat-proof (or be daring) immediately.
Norfolk Punch
A non-alcoholic alternative to your usual seasonal mulled beverage, this bottle is based on a traditional recipe made by Benedictine monks no less and contains all sorts of wild and wonderful herbs and spices. The office tee-totaller gave this 9/10 for its sheer proximity to mulled booze, and others felt similarly until asked to consider its resemblance to warm cola. Available from Holland and Barrett, Uhuru (Cowley Rd), etc.
Hot Toddy
Quick version
Ingredients: half a lemon, tablespoon of honey, shot of whisky per person.
- Squeeze lemon into a cup
- Add boiling water, melt the honey in it
- (Stop here if you don't want the whisky, or) add whisky and drink
Slow, loving version
- Grate some root ginger into a saucepan, about 1tbsp per person
- Add however many cups of water you want, dark brown sugar to taste, an orange (or an apple) stuck with cloves
- Bring to the boil once, then simmer for about 15 minutes
- Drain into cups and add whisky and the juice of half a lemon for each person
A useful tip if you have a disastrous toddy-making enterprise: you can salvage a cup of it for a very cold person by adding a slosh of Rochester's ginger wine (available from Holland and Barrett).
Sustainable Christmas (inc recycling and waste collection)
It might just be the most wasteful time of the year, every year, so back in 2021 we put together a bumper blog full of ideas on how to have a more sustainable Christmas - covering everything from wrapping and gifts to Christmas dinner.
For any festive rubbish that remains, Oxford City Council has a guide to recycling at Christmas.