I have a plant tour on May 26 in Oxford. Any tips from those who have already been? Do they sell MINI "stuff?"

I'm staying at a hotel across the street. Anything else in the area to see? Obviously I will go to the historical sites in Oxford.

Cheers
PKMINI

 

How exciting for you, PKMINI05! I suggest that you PM Babswife or mbabischkin, who took the tour last year! I'm sure they'll have some fun ideas for your trip!


Clover

 

Take a camera and post pics here!

 

There must be hundreds of wondrous things to do in and around Oxford. But if you want to get a perspective on car plants then I wonder if it would be worth making an appointment at Rolls Royce. That plant was completed about a year ago and is supposed to be astonishingly sleek. I know the plant's talented designer who sent me intriguing photos. Post pics for those us stuck in the colonies.

 

Here's my detailed account of the plant tour from last year:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/04/...ini_plant_tour

 

Thanks for the help so far...I'm really looking forward to the tour. As Gabe says, I'l have my trust Pentax Optio with me [but will take pics only where permitted].

When I return to the Chicago area, I'll post the best.

Does anyone know if the "American need" for a gift shop has been fulfilled?

Cheers
PKMINI

 

Yes there are items for sale... Our personal favorite was the MINI magnets

It's not real big, but they have some nice things..

 

MINI lanyards ... buy a mess of them if you see 'em.

And keep your eyes open for stacks of MINI parts ... steering wheels, seats, whatever! ... they make for fun photos.

 

You won't be able to find any of that in areas where photos are allowed.

There are two places photos are allowed, in the lot in front of the welcome center, and inside the welcome center... You can't even bring your camera (or camera phone) on the tour with you...

 

How close is John Cooper Works to the Oxford plant? That would be great to take a tour at both!!!

Plus, you could buy a crap load of the upper brace bar and sell them when you get back: there's a hold on them in the US.

 

There are a couple of bus tours that depart regularly from the railway station. There are some separate tours of Oxford, I took a walking tour that was interesting.

See if you can get the Christchurch tour (they filmed part of Harry Potter there, the dining hall) @ Oxford Univ. There are also different Oxford U tours.

You can also go punting ('rowing' a small, long narrow boat w/ a pole) on the Thames. (see the attached picture, note that this in Cambridge, not Oxford from my trip last month. Legend has it that Cantabridgians stand in the rear, whilst Oxfordians stand in the front).

There's a dog track right across from the factory.

Some great restaurants up in the center of Oxford: Thai - Chiang Mai Kitchen 130A High St, 01865 202233; Funky "Greenwich Village-like" - Quod, 92-94 High Street, 01865.799599). There's also a great Indian rest outside of town (Aziz Brasserie, 228-230 Cowley Road, 01865 794945). There's a nice rest in the hotel right across from the railway station -- grilled seafood & steaks.

Head up to Gloucester Green (the central bus station) and take a left out of GG up the hill and you'll see plenty of restaurants. There's a Mongolian rest right across the street from GG.

There's an express train to London that gets you there in ~40 mins. You can also go the other way out to Bath, but that's a bit more involved.

Note that even if you hire your own car, they're prohibited from the "inner ring", only taxis & buses are allowed. I used John Challands Taxi, 01865 876300/07710 441364(mobile) to get around.

 

Be sure to visit the 'secret room' next to the tour waiting area .

The JCW showroom is located in the south of England near the coast, not at all near the Oxford factory. At least a few hours drive, but it is WELL worth it if you get there - Mike Cooper and the gang rock. They have some great rides in the showroom as well as some cool chairs made from the JCW seats. Unfortunately they won't let you buy anything but they did give us some free stickers .

 

Thanks to all who have passed along tips. I'll take whatever pics are "legal" and post them along with a complete report.

Regards
Pat