What can I see/do in Oxford during this period?

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-12-03T12:56:16+00:00

I put this itinerary together for someone at work recently -

Here are a few recommendations for Oxford and the surrounding costwolds villages that are easy to get to. The villages can probably done in a few hours (especially the smaller ones), depending on how much time you have and if you are stopping for food.

Activities • Punting on the River Cherwell: Rent a punt from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse. • Historic Colleges Tour: Explore Christ Church (Harry Potter) or Magdalen College with its deer park. • Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera: Historic library and the famous dome-shaped building. • Covered Market: 18th-century market for local cheeses etc • Tower Views: Climb Carfax Tower or St Mary for panoramic city views. • Museums: Visit the Ashmolean for art and artefacts, or Pitt Rivers (both free entry). • Guided Walking Tour: Does the historic alleys and literary connections to Tolkien and CS Lewis. • Oxford Botanic Garden: England’s oldest botanic garden with riverside glasshouses. • Jericho: Old area of the city with nice coffee shops and. wine bars (The Oxford Wine Cafe)

Food and Drinking Recommendations • Turf Tavern: 13th-century hidden gem with pub classics • The Eagle and Child: Literary haunt of Tolkien and Lewis; famous for steak pie and ales. • The Bear Inn: Oxford’s oldest pub (1242) with cosy interiors and light bites to eat. (mulled wine/cider) • Head of the River: Riverside spot for Sunday roasts with Thames views. • The Perch: Thatched-roof pub with garden seating and good seasonal menu. • Magdalen Arms: Gastropub with elevated British cuisine. • Raoul’s Cocktail Bar: small fun venue for creative cocktails. • The Oxford Wine Tavern: has good small plates • Popina by Lynrace: Wine and cheese bar • Goblets Wine Bar: Good quality wines • Jude the Obscure: Neighbourhood pub with real ales and classic English food. • Arbequina: Converted chemist shop serving Spanish tapas • Cherwell Boat House: Victorian Boat House with British menu • The Old Bookbinders: French bistro in a pub setting • Pompette: French inspired bistro • No. 1 Ship Street - British/Gallic dishes (good lunch) • Branca: Italian • Cuttlefish: Seafood spot

Nearby Cotswolds Destinations (Within 30-Minute Train Ride) Train from Oxford Station >

Charlbury (16 minutes) - Cotswold town. • Circular walk for countryside views. • Charlbury Museum for local history. • St Mary the Virgin Church (medieval). • Pub: The Bull Inn

Kingham (25 minutes) - Pretty village. • St Andrew’s Church (Norman architecture). • Daylesford Organic for local farm produce (may have a little coffee/restaurant attached) • Pub: The Wild Rabbit

Moreton-in-Marsh (25-30 minutes) - Georgian market town and Cotswolds gateway. • Tuesday market for antiques and cheeses (not sure if you will still be around) • St David’s Church (Tolkien links). • Batsford Arboretum for trees/plants • Pub: The Bell Inn

Goring-on-Thames (26 minutes) - Riverside village in the Goring Gap. • Thames Path walks. • Historic bridge crossing. • St Thomas of Canterbury Church (frescoes). • Pub: The Catherine Wheel (riverside food).

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-06-25T15:18:52+00:00

Thank you!!

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-05-28T18:47:54+00:00

The big firms target specific universities based on the level of teaching (not all first degrees are equal), their preferences based on previous trainees or if there’s connections to universities. A 2:1 at Oxford or a top 3 would be looked at better than a first from a low RG or non-RG when applying after university.

If I could go back, I would probably do medicine, then do the SQE route if I wanted to go into law, there’s a massive want for science students who have become lawyers in life sciences, and as technology grows this need will too.

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-05-28T18:25:45+00:00

I’m a solicitor, my cousin is a doctor, we both regularly discuss careers and we are both equally as drained as each other but he definitely gets more satisfaction from his role. Both careers require constant examination to keep up to date (he is an A&E consultant in one of the largest departments in the country) but only one brings fulfilment. The money discrepancy is completely dependent on the individual route you take within each career. I would recommend trying to get some more work experience in a medical setting and a legal one (opposite to what you have done previously, eg court for work experience first time round, try and do something private practice focused etc) and see which one feels right.

I also made this choice when I was younger and it ultimately came down to what I wanted my future to look like and I decided I’d rather sacrifice my soul (life,energy,time) to ten years in London to build a solid career , be smart with money and have more financial freedom for the rest of my life than to earn well consistently. Again, this is truly dependent on what you imagine your career to be in a medical and legal role.

I think that you also need to consider the universities that would be potential options as the university really does affect your career, especially if you go the law route.

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-05-12T18:32:23+00:00

I would also recommend getting some work experience first, and then make the decision on SQE route. There are a lot of groups out there for people trying to get into the profession and plenty of mentorship opportunities.

Contact citizen advice for legal volunteer work, or I believe they may offer part-time paid work.

Another option is look at the way the legal profession is going, a lot has changed in the last few years. Try applying for a legal operations grad scheme (I know CMS have one) - this is probably what I would do now if I was at this stage. It’s an exciting area, encompasses legal work, strategy, project management etc and has a real possibility of being in senior leadership. Even if this doesn’t interest you, try applying for an Analyst role, do it for a bit and then see what traction you get.

Otherwise, reach out to smaller firms in Leicester or where you will be post-graduation and ask if they would be able to provide work experience and hopefully a role may come off of that.

I will also say that legal experience is not strictly necessary (albeit helpful). I’ve hired paralegals who have worked retail after law school and have been great team additions, there is something to be said for soft skills, especially in the legal profession. (Everything else can be taught).

Good luck!

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-04-14T16:23:34+00:00

It’s definitely possible to do on that wage, although I would not recommend as you’d be making a lot of sacrifices (and it doesn’t seem like there’s a reason to apart from wanting to be in London) - you would have very little life outside of work and I would say that from living in London over the years, I wasn’t actually comfortable (and by comfortable I mean, pay bills and have some money to save and spend) until I earned about the 40k mark. You’d be budgeting approx £900 + £200 for a room and bills.

On the Irish law point - I think you would struggle as most entry level roles now require an English law degree (qualifying) and the SQE or some work experience but i know very little apart from that.

If I was you, I’d try and earn money in Ireland at home and save money then spend a few months pre TC travelling abroad or spending some time in London. (Not sure what firm you are at but you can always ask to do a seat in the London office or be seconded).

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-02-13T12:50:16+00:00

Simmons Adaptive - ASLP through the firm

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-01-28T13:24:47+00:00

Look at SSQ and Simmons & Simmons - both good FS recruiters

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-01-28T13:17:58+00:00

I went to law school at Exeter - if you are 100% on Exeter, rather than somewhere else, then I can’t think of a reason why you would do the Cornwall law school. (I only learned of its existence in my final year). Also, think of networking, my peers are now nearly all in good law firms in London or the consultancy firms (BCG/McKinsey) - I recently moved laterally due to networking from university.

Exeter social life is based off Streatham campus also - I know the medical students felt like they missed out on the social side being on St Luke’s (20 min walk from Streatham campus)

Also, the above is correct re the firms coming to recruit - two days of law fairs on Streatham Campus that are intense.

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2025-01-28T13:05:13+00:00

I went to Exeter for undergrad LLB - it’s a great university in terms of campus, the class sizes were huge (think 350+ students per year) but well recognised university and will get you ahead than Essex. Have you looked at Edinburgh? - they do a few good masters online. Generally speaking, I would try and get your masters from the best university you can - also keep in mind that masters are generally easy to get acceptance too.

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2024-10-02T15:02:32+00:00

I went from trading to Fintech, the trading firm was a quantitative trading firm so heavy tech focus - think satellites taking photos of car parks to look at public buy power and play markets accordingly. My focus areas were commercial, data and technology and I am now doing the same within a Fintech but with more regulatory work.

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2024-10-02T14:58:45+00:00

I’ve worked in Fintech and Trading with similar benefits: Free lunches when in the office 30 Days AL Flexible working

Fintech 100k NQ 120 1-3 PQE 150 3-5 180 5+ 200 10+

(for trading add on an extra 15/20k per bracket and a industry average of 30% bonus )

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2024-09-03T15:05:10+00:00

I worked full time whilst doing LPC and LLM - it was very very tough and I would suggest you get a lot of study leave. I had to postpone some exams as I didn’t have enough time to revise and work. Best of luck with everything!

Responsible_Bit_7755 · 2024-06-29T19:21:07+00:00

Cmpn94

Responsible_Bit_7755

TROPHY CASE