The Covered Market
The Market Oxford OX1 3DZ
After the homogeneity of the high street and Oxford’s two shopping centres, this place is a breath of fresh air. Or it would be if there weren’t an authentic fishmonger and at least two proper old-fashioned butchers with hanging game. The covered market is paced with interesting and useful shops and is a real, working, everyday resource, the like of which isn’t often found these days in the middle of a big UK city. Alongside the fruit and veg stalls are small trinket shops, which in turn rub shoulders with clothes boutiques and shoe sellers. Cafes inside the market also offer the perfect pit-stop for lunch or tea. Moo Moo claims to be the ‘best milkshake joint in Oxford’, and the lengthy queues trailing round the market certainly reflect this. While across the enclosure queues for Ben's Cookies are just as long – try the coconut-flavoured biscuits. Although, you’ll be returning for more. Saturday shoppers may be overwhelmed by the market's popularity – visit early in the morning to explore under your own steam. Oh, and the snack bars serve great breakfasts too.
