Kim - Adding to Paul's points ... >> As a non-driver with some limitation of my mobility, I would appreciate > some advice from regular users about things like proximity to a bus route > (I shall be making my journey from Cambridge by bus) > > You''ll arrive from Cambridge on a Stagecoach X5 that terminates at > Oxford's Gloucester Green bus station. The number 5 bus to Blackbird Leys > stops > immediately outside of the Oxfordshire History Centre - formerly the > Oxfordshire Record Office. But you'll have a walk of five minutes or so > to get from your coach stop to the bus stop. Well, the bus turns right at the History Centre before you can get off, but not to panic - it stops shortly thereafter, and that's your clue you've got there. The bus drvers are very helpful too. >> where I can get a reasonable coffee/lunch and/or pint nearby. > > "The Original Swan" immediately opposite the History Centre is fine - and > there's a Wetherspoon pub about five minutes walk away. There's also a > decent Wetherspoons between the coach station and the bus stop in town. The History Centre has a friendly reception area with seating for eating. You can buy tea & coffee. About 5 minutes walk away is a baguette & sandwich shop, which sells excellent food, with lots of choice. You can eat food you've bought or brought in the reception area. >> Is there a "better" days to go, in terms of likely busyness or longer > opening hours? > > All days are 9am to 5pm. The quiet day is Saturday. Not quite right - Tuesday it opens at 10am. On Tuesdays & Thursdays Oxfordshire FHS has an advisor on site very willing to show you what's where, on the shelves, in the catalogues & on the computers. >> I can't find my CARN ticket - and it may have expired anyway - do I need > one and if so, do they issue them on site? > > Yes and yes - bring a (or is it two?) passport sized photies with you ! Only if you want to consult original records. Two photos, and official evidence of your address and signature (for example, a bank statement and credit/debit card). My additional advice is that, if, like me, you feel the cold, you'll feel cold at Oxfordshire History Centre! Bring an extra layer of clothing! The staff there are all very friendly & welcoming. Wendy