It's not exactly a walk in the countryside but a stroll around the Westgate Centre could make an interesting change.

Following a multi-million pound revamp, the Westgate Centre reopened in October 2017 with more than 100 new shops and restaurants.

The shopping centre’s main entrance in at the end of Queen Street, opposite Bonn Square but its design makes it accessible from a number of different locations.

This includes the Castle Street/Norfolk Street entrance, opposite the new Premier Inn in Paradise Square.

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While some shoppers welcome the ‘open’ design of the Westgate - it is not completely enclosed others are not so keen and point out that the numerous entrances and rooftop terrace can make it feel slightly during winter months.

When the new Westgate Centre was built, some members of Oxford Civic Society said they were not fans of its design.

They were particularly displeased with the Oxpens Road facade showing the John Lewis store, with one representative comparing it to a prison because they are so few windows.

The society’s Peter Thompson said in 2019: “The elevations in Oxpens Road and Old Greyfriars Street are appalling.

“They are hideous - just plain ugly and the Oxpens facade isolates the Westgate from the Oxpens area, which is being developed - there is only one entrance on that side and there are very few windows.

“There is limited scope for landscaping on the Oxpens side and the Old Greyfriars Street facade is so blank it might as well be a prison wall - it’s not surprising that a taxi rank has not worked there.”

But not everyone was offended by the design and in 2019 the centre picked up one of nine RIBA South Awards.

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Enter the Westgate from Bonn Square and then to get a proper impression of the centre’s design, take the elevators to the rooftop terrace right at the top where you can enjoy a drink and a meal and take in the stunning views of the city’s dreaming spires.

Following a shopping spree taking in some of major chains including Primark, you can take a stroll leave via the Castle Street exit and enjoy a walk around the streets surrounding the centre itself.

These include St Ebbes, and just off St Ebbes in Pembroke Street you will find the Museum of Modern Art and the Story Museum.

If you still have time, when you leave the Westgate Centre area, cross Castle Street to enjoy a walk around the historic Oxford Castle site.

It features the Malmaison hotel, a number of restaurants and the Oxford Castle Unlocked museum.

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In the summer, Premier Inn opened a new £12m 90-bedroom hotel in Paradise Square, boosting the number of hotel rooms available in the city centre. There is also a new Premier Inn at Botley. This hotel features 123 rooms and is part of the West Way development.