July 14-16, 2025
Voco Spires Hotel, Oxford, U.K.
Please note: As this will be a paper-free meeting, hard copies of documents will not be provided. All materials will be accessible via shared Google Drive folders, to which you will be given access. If you require physical copies, please print them in advance of the meeting.
Dear board members and executive directors of the Atlantic Fellows programs,
We wish you a smooth and pleasant journey, and we look forward to welcoming you. If this is your first visit to Oxford, you’ll find suggested places to explore, along with recommended restaurants and bars, at the back of this booklet.
Warm wishes,
The Atlantic Institute team
We have arranged transfers from the airport for those who requested them. You will have received an email from events@atlanticfellows.org, confirming your airport transfer, if requested.
A driver from Borjan Executive Cars will meet you at the airport - or another location, as discussed and agreed). The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it, and /or the Atlantic Fellows logo. If you can not find your driver, please contact Shaz or Ali from Borjan on: +44 7710 568794 or info@borjan.co.uk. If you anticipate any changes to your travel arrangements or experience delays, please email David Mallinson from the Atlantic Institute as soon as possible.
While you are welcome to stay outside of the core event dates, we have not made any transfers outside of the confirmed dates and you will need to make your own arrangements. The Atlantic Institute will reimburse you for such transfer costs after the gathering. Expense forms, including receipts, should be submitted to Mel Nash (at finance@atlanticfellows.org) no later than Aug. 15, 2025.
If you require a SIM card for your mobile phone, we recommend that you buy one at airport arrivals. If you would like to purchase a SIM card outside of the airport, you will find them at most high street shops or supermarkets. Mobile phone networks offer a pay-as-you-go option for airtime and data (Three, Lebara, Giffgaff are some of the options available). You should be able to top up your cell service by purchasing vouchers at stores during your stay.
For some SIM cards, you will need to top up the SIM card with minimum value credit (of around £5) before activating it to obtain the U.K. mobile number. E-SIMs are also available for many recent phones. They are embedded SIM cards and a useful way of keeping both your current SIM and a travel SIM. Providers include HolaFly, Orange and Vodafone, among others.
YOUR HOTEL: Voco Spires Hotel, Abingdon Rd., Oxford OX1 4PS. Check in from 3 p.m. and check out from 11 a.m.
You will have received an email from events@atlanticfellows.org, confirming your check in and check out dates.
As well as staying at Voco Spires Hotel, this will also be the venue for the meetings over the three days. There is free WiFi available throughout the hotel, so communication links via Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp should allow anyone with more challenging mobile phone networks/providers to stay connected. We will not be providing additional SIM cards or mobile options. Please bring plug adaptors so you can charge your phones using the three-pin plug for the U.K.
During your programming time at the hotel, we will cover breakfast and lunch, as well as refreshments during the breaks, for the core event dates (July 14-16). Dinners will be organized as per the agenda for each of the meetings. You will have access to the agendas via the respective Board of Boards / EDs Google Drive folders.
The Atlantic Institute will also reimburse you for any self-organized meals (lunches and dinners) on July 12, 13 and 16. The allowance is £15 for lunch and £25 for dinner. Expense forms, including receipts, should be submitted to Mel Nash (at finance@atlanticfellows.org) no later than Aug. 15, 2025. While you are welcome to order room service at the hotel, please note that you will need to settle your own room service bill at the time of ordering.
Oxford is generally a safe city and you should feel relaxed here for the most part. However, like any city, be careful about the areas you go into and watch your belongings. If you have any concerns, please get in touch with a member of the Atlantic Institute team.
THE DIRECT NUMBER FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES IN THE U.K IS 999. In the event of an emergency, please inform a member of the Atlantic Institute team so we can provide assistance.
POLICE
Thames Valley Police Station, St. Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1SZ
Tel: +44 1865 841148
LOCAL HOSPITAL
John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU
Tel: +44 300 304 7777
Photography and filming will be taking place at various points during the event. As part of completing the travel form, you indicated your preference to be included in this. If your preference has changed, please email David Mallinson (at d.mallinson@atlanticfellows.org).
You will be in Oxford during one of the warmest months of the year in the U.K, with current temperatures reaching around 30°C (86°F). Please pack sunscreen to protect your skin and a sunhat. If you feel unwell at any point, please contact a member of the Atlantic Institute team for assistance.
Westgate Mall on Queen St., Oxford, OX1 1TR
Westgate is home to global brands, eclectic restaurants and cafes, leisure, and sophisticated rooftop bars and dining.
The Covered Market: Market Street is a historic market with permanent stalls and shops in a large covered structure in central Oxford.
Gloucester Green outdoor street market: Stalls with street food from around the world, crafts and pre-loved clothing, among other things. Open from Wednesday to Saturday RESTAURANTS
There are plenty of amazing restaurants in Oxford city center. Make reservations online or by calling ahead as restaurants in Oxford can get fully booked in peak seasons. In the U.K., most people dine at restaurants from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Arbequina (Spanish Tapas Cuisine):72-74 Cowley Rd., Oxford |+44 1865 792777 |££| Michelin-rated restaurant offering tasty, filling tapas dishes.
Antep Kitchen (Turkish/Middle Eastern Cuisine): 228-230 Cowley Rd., Oxford | +44 1865 247555|££| A family-run restaurant that offers hot and cold mezze. Antep Kitchen is always busy, so book ahead.
Edamamé (Japanese Cuisine): 15 Holywell St., Oxford, OX1 3SA | +44 1865 246916|££| A little gem serving authentic Japanese food (rice bowls, ramen, and other dishes) in a casual and friendly setting. Keep your eyes peeled for their Thursday Sushi Nights! Opening hours: Wed: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thurs, Fri, Sat: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. & 5 to 8:30 p.m., Sun: 12-3:30 p.m.
Kazbar (Spanish and Moroccan Cuisine): 25-27 Cowley Rd., Oxford | +44 1865 202920|££| Tapas dishes. Enjoy the restaurant’s decor, featuring North African lanterns, kilims and mosaic tables.
Za’atar Bake (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisine): 166 Cowley Rd., Oxford | +44 1865 466666 |££| Delicious manakeesh (baked flatbread), maqloubah, Arabic quiche, fatayer, tagine, baklava and more in a vibrant, colorful setting. Za’atar Bake is often busy, so book ahead.
Oxford has a vibrant nightlife. Depending on your interests and the type of experience you want, here are some options:
The Tap Social Movement: The Tap Social is a craft brewery and hospitality social enterprise that provides training and employment for people in prisons. They have two locations:
- The White House - 38 Abingdon Rd., OX1 4PD | A short walking distance from Norham Garden. It is usually open until 11 p.m. daily but closed on Mondays.
- The Taproom - Curtis Industrial Estate, 27, North Hinksey Lane, OX2 0LX (outside of Oxford city center) | You will need a taxi-ride to this location. Open from Thursday to Sunday.
Junkyard Golf Club: Castle St., Westgate Mall, OX1 1NU| For crazy golf and cocktails.
The Kings Arms: 40 Holywell St., OX1 3SP | +44 1865 242369 | One of the oldest pubs in Oxford, built in 1607 and still standing in its original position.
The Turf Tavern: 4-5 Bath Place, OX1 3SU | +44 1865 243235 | Another historic pub in central Oxford, with its foundations dating back to the 14th century.
Ashmolean Museum: Beaumont St., OX1 2PH | The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683.
Modern Art Oxford: 30 Pembroke St., OX1 1BP| Cutting-edge exhibitions of international modern and contemporary visual art, plus an upbeat cafe.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History: South Parks Rd., OX1 3PW Housed in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, and among its most famous features, are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs and remains of a dodo.
Pitt Rivers Museum: South Parks Road, OX1 3PW | A collection of anthropology and archaeology Please note that a visit to the Museum evokes very different emotions and feeling with different people, depending on background and walks of life.
For those who have heritage or roots in regions of the world that suffered the violence of the Empire, the Pitt Rivers Museum can be a very difficult and hurtful place. Undoing the coloniality is integral to the work the Museum does today. Read more.
The Story Museum: 42 Pembroke St., OX1 1BP | A unique family-friendly museum celebrating the human need for stories and narratives and the benefits they can bring.
New Theatre Oxford: 24-26 George St., OX1 2AG
Oxford Playhouse: 11-12 Beaumont St., OX1 2LW
Riverside walks are a great way to see Oxford but the paths are not lit once the sun goes down, so not recommended late at night.
The University Parks opens daily at 7.45 a.m. and is a wonderful place for walking or running.
Port Meadow in north Oxford is one of the largest open spaces in the city. With the River Thames flowing through it, it is home to cattle, horses and wildfowl.
If you are arriving early or extending your stay, we recommend the following transport options:
Oxford is best explored on foot with plenty of walks through the ancient and historical city. We suggest an early morning stroll around the city when it is relatively quiet and you can truly enjoy its beauty.
Two main companies are 001 Taxis and Royal Cars. 001 Taxis: +44 1865 240000
Royal Cars: +44 1865 777333
In order to use your mobile to find a cab, please download the Royal Cars app or Free Now app. There may be a long wait during busy times such as lunch and evening meal times (particularly at the weekend).
Uber, the e-hailing service, was recently introduced to Oxford. Learn more.
Bicycles are also a convenient way to get around. They can be rented from Bainton Bikes.
For travel to London, there are regular train and bus services. Train tickets can be booked online through the following website: Trainline: Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets
Buses to London depart from Gloucester Green bus station.
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