Department store transformed into Oxford's newest hotel, The Store
It's the setting of a number of movies - people getting trapped in a department store after closing time and wander around, often spending the night among the mannequins.
Well, now, there's the opportunity to live out that scene and turn your own life into a movie - sort of.
The Store in Oxford is the city's newest and swankiest hotel, which is in the building that for over three centuries housed its iconic department store, Boswells of Oxford.
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After first trading in 1738, Boswells became the second oldest family-owned department store in the world but like many other businesses, it shuttered in 2020. Supplied
The front of the building contains a nod to it's past, with the former Boswell & Co. signage still visible along the stone exterior. Supplied
After first trading in 1738, Boswells became the second oldest family-owned department store in the world but like many other businesses, it shuttered in 2020.
Where there was once an array of toys, cosmetics, haberdashery and home accessories, now, there's a swanky hotel lobby, spa, restaurant and rooftop bar.
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But on the front of the building, a nod to its past exists, with the former Boswell & Co. signage still visible along the stone exterior.
Also, inside the hotel, designers have chosen to embrace the building's heritage - as they've done with the name - including large framed photos of the former department store throughout the stylish deep blue painted wooden corridors.
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Once there was once an array of toys, cosmetics, haberdashery and home accessories inside the building. Supplied
Now, there's a swanky hotel lobby (pictured), spa, restaurant and rooftop bar. Supplied
The inviting lobby seems expansive with little areas for guests to sit and play games - there's even a roaring fake fireplace, which is an idyllic (and warm) spot to sit in the cooler months.
On the ground floor is where you'll find the restaurant Treadwell, which offers a range of mouth watering dishes - including the revelation that is basically a prawn cocktail taco. (Imagine your aunt's famous Christmas prawn cocktail and now stuff that goodness into a freshly made crispy taco shell... delicious!)
Prawn and white crab taco with baby gem lettuce and Marie Rose sauce (front); Baby back bao with sesame glaze, spring salad and crackling (back) Supplied
The menu also features juicy steaks, braised osso buco with mash, ruby murray chicken pie with gunpowder new potatoes and a range of fresh seafood, including seared tune and a pan-seared red mullet pappardelle.
The restaurant is also where breakfast is served, which includes a continental spread, along with table service for hot food.
Although, staying in the Arthur's View Junior Suite, which features a terrace overlooking the bustling streets of Oxford, you could easily sip your morning coffee or tea happily from there.
A look inside the Arthur's View Junior Suite at The Store hotel in Oxford Supplied
If you're in the mood for some rest and relaxation, head to the spa where you can use the sauna or steam room.
Or you can book in with therapists like Ellie-May and let them work their magic over a choice of 30, 60 or 90 minute treatments, with your choice of oil and scent kicking off the relaxing experience.
There's also a place on the fifth floor to sip a drink while looking out across the rooftops of the city through floor to ceiling windows.
If you're in the mood for some rest and relaxation, head to the spa where you can use the sauna or steam room. Supplied
There's also a place on the fifth floor to sip a drink while looking out across the rooftops of the city through floor to ceiling windows. Supplied
But if you've had enough relaxing and are in the mood to shop - you're in luck, because the hotel is, of course, located in the centre of what is still the shopping district.
The plus side of this is also that there are a lot of restaurant options at your doorstep.
More things to do in Oxford
For those who want to burn through a bit more energy and a few thousand more steps, there is plenty to see and do in Oxford.
And if you're a Harry Potter fan, double it!
The city is the location and backdrop for a lot of scenes in the movie franchise as author JK Rowling grew up near by and is understood to have been the one to bring location scouts from Warner Bros. to Oxford.
The famous Christ Church college is now so popular with fans, it has its own gift store on site.
The famous Christ Church college is now so popular with fans, it has its own gift store on site. Supplied/Karishma Sarkari
But you don't have to be a fan of the boy wizard - there are literally hundreds of movies and TV shows that have been filmed around the city. The best way to tick them all off is a walking tour, such as Oxford Official Walking Tours.
Along the way, you'll also see where former Aussie Prime Minister Bob Hawke made his way into the Guinness World Record Books for downing a yard glass in record time at Turf Tavern.
There's also Europe's second-largest bookstore, Blackwell's, which at first looks deceptively small but take the stairs down from the ground floor and it's bigger than you ever imagined from outside.
There's plenty too see and do in Oxford, including a visit to Blackwell's - Europe's second largest bookstore. Supplied/Karishma Sarkari
The Feathers Hotel in Woodstock has a bar called The Aviary and restaurant called The Nest - both are a must try. Supplied/Karishma Sarkari
About a 20-minute drive away is Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The opulent and stately home needs to be seen to be believed and a tour of the inside of the palace shows the bedroom the famous wartime politician was born in.
The Devon crab entrée, pan roasted halibut main, bitter chocolate ganache dessert at The Nest restaurant in Woodstock. Supplied/Karishma Sarkari
If you go to Blenheim Palace then you need to stop into the town of Woodstock, right next door.
After walking around be sure to pop into The Feathers Hotel, and say hi to the very welcoming Andy. You can stop in for a drink at the aptly named Aviary bar but I'd suggest making sure you step into restaurant The Nest.
Head chef Luke Rawicki serves up a sublime selection of dishes, including the hand picked Devon crab with cucumber, corriander and sesame.
There's also a Sunday roast menu with massive plates of the most delicious food that would defeat those with the biggest of appetites.
And make sure you leave room for dessert because the bitter chocolate ganache with banana, peanut and lime, is "chef's kiss" and pairs well with a glass of red wine.
How to get to Oxford
Oxford is located in central southern England, about a 90-minute drive from London.
If you don't have a car while travelling, fear not because there are over 100 train services a day between the two cities, taking approximately one hour.
And if you buy tickets in advance they can be as cheap as £5.40 ($10) one-way, making it a very affordable way to see another part of the UK while visiting London.
This writer travelled as a guest of Experience Oxfordshire.
