Thursday 12th February 2026

Lifestyle

The case for doing nothing (on holiday)

My best memories of gallivanting around Europe were of parks. They were found in the tranquility of self-reflection as I enjoyed the serenity of nature, clutching my too-expensive coffee and watching the ducks swim about in the river as the cold winter wind whipped the fallen leaves off the ground beside me.

Why you shouldn’t finish your reading list

On being accepted into Oxford, everyone warned me about the reading lists. “You’ll be reading eight hours a day,” they said. At the time, it sounded almost romantic.

Kilts, Ceilidhs and Calling: Inside the World of Oxford Reeling

It's Thursday night in New College's Long Room, and several dozen students are desperately trying to master The Plough Speed, which, for the uninitiated, is a mind boggling routine of side-steps, spins and shuffles.

Moving cities, keeping home

l've moved cities enough times to know that leaving is never just about packing boxes. After spending eighteen years in London, I found myself applying to a number of different cities, including Oxford, for university.

Creaming Spires: Week Four

Penny Tration gets naughty on Skype - and likes it

Come donate with me

Bethan Tabram explains why you should join the dinner party revolution

Food for Finalists

Nastassia Dhanraj on what to eat during exams to stay healthy and energized.

The Case for Homebrew

Joseph Cock brings you his opinion on the oft-forgotten pastime of homebrewing.

Let sleeping students lie

Catherine Edwards explores the importance of getting your forty winks

Interview: The Rubberbandits

Tim Ellis talks to the cult Irish comedy favourites

Renaissance Man: Week Three

Quentin Mann talks about bands so obscure they don’t ‘objectively’ exist

Creaming Spires: Week Three

Penny Tration asks if the X-rated position really rates at all

Has Your (Intern)Ship Sailed?

Cherwell Lifestyle explores an alternative way to spend the vac - working on a minimum wage.

Interview: Anya Reiss

Sybil Devlin meets one of the UK's most promising playwrights

Creaming Spires: Week Two

Penny Tration gets her head around the art of foreplay

Interview: Taavet Hinrikus

Jessica Hao talks money with one of the hottest start-up companies around

A Darker Shade of Brown

Rowan Borchers talks to Derren Brown about magic, fear and insecurity

Life in the big smoke

Tom Goulding gives a run-down of the good and the bad of London's boroughs.

Creaming Spires: the start of term

Our brand spanking new columnist Penny Tration delves into the murky world of Oxford sex so you don't have to

The Routine – Collections

As Lifestyle bids farewell to The Routine, Alex Bleasdale prepares us for the inevitable(ish).

Edinburgh DO: not just a bunch of hippies

Alexandra Bleasdale uses her vacation to try and make a change

All Your Easter Eggs In One Basket

Cherwell reviews some of the best and the worst Easter Eggs on the market.

Interview: Lenny Henry

Bethan Tabram talks to comic turned actor Lenny Henry about his latest challenging role

Travel Blog: Moscow in March

Maybe try St Petersburg instead...

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