Conference Location: Oxford
Beautiful Oxford is one of the oldest and most celebrated university cities in the world. Founded in the 8th century and granted city status in 1542, it is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Thames and Cherwell – about 90km north-west of London. The city centre boasts iconic places to visit including the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, the Botanic Garden, Covered Market, Ashmolean Museum and Oxford Castle & Prison.
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“That sweet city with her dreaming spires”
Matthew Arnold
Oxford has also played a major role in modern culture, providing the backdrop for the books of J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip Pulman, Evelyn Waugh and Lewis Carroll. As a film location it is ever popular, including Harry Potter, Saltburn, Wonka, Dr. Strange, Mama Mia2 and Saving Private Ryan. Local bands include Radiohead, The Foals and Supergrass. It has given us the first Covid vaccine, penicillin and the world-wide web.
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“I wonder how anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful. One almost expects the people to sing instead of speaking. It is an opera”
William Butler Yeats
Extending your stay: Oxfordshire
The surrounding Oxfordshire area is a perfect place to extend your stay. Whether you choose to visit historic Blenheim House (birthplace of Winston Churchill) or explore the iconic Cotswold villages or head to the discount designer mecca of Bicester Village for some retail therapy, there is something for everyone. It also provides an easy springboard for a weekend in London or the historic city of Bath.
Places to visit and stay in Oxford:
How to get here:
Conference Venue
The 2026 Global Brand Conference will take place at the Oxford Brookes Headington campus. The postcode is OX3 0BP. Events will take place on both sides of the road – John Henry Brookes building (Gypsy Lane side) and the New Headington Hill Teaching building (Headington Hill side).
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To get to campus from the centre of Oxford the best public bus is the #400 operated by the Oxford Bus Company and takes about 15 minutes from the centre depending on the traffic. Or Uber/taxi. For those wanting to get their steps in, it is about a 30 minute walk (and includes the aerobic Headington Hill). If you are staying in the Headington area of Oxford itself, it is walking distance (and flat) to campus – but can use the bus to get back from the centre (where the evening social events will be taking place)
City of Oxford
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Air: London Heathrow is the nearest international airport. By train either get the Elizabeth line tube or Heathrow Express train to London Paddington and then a direct train to ‘Oxford’ (note: NOT Oxford Parkway). There are direct buses from Heathrow airport to Oxford run by National Express and the Oxford Bus Company.
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Train: From London Paddington station to Oxford .
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Bus: Direct from central London. Note: the ‘Oxford Tube’ (actually a bus!) and London buses run by Stagecoach Oxfordshire stop directly at our Headington campus if you are arriving on the Wednesday morning or arriving earlier and staying in the Headington area.
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Car: We strongly recommend you don’t travel by car. Oxford as a city is pro-public transport and bicycles and very anti-car (think congestion charges, limited parking, long queues).
Contact us
For further information about the conference please contact:
gbc2026@brookes.ac.uk​​