It is the home of various industries including a growing number of light industrial high-technology companies which have developed from University research or are attracted by the proximity of the University. It is also a major tourist centre and acts as the market-town and main shopping centre for the area. The city has its own cultural and sports facilities, including a museum, two theatres, and a second-division football club. There is heavy traffic in Oxford, and much of the city centre is now closed to private traffic.
Car parking is extremely difficult.
Few colleges can provide parking facilities for students, nor are they allowed to park their cars on University premises except with special permission. Fortunately, most of the University area can be comfortably covered on foot or bicycle. Second-hand bicycles can be hired or bought. Bookshops Oxford has many bookshops including Blackwells, Waterstones, Thorntons, the Oxford University Press Bookshop in the High Street, and a number of second-hand booksellers. It is normal for students resident in the United Kingdom to be registered members of the National Health Service.