PEOPLE in Oxford are soon to be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic torch make its way through the city.

Businesses, charities, and residents are excitedly preparing for the flame to make its way past them.

Pubs and cafes are also opening up special vantage points and drafting in extra staff to make sure the party goes with a swing.

And for those living along the route, plans are in full flow to make sure it will be a evening to remember.

The Oxford Mail takes a look at just a few of the choice spots to secure the best view.

Sue Price, of the Blackbird Leys adventure playground, said the excitement among children and parents is palpable.

The playground, which sits in a prime spot just along the route, is laying on a barbecue, holding torch relay for the children, and partying the night away as they watch the torch pass on Blackbird Leys Road.

She said: “The kids are all so excited about it. We’re really lucky it’s coming past when everyone has finished work and we can all enjoy it together.”

The torch will arrive in Oxford at the BMW Mini factory in Cowley at 5.15pm on Monday. From there it will make its way along Watlington Road, Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys Road, and Barns Road.

It will then go to Between Towns Road, Oxford Road, Cowley Road, and down to the Plain before making its way up to St Clement’s.

The Cape of Good Hope pub sits in the ideal spot to watch the torch take a turn down Cowley Road and up St Clement’s.

Pub general manager Robyn Cuthell said: “Weather depending, we will be opening up our outside patio area, which is right on The Plain, and having a bar out there, as long as it’s not pouring down.

“We will also be opening the top bar, which has great views of Cowley Road.

“The staff are excited now. I’ve been telling them it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

And the Restore Garden Cafe, in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, will also be serving tea, cake sand snacks to the crowds staff are expecting in East Oxford, while BBC Radio Oxford will broadcast live from the garden.

Anna Cautley, a staff member at Restore, said: “We’ll be opening up for the big event. Everyone is looking forward to it.”

For a map of the Olympic torch route through Oxford, see today's Oxford Mail.

Timetable Estimated arrival times of the torch relay in Oxfordshire: Monday Bicester 2.44pm London Rd 2.52pm Market Square 2.52pm Sheep St 2.55pm St John’s St 2.57pm Queen’s Ave 3.01pm King's End Kirtlington 3.13pm Heyford Rd Woodstock 3.31pm Oxford Rd 3.37pm High St 3.39pm Park Street 3.40pm Blenheim Palace Approach 3.53pm Blenheim Palace Great Court 4.24pm Blenheim Palace 4.29pm Bleinham Palace Road Kidlington 4.38pm Banbury Rd 4.47pm Oxford Rd Oxford 5.15pm Horspath Rd 5.15pm BMW Mini plant site entrance 5.33pm Watlington Rd 5.39pm Cuddesdon Way 5.47pm Blackbird Leys Rd 5.55pm Barns Rd 6.03pm Between Towns Rd 6.05pm Oxford Rd 6.11pm Cowley Rd 6.32pm St Clement’s 6.37pm Morrell Ave 6.46pm Warneford Lane 6.46pm Celebration Stage, South Park Tuesday Oxford 7.05am Iffley Road Stadium 7.15am Iffley Road Stadium running track 7.17am Oxford University rugby pitch path 7.19am Iffley Rd 7.28am Donnington Bridge Rd Abingdon 7.41am Oxford Rd 7.59am Vineyard 8.01am Stert St 8.02am Broad St 8.04am Bridge St Wallingford 8.25am Castle St 8.31am St Martin’s St 8.37am High St 8.39am The Street 8.43am The Street, Crowmarsh Gifford