The abundance of sun in Oxfordshire means the summer holidays are in full swing. There are many activities, events and tours happening throughout the county this summer. Here are some of our top picks to make this a summer to remember!
1.University of Oxford’s Mindgrowing Gardens, Libraries & Museums
Discover seven worlds of adventure at Oxford University this summer where you will find over 50 fun-packed activities – and almost all are free to attend! Make your own Alfred Jewel at the Anglo-Saxons Big Weekend on 21 – 22 July. Get hands-on with their Operation Earth kit and discover more about nature every Friday 2 – 4 pm. And grab your scissors for outdoor craft every Tuesday in August. Pick up a passport at any of their seven venues then collect three stickers to claim a prize! It’s a positively perfect place to expand your mind! Sail off into the many astonishing collections, an odd universe of light bulb moments, magic, mystery, monsters, diagrams, dreams and dodos. Yes, dodos.
For a full complete list of event details, please read here!
2. The Oxfordshire Museum Peter Rabbit: Mischief & Mayhem
Peter Rabbit hops, skips and jumps right off the page in this interactive exhibition at The Oxfordshire Museum about Beatrix Potter’s most famous creation. Discover original illustrations and memorabilia and see how Potter turned her mischievous bunny into an international celebrity.
Have fun and games with your favourite characters in the activity playroom, visitors can have fun helping Mrs. Tiggywinkle hang up the laundry or visit Mrs. Rabbit in her burrow! Children can dress up as Peter, help plant carrots in Mr. McGregor’s garden or curl up with one of the books in our story corner.
3. Cogges Manor Farm Summer Days
Enjoy simple summer days at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, where your family can explore the beautiful house, grounds and secret walled garden – perfect for picnics, meeting the farm animals, games and woodland adventures. New to discover in 2018, a bale maze and summer trail, as well as daily changing activities, including arts & craft, storytelling, Woodland Club and nature play. Science Oxford will also be hosting their sell-out workshops on 31st July and 7th August (book in advance). Most activities are included in your Cogges admission or free for Season Ticket holders.
Plus, the 7th Annual Cogges Beer & Cider Festival on 27 & 28 July features some of the best brews in the country. There are over 30 beers and ciders available to try, all sourced from breweries within 30 miles of Cogges, and served up to over 1,000 punters.
4. Waterperry Gardens Summer Fun Trails
Take a tumble into a magical adventure at Waterperry Gardens throughout the summer holidays from 14 July to 2 September. Follow the clues and compass directions to find the fairy tale characters around the gardens. £3 per child with a free compass and prize (children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies). Don’t forget all the child-friendly theatre productions & operas on at Waterperry over the summer season too!
5. Stonor Park Family Days
Picnic in the park, visit the House and Gardens, and spot all the wildlife whilst walking through the deer park. Younger children can enjoy hours of fun in wonder woods play park. Plus on from 9 – 10 August, The Great Big Tree Climbing Co. is returning to Stonor Park, so try your hand at climbing one of Stonor’s biggest trees under the tutorage of The Great Big Tree Climbing Co., the largest provider of recreational tree climbing in the country!
6. Oxford Official Walking Tours
Discover a new side to Oxford this summer with one of our Oxford Official Walking Tours. Our NEW! Official Purely Pubs of Oxford Tour is a refreshing way to experience the many lanes & pubs in the City of Spires! Your tour will be led by professionally trained green and blue badge guides. They are for all walking abilities and cover a maximum of 2 miles with tours lasting 1 to 2 hours, depending on the tour. There are no hidden charges and our walking tours include entrance fees.
Looking for a more family-friendly tour? Our Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland Tour brings the beloved characters to life as you are shown how these film sites were adapted, shown which parts of the University were used as inspiration for the Grand Hall at Hogwarts, learn more about the real little girl upon whom Alice was based, along with her real pet cat, and hear what her life was like, as well as why the books became so hugely popular.
Be sure to enter our competition to WIN Philip Pullman Oxford Official Walking Tours tickets and hardback copies of his latest novels!
7. Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre Bug Hunt
There’s plenty going on at Batsford Arboretum for all the family this summer. Join The Big Batsford Bug Hunt and find the creepy crawlies hidden around the Arboretum and mark their locations on the map provided to win a prize! The bug hunt costs £2.50 per child, plus Arboretum admission fee. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
8. The Cherwell Boathouse Summer Sunshine & Events
During the Summer months, the Cherwell Boathouse hosts a variety of informal events such as live music & theatrical performances in the lower Boathouse. They also host the wonderful Opera on the river several times throughout the summer – a unique experience not to be missed. Sunshine, opera, champagne and a picnic while drifting down the Cherwell on a punt…life could be worse! The perfect occasion for families, groups and romantic couples. Punts can be hired 7 days a week from dawn to dusk for £17 per hour on weekdays or £19 per hour on weekends!
9. Faringdon Hares in the Cotswold Hare Trail
With over 130 hares to find hidden all over the beautiful countryside, Faringdon is excited to be a part of the trail for the first time this year. along with their partner, the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There will be Hare sculptures dotted throughout Cotswold towns and countryside promoting sustainable tourism in the area, through this year’s theme of living landscapes.
The Cotswold Hare Trail is a unique tourist attraction, that can be explored by car, rail, bike or on foot. It celebrates the Cotswolds with its rich history, natural diversity, agriculture, crafts, culture and businesses. So if you have a love of public art, design, sculpture and interest in art projects and environmental conservation – then this is the trail for you and your family or friends!
10. Wallingford Town Council RAF 100 Year Celebration & Garden Party
With family-friendly activities, a Williams F1 Car on display, a performance by Goring and Streatley Band and fantastic refreshments served by 2nd Wallingford Scouts and Friends of Wallingford Hospital, Wallingford Town Council is marking the RAF’s 100th birthday and their special relationship with the town by throwing a celebration and garden party on 12 August from 1 -5 pm! It’s an afternoon not to miss!