7 minute read
What’s On
What’s On Things to do, places to go and fun to be had for kids of all ages in Oxfordshire
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Heritage Open Days
WHERE: Oxfordshire WHEN: 10th – 19th September England’s largest festival of history and culture, gives you the chance to discover local, hidden gems. Churches, museums, railways, gardens: lots of venues open their doors to the public.
Free. Booking recommended. www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Agatha Christie Day
WHERE: Wallingford Museum WHEN: 11th September Visit the Agatha Christie exhibition in the museum, have a go at a special Agatha Christie quiz and see other exhibits including the new model of Wallingford Castle. Guided Agatha Christie walks also available (additional charge). Free
www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk
Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers
WHERE: The Story Museum WHEN: 12th September, 11.00 & 14.30 An immersive and interactive performance, involving games and imaginative play, while exploring Roald Dahlʼs extraordinary stories. Especially made for ages 6 and up.
£10.00 per person. Pre-booking essential www.storymuseum.org.uk 01865 790050
WHERE: Sutton Courtenay WHEN: 13th& 17th September and 11th and 15th October, 9.30 (and 12.30 on Fridays) Environmental Education Centre Join friendly Nature Tots staff and volunteers to explore the nature reserves and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years. £7.00 (90 minutes)
www.bbowt.org.uk/events/
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre WHEN: Saturdays from 11th September – 23rd October Explore, discover and play in their Exploration Zone, pick up an activity sheet and follow their woodland nature trails. Take an aquatic adventure and make a splash with their new outdoor Water Lab (take a change of dry clothes in case you get wet!)! Suitable for children 3 years +
£6.00 per person (under 3’s free). Woodland access all day. scienceoxford.com/events/ 01865 810000
Baby Ashmoles Online
WHERE: Ashmolean Museum WHEN: 17th September: 10.30 – 11.00 Baby Ashmoles Online sessions include sing-along, play ideas, and a short object talk for the grownups and will be run as a Zoom call. Under 1’s Free
www.ashmolean.org/events
AUTUMN FESTIVAL
WHERE: Blenheim Palace WHEN: 24th – 26th September & 1st-3rd October A Traditional inspired Harvest Festivals in the Walled Garden, locally sourced food, ridiculously fun games for all ages, a fiendishly difficult adventure competition, and it seems somebody let the dragons out so take a risk and slip through the maze, but if they catch you don’t blame us. From £10
www.blenheimpalace.com
PYO Pumpkins
WHERE: Millets Farm Centre, Abingdon WHEN: From 25th September Open weekends and daily during half term. Have fun picking, wheeling and weighing your own pumpkin!
www.milletsfarmcentre.com/ what-s-on
Illuminated Evenings
WHERE: Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton WHEN: Weekends from 9th October, from 16.00 The park will be open all day as normal, but when daylight fades the entire Enchanted Walk will become a magical wonderland of fairy lights.
From £7.25 (Under 2’s Free) www.fairytalefarm.co.uk 01608 238014
Autumn Fair
WHERE: Harcourt Arboretum WHEN: 9th October, 10.00 – 16.00 Get creative with family-friendly autumn crafts, take a stroll amongst the spectacular Acer leaves, enjoy some tasty food from one of their food stalls and try some local brewed beers and ciders. Suitable for all ages.
Adult £5.45 children under 16 free www.obga.ox.ac.uk
Meet Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking
WHERE: The Story Museum WHEN: 9th October, 11.00 & 14.30 Celebrate Astrid Lindgren’s much-loved story hero, Pippi Longstocking, ‘the strongest girl in the world’. A special storytelling performance by Sofie Miller particularly designed for young audiences. Expect plenty of mischief and laughter!
£8.00 per person Pre-booking essential www.storymuseum.org.uk 01865 790050
Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever!
WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 20th& 21st October Prepare for the brand new Peppa Pig live show packed full of songs, games and laughter, it really is the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans! Suitable for ages 12 months+ From £10.00
www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305
Thame Food Festival
WHERE: The Thame Showground WHEN: 25th and 26th September Demonstrations on the Big Cookery Stage, artisan and street food, the Humble Country marquee, live music, FestivAles’ pop up pub, children’s activity area, circus skills tent, dog show and much more!
Adult from £10.00 (children under 16 free) thamefoodfestival.co.uk
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
WHERE: Blenheim Palace WHEN: 22nd – 31st October, 18.30 – 22.00 As Halloween approaches and the days shorten, a mysterious mist falls across the gardens. Wander from dusk into darkness between one ghostly space to another... if you dare! From £10.00
(Children under 2 free) www.blenheimpalace.com
Halloween at Waddesdon
WHERE: Waddesdon Manor WHEN: 23rd – 31st October, 10.00 – 17.00 Enjoy a fantastical immersive safari experience throughout October half-term as well as more traditional spooky treats to tickle your tastebuds
£3.50 per trail (Entrance charges apply). Booking essential www.waddesdon.org.uk
Go Batty for Bats Halloween Trail
WHERE: Sutton Courtenay WHEN: 25th – 28th October, 10.00 – 14.00 Environmental Education Centre Spooky Halloween-themed trail through their nature reserve suitable for children ages 4-11.
£3.00 per child, adults free www.bbowt.org.uk/events/
Stick Man
WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 22nd – 24th October This award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Suitable for ages 3 years + From £10.00
www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305
‘Scarily Ever After’ Halloween Event
WHERE: Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton WHEN: 23rd – 31st October Venture down the Enchanted Walk to solve spooky riddles, choose your free pumpkin and get carving in Jack’s Yard. Arrive in your best Halloween fancy dress for your chance to win a treat!
From £7.25 (Under 2’s Free) www.fairytalefarm.co.uk 01608 238014
Pumpkin Trail and Spooky Science
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre WHEN: 26th – 28th October, Take a stroll through the spooky woodland and celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin trail. For the brave souls that make it back a treat awaits… Conjure the science of colour with chromatography-bats or try some spooky levitation and design a flying fright!
scienceoxford.com/events 01865 810000
Hallowsteam!
WHERE: Didcot Railway Centre WHEN: 27th - 31st October Take a steam train trip to a spooky Victorian station decorated with cobwebs, spiders and bats, see a rare coffin trolley and step into a “haunted” carriage. Other attractions will also be open.
From £8.80 www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 01235 817200
Please note all events are subject to change and cancellation in view of any future COVID-19 legislations.
Dissect Owl Pellets
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre WHEN: 30th October Twit-twoo. Kick off your Halloween festivities by dissecting owl pellets and discover clues about what the owl has eaten.... The woodland is open too – grab a pumpkin trail map and see if you can spot the pumpkins hidden in the trees.
scienceoxford.com/events 01865 810000
Pete Stays Home
WHERE: The North Wall Arts Centre WHEN: 30th October, 11.00 & 14.00 Featuring original songs, dance and interactive storytelling, this is the perfect early theatre experience for children and an opportunity for families to share their feelings about having to stay home during lockdown.
From £6.00 www.thenorthwall.com
Whizz Kidz
WHERE: Thame WHEN: September and October Why not head to Whizz Kidz for a fun hour or two, or more should you little one not yet be tired. Large indoor softplay / entertainment centre which has everything you could want.
Child prices from £4.25 (age dependent) www.whizzkidz-thame.co.uk
WHERE: Burford WHEN: September and October: 10.00 – 18.00 Wonderful animals and seasonal events complemented by daily activities: penguin feeding, adventure playground, farmyard fun and single-gauge railway! Child from £11.00; Under 3s FREE. Pre-Booking essential
www.cotswoldwildlifepark. co.uk 01993 823006
Crocodiles of the World
WHERE: Brize Norton WHEN: September and October, 10.00 – 17.00 With under-water viewing, talks, animal encounters and feeds throughout the day there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo.
From £7.95 www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk 01993 846353
Tumblestone Hollow
WHERE: Stonor Park WHEN: September and October High level walkways, climbing nets, look-out decks and bridges, all connected by a quirky, gnarled central tower– perfect for the kids to burn off some energy.
