Activities, events and other family fun happening over the summer holidays in/near Oxford!
For other ideas for things to do – check out our family events calendar and our days out section.
Want to get something listed on Mumbler? Contact me here.
You won’t want to miss ‘Fairytale Festival’, which will run every day from 22nd July to 3rd September 2023. With interactive fairy tale storytelling that will bring some of the most famous fairy tales alive, a puppet show workshop, crafts, summer games and challenges along the trail, fun interactions and petting with our friendly animals, there will be something for everyone.
Activities include:
*Complete the crossword challenge to enter the draw. The winning family team will receive a family Annual Pass worth £150!
No special tickets are required for Fairytale Festival. Just book a standard ticket with a visit date between 22nd July and 3rd September.
Spend the Summer with The Hedgehog Club!
We have lots of events planned.
Sunday 25th June – International Mud Day Family Session
Come and join us in Hailey Wood for lots of muddy fun and games. Fun for all ages from toddlers up to 12 years old. All children must come with an adult.
£15 per child including drinks and marshmallows on the fire.
10-12.30pm at Hailey Wood near Witney.
Summer Holiday Activity Days
2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 23rd and 24th August.
These are full days for children aged 5 -12 years old. 9.30am to 3.30pm with an early drop off/late pick available.
Full days of learning new skills, nature connection and campfire cooking.
£37 for a day, takes place at Hailey Wood near Witney.
The Great Hedgehog Club Camp Out
Wednesday 23rd August.
Come and join us for a sleepover in the woods. Take part in night-time games and looking out for nocturnal wildlife.
For children aged 5-12 years. £37 a child, includes BBQ supper, breakfast and lunch for the next day.
Hope to see you in the woods this summer!
Enjoy a showcase of the best talks, tours, family fun, entertainment and more at Waddesdon Manor this summer season.
Get the hottest tickets in town and watch family friendly theatre performances take place throughout the summer, featuring tales of camaraderie, riotous comedy and daring action. Jam and groove with the Junkyard Orchestra Soundgarden and experience captivating tales and pop-up library with Shed of Stories.
Experience an impressive birds of prey display with a selection of beautiful birds to meet and greet and get up close and personal with real live exotic animals from Zoolab.
Don’t forget to pick up garden games to enjoy in the Manor Grounds where families can participate in drop-in summer sports. With a circus workshop, craft activities, face painting and much more, discover something for the whole family.
As well as the beautiful gardens, relaxing walks and incredible art that Waddesdon offers all year round, summer at Waddesdon guarantees to bring you new activities, skills and memories for all the family.
Start your adventure at Waddesdon this Summer!
In the second Hogshaw Wildlife Week of the summer, we’ve lined up an exciting programme of nature-inspired live theatre! Join our friendly gardener and cheeky magpie on a heartwarming journey about friendship in our brand new show – Along Came A Magpie. Then, see if you can spot our other colourful animal characters as they pop up around the farm. Hear what they have to say about their lives, their struggles and how little changes can make a big difference.
31st July – 4th August 2023
Tel: 01296 670444
Join us at the weekends for FREE volunteer-led family gallery tours during July & August 2023
Listen to stories and hunt for history while you explore the galleries. There will be craft activities and you can take home your creations. The family gallery tours will last around one hour.
UPCOMING TOURS: Tours this summer start at 11am
During school holidays, family tours are limited to 15 families: first come, first served. Please visit the Welcome Desk to sign up.
July
Sun 16 Jul
Sun 30 Jul
NB For July dates, the theme of either Rome OR Egypt, is determined on guide availability. If you would like to request a specific tour in advance, please contact families@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
August
There are three set tours, including a new Ancient Greece experience to choose from:
Tue 15 Aug – Egypt
Tue 22 Aug – Rome
Tue 29 Aug – Greece
Paddingtonâ„¢ Lo-Commotion
Tuesday 4th July – Sunday 3rd September 2023
This summer, join Paddingtonâ„¢ in an immersive outdoor adventure across the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Paddingtonâ„¢ Lo-commotion is the perfect day out for families who love to immerse themselves in storytelling and puppetry.
Paddington™ Lo-commotion takes audiences on a journey to meet their favourite characters from the Paddington stories, search for a ‘buried treasure’, and have the opportunity to hop on board a real locomotive subject to availability on the day.
At the end of the 55-minute adventure, families can enjoy free arts and crafts-based activities, make a pit stop at the gift shop, featuring a unique selection of locally sourced and inspired Blenheim Palace souvenirs, and visit one of several places to enjoy food and drink around Blenheim Palace.
Pre-booking required.
Our children’s treasure hunts are extremely popular and an ideal way to keep the little ones busy while you browse plants (or eat cake).
The hunts cost £2 per child to enter, with all the takings going directly to our chosen mental health charities Restore and Mind.
Open everyday March- October except TUESDAYS 9.30am-6pm.
Bunkers Hill, Near Kidlington, OX5 3BA – 01869 331492
From our ever-popular bouncy pillows to peaceful corners with expansive views of the surrounding countryside, we like to think there’s something for everyone.
For families: meet the farmyard animals, milking demonstration, bottle feeding lambs and goats, and tractor farm safaris, play areas and wildlife walk & messy play sessions
Guiting Power, Nr. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5UG
Pre-booking advisable.
Summer hours 10am-6pm (last admission 4pm)
As well as plenty of seasonal events, Cotswold Wildlife Park also has a range of activities that run daily throughout the year.
Penguins feeding, Lemur feeding, Big Cats, Children’s Farmyard, Narrow Gauge Railway & Adventure Playground.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4JP
T: +44 (0) 1993 823 006
Cygnets Art School Abingdon is a professional-level fine art school for children in the Abingdon area. Our curriculum covers new, exciting themes where students have the chance to explore an array of innovative techniques. We are running summer holiday workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 2pm throughout August.
1st – 31st August 2023
Tel: 07411 686935
Little Acorns: half day sessions. A variety of activities & crafts for children to discover, from weaving and water play to a mud kitchen and minibeast hunts.
Family Sun Printing Art Workshop- 31st July & 1st August 2023
Ancient Adventure Day – Under 10s Wed 2nd Aug
Ancient Adventure Day – Over 11s- Wed 9th Aug
Clumps Go Ancient: Archaeology Festival 5th & 6th August 2023
Family Pizza Cook Up 11th Aug & Big summer Feast 31st August
Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QZ
Tel: 01865 407792
Jump on board our tractor-trailer for a safari around the farm! Spot special sights along the route and enjoy a different view of our beautiful countryside location. Cool off with a dip in the splash pool, or some fun in the new sand & water play zone. Tickets include all the usual fun of summer on the farm, including free daily bird display.
5th – 20th August 2023
Tel: 01296 670444
Open daily, 10am to 5pm. Last admission 4pm.
Oxford Lodge,
Peacock Gate,
Nuneham Courtenay
OX44 9PX
Telephone
01865 610300
We regularly host family-friendly events for children and have free trails available during open hours.
Free entry. Donations welcome
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-5 pm
Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AZ
Come and celebrate our glorious countryside in the first Hogshaw Wildlife Week of this summer. Visit our Nature Stations to learn more about minibeasts, British birds and other country dwellers. Try your hand at wildlife inspired crafts, follow new trails & enjoy all the fun of summer on the farm.
24th – 30th July 2023
Tel: 01296 670444
1st August- 4th Sept 2023
This is a FREE event.The annual summer fairy door trail at the Trap Grounds Nature Reserve has doors, fairies, fairy postboxes and magic sprinkled around for everyone to enjoy.
Location: Frenchay Rd, Oxford OX2 6TF. The site lies between the canal and the railway line, immediately south of the Frenchay Road canal bridge, off Woodstock Road
At the Maple Tree there are lots of things to do throughout the summer holidays.
Littleworth Rd, Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1NW
Teddy Bears Picnic at Sprouts Playbarn: 18th July & 1st, 2nd & 3rd August
Millets Maize Maze: Tuesday 18th July – Sunday 3rd September 2023
Ball, Beer & Burger Evenings: Multiple dates over the summer
Folksy Theatre – ‘The Ugly Duckling’ Thursday 10th August
Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road, Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB.
Opening hours Monday–Sunday 10:00–17:00
Download our family trails from our website: Dinosaur Detective, Which Whale, Creature Colours, Skeleton Spotters & Breathtaking Birds.
Awesome Animals: Pop along to our summer holiday activity stand to find out more about some of the awesome animals in the Museum’s natural history collections.Hands-on with specimen handling. Drop-in, no booking needed.
Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW
Notcutt’s Garden Centre, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PY
Free Heritage Bus Rides Sunday 6th & Sunday 20th August, Sunday 3rd & Sun 17th September 2023 12.15 & 2.15pm
Historic Cycle Day Sunday 13th August 10.30am – 4.30pm
Children’s Day  Bank Holiday Monday 28th August with Free Heritage Bus Rides 12.15 & 2.15pm
(The buses will depart from Oxford Bus Museum)
MUSEUM OPENING TIMES
WED 10.00 – 4.00
SUN Â 10.00 – 4.00
SAT Â 10.00 – 4.00 (JULY & AUGUST ONLY)
AND MOST BANK HOLIDAYS
LAST ENTRY 3.30
CAFÉ/SHOP CLOSES 3.30
Hanborough Rail Station Yard, Main Rd, Long Hanborough, Witney OX29 6LA
ROMEO & JULIET Dates: 3 July – 29 July 2023
BIRDS OF PREY AT OXFORD CASTLE & PRISON – 22ND JULY & 2ND SEPTEMBER 2023
JOIN OUR KNIGHT SCHOOL THIS SUMMER: Selected dates between 24th July and 14th August 2023
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM:Dates: 31st July – 12th August 2023
44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY
Colour, craft and make Tuesday 25 Jul 2023, 10.30am-12pm
Hoards, coins and maps Tuesday 25 Jul 2023, 2pm-4pm
Fletcher’s House, Park St, Woodstock OX20 1SN
Here at Oxfordshire Play Association we deliver Community Play Days across the County. These fun packed days include a wide range of play activities including face paining, soft play, giant bubbles, fire play, go karting and much, much, much, much more! Entry and ALL activities are free to everyone who wants to come and play and have fun.
Summer holiday Play & Activity Days:
Northway & Marston Play & Activity Day
Saturday 15th July
Northway Recreation Ground OX3 9RU
Bicester Elmsbrook Play & Activity Day 2023
Tuesday 25th July 2023
Gagle Brook Primary School, Cranberry Avenue OX27 8BD
Banbury Peoples Park Playday 2023
Wednesday 26th July
Warwick Rd, Banbury OX16 0AD
Eynsham Play & Activity Day 2023
Thursday 27th July 2023
Oxford Road Playing Field, OX29 4HG
Cutteslowe Play & Activity Day 2023
Saturday 29th July 2023
Sunnymead Recreation Ground, Wren Road OX2 7SX
Berinsfield Play & Activity Day 2023
Tuesday 1st August 2023
Berinsfield Pavilion Playing Fields Off Lay Avenue OX10 7NX
Witney Play & Activity Day
Thursday 3rd August 2023
Oxlease / Waddards Meadow off Church Lane OX28 3JZ
Faringdon Play & Activity Day 2023
Friday 4th August 2023
Tucker Park, SN7 7BP
Banbury Princess Diana Park Playday Summerfest
Wednesday 16th August 2023
Bicester Garrison / Ambrosden Playday
Friday 25th August
Bicester Garrison Community Centre OX25 2RB
River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1BF
26th July – 31st August 2023 Summer holiday fun become a Nature Detective at Roves Farm
Paw Patrol Sat 29th July
Pirates & princesses Sat 16th August
The Mad Hatter Sat 26th August
Open every day 9am-5pm, come rain or shine!
Roves Farm & Visitor Centre, Sevenhampton, Swindon SN6 7QG
Incredible Forces August 7, 2023 – August 11, 2023
Our family science show for ages 4-8 is out on the road this summer, visiting libraries around Oxfordshire. With a range of interactive demos, experiments and lots of audience participation, explore the science behind some super-forces. Why have we brought a skateboard to your library? Why does a football move and stop? What stops us from sliding around? Mini-Isaac Newton’s get hands-on with gravity, motion and magnets, and help answer some important questions!
The shows are free to attend; book direct via participating libraries
MONDAY 7 AUGUST
ADDERBURY LIBRARY 11AM-12PM
BOTLEY LIBRARY 2PM-3PM
TUESDAY 8 AUGUST
SONNING COMMON LIBRARY 11AM-12PM
LITTLEMORE LIBRARY 2PM-3PM
THURSDAY 10 AUGUST
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY LIBRARY 11AM-12PM
ABINGDON LIBRARY 2PM-3PM
FRIDAY 11 AUGUST
WYCHWOOD LIBRARY 11AM-12PM
BAMPTON LIBRARY 2PM-3PM
Pond Dipping
August 12th 2023
Pinball WhizzKids
September 30th
Science Oxford, Douglas Downes Cl, Quarry Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 8SB
Story Explorers: Fearsome Fruit and Venomous Plants 1 Aug- 4 Aug 2023
Story Explorers: The power of puppets 2 Aug – 11 Aug 2023
Comic Club 29th July & 30th Sept 2023
Lego Master Builders Club 10th Aug, 17th Aug 2023
David Gibb’s Family Jukebox 9th Sept 2023
42 Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP
Come and try your hand at our special garden games as we enjoy the last lovely weeks of our big summer on the farm, at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park. Plenty of great outdoor fun to be had, plus all the usual animal encounters, NEW sand & water play, and splash pool!
21st August – 3rd September 2023
Tel: 01296 670444
Orienteering family fun during the summer holidays from 15 July through to the 3 September 2023. Enjoy exploring the ornamental gardens, using directions and clues to follow the sculpture trail!
£4.00 per child with a prize (compass supplied), tickets available from the Gift Barn, pre-booking not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the standard gard
Entrance fee applies.
Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LA
Spectacular Sports Weekend 5th August – 6th August 2023
Welly’s Summer Fun Weekend 12th August – 13th August 2023
Welly’s Big Dino Takeover! 17th August – 19th August 2023
Bouncy Castles in the Park 26th August – 28th August 2023
Odiham Rd, Riseley, Reading RG7 1SP
