Wondering what to do with the kids this Christmas?
Oxford is just a hop, skip and a jump away and it's a great place for kids. You just need to know where to go and what to do.
Check out these insider tips by Kelli Terrington, an Oxford mum and founder of Ox and Cross Publishing, publisher of the Oxford Colouring Book, where all proceeds go to charities that help children.
1. The Botanic Garden near Magdalen Bridge has an inspiring Christmas tree decorated with things found in the garden. If you are worried about being out in the cold, there are several glasshouses where you can keep warm and admire many interesting plants despite the outside temperatures.
2. The Oxford Playhouse is showing Sleeping Beauty Panto for ages four and up and across the road is The Ashmolean Museum, where you can take the kids for lunch. The café in the basement is child-friendly and has a very nice feel to it and is more like a London museum café than one you would find in a university town.
3. Burton Taylor Theatre is showing Shoe Baby– a magical puppet show and fantasical adventure that the little ones will love.
4. The Oxford Covered Market – There are many sights, sounds and smells at Oxford’s Covered Market. During the holidays, the market is particularly magical, with lots of Christmas decorations and festive lights. Children will especially enjoy the cake-making and fun cake designs, the boutique children’s store Two Foot Nothing and the treats at Ben’s Cookie’s.
5. Oxford Castle Unlocked– built in 1071 (you can view the prison) and you can climb the mound where the original fortress was built (there are lots of places to eat as well, like Krispy Kreme, Pizza Express, Carluccio’s, Tootsie’s). The area is pedestrianized, so safe for children. Parking nearby at Worcester Car Park.
6. Children's Christmas Service at Saint Michael at the North Gate, complete with donkey who will be meeting the public in Cornmarket Street about an hour beforehand. 4:00pm on 22nd of December.
7. Museum of Natural History– Oxford’s Museum of Natural History is home to the second largest collections of dinosaur remains in the country – which children love to visit. The museum has a Polar Bear Trail beginning the 13th of December and running through the second week of January.
8. Magdalen College Deer Park- Although there are no reindeer in Oxford, Magdalen College does have a herd of deer in The Grove that children can enjoy spotting. You can follow the deer-spotting with a gentle stroll around the college’s tree-lined Addision’s Walk. Magdalen College is open until the 22nd of December and then re-opens on the 5th January.
9. There are some great new places to eat in Oxford on George Street (near the Worcester Street Car Park) that are also child-friendly, including Giraffe, Nando’s, Jamie’s Italian, The Gourmet Burger Company and Brasserie Gerard.
10. Blackwell’s Bookshop– There is a Family Day on Saturday (13th of December) at Blackwell’s on 48-51 Broad Street. There will be face-painting, a visit from Father Christmas, book signing by Korky Paul, carol singing, mince pies and mulled wine. And if miss this, visit anyway there is a wonderful children's section and the bookshop is an Oxford gem.
Gift Idea: The Oxford Colouring Book features Little Ox as he visits Oxford’s most famous sights, including the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library, Botanic Garden and an Oxford College. All of the proceeds from the books go to charities working with orphaned and abandoned children.
This article was written by Kelli, a mum of two living in Oxford. She founded Ox & Cross Publishing to produce books and related materials for children, with the purpose of raising funds for charity.
Photo credit: Paullew
Thanks for all the tips Kelli.
I go to Oxford all the time, and haven't been to many of your suggestions. Just goes to show it's nice to have some insider info.
If you could only do one or two things -- which would top your list?
Posted by: Susanna (A Modern Mother) | 12 December 2008 at 10:11