1 afternoon in batha and Oxford, what to do

[FurBabyMum02]

We are heading to Cornwall from derbyshire so a long drive. We're stopping in Bath 1 way and Oxford on the way back to break it up. We have a 13month old.

What would you do with an afternoon/early evening in each of these places?

Bath - have a wander round the town center, visit the Roman baths. Have an Ice cream.
Oxford I would not think of driving in - traffic is terrible. minimal parking and lots of tourists. I would find a nice pub on The outskirts/countryside
If I was determined to go then would use a park and ride or park at the big west gate shopping center and be prepared for a lot of traffic.

I live in Oxford and can say that there’s nothing here for a child so young. It’s filled with tourists and even walking around I think your little one will suffer. Perhaps try a farm park on the outskirts?

We will be on the outskirts of Oxford, cowley premier Inn but we're willing to drive into it for a meal etc if needed but sounds like we're better staying away!

Bath we are much more central and the baths sounds like it could be a good idea. I had honestly forgotten they were there, how when the place is named bath I have no idea!

Of course you can have a nice time in Oxford with a one year old, some of us even live here with babies!

Get the bus into Oxford and go for a pram walk around the centre and to a pub. Get off at the high st and do Christ church meadow and / or Radcliffe square or broad st.

The Royal Oak is nice but not very convenient for your accommodation.

If baby is crawling you could go to the natural history museum and let him crawl or toddle around, especially if it is a Sunday as they have activities like colouring for little ones and there are lots of crawling babies. There is also a park next to it.

Or go punting...? You can hire punts from Magdalene bridge (near high st so direct bus from your hotel). But check they allow kids/ have life jackets.

Have lunch in a pub by the Oxford canal, very picturesque.

Bath - look at the putney Bridge

Would you have time to pop to Bath Spa?

Jacobs’s Inn is a nice child friendly pub near to Port Meadow in Oxford. But maybe a hassle from Crowley as it’s the wrong side. Maybe a trip out to Blenheim and walk around the grounds- it is lovely for kids and lots of playgrounds/activities.

Re oxford: Florence Park off cowley road has nice atmosphere and kid friendly. Cafe also
The jolly postboys pub is (obviously) a pub but especially late pm Fridays lots of kids and parents having a pre bed time drink.

Isis pub lovely on a sunny summers evening but not especially kid friendly. Garden for crawling tho

Bath has lots of nice play areas as well for children Sydney gardens would be ideal for your little ones age if you want to spend time.

also most hotels are connected to bath babysitting agency so you could hire a sitter and go out for a few hours spending time in the spa at night is lovely.

Re Oxford If it's a nice day, get a cab or bus to Christchurch meadow and wander around. You can't use all the smaller gates with a buggy but you can go in the main gate on st aldates I think. Alternatively get off the bus on the high st walk up queens lane, see the rad cam, sheldonian, and can go up to the Nat history/Pitt rivers and/or uni park.

The main streets eg cornmarket/queen st are a pita with a buggy.

If it's all a bit hectic in town, the ashmolean is interesting for you and peaceful for small person. There's also a cafe in the basement.

Book an early table in a restaurant somewhere if your little one is ok in a high chair. I would book ahead even if only on the day, don't attempt a walk in they can get v booked up

You can easily get a bus down the Cowley Road into Oxford, I'd do that rather than drive. There are plenty of things to do wkth a baby. We took DS1 to the Natural history/Pitt Rivers museum at that age and he enjoyed looking at the animals and going up and down the steps. The Botanical Gardens are nice, and there are lots of nice parks/greens for a picnic or potter around. Get cookies from Ben's in the covered market, they are fabulous.
In Bath there is a really nice fudge shop near the Roman Baths.

Aw so many lovely suggestions thank you! We're due to go Sunday and DS has just woken up with a temperature so hopefully it's just a 24 hour thing or that's going to be a fun journey if we can still go 🤒

Royal Victoria park in Bath is really good for kids. It's a huge park and at one end there's a large play area full of equipment. The park is also close to the Crescent which is worth seeing lots of lovely cafes around too. Personally I love the bakery section of Good Day Cafe - well worth a visit