Can anyone suggest places to take an 18 month old around Oxford

[minkymonkeymoo]

Hi

We are not going away this year but have decided to stay at home and visit places close to where we live (as we don't come from Oxford so it's all new to us)

Can anyone recommend good days out with things we can do with an 18 month old?

We are looking to go out most days (of our 2 weeks) and are happy to travel up to 2 hours (so there must be LOADS of places).

Many thanks in advance

No idea I'm afraid as I'm not from that area - but an 18 month old won't really care what they do. They may like going on train, watching boats on the river, looking at plants at places like Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum, going to parks, visit a farm, may like the Natural History Museum (has two dinosaur skeleton casts)
Further away for a day out is Bekonscot model village.

Thanks nannynick. That's what I thought really - as long as they can have a bit of a run around somewhere and there are new things for them to look at.

Many thanks for your reply

We recently took DD1 (22 months)to Blenheim Palace - there is a little train to ride on, a secret garden, butterfly house, maze and playarea. She loved it - we had a quick cursory walk around the house then headed outside. She has a fab day and was exhausted by the end of it Which was a bonus.

Cutteslowe Park is free and has a little ride on train free (about £1 a go I think) and a playground (although it is quite a grown up playground) and a duck pond and lots of space for running, chasing balls, and picnics.

Dinosaur skeletons in Natural History Museum.

Cotswold Wildlife Park is excellent, and there is a little farm park somewhere nearby too.

Found this link when looking for Cutteslowe park reference and this website which I hadn't seen before - might be helpful?

Have fun.

locally don't forget Abbey Gardens / Park in Abingdon.

or go up to Rugrats and Halfpints in Banbury - has a purpose built soft play area for younger ones.

further afield there's:
trout farm at Bibury
Burford - town or garden centre (nice play area and food)
Bourton on the water
Beale Farm Park near Reading
Warwick
Stratford upon Avon
Millets Farm in Abingdon
Evesham Country Park
Hatton Country World near Warwick
Sealife Centre in Birmingham (under 2hrs if you use train)

If you go to Botanic gardens it is worth getting an annual pass for that and Harcourt Arboretum. It is only £12 per adult and we really make the most of ours during the autumn at the Arboretum.

Roves Farm just past Faringdon is brilliant as well as all the other suggestions.

The naturel history museum actively encourages the children to touch the exhibits so it is great for the little ones. Oh and the toy department in Boswells is particularly good.

Would also second all the other suggestions - especially Beale Park. DD spent the whole time int he little tikes village when we last went!

Forgot to say that at Blenheim you can (at themoment) change your adult ticket for an annual pass at no extra cost.

Feeding the ducks and going for a long (tiring) walk in the University Parks is always a good one.

Thanks all. These are the kinds of things I was thinking about but didn't really know about!

Off to google and plan

Beale Park is fab - I went there as a child, and it was lovely to take DS there and see him enjoying it.

How about a boat ride on the Thames ? Salters do them, and it is a bit different

Steam trains at Didcot or Cholsey (both connect with mainline services for extra fun)

Wallingford has a really nice paddling pool by the river

Cotswold Farm Park is good

Hinksey Park on Abingdon road is great, good playground, includes sand, splash area, and outdoor pool.
Agree with other posts about natrual history, blenheim, cuttleslowe park, bekonscot and milletts farm.

National trust places that are good are Waddesson Manor, nice gardens, land train and playground. Hidcote Gardens beautiful, nothing particularly for children but my 3 year old likes it and laid out as lots of differnet rooms with lots of steps and exploring opportunities for toddlers.

Rectory Farm pick your own as well as fruit and veg has bouncy castle and bouncy slide for free.

Thanks :)