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Oxfordshire places like Millet Park Farm for kiddies

22 replies

redblue · 06/07/2010 11:05

I am looking for places similar to Millets Park Farm www.milletsfarmcentre.com/farm_centre/farm_zoo_play_area.html with things like swings slides and ideally small animals - to take my little ones to occasionally. Ideally free (we have been to the cotswold wildlife park several times but it is £££)
Any suggestions? Even if it costs I would be interested to hear about places in and around Oxfordshire (not more than 30 mins in the car from Oxford centre tho) thanks

OP posts:
Jazzicatz · 06/07/2010 11:16

Beale Park in Pangbourne is good - has a big paddling pool for the children to play in as well as animals and a lovely walk around the gardens!

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 06/07/2010 11:21

Cogges Manor Farm used to be great, but it's closed at the moment while they re-evaluate its future. Which is no help to you right now, but if they do reopen next year it's worth a look.

IMoveTheStars · 06/07/2010 11:33

Cutteslowe Park in North Oxford

If you want to go to Cotswold a lot, get a season ticket - works out a lot cheaper.

Cotswold Farm park is good, bit far out though.

Is it just animal/farm related places you're looking for?

IMoveTheStars · 06/07/2010 11:34

Burford Garden centre has an excellent playground. Cafe is nice, bit pricey though.

redblue · 06/07/2010 12:06

Jareth thanks for your suggestions, animal / farm places are good but not essential, provided there is something for little ones to do, a cafe is nice (but again not essential) for entertainment of mum...

OP posts:
IMoveTheStars · 07/07/2010 09:13

I wish I could think of some more - at a total loss of what to do today.

Have you been to the Natural History museum?

Ponders · 07/07/2010 09:21

There's Odds Farm Park, at High Wycombe I think, is that near enough?

Ponders · 07/07/2010 09:24

Farmer Gow's at Faringdon, that's nearer (I knew there was one, couldn't remember the name, had to google!)

IMoveTheStars · 07/07/2010 09:25

What about the bus museum at Long Hanborough? not my idea of fun but my 2yo loves it there

Ponders · 07/07/2010 09:26

Oh you have to pay though - Farmer Gow's is cheaper but still not cheap.

Ready4anothercoffee · 07/07/2010 09:32

if you get a season ticket, Blenheim palace is great fun, mine like the secret garden, the formal water gardens and the pleasure gardens.

another place mine like is waddesdon manor, it's national trust, and if you become a member it gives you great access to places to stop when on longer journeys

IMoveTheStars · 07/07/2010 09:33

How about The Living Rainforest at Newbury?

Not the cheapest place, but a bit different

Country Park, Carterton (forgive the NM linkage )

IMoveTheStars · 07/07/2010 09:35

Blenheim Palace is expensive initially, but once you've paid you get free entry for a year.

IMoveTheStars · 07/07/2010 09:36

ah, been beaten to it

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 07/07/2010 09:40

There isn't specific stuff to do at Waterperry Gardens, but there are big gardens to run around in and it seems to keep my DCs occupied. And there's a nice cafe.

wearymum200 · 08/07/2010 22:45

Rectory farm PYO at Stanton St John: sandpit, bouncy castle and bouncy slide, tractor and trailer rides at weekends, all free (no animals, but amuses my children for hours). Plus cafe,nice farm shop/ deli and PYO.
Wigginton Heath family farm also fun (not too expensive)
Cutteslowe park has small aviary, miniature train rides at weekends (small cost for train); play equipment just been revamped, I think
Hinksey Park has water splash area (free) near outdoor swimming pool.

IMoveTheStars · 09/07/2010 08:26

Oh, has anybody mentioned Abbey Meadows in Abingdon yet? Brilliant park, water/splash thing, plenty of room and lots of swans and ducks to feed. Big areas for picnics etc

wearymum200 · 12/07/2010 22:40

Other favourites of ours (DS 4.5, DD 1.5): University botanic gardens (annual admission about £20): fish, glasshouses, riverside walks (no cafe, but right in city, so plenty of choice outside), University arboretum at Nuneham Courtenay (same admission as botanic garden; they do family trails and have loads of space); Oxford central library has good storytimes for pre-schoolers; Bekonscot model village at Beaconsfield (about 30mins drive down M40)

cryhavoc · 19/07/2010 21:21

My DD loves the paddling pool at Wallingford.
I second Abbey Meadows.

How about a MN meet up at Millets?

Lotkinsgonecurly · 21/07/2010 19:46

OOh, I'd do an mn meet up at Millets or similar.

We've also been to Carterton Adventure playground and was excellent. I think its the sort of place that will improve with both age of facilities as the trees grow and dc's age.

whomovedmychocolate · 21/07/2010 19:49

Woodstock museum has a great garden for picnics and a big dinosaur for the kids to roar at.

MinnieMummy · 16/08/2010 17:00

Thanks for the Rectory Farm suggestion wearymum, we went this weekend and fruit-phobic DS had a grand old time picking strawberries and raspberries.

No other outdoor suggestions but the living rainforestis good for wet days and there are monkeys, tortoises, the odd snake, some birds etc. rattling around in there (not all loose!).

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