Holiday things to do with preteens in Oxford/shire

[AalyaSecura]

We've booked a self-catering holiday outside Oxford for 10 days over Easter, but haven't really thought much about what to do! Have two DC age 9 and 7. I was thinking about a day at Bletchley park, and I'd thought we'd spend a couple of days in Oxford itself - I'd like to see some of the university, but not sure what access there will be and what are the most interesting buildings. Kids like museums but also outdoors activity too.

Anyone got suggestions of what I should look into? TIA

Mine enjoyed a walk up to the White Horse at Uffington. They hated Blenheim Palace, but I think that's just them, I thought it was interesting with lovely gardens and a maze etc.

The Natural History museum and the adjoining PittRivers collection are both cool, v kid friendly and free.

World of Crocodiles near Brize Norton was surprisingly good. You can hold a small croc.

You have the Oxford Castle. Have a google of it.

The Ashmoleum and Natural History/Pitt Rivers museums are fab as are the botanic gardens.

Whereabouts are you staying?

Agree NatHist museum and Pitt Rivers great at that age, and will probably have activities on as well. Paper and pencils and a "mouse hunt" are always available as a minimum. For other stuff I'd either collect a brochure there or look online in advance - I think Oxford museum "family friendly activities" are usually listed out somewhere which will give you the names and locations of the other places. At 7 and 9 they are probably old enough to find stuff in the Ashmolean and the History of Science museums interesting - it varies.

If the weather is kind to you have lunch in the university parks (next to the NatHist museum).

There are lots of walking tours in the city itself, some free, others paid. A number of people I know take all their visitors on the Christ Church College tour; plus the meadows there are lovely and free to visit; theres a lovely walk along the river. In fact plan a longer walk along the river if they are likely to cooperate. There'll be lots of waterbirds around with young at that time hopefully too.

Another nice outdoors area to visit for walks is Port Meadows.

Have a great holiday!

Cotswold wildlife park in Burford is very good too.

In Oxford:
Go punting
Climb St Mary's tower for great view (or climbing up the Sheldonian is supposed to be amazing, but I haven't been up it), then eat at the lovely Crypt Cafe in St Mary's crypt, and sit outside in one of the most beautiful spots in Oxford
Explore a few of the oldest and most picturesque colleges (Christ Church has parts which were used in Harry Potter films, if you are interested)
Pitt Rivers and Natural History museums are wonderful,, free and perfect for kids, Ashmolean museum is also great
Botanical Gardens, including interesting greenhouses
On a lovely day, walk along the river from the path which starts at the gate at the end of Rose Lane next to the Botanical Gardens
Wander around the covered market
Wander down the old streets, like Queen's lane, with a stop at the Turf Tavern (tiny passageway under the Bridge of Sighs)

Nearby:
Blenheim Palace is great
The White Horse is a wonderful place to explore- google it
For an amazing, beautiful, interesting small castle, go to Broughton Castle, which is lovely and special, and not exhaustingly large

Oh, just to add...If the boys' choir are around at Christ Church, it might be worth going to Evening Prayer one day, just to see what amazing things kids as young as 8 are doing. I am an atheist, but find this a worthwhile thing to do (but only if the boys are actually singing that evening, as they may be away for Easter holidays). I actually prefer going to Magdalen, but I am pretty sure the boys won't be there over Easter.

Going to a church service is also a good way to see a college kind of from an insider's point of view, rather than as a tourist ( and also without paying entrance fees).

Wow, thanks so much, there are loads of ideas here! Will start googling these. We are staying in the Standlake area.