Oxford

[Littlemisspanda]

Hello, a friend has suggested we meet up for the day in Oxford. I have 4 year old and a 5 month old. Friend has suggested punting, would this be safe for dc do you think? Any other suggestions for things to do with dc in oxford? Thank you.

No, not punting. The 4 yr old would be a nightmare. Go on a normal cruise

Or open top bus ride if they do them

Punting would be a fucking nightmare.

I actually can't think of that many child friendly things in oxford, and it's my nearest city. I honestly avoid having to navigate it with the children.

But others probably know it better than this country bumpkin, and hopefully they'll be along with some suggestions.

The natural history museum is brilliant!! The kids will love it!! And it's free

Natural history museum?

I wouldn't recommend punting. I would recommend a walk around the university parks (you could have a picnic there too). Your 4 year old can play pooh sticks on the little bridge in the parks.

Next door to the parks is the natural history museum which is free entry and your 4 year old might like too.

Alternatively go for a walk around the Meadows followed by ice-cream, bagels or coffee at G and D's on St. Aldate's.

Isn't there a model village nearby? Beckonscott? Sorry not spelled correctly and a bit vague!

Natural History Museum for definite.

No not punting. Natural history museum (free), history museum or cutteslowe park.

They do have open top buses but the very centre of the city is pedestrianised and the traffic can make the bus tour quite slow (I did it with my students last year on a trip to Oxford).

You could also see whether the Ashmolean museum has any activities for your 4 year old.

Lunch in the Covered Market is quite casual and should suit your needs (I like Brother's personally).

Oops, natural history museum or story museum.

Story Museum!

www.storymuseum.org.uk/

Also, as PP said, Natural History.

Thank you will look into those. I like the sound of the day cruise and natural history museum.

"I actually can't think of that many child friendly things in oxford, and it's my nearest city. I honestly avoid having to navigate it with the children."

You what?? 😂

Everything LockedOutOfMN said.

The model village is at Bourton-in-the-water.

Check the museum times on a Monday, they used to close. Not sure if they still do.

Don't do punting, nightmare.

Story museum is brilliant. You could do Cutteslowe Park as well.

Natural history museum.

Pitt Rvers, aka 'the DARK museum'

University parks.

Cuttesloe park if it is sunny.

Story museum was not yet open when we were living nearby. Would love to go there.

Or if you want surrounding area, Blenheim is brilliant - big grounds, a great playground, little train that goes between house end and playground end.

Oh, it's the Ashmolean that's closed on Mondays. Dinosaur Museum and Pitt Rivers is open.

Oxford's fine with young ones, but not punting. Agree the Story Museum and the University Museum of Natural History, and the Pitt Rivers Museum (which you walk into at the back of the Nat Hist Museum) are good ideas, & latter two are both free. They have hands-on activities for children/back packs too, I think www.oum.ox.ac.uk www.prm.ox.ac.uk Someone suggested a bus tour too, which could be good; Oxford has the usual hop-on-hop-off tourist buses.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Am glad everyone agrees about the punting, helps settle an arguement between me and DH!

I love the Pitt Rivers but I doubt a 4 year old would get much out of it. Likewise Ashmolean.

Never heard of the story museum! Is it newish? Bourton is a schlep from Oxford.

University Parks for a picnic ( or Christchurch Meadow). There's a lovely cafe in Radcliffe Square. NOT punting!

whiffle the Story Museum has been open about three years, so fairly new. Lots for children to do. Best for about 3-11 or so but there are things for toddlers and older children and adults too.

Story Museum is closed on Mondays (but is excellent). It's next to Pembroke College, and G&Ds St Aldates for ice cream!

Blenheim is an absolutely brilliant day out but will set you back £25 - this can be changed into an annual pass.

I think Cutteslowe is a good bet, you could also have ice cream at G&Ds in Little Clarendon St followed by the park in Great Clarendon St and a museum or two.