We’ve crawled to the end of term but fear not, our Summer Guide to Oxford for families is your trusty companion. Now let the juggle begin!
Our top picks are here at the top, our hot weather guide to Oxford here and scroll down for our day by day guide:
⭐ Our Summer Picks (sponsored feature) ⭐
The following attractions have paid to feature in our Summer Guide. We only work with places we highly recommend to families.
🚀 Summer of Space Holiday Club
Chances are you know somebody who has done these clubs at Science Oxford as they are ridiculously popular. Their Summer of Space Holiday Club takes 7–11-year-olds on some very cool adventures with an immersive inflatable planetarium, rocket launches, rover engineering, stop-motion animation and outdoor science in their 15 acres of woodland. Two dates: 18th – 20th and 25th – 27th August.
🎭Watermill Theatre: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
How do you fit a flying car into a theatre with just 220 seats? That’s exactly why I love the Watermill. Every production feels like a bit of theatrical wizardry, with actors, musicians and ingenious staging combining to create something that somehow feels bigger than the space itself. The intimate auditorium means there’s barely a fourth wall – you’re completely immersed in the action from the moment the lights go down. It’s no surprise this tiny theatre regularly earns five-star reviews from national newspapers and the same theatre critics covering the West End. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is on until 13th September – book now as seats are low !
🚂Didcot Railway Centre
Didcot Railway Centre isn’t just for little train lovers. Alongside steam train rides, there’s plenty to explore from climbing aboard old locomotives and exploring vintage carriages to play areas and hands-on activities. With special events running throughout the summer holidays, it’s an easy family day out with lots to discover. We’re looking forward to their Family Fun Day and Brick Adventures – check out the what’s on page for the sull summer calendar.
🦅Weston Library
We have been featuring the Weston for YEARS in our guides! Family freindly exhibitions, events, a book corner and of course the Toddelian Library – which has had a bit of a re-vamp. It’s all for free and always high quality, family fun. Over summer they have a series of Summer Family Fun family events with stories, crafts and creative writing, plus a pop up at the Arboretum and (delightfully) an offer for babies with ‘Birdsong with Babies.’ These are all linked to the ‘Wonder of Birds’ free exhibition – I’ve been, it’s brilliant.
🚂 Pendon Museum
Yes, we are definitely in our train era! Pendon Museum is a hidden gem where tiny trains travel through beautifully detailed miniature villages and landscapes inspired by places you’ll recognise. This summer, alongside the famous model railway, you can enjoy junior model-making, a dolls’ house exhibition and plenty of miniature magic.
Monday 3rd August
🧱Banbury Museum and Gallery: Brickworks
Calling all LEGO fans! This one is for you! Brick building stations, thousands of LEGO bricks, interactive challenges, and incredible models created by local LEGO enthusiasts. There will be freestyle building and creative experiments to coding puzzles, speed-build games and hands-on play for younger children. Each 90 minute session is limited to 25 people.
📅 Until 1st November 2026⏰ Various times from 10am 💴 £4 per ticket, Under 1: Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Visit the Banbury Museum website to book.
⚜️ Oxford Castle and Prison: Knight School
Calling all brave knights, including my own! We’ve done this twice in summer holidays and LOVED it! Train in the castle courtyard learning sword skills, shield techniques, archery and even jousting before taking part in a ceremonial knighting. Every child goes home with their very own wooden sword – ready for their next battle with their siblings 😬 Recommended for ages 5–11.
📅 Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 27th July ⏰11am/ 1pm 💴Adults + child: £13, Extra child: £11.50, Extra adult: £1.95 (includes sword) 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ More info on Oxford Castle and Prison website
Tuesday 4th August
🚘✨Watermill Theatre: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
This small converted-mill theatre seats only 200 and the wrap around staging offers a crazy immersive experience. Their latest offering, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has had incredible reviews (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: The Stage, WhatsOnStage, London Theatre Reviews, Sunday Express…and more!) And guess what? It’s our ‘local’, only 20 minutes South of Oxford. Tickets are selling fast – get in there!
📅 On until 13th September ⏰ Different times 💴 Tickets start at £25 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ See the preview video and book tickets on the Watermill Theatre website.
💦Hinksey Splash Pad and Hinksey Open Air Pool
Sun shining? Get yourself to Hinksey! The heated open air pool does 2 hour and half day sessions sessions and the very cool Splash Park and Mini Wheels Track next door is free and doesn’t require booking.
📅 Hinksey open 7 days a week for the season ⏰Monday – Friday: 6.30am – 8pm, Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am – 6pm 💴 Adult: £5.70, Junior £3.60, Under 5: Free. Different session lengths cost different amounts. 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ More details on the Oxford City Leisure website and check out our visit here.
🦅 Weston Library: Summer Family Fun
From eggs to migration, discover the wonders of birds through art, storytelling and creative writing.
📅 Tuesday 4th August ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ Visit the Weston Library website for more info.
Wednesday 5th August
🐻 Garth Park: Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Pack your favourite ted and head to Garth Park. Expect face painting, sand art, garden games, a bouncy castle and the popular Bear Cave (£ – money to local charities), where children can enjoy teddy-themed fun and even be in with a chance of winning a brand-new bear.
📅 Wednesday 5th August ⏰11am – 4pm 💴Free. Entry to bear cave by donation, which goes to local charities 🎫 Booking requested to gauge numbers ℹ️ More info on Bicester Town Council events FB page and booking here.
🎨University Church: Craft mornings
Come and visit the chancel any time from 10am – 11.30am on Wednesday 5, 12, and 19 August for a drop-in arts and craft activity. Ideal for children ages 3-11 with a parent or carer.
📅 Wednesday 5th August ⏰10am – 11.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the University Church website.
🚂 Pendon Museum: Junior Model Making
Young railway fans will love this hands-on workshop at Pendon Museum. Guided by the talented team behind the museum’s famous miniature landscapes, children can create and take home their own model diorama. There are preschool craft and activity mornings for younger visitors too.
📅 Wednesday 5th August ⏰11am – 3.30pm (last session) 💴 Adults: £9, Children: £7, Under 5: Free 🎫 Drop-in session is free ℹ️ Visit the Pendon website to see what it’s all about.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Such a day out at Cutteslowe! The two miniature railway tracks are wonderful experiences and always illicit such delight from children! Play and splash after in one of the playgrounds and free splash park.
📅 Wednesday 5th August ⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, £3.50 combined ticket (2 rides, one on each track), Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cutteslowe Miniature Railway website for more details. See one of our many visits here.
🦕Combe Mill: Summer Holiday Fun
T-Rex hunt! There are seven T-Rex dinosaurs hidden in the garden at Combe Mill. Find them all, save the letter on each one and work out the word to get your very own model dinosaur. Plus, other quizzes and activities.
📅 Every Wednesday in the school holidays ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💴 Adults: £6, Children under 16: Free 🎫 Pre-booking not required ℹ️ More info on Combe Mill FB page.
Thursday 6th August
🧜🏼♂️Puppet Theatre Barge: Captain Sandy and the Sea Monster
The UK’s only floating puppet theatre showcasing 40 years of puppetry in a beautifully converted barge. There will be stormy seas, sea monsters, grumpy fishermen and seaweed cake! Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes.
📅 Thursday 6th August ⏰11am 💴 Adult: £15, Child (2-16 years old): £11, Concession: £12 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the Puppet Theatre Barge website.
🔭History of Science Museum Sensory Trail: Materials Magnified
Discover the hidden world of materials through microscopes and a hands-on sensory trail. SEND friendly.
📅 Thursday 6th August ⏰2pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the History of Science page.
Friday 7th August
🧱Banbury Museum and Gallery: Brickworks
Calling all LEGO fans! This one is for you! Brick building stations, thousands of LEGO bricks, interactive challenges, and incredible models created by local LEGO enthusiasts. There will be freestyle building and creative experiments to coding puzzles, speed-build games and hands-on play for younger children. Each 90 minute session is limited to 25 people.
📅 Until 1st November 2026⏰ Various times from 10am 💴 £4 per ticket, Under 1: Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Visit the Banbury Museum website to book.
🦅 Weston Library: Summer Family Fun
From eggs to migration, discover the wonders of birds through art, storytelling and creative writing.
📅 Friday 7th August⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ Visit the Weston Library website for more info.
🏠Bekonscot Model Village
Have you booked your ticket to the world’s oldest model village? It’s the perfect summer outing! So quaint, and the perfect place for the little ones to feel like giants. I used to go as a child and love bringing my children back there too. Book tickets 48 hours in advance and save 10%. There’s loads of additional activities for children throughout summer, check them out on the website. On the weekend of 1st/2nd August Bekonscot railway celebrates 25 years with all four locomotives, the tram, passenger coaches and goods wagons in action throughout the weekend. To mark this special anniversary, train fares will return to their original price of just 50p for one weekend only.
📅 Open daily ⏰10am – 5.30pm 💴 Adult: £14, Children: £9 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Book via the website and take a look at all the (very sweet!) pics and info here.
Saturday 8th August
🚂 Didcot Railway: Family Fun Day
A big day in our summer diary! We have a train-mad child but the whole family are up for this as there’s something for everyone. It combines unlimited steam train rides with lots of fun activities: go-karts, giant bubbles, LEGO building, face painting, giant garden games, face painting plus outdoor play area and dress up.
📅Saturday 8th August⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Adult: £20.50, Child: £13, Under 3: Free. Family tickets available. 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Visit Didcot Railway website for more info.
💦 Blackbird Leys Pool: Inflatable Aqua Challenge
This is so fun, my boys go a lot. A huge inflatable obstacle course in the pool to run, slip, slide and – of course – eventually fall in. Age 6+. Don’t forget the U17 FREE swimming is still on.
📅Saturday 8th August ⏰12.30pm – 1.30pm 💴 Adult: £6, Junior: £3.85 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Visit BBL pool website to book
♥️Abingdon Museum: Cherished Clay
FREE children’s workshops with Abingdon potter and recent Great Pottery Throw Down quarter finalist Kayleigh O’Donnell. Join this drop-in session in the basement.
📅 Until 1st November 2026⏰10.30am – 12.30am/ 1.30pm – 3.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ Visit Abingdon Museum website for more info.
🛡️North Leigh Roman Villa: Open Day
Step inside to see this beautifully preserved 4th-century Roman mosaic up close. Volunteer guides share fascinating stories about the 60-room villa and its ancient underfloor heating. Hands-on activities, including handling real Roman artefacts and fun children’s activities. Only open 7 weekends a year!
📅 Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August ⏰ 11am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on English Heritage website.
Sunday 9th August
💛 Hughenden NT: Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail
Pokémon fan? This is their summer sorted. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges. Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day. NT members go free. Worth noting that the play area appears to be closed at the moment.
📅 Until 6th September ⏰10am – 4.30pm 💴Adults: £18, Child: (9 – 16): £9, Under 5: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on Hughenden website.
🛡️North Leigh Roman Villa: Open Day
Step inside to see this beautifully preserved 4th-century Roman mosaic up close. Volunteer guides share fascinating stories about the 60-room villa and its ancient underfloor heating. Hands-on activities, including handling real Roman artefacts and fun children’s activities. Only open 7 weekends a year!
📅 Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August ⏰ 11am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on English Heritage website.
😀 Museum of Natural History: Meet the scientists and try out research!
Join the Oxford University Experimental Psychology team to take part in real research. Take part in fun activities to help scientists discover more about children’s behaviour and how their brains work.
📅 Monday 10th August ⏰10.30am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on the OU Museum of Natural History page.
Tuesday 11th August
🦅 Weston Library: Summer Family Fun
Discover the seven wonders of birds through creative art, storytelling and writing activities inspired by the creatures of the air.
📅 Tuesday 11th August⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ Visit the Weston Library website for more info.
🦋 Waterperry Gardens: Butterfly Trail
Pick up a trail map and set off on a butterfly hunt around the gardens! Using the map and compass, search for hidden butterflies, collecting stickers along the way. Find as many as you can and win a prize. Don’t forget the playground on the lawn for a run around after. Need to use public transport? Good news! A new bus route is operating on weekends and bank holidays between Thornhill Park & Ride, Wheatley and Waterperry Gardens. Buses will call at all local bus stops on the line of route.
📅 Until 6th September ⏰10am – 5.30pm 💴Adults: £12.95, Under 16: Free, Trail price: £5.25 per trail (includes prize) 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on Waterperry Gardens page.
🌓Science Oxford: Eclipse in the Park
Join Science Oxford for a relaxed, family-friendly evening celebrating a partial solar eclipse at Margaret Road Recreation Ground in Headington. This is a rare opportunity to see the Moon pass in front of the Sun, with up to 90–93% of the Sun covered at peak, a dramatic sight when viewed safely. Even is the event is sold out, please join the waitlist so they can gauge numbers. The event is in Margaret Rd recreation ground in Headington (next to Windmill).
🔭History of Science Museum Sensory Trail: Materials Magnified
See everyday materials in a whole new way with microscopes and sensory activities for curious little oxplorers.
📅 Thursday 13th August ⏰2pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the History of Science page.
💦 Blackbird Leys Pool: Inflatable Aqua Challenge
This is so fun, my boys go a lot. A huge inflatable obstacle course in the pool to run, slip, slide and – of course – eventually fall in. Age 6+. Don’t forget the U17 FREE swimming is still on.
📅Saturday 8th August ⏰12.30pm – 1.30pm 💴 Adult: £6, Junior: £3.85 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Visit BBL pool website to book
