Oxford Heatwave Guide here and our pick of the weekend’s activities below ⬇️
Saturday 27th June
🍃Museum of Natural History: Nature Festival
Celebrate nature as the Museum of Natural History hosts Oxford’s all day Nature Festival. Stalls, talks, walks, films, music and art and craft activities all day. We’ve been to this before and it’s excellent – so many interesting stalls and things to learn about.
📅 Saturday 27th June ⏰ 10am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ Full list of stalls and programme on the Museum of Natural History website.
🐞 A Day of Nature at the Botanic Gardens
Hands on nature activities, science activities, pond dipping, wildlife discovery, and nature exploration. wildlife discovery, and nature exploration. A wide range of family-friendly activities designed to inspire curiosity, connection with nature, and a greater understanding of the wildlife that shares our world. All included in garden entry fee.
📅 Saturday 27th June ⏰ 10am – 3pm 💴 Adults: £9, Children: Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on the Botanic Gardens website.
🚜Cogges: Summer Fete
Step back in time to a free family fete complete with day of traditional games in the farmyard, a bouncy castle and races on the Manor House Lawn, ending with the much anticipated Tractor Tug of War!
📅 Saturday 27th June ⏰ 11am – 4pm 💴 Adults: £10.91, Children: £8.18, Under 2: Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on the Cogges 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 27th June and Sunday 28th June ⏰ 11am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on English Heritage website.
🔭 History of Science Museum: How Does it Work
Get hands-on with the collection and experience fascinating objects in action. There’s SEND-friendly backpacks too which are designed to help children explore science stories through hands-on activities.
📅Saturday 27th June ⏰12 noon – 4pm 💴Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the History of Science Museum website.
Sunday 28th June
☀️Barracks Lane Community Garden: Welcome to summer
A lovely celebration in this thriving community garden. Floral crowns, children’s activities, Morris dancing and drinks and snacks.
📅 Sunday 28th June ⏰ 11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on the Barracks Lane Community Garden Facebook page.
🛡️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 27th June and Sunday 28th June ⏰ 11am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on English Heritage website.
🐰Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary: Summer Fun Day
Animal lovers won’t want to miss this family fun day at the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary in Stadhampton. Expect animal-themed activities, stalls, refreshments and the chance to support a brilliant local charity that rescues and rehomes hundreds of animals each year with an ethos of never putting a healthy animal down. A lovely way to spend an afternoon while helping animals in need. Worth noting: no animals will be present.
📅 Sunday 28th June ⏰ 12 noon – 3.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary website.
🔭 History of Science Museum: How Does it Work
Get hands-on with the collection and experience fascinating objects in action. There’s SEND-friendly backpacks too which are designed to help children explore science stories through hands-on activities.
📅Saturday 28th June ⏰12 noon – 4pm 💴Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the History of Science Museum website.
🎥Phoenix Jericho
Did you know that all children’s tickets at the Phoenix Picturehouse are £3? It’s not showing Toy Story 5 unfortunately (I saw last weekend, loved it), but it has an eclectic mix of old school classics, anime, sci-fi and more.
📅Ongoing offer💴 £3 children’s tickets 🎫 See website for film options ℹ️ More info on Phoenix Picturehouse website.
