When mentioning Oxford, most people will know that it is a famous university in the world. This is the university city located in Oxfordshire, England and the most resident here is students. Besides the famous education, the university complex here is one of the great places that tourists love to visit. Furthermore, don’t simply think that the city only has students and education. There are many exciting things to do in Oxford with kids that you will surprise. Therefore, if Oxford is your next destination, that should be a great choice!
This is not a bustling city like London or Liverpool. However, you also will find some wonderful things different from other cities. Oxford has its own imprint with the architecture of many quaint university buildings. Slowly but not boring, you will explore all Oxford in 3 or 5 days with some wonderful things to do below.
1. Bodleian Library
If you said that Oxford is only famous for education with the best universities in the world. That is not wrong! However, if you choose Oxford for your trip, you will have a chance to explore more than a university. Since you are in the famous city in education, you should make a tour to visit one of the greatest universities – Oxford and walking around to discover the city. This is always the top of things to do in Oxford with kids.
Besides the famous education program and outstanding students, Oxford University has a stunning view of beautiful architecture. Some of the major landmarks at Oxford University such as the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Square, and the Ashmolean Museum where is displayed the art and archaeology collection.
After that, don’t miss out on the journey to explore why Oxford has the name “the City of Dreaming Spires” with the harmonious architecture of spires of Oxford University buildings. Following the tour guide and explore the unique beauty of Oxford city with your kids.
2. Oxford Bike Tour
If you don’t want to walk around Oxford city, you can travel around the city by bike. The bike tour around Oxford is designed for everyone from 12 years old above and you can book a child bike for your kids too.
The major places of this tour are around almost the universities of Oxford. During your cycling, you will see the numerous spires looming over you and explore why the city is called: ‘the City of Dreaming Spires’. Besides that, you also can learn a little bit about the history of the city. Therein, some information about how the city survived Viking invasions, experienced Norman conquest in the 10th-century. Plus, the journey the city recover and become one of the best-influential university in the world.
3. Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour
There is another way to explore the city for a family trip, hop on a bus. Sightseeing on a bus tour with Hop-On Hop-Off service is a classic way to enjoy most of the city for everyone. If you don’t want to walk on a walking tour and your kids are quite small to ride a bike with you, this is the best choice!
This is an open-top bus and it runs around the city in one day through most of the famous places. Your family can hop-on and off the bus unlimited in a day at any stop bus. Therein, most of the must-see in the city including Oxford University, Magdelen Bridge, or the Covered Market. However, this type of tour doesn’t have the tour guide and you need to plan the trip by yourself. Hence, you should prepare and plan what places you want to stop before getting on the bus.
4. Christ Church Oxford
If your kids are a fan of Harry Potter, you shouldn’t miss out on this place – the Christ Church. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Oxford. Almost fans of Harry Potter will come here to see Hogwarts’ Dining Hall as shown in the series movie. This becomes one of the best things to do in Oxford with kids for those who love Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland.
Most travelers will visit this place when they are in Oxford not only by the Harry Potter reason but also because of the wonderful architecture of this place. The Christ Church located especially inside the Oxford colleges with many important collections of Old Master paintings and drawings.
5. A story about C.S. Lewis and Tolkien Writers
You may not know who is C.S. Lewis but you will know about The Chronicles of Narnia. And, your kids may know better than you through the Disney’s series movies in the same name. That’s right! C.S. Lewis is an author of this world-famous book and he was a student at Oxford University. C.S. Lewis worked at Oxford after he graduated and be a close friend with another famous writer – JRR Tolkien. It is not special when talking about them if they did not compete with each other but still be closed friends in their relationship.
Therefore, some people are curious about their life in Oxford and would like to explore more about them. There is a tour designed for anyone who would like to explore more inside each corner of Oxford University & student life. Hence, you can join this tour and learn about the quaint friendship between C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien or simply just explore more about the life of Oxford students.
6. Oxford Castle
It will be an omission when traveling to Oxford but haven’t come to Oxford Castle yet. Let add in your list of things to do in Oxford with kids to visit this ancient castle. This is the Norman castle’s medieval remains, from the prison to the 900-year-old crypt. Therein, be with your kids and climb up the steps to the top of St. George’s Tower, discover the Debtors’ Tower. From the top of this tower, you can catch the overview of the city’s skyline. Don’t forget to bring your camera on this visit!
7. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire
Although the name of this place is Blenheim Palace, it does not belong to the Royal or episcopal country house in England that can hold the name with the title “palace”. Then, what is this place? Blenheim Palace is really a house with the name ‘Blenheim’ was named for the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, and thus ultimately after Blindheim (also known as Blenheim) in Bavaria. This is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Besides the illustrious history, the palace also has magnificent architecture and a fabulous garden view. Therefore, you should not miss out on this place to let your kids marvel at one of the greatest architecture in town.
8. Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds
One of the best things to do when traveling to Oxford is making a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. There are many ways for you to visit these two places. You can go by car, train or book a tour for the most convenience. However, if you travel to Oxford with kids or only have a short time in Oxford, you should book a day tour that can help you to visit these two places on the same day. Don’t forget to add these places into the list of best things to do in Oxford with kids.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a medieval market town in England’s West Midlands. It takes only 60 mins to travel from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon by car. This city is quite famous because it is the origin home of the greatest writer in the 16th century – William Shakespeare. You certainly knew him and this is a chance to bring your kids to explore his hometown.
Meanwhile, the Cotswolds is a rural village of south-central England. It is quite famous for quintessentially English market towns and villages built from honey-colored stone. In addition, don’t forget to explore the Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds’ highest town, and Bourton-on-the Water. Immerse yourself in the peaceful and beautiful of the sleepy villages where you may ever see in most of the tranquil landscape pictures.
9. Stonehenge and Bath city
In the list of the must-visit place and things to do in Oxford with kids are visiting Stonehenge and Bath city on the same journey. It only takes over an hour from Oxford to these two places by car. Most of the family will choose to book a tour for this since it is quite convenient when traveling with kids.
Stonehenge is the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Listed site in England. Besides the stunning view around, the best thing in this place is the stones. Nobody knows when or how the stones were arranged in multiple quaint shapes as you see. Some people hypothesize that these stones were arranged by the alien.
In the meantime, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Center with a lot of attractive places to visit such as Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Center, and the Royal Crescent.
10. National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
If you would like to find some places that can bring your kids to entertain or for visiting after a few days of sightseeing around the city. You can consider going out of the city approximate one hour and a half to Birmingham near there.
There is a National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, the best place for a family trip! At here, your kids will able to explore over 2,000 sea creatures including daunting sharks, luminous jellyfish, and notorious piranhas. This is one of the amazing places that quite suitable for kids and families. Besides that, don’t miss out on some fun things to do such as 4D movies, the feeding show, and learn about the habitat of each creature.
Oxford does not only has the students with the university system. There are many different things to do in Oxford with kids. If you really want to set a plan to visit this city, it should be 3 days to explore all. Furthermore, don’t miss this chance to explore Oxfordshire, and some location around to make your trip is more fun.