Family days out for kids

Some ideas for days out.

Many of these are tried and tested by us. Let us know of other ideas. It is advisable to check details beforehand - please tell us of any errors.

Within a SIX mile radius:

Millennium Green Old Oxford Rd Kingston Bagpuize. Small maze, lots of space to run around, human sundial.

Recreation Grounds by John Blandy School

Small Rec. exciting apparatus for young children.

Large Recreation sports field with goal posts etc.

Farmer Gow's Activity Farm: Open Daily between 19th Feb-30th Oct; 10:30am-5:00pm

Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Near Highworth Swindon. Tel: 01793 763939 Website: www.rovesfarm.co.uk.
Please see website for Christmas opening times. A great family day out, come rain or shine! Meet and Feed the Animals, Free Tractor and Trailer Rides, Children's Crafty Sessions, Animal Racing, Indoor and Outdoor Adventure Play Areas. Different Themed Weeks during the school holidays and Teddy Bear's Picnic runs every Friday during term time

Millet's Farm Frilford, Abingdon Road. Frilford. http://www.milletsfarmcentre.com Farm Shop: 01865 392 200 Open daily. Small play area, farm animals and guinea pigs. Free. In summer Maize Maze and other attractions. May to September: 01865 391086

Within a TWELVE mile radius:

MUSEUMS and WILDLIFE PARKS

Hands on! 1-5 London Place St Clements, Oxford. www.oxtrust.org.uk/handson Open: every Saturday and Mon-Sat at half terms and local school holidays 10am-4pm. 01865 728953. Science Birthday Parties on Sundays and after school. Hands-on exhibits - packed with loads of exciting interactive experiments. Recommended age 5-12 years with changing exhibitions.

Museum of Oxford, St Aldates, Oxford, 01865 252 761, www.oxford.gov.uk/museum

Local history exhibits and the story of Oxford, reconstructed Oxford interiors, shop, etc. Now entrance Free to galleries Mon closed, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12-5pm.

University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, 01865 272 950 10-5pm daily. www.oum.ox.ac.uk Dinosaurs, living insects, activities. Free No 1 Family Friendly Museum Awards 2005. Sprcial events for children during the year.

Pitt Rivers Museum, 01865 270 927, Parks Road, Oxford. Temporary closure until Spring 2009 www.prm.ox.ac.uk Shrunken heads and other curiosities. Free.

Ashmolean Museum ?01865 278000 www.ashmolean.org Mon closed, Tues-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 12 -5pm. Closes for St Giles Fair. Egyptian, Greek and Roman treasures. Free.

Abingdon Museum, County Hall, Market Place 01235 523 703 www.abingdonmuseum.org.uk Daily 10.30am-4pm. Free. Special Exhibitions. Check for bank holiday and roof visits.

Vale and Downland Museum, Church Street, Wantage 01235 771 447 www.wantage.com/museum Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (closed on bank holidays).

Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Church Lane, Witney 01993 772 602 www.cogges.org Cogges Manor Farm is closed in winter. Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am-5pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11am-5pm, last admissions - one hour before closing, closed Mondays. Audio tour now free on request. Farm animals, demonstrations, nature trail, dressing up and games room.

Cotswold Wildlife Park at Burford 01993 823 006 www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk. Wildlife, adventure playground, miniature railway. Open daily except Christmas Day from 10-3.30pm. Oct to Feb; 10-4.30pm March -Sept.

Oxfordshire Museum, Park St, Woodstock, 01993 811456 www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/the_oxfordshire_museum Tues-Sat 10am-5 pm Sun 2-5pm. email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Free. Interactive exhibits.

Pendon Museum, Long Wittenham, 01865 407 365 www.pendonmuseum.com Normal opening times; Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 5.30pm. Wednesdays 11am - 5.30pm for school holidays, Bank Holiday Weekend Openings 11am - 5.30pm. Please check on events page for additional openings and extended openings. Model railways and villages.

Didcot Railway Centre 01235 817200 www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Open Sat and Sun all year and daily at holiday periods and some other times (closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day) Weekends and Steamdays 10.30am-5pm. Enter via Didcot station This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Admission charge varies depending on event. Less for children. Old engines, railway memorabilia. Thomas the Tank engine trips.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock - 08700 60 20 80 http://blenheimpalace.com email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Snakes and Ladders, Audlett Drive, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 3NJ 01235 522 227 http://snakes-and-ladders.co.uk/abingdon_centre.html email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it open 360 days of the year 10am â€" 6pm (with last entry at 5.15pm) £3.50-£5.50 depending on age of child and time of day, adults £1. Toys to ride on, slides, climbing maze. Age 2 and upwards.

River trips: Salters 7 days a week in season May to September contact for new schedule 01865 243421 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (This service can run late on weekends) starting by Christ Church Meadows and finishes in the picturesque market town of Abingdon www.salterssteamers.co.uk/ Hire of punts, day-boats and other small craft (from Oxford only)

Faringdon Folly. Faringdon Folly is a great place now for families- the woodland has lots of interest and the tower is open during the summer.

Crocodiles of the worldCome face-to-face with some of the world’s most feared predators in a fun, safe and stimulating environment. With under-water viewing, talks, animal encounters and feeds throughout the day there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo at Brize Norton. We are dedicated to the conservation of these incredible animals and want to share our passion with you.

SPORTS

www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/leisure_and_arts/sports_and_fitness_facilities

Holiday Sport Schemes Ring and reserve, Sports Development Team by telephone on 01235 547646 or by email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ring 01235 547646.

Abingdon: Tilsley Park Dunmore Road, Abingdon (01235) 524 524. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Swimming, badminton etc

Abingdon: White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre Audlett Drive (01235) 540705

Wantage Leisure Centre Portway, Wantage (01235) 766201/2/3

Faringdon Leisure Centre Fernham Road, Faringdon (01367) 241755

Oxford Ice Rink: Oxpens Road, Oxford 01865 467000

Abbey Meadows Children's Water Park Abbey Meadows,Abingdon. Tel(01235) 520202 ext 544 .

For full details on prices and availability please telephone.

Also Pitch and Putt, Heated outdoor pool, Putting and Crazy Golf

Within a TWENTY Mile radius:

STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Kemble Drive, Swindon Tel: 01793 466646 www.steam-museum.org.uk Every Day from 10.00am to 5 pm Closed 25 and 26 Dec and 1 Jan

Real trains to explore, models of people and hands-on exhibits. Christmas activities.

Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Near Highworth, Swindon. Tel: 01793 763939 Website: www.rovesfarm.co.uk

Roves Farm Opening Times: Open daily between 19th Feb-30th Oct; 10:30am-5:00pm. Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Near Highworth, Swindon. Tel: 01793 763939 Website: www.rovesfarm.co.uk. Open Daily between 19th Feb-30th Oct; 10:30am-5:00pm. Please see website for Christmas opening times. A great family day out, come rain or shine! Meet and Feed the Animals, Free Tractor and Trailer Rides, Children's Crafty Sessions, Animal Racing, Indoor and Outdoor Adventure Play Areas. Different Themed Weeks during the school holidays and Teddy Bear's Picnic runs every Friday during term time.

Oasis Leisure Centre, North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1EP. Tel: 01793 445401

http://www.swindon.gov.uk/index/leisure/placestovisit/oasis.htm

Lagoon pool, three giant water flumes, hydro slide, learner pool, water cannon, elephant slide

Gym, snooker tables, squash courts, indoor bowling green, children's soft play area.

Living Rain Forest livingrainforest.org Open daily from 10am to 5pm (except Dec 24 closes 1 p.m. Closed 25th and 26th December) Take A34 towards Newbury. Exit at East Ilsley and follow the signs to Hampstead Norreys and the Rainforest. Tel. (01635) 202444

Science Museum, www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/museum/MW670.html Not open on daily basis, booking needed: telephone - 01793 846200 or e-mail - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

See website for special events e.g. Science club for children.

Store of large objects from enormous Lockheed Constellation airliner and early computers, to very heavy objects such as the Wood Press (140 tonnes) and early MRI scanners.

FURTHER AFIELD

Roald Dahl Children's Gallery, Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury 01296 331 441 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=-1191581755

Times vary throughout the year. Closed on Sunday. Hands on activities and extra interest if you enjoy Roald Dahl. Other activities in main museum.

Birdland Bourton-on the Water 01451 820480 www.birdland.co.uk

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Chalfont St Giles, Tel. 01494 871117 www.coam.org.uk Closed in winter. Open from 31 March. Hands-on activities.

Beale Park Lower Basildon near Reading 0870 777 7160 www.bealepark.co.uk

Wildlife Park, adventure playground.

River and Rowing Museum Henley www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415600. The Museum is open 7 days a week except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. WINTER (1 September to 30 April) 10am to 5pm SUMMER (1 May to 31 August) 10am to 5.30pm. Boat Trips run from the Museum's jetty over the Easter and summer holidays.

Cotswold Farm Park (Rare Breeds), Guiting Power - 01491 850307 www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Station X - Bletchley Park Mainly for families with older children.

www.bletchleypark.org.uk 01908 6400404 Open daily in season:

The opening times are different for weekdays and weekends. Check for details and special events. Free parking at station. Daily ticket is now an annual season ticket.

Come face-to-face with some of the world’s most feared predators in a fun, safe and stimulating environment. With under-water viewing, talks, animal encounters and feeds throughout the day there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo. We are dedicated to the conservation of these incredible animals and want to share our passion with you.