Oxfordshire is full of fun-filled attractions, which makes it great for taking the kids on days out by bus this school summer holiday, with attractions such as Oxford Bus Museum and Bicester Village you can’t go wrong!
Here are the top 13 attractions that we think will be a big hit with the kids (and adults!) and will stop you from hearing that phrase every parent or guardian dreads “I’m bored”
Blenheim Palace
Bus route: S3,7 or 233
Location: Woodstock
Website: blenheimpalace.com
Blenheim Palace is a must when you’re in Oxfordshire travelling by bus, it‘s full of history with stunning views even before you’ve entered the grounds as you walk towards the palace gates. It is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and you can step into the room that the birth happened within the palace.
The palace grounds are home to some amazing gardens, such as the rose garden and Winston Churchill’s memorial garden; just to name a few. You’ll find stunning water features and the scenic walks provide many backdrops for a lovely family photo.
There is also a maze which is sure to keep the kids busy for a while and once you’ve racked up your steps for the day, there are café’s, a restaurant and a shop for you to grab a slice of cake and a beverage and fit in some retail therapy.
Westgate Centre
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: westageoxford.co.uk
In need of some retail therapy or wanting to treat the kids to some new outfits? Then why not visit Westgate Oxford. With a range of different shops, restaurants and activities to visit there is something for everyone.
Within the shopping centre is a boutique cinema, so why not grab the popcorn and immerse yourself within a new film during your visit.
Junkyard Golf is also great for unleashing the families’ competitive sides and finding out who really is the best at mini golf
You can also test your team-building skills at Escape Hunt in one of its five escape rooms. Work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out.
There really is plenty of things to do at the Westgate Centre that will suit the whole family.
Oxford Castle and Prison
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/
Take yourself back in time and surround yourself with costumed characters from the 18th century whilst exploring the Oxford Castle and Prison. Climb St Georges tower and enjoy the panoramic views of Oxford that you can’t see from anywhere else.
There’s plenty of activities also going on such as ghost tours, Oxford history walks, murder mystery evenings and a jailbreak escape room, perfect for keeping you and the kids busy throughout the day and even potentially giving you a bit of a fright.
Ashmolean Museum
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: ashmolean.org/
The Ashmolean Museum of art and archaeology from the University of Oxford is the oldest public museum in the UK and is home to world-famous collections from across the globe. You will find artefacts that range from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art.
Among the museum’s treasures exists the world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of Egyptian pre-Dynastic sculpture and ceramics outside Cairo,
It really is a must-see by bus whilst you’re in Oxfordshire!
Oxford Walking Tours
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: oxfordofficialwalkingtours.org/
Want to explore Oxford further but don’t know where to begin? Take it all in with a skilled and knowledgeable guide and sign up to one of Oxford Official walking tours. Visit the city’s famous University and its colleges or join the Harry Potter highlights tour for added insight into the key locations that inspired the Harry Potter stories. Fans of Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour can also visit the locations for these popular TV detective series.
Pitt Rivers Museum
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
Pitt Rivers Museum is full of world-famous collections of anthropology and archaeology that showcases human problem-solving and craft skills from every continent in the world throughout human history.
There are a variety of exhibitions for you to explore on a number of topics that are sure to get the kids thinking and wanting to find out more.
The museum’s family trails get you looking for items around the museum and working as a team, perfect for bringing everyone together!
Oxford River Cruises
Bus route: Any which serve Oxford city centre
Location: Oxford
Website: oxfordrivercruises.com/
Relax and spend some quality time with the kids whilst on a river cruise down the Thames in Oxford. Whilst you’re taken down the University Regatta course, you can take in the views of some well-know Oxford sights , such as the Ancient Folly Bridge, Christ Church College and Meadows and the University Rowing Houses.
It’s one you won’t want to miss and will be a boat ride that the kids are sure to enjoy!
Oxford Bus Museum
Bus route: 233
Location: Long Hanborough
Website: oxfordbusmuseum.org
The Oxford Bus Museum is home to 40 vintage buses and coaches that tell the story of bus and coach travel in Oxfordshire over the last 130 years. Full of transport artefacts and historic photos it’s a great way to see how this industry has evolved
There’s also a shop where you’ll be able to purchase souvenirs to remember the day by and a café where you can grab a lovely slice of cake after a great day with the kids.
Cogges Manor Farm
Bus route: S1 or S2
Location: Witney
Website: cogges.org.uk/
Cogges Manor Farm is a beautiful farm situated in Witney with a characterful manor house. You will find on the grounds an enchanted walled garden, adventure play area, an orchard and the kids will also have a chance to meet the friendly animals that live here.
There are 17 acres of open land for you to enjoy a picnic in the sun, playing with the kids and well-behaved dogs are also welcome in this space so you can bring the whole family along!
Definitely a great day out by bus with the kids that is sure to be a hit!
Witney and District Museum
Bus route: S1 or S2
Location: Witney
Website: witneymuseum.org.uk/
Find out more about Witney’s famous history of blanket manufacturing at the Witney and District Museum. Here you will get to immerse yourself within the history that Witney holds and why the market town is famous for its blanket and glove manufacturing.
The kids will also get to learn about what Victorian schools were like which will undoubtedly make them thankful for their modern day teachers! There’s also a reconstruction of a 1950’s kitchen which they can compare to theirs back home.
The Oxfordshire Museum
Bus route: S3,7 and 233
Location: Woodstock
Website: oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture/museums/oxfordshire-museum
Why not head on down to this 18th century house situated in the heart of Woodstock by bus this summer with the kids, it’s full of history about Oxfordshire and the people that have lived here, with exhibitions spanning 10 different galleries.
One of the galleries is dedicated to dinosaurs which is perfect for any children with an interest in the Triassic period.
There is a shop for you browse through and café for you to relax with some refreshments after an exciting day for the kids.
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
Bus route: S3,7 and 233
Location: Woodstock
Website: sofo.org.uk/
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum is a great place to bring the whole family from the kids to grandparents as there’s something that everyone will enjoy here!
Learn more about how conflict has affected Oxfordshire and the people there such as the soldiers to those living on the home front. There are temporary and permanent exhibits around the museum for the kids to read and look at and there’s also a chance for them to dress up!
Bicester Village
Bus route: S5 or X5
Location: Bicester
Website: thebicestercollection.com/bicester-village/en
Bicester Village is a shopaholic’s dream, it’s filled with over 160 high end open-air designer boutiques offering discount prices on luxury goods, perfect for grabbing bargains for the whole family on items such as clothing to homeware.
The Village also has a collection of of restaurants and cafes whether you’re in need of a light bite or fine dining, great for fuelling the kids if their energy starts to dwindle!
The Light
Bus route: S4
Location: Banbury
Website: banbury.thelight.co.uk/
Banbury’s new entertainment complex, The Light, offers plenty to do for all ages with a cinema, restaurants, arcade and much more!
Catch a film that the whole family will enjoy immerse yourselves within true blockbusters, whilst snacking on popcorn of course, or head to the arcade to unleash everyone’s competitive side.
There’s also a bowling alley, perfect for spending time with the kids and practicing your skills and if that doesn’t take your fancy then maybe you could try your hand at rock climbing. When it’s time for food, grab a pizza or burger from the venue’s diner and enjoy a beer from local company Little Ox Brew Co too.
There really are so many places for you and the whole family to visit this summer with the kids and even better you can travel via bus, saving you money to go on even more days out!
Ticketing information:
For travel for you and the family, the best value ticket is the West Group DayRider available to buy from the driver for £15.00 or get it on the app for even cheaper at £14.60
Valid for travel all day for up to four people (any combination of adults and children) it's a great choice for travelling anywhere on our network. Trips are limitless so you can hop on and off to explore as many places as you can.