Oxford City Guide is a guide to everything you need to know about Oxford, England. Visit our site at www.OxfordCityGuide.com for information on getting to Oxford and getting around, events, restaurants, hotels, the University, and much, much more.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Bank Holiday and Half Term Activities for Children
Wondering what to do with the little ones over the Bank Holiday weekend, or the half-term week? Oxford City Guide has a few ideas to keep the kids happy and help you keep your sanity.
Oxford Story Broad Street, 01865 728822. Jan – Jun & Sep – Dec 10am – 4:30pm Mon – Sat, 11am – 4:30pm Sun; Jul –Aug 9.30am – 5pm Daily. Admission £6.95/£5.95 On board a 25-minute indoor ‘dark’ ride you will travel through 900 years of University history, complete with sights, sounds and even smells.
Hands-On (formerly known as CuriOXity) London Place, St. Clements, Oxford, 01865 728953. Saturdays, Sundays and local school holidays. Three timed sessions per day: 10:00 - 12:00, 12:00 - 2:00, 2:00 - 4:00. Admission adults £5.00, children £3.50 Explore and experiment with hands on activities. Recommended age: 5 - 12 years. Arrive before beginning of the session to enjoy the full two hours.
Oxford Ice Rink Oxpens Road, 01865 467000. Open most days from 10am-12pm, 2-4pm, 5:45-7:15pm, 8-10:30pm. Admission £5.50/£4.20 for skaters, £1.00 for a non-skating guardian. It's a good idea to call in advance to check the public session times, as they can vary. Saturday 2 - 4pm session can be quite busy.
Ferry Sports Center Swimming Pool Diamond Place, Summertown, 01865 467060. £3.20/£1.70 Recently refurbished, immaculate indoor heated swimming pool open year round. Large pool for laps or just splashing around, and separate toddler pool. Also a bouncy castle for the under 5's from 9:30-11:30am daily during summer, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday rest of the year. Call for public session times, as they can vary.
Ashmolean Museum Activity Trolley Beaumont Street, 01865 278000 Free, self-conducted activity sheets and trails from the trolley, available every weekend and school holiday. Particularly suitable for 5-11 year olds. Closed Mondays.
Laser Quest Gloucester Green, 01865 200233, Mon-Sat 2pm - 9pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm. £5 per person per game. Laser Quest is the world's best known and most exciting brand of Laser Tag game. Whether you're 6 or 66 you'll love the adrenaline pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of laser fire in the battle-zone of the 21st century.
Cutteslowe Park At the end of Harbord Road, off Banbury Road. 0800 0521455 for information and opening times. Cutteslowe Park is a large, gorgeous, free park with many activities to keep you occupied on a day out. Duck pond, aviary, huge children's playground, mini-golf (summer only), tennis, mini steam train (see schedule below), playing fields, basketball court, flower gardens. Kiosk open in the summer. To get there, take the #2 bus from the city center towards Kidlington. Get off at Harbord Road/Wolvercote Cemetery, and walk to the end of Harbord Road.
Unique Creations Banbury Road, Summertown, 01865 514600 Contact for booking information. Choose from a large selection of ceramic items - from an egg cup to a full dinner service - and paint it yourself! Great for kids and adults of all ages.
Activities outside of Oxford:
Millets Farm Centre Kingston Road, Frilford - On the A415 between Abingdon and Witney. Open May - October, 7 days a week from 9-5pm. Butchers and Fishmongers closed on Mondays, but have self-service alternatives. Fantastic farm centre with a farm shop, pick your own, restaurants, garden centre, maze (summer only), and farm zoo and play area. Approximately 15 minutes from Oxford.
Didcot Wave Leisure Pool Newlands Avenue, Didcot. 01235 819888. Open Monday - Friday 6am - 10pm, Saturday 7am - 7pm, Sunday 7am - 6pm. Take the kids to the indoor pool! There's a flume-type slide, and the waves get turned on for 5 minutes every half hour. There's also a great cafe where parents can sit and watch the kids swim and play while sipping a coffee. Approximately 20 minutes from Oxford.
Blenheim Palace Pleasure Gardens Blenheim Palace, Woodstock. 10:30am-6pm. Admission to park and gardens only (not the Palace) £8/£4. Open 12 February to 11 December 2005 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during November and December.) A 15 minute drive outside of Oxford, Blenheim Palace, in the town of Woodstock, was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Though the little ones probably couldn't stand quietly through the Palace tours, there's plenty for them to do in an area of the gardens called the Pleasure Gardens. There's a deisel locomotive train to ride, the world’s second largest symbolic hedge maze that even hides a giant chess and draughts set (draughts is another word for tic-tac-toe), and a butterfly house. On weekends and bank holidays, at 12:30pm and 3:30pm in the pleasure gardens is a Birds of Prey demonstration. When you're through playing in the gardens, head over to the cafe for a pizza or ice cream. Approximately 15 minutes drive from Oxford.
Ozone Leisure Center Grenoble Road, 01865 714100 There's ten-pin bowling (Before 6pm: Mon-Fri £3.95/£3.50 Sat, Sun, Bank Holidays £4.75/£4; After 6pm: Sun-Thurs £4.75/£4, Fri, Sat, Bank Holidays £4.95), a video arcade, billiards, and a state-of-the-art multiplex cinema. A great place (albeit an expensive one) to spend the day when it's raining. Take the 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, or 106 bus (or taxi) to get here.
Didcot Railway Centre Didcot Parkway Railway Station, 01235 817200 Open weekends 10am - 5pm, daily during school and national holidays. Prices from £3. Home of the Great Western Society and its unique collection of Great Western Railway steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and small relics. Approximately 20 minutes drive from Oxford.
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens Burford, 01993 823006 Open daily (except Christmas) from 10am - 4:30pm. Admission £8.50/£6 Spend a day in the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds' watching the animals, enjoying the gardens, riding the Narrow-Gauge Railway, playing on the Adventure Playground, and creating Brass Rubbings. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Oxford.
Wellplace Zoo Ipsden, Oxfordshire, 01491 680473 Open daily Easter - 11 September from 10am - 5:00pm. Open Saturdays and Sundays only 12 September - Easter 10am - 4pm. Open daily during half terms. Admission £2.50/£1 Get up close to the farmland and exotic animals, feed the birds, or play in the children's play area. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Oxford.
Tumble Towers Wesley Walk, High Street, Witney, 01993 700789 Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm. Admission £3.75 for children over four, £2.50 for under 4's. Fantastic indoor fun for children who like to climb, slide, and dive into ball pits. Breakfast, lunch, and tea available in the restaurant. Approximately 30 minutes drive from Oxford.
Birdland Park & Gardens Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, 01451 820480 Open April - Octover 10am - 6pm, November - March 10am - 4pm (closed Christmas). Admission £4.95/£3 (children under 4 free) Gaze at the Flamingos, pelicans, penguines, cranes, storks, cassowary and waterfowl in their water habitats, or the parrots, falcons, pheasants, toucans, and more in the aviaries. Don't miss the penguin feeing time at 2:30! Approximately 45 minutes drive from Oxford.
Friday 26 May Oxford Big Village presents Purbayan and Samir Chatterjee at the University Church of St. Mary at 7:30pm.
The Oxford University Music Society presents the Oxford String Ensemble at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building at 8pm.
Saturday 27 May Oxford Chamber Orchestra performs Beethoven, Saxton, and Schubert at the Sheldonian Theatre at 7:30pm.
Geoffrey Hopkins performs a piano recital at the Holywell Music Room at 7:30pm.
Sunday 28 May Start your day with the Coffee Concert featuring Francis Angell & Yan Schmolck at the Holywell Music Room at 11:15am.
Peter Knapp lectures on All you ever wanted to know about opera! at St Edwards School at 7pm.
Wednesday, 31 May The Oxford University Music Society presents Sara Jonsson, accompanied by Elizabeth Burgess at Herford College at 1:15. Free.
Jazz:
Friday 26 May The Old Parsonage - Simon Lea (Drums) Phil Peskett (Piano) & Tim Dawes (Bass)
Sunday 27 May Gee's Restaurant - Natalie Williams (vocals) Phil Peskett (Piano) & Tim Dawes (Bass)
Tuesday 30 May Live Jazz with Alvin Roy at the Backroom at the Bullingdon Arms on Cowley Road.
Wednesday 31 May Abi Strevens Trio - Abi Strevens supported Martin James on keys, Paul Jefferies on Bass, and Pete Dixon on guitar at The Big Bang Restaurant on Walton Street.
TartuffeBy Molière, translated and adapted by Ranjit Bolt. Tartuffe, a sanctimonious and scheming con-man, tricks his way into the heart and household of the affluent merchant Orgon. Appearing pious and considered a superior role model for members of the family, the hypocrite Tartuffe employs unholy tactics to turn this once peaceful household upside down through his corrupt and deceitful behaviour. Chaos reigns as gullible Orgon fails to see his houseguest for what he is. This fast-moving, witty and farcical masterpiece was originally created by the man considered to be the world?s greatest writer of comedy. Until Sat 27 May.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest University of Oxford students company present a new staging of this bleakly comic drama, made famous by Jack Nicholson?s Oscar-winning performance in the 1975 film version. Wed 31 May - Sat 3 Jun This week at the Old Fire Station - Click here for more information
Emma by Jane Austen Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence". In Oxford for the first time, this stage-adaptation is a mixture of beautiful period costumes, dancing and music. Tue 23 May - Sat 27 May. 7:30 pm + 2:30 pm on Saturday
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen Ibsen's infectious play tackling venereal disease, incest, the illegitimate child, infidelity and euthanasia stirred outrage upon publication in 1881. This dynamic production grabs the Norwegian Classic?s darkest aspects by the teeth plunging into the decay of the 1970s. Tue 20 May - Sat 3 June, 7:30 pm + 2:30 pm on Saturday
Harlequinade by Terrence Rattigan Rattigan's timeless farce - a travelling theatre group prepares to perform, but encounters a few hitches. From middle aged, 'teenage lovers', to a collapsing set, hysterical actresses, retiring actors, the police and? bigamy?! Until Sat 27 May, 7:30pm
Metamorphosis As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect?Steven Berkoff?s adaptation of Franz Kafka?s short story. Tue 30 May - Fri 02 June, 7:30pm
Decadence Shakespeare, satire, ennui and ill will: Berkoff effortlessly combines couplets and naked naturalism. Two backstabbing pairs, played by two actors, alternating every scene. A poignant cocktail of sex and cynicism. Tue 30 May - Fri 02 June, 9:30pm
Original Former Members Electric Light Orchestra Part 2 The Ever-changing Line-up Orchestra. Not satisfied with the huge commercial success of the original ELO in the seventies, drummer Bev Bevan formed ELO Part 2 in 1990 with Neil Lockwood replacing Jeff Lynne on vocals. Meanwhile Jeff busied himself being a producer and filing a lawsuit against the group for carrying on without him - hence the 'Part 2' tag. Although some would argue, ELO without Lynne is like The Beatles without McCartney, many will be overjoyed that the group has reformed and their infectious brand of orchestral rock is back on the road. Sat 27th May.
Steeleye Span Formed in the summer of 1969, over the past three decades Steeleye Span have transported the everyday music of the people into the world of stadium gigs and gold discs. The voice of the band for over 30 years, Maddy Prior, is back on vocals. She is supported by the legendary sound of the band. Peter Knight plays fiddle, Rick Kemp is on bass, Ken Nicol's on guitar and Liam Genockey plays drums. Sun 28 May
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Musical following the tragically short life of one of the most influential rock 'n' rollers of the 1950s, Buddy Holly. Re-live the magic with hits such as That'll Be The Day, Oh Boy, Peggy Sue, Heartbeat and many more. Visit www.buddythemusical.com for further information. Mon 29 May - Sat 3 Jun
Precarious Footing How do we stand on our own two feet when we don't know what shoes we should be wearing?Contemporary Butoh dance. Fri 26 May - Sat 27 May
Oxford Academy of Dance Following their successful show in 2004, students of Oxford Academy of Dance are proud to present an exploration of dance, as influenced by science. They will explorer the elements, the signs of the zodiac, heaven and earth. Sun 27 May 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm, Sun 28 May 2:00 pm
Steve Knightley and Phil Beer present 'Show of Hands' A triumphant 2006 return to the world renowned Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow kick-starts a hectic touring year for England?s most successful acoustic roots duo Show of Hands. Joining them onstage will be special guest Miranda Sykes on double bass and vocals. Mon 29 May 7:30 pm
Peter Searles In His 'Hey Gringo! Through Peru' He bought a ticket, jumped on a plane and set off. No Rough Guide in the world could have prepared him for the consequences... From the moment his plane lands in Caracas (without his luggage) we're on a roller-coaster ride down unexplored tributaries of the Amazon, across the snow-capped peaks of the Andes and into the depths of some of the most brutal prisons in the world. A catalogue of close scrapes and surprise encounters - drug-smugglers, Dutch airline hostesses, Carmelite monks, Maoist guerrillas, Mancunian ornithologists, Amazonian Indians and a French Shaman - not to mention crocodiles, jaguars and giant centipedes. Thu 1 June 7:30 pm
Just in time for the bank holiday and half-term is the children's classic book-turned movie Curious George. An inquisitive little monkey follows an American tourist from Africa to New York and gets into all sorts of mischief through his never ending curiousity. Will Ferrell provides the voice of the Man in the Yellow Hat, and Drew Barrymore as Miss Maggie Dunlop. The film contains no sex, violence, or bad language, is certified U, and runs 87 minutes.
Also for the kids enjoyment is The Wild, an animated Disney film about a bunch of zoo animans whose search for the lion's son brings them to the streets of New York. The films characters are voiced by Eddie Izzard, James Belushi, Kiefer Sutherland, Janeane Garofalo, and William Shatner. The Wild is certified U, contains mild language and violence, and runs 82 minutes.
Opening next Thursday, June 1st, is the action movie Poseidon. On New Year's Eve, a luxury cruise liner, Poseidon, is capsized by a rogue wave, leaving the passengers fighting to survive on the sinking ship. The film stars Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, and Richard Dreyfuss. Poseidon contains sustained threat and images of fatalities that may disturb. It includes strobe lighting which may cause adverse effects to susceptible viewers. It is certified 12A and runs 98 minutes.
This week at the Odeon George Street Cinema: Mission: Impossible 3, The Davinci Code, X-Men 3, Ice Age 2, The Wild, Poseidon, and a special viewing of March of the Penguins. Click here for this week's showtimes
This week at the Phoenix Picture House: The DaVinci Code, Hell (L'Enfer), Future Shorts May 2006 Programme, Chicken Little, Rumor Has It, Memento, and Time of the Gypsies Click here for this week's showtimes
This week at the Ultimate Picture Palace: Showtimes were unavailable for this theatre. Please check the website. Click here for the official website
This week at the Vue Cinema (Formerly Ozone): Confetti, The DaVinci Code, Ice Age 2, Mission: Impossible III, Prime, 16 Blocks, and When a Stranger Calls. Click here for this week's showtimes
