It was the last long weekend before school starts, so we thought… why not make the most of it? A family friend invited us to the Science Oxford Centre, and instead of doing just a quick drive (Oxford is only 40 minutes from our place), we turned it into a little getaway. 3 days, 2 nights in Oxford. Para sulit and, honestly, I didn’t want to drive home at night with two toddlers in tow.
Oxford is one of those cities na kilala sa buong mundo for its University of Oxford, but I learned it’s also a great place for families. History, museums, shopping, and just that old-town charm everywhere.
Day 1: Science Oxford Centre & Dinner at Westgate
We had a 3 PM slot at the Science Oxford Centre, and this place is such a gem for kids:
- 🧩 Interactive exhibits – puzzles, buttons, and experiments that make science fun.
- 🌿 Nature trails – a good way for the kids to stretch their legs and explore outdoors.
- 💡 Invention space – Ate loved tinkering and building.
- 🐞 Wildlife spotting – ponds and little creatures that kids find fascinating.
After science time, we headed to Westgate Oxford mall for dinner. The mall is modern and big — though most of the shops are the same as The Oracle in Reading. The only difference? They have Uniqlo, which made Nanay happy. 😅
Day 2: Dinosaurs, Mall Time Again & a Medieval Castle
🦖 Oxford University Museum of Natural History
This was such a hit with the kids (and me, too). Inside we saw:
- Dinosaur skeletons and fossils (Ate was amazed by the giant T-rex bones).
- Animal exhibits from around the world.
- Interactive science displays.
- And the beautiful building itself — worth the visit.
And the best part? It’s free. But we decided to donate a small amount para makatulong sa pag maintain ng facilities.
After that, we went back to the mall for lunch and gave the kids some playtime. Kasi with toddlers, you always need to mix sightseeing with play.
🏰 Oxford Castle & Prison
In the afternoon, we explored the Oxford Castle & Prison. Here’s what you’ll find:
- A 1,000-year-old castle with fascinating history.
- Guided tours about life inside the prison and medieval times.
- A climb up St. George’s Tower with an amazing city view.
- And an underground crypt that’s one of the oldest parts of Oxford.
For us adults, it was a history lesson. For the kids, it was just a fun adventure exploring a castle.
Day 3: Heading Home Early
On our last day, we decided not to pack in more activities. We had breakfast, enjoyed a slow morning, and then drove home around lunchtime. I didn’t want to risk getting home late kasi back to work na the next day. Sometimes, ending the trip calmly is better than squeezing in “just one more stop.”
Where We Stayed: Premier Inn Cowley 🛏️
During our trip, we stayed at Premier Inn Oxford Cowley, and it was the perfect choice for a family like ours. The rooms were spacious, the beds were comfy, and the aircon was a blessing (especially in summer). Breakfast was available, and the big plus for me was the free parking, super convenient since we drove everywhere.
Nothing too fancy, but exactly what we needed for a simple, comfortable family stay.
For Next Time (When the Kids Are Older) 👨👩👧👧
Since our girls are still toddlers, we kept the itinerary light and family-friendly. But Oxford has so much more to offer, especially if your kids are a bit older. Some places we’d love to check out in future visits:
- Ashmolean Museum – the world’s first university museum, with art and archaeology treasures.
- Christ Church College & Cathedral – famous for its history and also as a Harry Potter filming location.
- Pitt Rivers Museum – full of fascinating objects from all over the world.
- Bodleian Library – one of the oldest libraries in Europe (a must for book lovers).
- River punting on the Thames or Cherwell – a classic Oxford experience, though maybe when the kids are bigger and less wiggly!
And maybe, just maybe… we’re praying that someday, our girls will have the privilege to study at the University of Oxford. Since Oxford is just a short drive away, imagine if they could study here and still come home to us after classes. Hindi masamang mangarap. ❤️
Final Thoughts
Oxford turned out to be the perfect little family getaway. Just the right mix of fun for the kids, learning for everyone, and history for us parents.
What I loved most was how low-stress it was — no flights, no long travel days. Just a short drive, a comfy stay, and plenty of family memories. ❤️
Sometimes, the best trips are the simple ones.
-#Dadbuhay
DadBuhay 
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