Comments on: Mondays are for dreaming: Oxford’s spires http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html Bringing the world to your kids - and your kids to the world Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:12:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Val Mehta http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-5875 Val Mehta Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:16:08 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-5875 We lived in Oxford for 2 years and I would love to make a similar trip back there. When we have gone back to Oxford, once with my then 2 year old and once with the in-laws, we stayed here: http://www.oxstay.co.uk/ I think Warwick Castle (up the road from Stratford) is a good castle for kids. Falconry, wax figures, a dungeon, and other stuff that would interest them. Stonehenge is good but the Rollright Stones are a nice little, touchable ring of stones to visit in the Cotswolds if you are in that area. A bunch of lore with them. If you go into early July the Henley boat races are on & the the people watching there is really good. Blenheim is lovely. We used to just walk the grounds for a pound and then have tea after. Ahhh we used to ride our bikes out there from Oxford. A nice drive just south of Oxford, which could include a hike would be the Vale of the White Horse, aka the Uffington White Horse. A beautiful area with thatched roof homes and whatnot and a white horse carved on the hillside. Of course its not so specifically English but they do have Lego Land there just outside London in Windsor (however our house could also be called Legoland so why bother). Then of course the town of Windsor and Windsor Castle are quite good as well. The crown jewels are good in the Tower of London, lots of good stories there too. So many places to go. We used to go out to Wales a lot and want to take our kids to Betwys-y-Coed where we know folks with a B&B. Walk to town over a little suspension bridge. Kids train ride and then drive over to Mt. Snowden to hike up or take a funicular. My kids are nearly old enough for us to rent mountain bikes and ride the hills. Ahhh, what a lovely trip, lovely memories. Fairy Falls for dinner and then up to the coast and down the coast to a bazillion castles. Have a great time! We lived in Oxford for 2 years and I would love to make a similar trip back there. When we have gone back to Oxford, once with my then 2 year old and once with the in-laws, we stayed here: http://www.oxstay.co.uk/

I think Warwick Castle (up the road from Stratford) is a good castle for kids. Falconry, wax figures, a dungeon, and other stuff that would interest them. Stonehenge is good but the Rollright Stones are a nice little, touchable ring of stones to visit in the Cotswolds if you are in that area. A bunch of lore with them. If you go into early July the Henley boat races are on & the the people watching there is really good. Blenheim is lovely. We used to just walk the grounds for a pound and then have tea after. Ahhh we used to ride our bikes out there from Oxford. A nice drive just south of Oxford, which could include a hike would be the Vale of the White Horse, aka the Uffington White Horse. A beautiful area with thatched roof homes and whatnot and a white horse carved on the hillside.
Of course its not so specifically English but they do have Lego Land there just outside London in Windsor (however our house could also be called Legoland so why bother). Then of course the town of Windsor and Windsor Castle are quite good as well. The crown jewels are good in the Tower of London, lots of good stories there too.
So many places to go. We used to go out to Wales a lot and want to take our kids to Betwys-y-Coed where we know folks with a B&B. Walk to town over a little suspension bridge. Kids train ride and then drive over to Mt. Snowden to hike up or take a funicular. My kids are nearly old enough for us to rent mountain bikes and ride the hills. Ahhh, what a lovely trip, lovely memories. Fairy Falls for dinner and then up to the coast and down the coast to a bazillion castles. Have a great time!

]]> By: Victoria http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3708 Victoria Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:36:49 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3708 Sounds like a great itinerary you've got going there! In the Royal Crescent in Bath, one of the houses has been turned into a museum, so you can see what it was like in Jane Austen's time. And the old baths have reopened, so you can actually try them out as well as visit the Roman ones. I'm happy to give you suggestions about London too, although I know you know it well. If you give me some idea of things your children particularly like, I could have a think! .-= Victoria´s last blog ..<a href="http://itsasmallworldafterallfamily.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/christmas-past/" rel="nofollow">Christmas Past</a> =-. Sounds like a great itinerary you’ve got going there! In the Royal Crescent in Bath, one of the houses has been turned into a museum, so you can see what it was like in Jane Austen’s time. And the old baths have reopened, so you can actually try them out as well as visit the Roman ones. I’m happy to give you suggestions about London too, although I know you know it well. If you give me some idea of things your children particularly like, I could have a think!
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..Christmas Past =-.

]]> By: Lucia http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3205 Lucia Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:04:46 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3205 You have picked one of the places closest to my heart! My father and I both studied at Oxford. I can not wait to take my own kids for a visit. It really is a wonderful place. Your list sounds great. I would also add a walk around Christ Church Meadow...pastoral views, cows, academia! You might also want to considering staying at one of the colleges. If you travel during a time when classes aren't in session you may be able to stay in an amazing, affordable, and historic student lodging/town house. And the Cotswolds are beautiful so be sure to leave time for meandering. And one final tip. Get the Little Travelers dvd about the British Isles. They don't visit Oxford on their trip but I have a hunch it will get you and your kids pretty excited for your own British adventures! Can't wait to hear more details. We will be making the same trip in the next year or two. Here is the link for the Little Traveler dvds (all are wonderful by the way!) http://thelittletravelers.com/dvd.htm You have picked one of the places closest to my heart! My father and I both studied at Oxford. I can not wait to take my own kids for a visit. It really is a wonderful place. Your list sounds great. I would also add a walk around Christ Church Meadow…pastoral views, cows, academia! You might also want to considering staying at one of the colleges. If you travel during a time when classes aren’t in session you may be able to stay in an amazing, affordable, and historic student lodging/town house. And the Cotswolds are beautiful so be sure to leave time for meandering. And one final tip. Get the Little Travelers dvd about the British Isles. They don’t visit Oxford on their trip but I have a hunch it will get you and your kids pretty excited for your own British adventures! Can’t wait to hear more details. We will be making the same trip in the next year or two. Here is the link for the Little Traveler dvds (all are wonderful by the way!)
http://thelittletravelers.com/dvd.htm

]]> By: Amy @ The Q Family http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3147 Amy @ The Q Family Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:56:32 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3147 Nice dream!! I always dream about visiting Europe with my kids. Your dream sounds wonderful! .-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.theqfamilyadventures.com/2009/11/dreaming-of-5-places-for-family-visit-in-san-diego/" rel="nofollow">Dreaming of: 5 Places for Family Visit in San Diego</a> =-. Nice dream!! I always dream about visiting Europe with my kids. Your dream sounds wonderful!
.-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Dreaming of: 5 Places for Family Visit in San Diego =-.

]]> By: Alice http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3146 Alice Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:47:02 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3146 ooooo how exciting! Stratford-on-Avon, Bath, Oxford - all divine :-) I guess you won't make it to the North then, but I have family near Bath so maybe we can meet for a 'cream tea' and swap baby travel notes ;-) .-= Alice´s last blog ..<a href="http://fancifulalice.blogspot.com/2009/11/blog-award-and-book-stuff.html" rel="nofollow">Blog Award and Book Stuff</a> =-. ooooo how exciting! Stratford-on-Avon, Bath, Oxford – all divine :-) I guess you won’t make it to the North then, but I have family near Bath so maybe we can meet for a ‘cream tea’ and swap baby travel notes ;-)
.-= Alice´s last blog ..Blog Award and Book Stuff =-.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3145 Catherine Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:25:11 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3145 We seem to share a lot of the same travel dreams! My family has a trip to the UK planned for the summer 2010 and I'm starting to research all the places I want to revisit with my kids. I spent a semester at Oxford when I was 20 and haven't been back since, so a nostalgic jaunt there is high on my list (although back then I was more into pubs than punting). .-= Catherine´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.havekidswilltravel.net/loire-valley-for-kids/" rel="nofollow">The Lure of the Loire from a Kid’s Point of View</a> =-. We seem to share a lot of the same travel dreams! My family has a trip to the UK planned for the summer 2010 and I’m starting to research all the places I want to revisit with my kids. I spent a semester at Oxford when I was 20 and haven’t been back since, so a nostalgic jaunt there is high on my list (although back then I was more into pubs than punting).
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..The Lure of the Loire from a Kid’s Point of View =-.

]]> By: SwissClogs http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3144 SwissClogs Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:15:53 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3144 Wow, that sounds like a great trip you have scheduled! As for suggestions: - I have a soft spot for Bristol, as that's where DH did his PhD. The suspension bridge, Ashton Court and also the old port area they did up. - I love, love, love the (free!) Natural History and British Museums in London. The glass-covered inner court of the BM is spectacular! Wow, that sounds like a great trip you have scheduled!
As for suggestions:
- I have a soft spot for Bristol, as that’s where DH did his PhD. The suspension bridge, Ashton Court and also the old port area they did up.
- I love, love, love the (free!) Natural History and British Museums in London. The glass-covered inner court of the BM is spectacular!

]]> By: Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3141 Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:11:44 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3141 So excited for you! I was there for a quick 36 hours before backpacking the rest of Europe. I definitely did not do it justice. As for me, we have a foot of snow in our backyard so I'm dreaming of this winter's ski vacations in Colorado and at Park City Mountain Resort! .-= Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck´s last blog ..<a href="http://crazybloggincanuck.blogspot.com/2009/11/this-veterans-day-remember.html" rel="nofollow">This Veteran's Day: Remember</a> =-. So excited for you! I was there for a quick 36 hours before backpacking the rest of Europe. I definitely did not do it justice.

As for me, we have a foot of snow in our backyard so I’m dreaming of this winter’s ski vacations in Colorado and at Park City Mountain Resort!
.-= Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck´s last blog ..This Veteran’s Day: Remember =-.

]]> By: Sarah T http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3140 Sarah T Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:04:33 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3140 We spent some time in Southern England a couple of years ago. We loved Isle of Wight and Winchester. It was such a gorgeous part of the country and I loved being in and around Austen's England. We didn't get to Bath or Salisbury to my dismay. Winchester and Isle of Wight were especially kid friendly. There are some cool castle ruins in Winchester that are perfect for climbing and reinacting knights and dragon stories (or princess ones in our case). Ella and I spent a happy afternoon there and appreciated the ruins even more than the gorgeous cathedral. The Osborne House in Isle of Wight has its own children's area where the royal kids would play (and is now a lovely spot to have scones and tea). Plus, you get to take the ferry over from Southampton, which is a plus. We spent some time in Southern England a couple of years ago. We loved Isle of Wight and Winchester. It was such a gorgeous part of the country and I loved being in and around Austen’s England. We didn’t get to Bath or Salisbury to my dismay. Winchester and Isle of Wight were especially kid friendly. There are some cool castle ruins in Winchester that are perfect for climbing and reinacting knights and dragon stories (or princess ones in our case). Ella and I spent a happy afternoon there and appreciated the ruins even more than the gorgeous cathedral. The Osborne House in Isle of Wight has its own children’s area where the royal kids would play (and is now a lovely spot to have scones and tea). Plus, you get to take the ferry over from Southampton, which is a plus.

]]> By: Meg http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2009/11/mondays-are-for-dreaming-oxford%e2%80%99s-spires.html/comment-page-1#comment-3139 Meg Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:37:43 +0000 http://www.motherofalltrips.com/?p=2626#comment-3139 Cool. I have been thinking about a trip for the same birthday next year, but am superstitious on if it will actually happen. I did a similar itinerary in high school and all I can say is double the time you think you want to spend in those places. There is lots of character found through wandering the towns and when you leave it always feels like it is too soon. .-= Meg´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BackpackToBuggy/~3/s7AmFk3Tz-A/" rel="nofollow">Museums for Kids: Reviews of Children’s Museums</a> =-. Cool. I have been thinking about a trip for the same birthday next year, but am superstitious on if it will actually happen. I did a similar itinerary in high school and all I can say is double the time you think you want to spend in those places. There is lots of character found through wandering the towns and when you leave it always feels like it is too soon.
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Museums for Kids: Reviews of Children’s Museums =-.

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