Wolvercote Playground

Most importantly, and therefore first, there are public loos in Wolvercote. You can find them on this map here. The toilet is on your right as you get over both bridges an is located in a car park. 

Now that's done, the second most important thing is to say that I have NEVER seen so many pubs in one village. Probably not since Harwell had, erm, was it 5 village pubs, have I thought that the Temperance Union probably needs a come back. Joking aside, and back to the point - the playground can be found in the centre of the village on a triangular patch. 

If you are coming from Whytham all you have to do is follow the main road and you will see the playground in front of you. 

We spent quite some time in this playground. My children really enjoyed climbing on the logs, although the equipment, bar the swings, was verging in the small for my daughter. 

There is a shop further down the main road, om the left hand side, should you need it. 


Pics

I know, I may have a problem...

This pub opens at 9 am (like the Red Lion in Brightwell Cum Sotwell). It's directly opposite the playground in Wolvercote.

This one is next to the one above.

Nearby...


Whytham playground
Whytham Woods
Cutteslowe park

Wytham Playground

We were going to go to Wytham Woods but were distracted by the playground and the fact that the clouds were looking ominous. 

Wytham is off the A34 as you're driving north from Didcot to Oxford. You can find it on this map. 

We parked on the road outside the park. It isn't a large village - I was surprised to find a playground at all - so you won't need to worry about being a nuisance or finding a parking spot. 

My children were particularly delighted  by the mini trampoline set in the ground. 


Pics


'The' trampoline. Small but bouncy.

Assault course. Forget fireman's poles, these are the new favourite. 

A couple of benches under trees.

The all important village shop, within v easy walking distance (Wytham is tiny).

Just our luck, lol! Old fashioned opening times. Take note!

And I really fancied a piece of home made cake, too!

The garden looks rather lovely. 

This village pub, the White Hart, directly opposite the shop, also looks inviting. Maybe when the kids go back to school.

Check out the menu here. 

Nearby

Whytham Woods (above). For parking, check out the map for this page. 

Godstow Abbey and aerial view . 

Wolvercote Playground

Wittenham Clumps

Why am I putting such a well known place on here? Everyone knows it, right? Well, yes if you come from South Oxfordshire, or ride passed on the train or in a car. But...newbies in Didcot, this is for you.

Car parks and loos...
There are two you can use. One is at the foot of the two hills. The other belongs to the Earth Trust beneath Castle Hill but you have to leave by 4pm. There is also a loo here. 

You can find the Clumps on this map. 

We love it here. First, it is near. Second it is free. Third there is both a wood and the river. Also...it is a short walk across the river to Dorchester. There is a load of room to roam around/ roll down hills and the views are pretty spectacular indeed. 

The Clumps are managed by the Earth Trust. They have parking and put on numerous events throughout the year (okay, mostly spring when you can watch the lambing). They are two chalk hills and can be seen for miles around. They were iron age hill forts - the ditches are still visible. They hosted the Romans too, and various artefacts have been excavated there. 

The Clumps are the most visited outdoor attraction in Oxfordshire. You will come across people in what you might think is the furthest part of the woods, but it is not so crowded that you will be disturbed. 

You will find plumbs and blackberries here. 

You can take dogs here - it's v popular. There are cows grazing. 


Pictures:

Spectacular views! 

We didn't make this but we did sit inside:) 

Nearby

Dorchester (as above)
Brightwell Cum Sotwell I and II
Wallingford

Also...
Brightwell Donkey Sanctuary. 

Oakley Village Playground

Our failed trip to Long Crendon Court House was joined by two other planning fails: It turns out that Boarstall Tower and Duck Decoy are also closed on Tuesdays, as is Waddesdon Manor. That didn't matter much though, because in addition to Long Crendon playground we also found Oakley village park and recreation ground. 

My children played for an hour in this playground before we wen to Thame Museum. 

The playground is clearly signposted from the main road and can be found on this map. 

Pictures

Lots of parking

Long Crendon Playground

If you are fairly pragmatic...oh, okay, enough of the barely begun justification: I meant to go to Long Crendon Court House, but I neglected to look at the National Trust guide book for opening times and found it was closed. However, recreation grounds are never closed and so we went to their park instead and ate our lunch. 

My kids really liked it here, There are a few items of equipment I've not seen before: a climbing wall, a vehicle with a slide out of the back and a cool ammonite style flooring in and surrounding the seating areas. 

Long Crendon is not in Oxfordshire, it's just across the border in Buckinghampshire. The park is visible from the main road. It is on the right as you are coming from the Clifton Hampden side. There's a lot of parking. 

You can find the park on this map. 

There are lots of facilities in the village: A coffee shop, newsagents, pubs etc, all obvious from the main road. 

Pictures

The Hall at Minster Lovell

A great place for hide and seek. Probably not a great place if you have small children who are not afraid of water. 

I really like it here. It's a lovely spot for a picnic. It's picturesque, quiet and interesting. My kids enjoyed it here and spent ages running around the ruins. They really liked that you can see some stairs leading up to a tower but no way to get to the stairs as the lower half has been removed.

There is parking in Minster Lovell. It's up the road from the church. You can find this parking space on this map.

To get to the Minster, walk through the churchyard. It's behind the church. 

You can find Minster Lovell on this map. 

If you would like to find out more about the Minster, here's a link to its page on the English Heritage site.