From Maryland to Oxford (then Ilmer).

My wife and I just moved our family here, around two weeks ago. She's on assignment for her job with McCormick for 15 months and I'm here to watch our three young boys for a year before we go back so I can start teaching again (on leave right now). We lived in Hanover, Pa before selling our house mid-August, but are both from Westminster (about 30 minutes west of Baltimore). I've joined UK Yankee for a bit of support with life in the UK especially concerning our boys and their schooling. Alway looking for things to keep them busy and the park just down the street (North Hinksey), though fantastic, is starting to get redundant. Beyond that I'm hoping to get some answers to questions I haven't even thought of yet, when I finally do think of them. 

In from Bethesda, but spent a few years in Annapolis as well. I've got two little girls here, have lived in Scotland for a total of ten years, in two bits. Happy to help.

Hi! I am just over the hill in Boars Hill with two little girls. We've only been in the area for five months, so I am not going to be hugely helpful with local stuff, but happy to do what I can!

Have you been any further than North Hinksey? There's plenty to do with children in and around Oxford. The first thing that comes to mind is Natural History Museum+Pitt Rivers (free), the Story Museum is good, too. I have been here three years so can help with local stuff.

Welcome! I'm not an ex-pat, but I've lived in and around Oxford for 30 years and would be happy to help if I can.

Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford is usually a hit with the kids if you can get there. You really need to drive.

newcomer link: http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/ [nonactive]

Millets Farm near Abingdon is also worth a visit, especially in the run up to Christmas (there, I've said it) as they usually have a small ice rink and a Santa's grotto. There is a courtesy bus from Abingdon on Tuesday and it's on a regular bus route:

newcomer link: http://www.milletsfarmcentre.com/visitor_information/how_to_find_us/bus_timetables.html [nonactive]

If ice skating is your thing there's the ice rink on Oxpens Road:

newcomer link: http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Oxford_Ice_Rink [nonactive]

If you fancy a trip further afield there are coaches to London every 10 minutes from the bus station off George Street.

The CentreMK (Milton Keynes) is worth a visit in December when Middleton Hall is decked out for the festive season. There is also an indoor ski slope using real snow inside Xscape. You can take the X5 from the bus station.

newcomer link: http://www.thecentremk.com [nonactive]

newcomer link: http://www.xscape.co.uk/milton-keynes [nonactive]

If you're going to use the train a lot then get hold of a family railcard. It costs £30 and gives you 30% off adult fares and 60% off child fares for 12 months. You won't be able to use it for peak rate travel on busy routes (e.g. before 9:30am to London), but otherwise you'll get your money back on the first trip (train travel is expensive!).

newcomer link: http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/ [nonactive]

Closer to home there is lots to do in Oxford. The University Parks are lovely when it's not raining ... just a short walk North East of the town centre. The same goes for Christ Church Meadow at the bottom end of St Aldates. There is also the Botanic Gardens near Magdalen Bridge at the far end of High Street.

You might also like the annual fireworks display in South Parks. This year it's on Saturday 7th Nov. Family tickets are only £2 more on the gate so I'd wait to see what the weather's doing unless you don't mind getting soaked to the skin while standing around in a cold, wet, muddy field:

newcomer link: http://oxfordfireworks.co.uk/ [nonactive]

Enjoy!

Nomis