If you’re looking for a few festive activities for all the family to get involved with this winter, then Oxfordshire is the perfect place to be.
There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by wrapping up warm and heading outdoors to explore Oxford’s most captivating landscapes and gardens. Containing a wide variety of elegant and eye-catching landscapes, Oxfordshire has a number upcoming activities on offer that will guarantee to indulge your festive feeling. Whether you’re looking to stroll through magical garden illuminations or to treat your tastebuds at a lively Christmas market, there are so many different activities and events for you to choose from. Come with us as we take you on a tour of a few fantastically festive garden events that will be taking place in and around Oxfordshire this winter!
Waddesdon Manor
Based in the glorious Buckinghamshire countryside, Waddesdon Manor is a charming manor house that you need to put on your to-do list this Christmas. Open from 15th November-5th January (excluding 23rd-26th December), Christmas at Waddesdon is a magical event that you don’t want to miss.
As the sun goes down, Waddesdon is transformed and illuminated by an immersive light display. Fun for all the family, take a stroll and explore Waddesdon’s beautiful light trail. This year the light display will be inspired by the Sleeping Beauty story and will guarantee to bring your little ones’s imagination to life.
Once you’ve finished exploring Waddesdon’s fascinating grounds and gardens, make sure to head on over to their glorious Christmas Fair. Found in a collection of beautiful wooden chalets, discover festive foods, gifts and beverages all created by skilled local artisans.
Make sure to book your tickets and explore more of what’s on at Waddesdon this winter here.
Worton Kitchen Garden
Located just outside Oxford city centre you can find Worton Kitchen Garden. Based on a beautiful Oxfordshire farm, Worton Kitchen Garden is a fabulous landscape garden that produces an abundance of garden grown fruits, vegetables and more! And this Christmas, Worton are hosting a variety of exciting festive events that you won’t want to miss.
Ever wondered how to make your very own Christmas wreath? On Friday 6th and 14th December, Worton will be hosting a Christmas wreath workshop, showing you how to build a stunning sustainable wreath using a variety of recycled materials and flowers cut fresh from the garden.
If you’re looking for a beautiful location to spend Christmas Day, then why not take away all the stresses and pressures of the day by heading over to Worton Kitchen Garden to indulge in their scrumptious Christmas day lunch. With a menu brimming with gorgeous homemade dishes, sit back and enjoy the festivities with your loved ones whilst you take in Worton’s glorious gardens that surround you.
Blenheim Palace
Located in the idyllic market town of Woodstock you can find the stunning grounds and estate of Blenheim Palace. With activities for all the family, Christmas at Blenheim Palace is super way to get you into the festive spirit.
Nestled into Blenheim’s expansive grounds, there’s no better way to enhance your festive feeling than by exploring Blenheim’s captivating illuminated trail. A wonderful activity for all the family to enjoy, walk through their beautiful after-dark light display and admire Blenheim’s spectacular gardens and historic buildings. Make sure to secure your tickets soon.
A new feature to Christmas at Blenheim, this year the palace will be hosting a magnificent ice rink. The perfect activity to enjoy with all your friends and family, grab a pair of skates and enjoy a skate whilst you admire and take in Blenheim’s breathtaking scenery.
Waterperry Gardens
Found just outside Oxford city centre you can find Waterperry Gardens. With 20 acres of glorious grounds and ornamental gardens to explore, Waterperry is transformed at Christmas into a festive landscape brimming with fun activities for all the family to get involved with.
The perfect place to find bespoke handmade gifts and scrumptious festive foods, kickstart your festive feeling by heading on down to Waterperry’s November Christmas market. Containing a variety of beautiful arts and crafts, grab your coat and browse the wonderful stalls that Waterperry have on offer this year. And if you can’t quite make the November market then don’t worry! Running on both Saturday 7th December and Sunday 8th December, Waterperry will be hosting another market, later on in December. Find out more about the December Christmas market.
Once you’ve finished browsing the markets, why not treat your little ones to a fun and festive garden activity. Running from Saturday 23rd November-Tuesday 24th December, the ‘Find Santa’s Reindeer’ activity is an event that ensures to put a smile on your little one’s faces. Costing £3.95 per child, explore and investigate the gardens whilst you help Rudolph track down his friends who have become lost throughout Waterperry’s beautiful landscape gardens.
For more horticultural inspiration, make sure to take a scroll through our stories page.
