A wonderful storytelling performance of Roald Dahl’s classic. Telling the story of Sophie and her adventures in Giant Country with the loveable, whizzpopping Big Friendly Giant, this production is directed by ‘national children’s dramatist’ David Wood, and performed by Anthony Pedley, who played the part of the BFG in the original stage production and wowed young audience’s at last year’s Chiplit festival with the much loved Taste of Dahl. All the major characters are brought to life in this tale of dreams, queens, giants, and snozzcumbers!

The Great Hall will be adorned with grand Christmas trees decorated in candles, baubles, lanterns in traditional reds, greens and golds associated with a Victorian Christmas. Dickensian scenes will be brought to life with ‘Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe' windows for Victorian passers-by to peer into from the blistering winter outside.

As the autumn season draws in, and our thoughts turn to Halloween tricks and treats, Blenheim Palace offers the perfect family day out this October, with Halloween entertainment from 27th October - 4th November.  (more details to follow).

Join in the first ever Blenheim Palace Half Marathon, starting in the Great Court where this magnificent route takes in the beautiful parkland landscape of the Blenheim Palace estate and surrounding villages.

You will certainly enjoy Shakespeare in the Park. There’ll be no time for snoozing in this fast-paced evening of all the very best bits from the Bard: lovers, villains, kings and clowns, join some of Shakespeare’s favourite characters for a picnic in the park.

Blenheim Palace provides an iconic setting for this unbeatably scenic triathlon, with a safe environment on roads entirely closed to traffic. Spectators can enjoy a great day out with the event taking place within the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace.

Step back in time to the 17th Century and see the English Civil War come to life with the largest historical re-enactment group in Europe, The Sealed Knot Society.

Blenheim Palace will provide a magnificent backdrop whilst you enjoy a host of entertainment all day from 11am onwards including falconry displays and have-a-go at archery.

Blenheim Palace will provide a magnificent backdrop whilst you enjoy a host of entertainment all day from 11am onwards including falconry displays and have-a-go at archery.

Save The Last Dance - Saturday 27 July, Sneak a Peek Behind the Magic...

Following their triumphant return with the album History of Modern in 2010 and a massively successful world tour, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are back on the road in April 2013 in support of their much-anticipated new album English Electric. The sound of English Electric is more electro than ever, yet still unmistakably OMD with the huge soaring melodies and irresistible lyrical hooks that fans have come to expect over the years.

My First Cinderella tells everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautifully adapted version for young audiences. Cinderella is tormented by her spiteful stepsisters and longs to attend the Prince’s glamorous ball. Abandoned to an evening of drudgery, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother appears and transforms her into a glittering Princess who shall go to the ball.

Can space rockets be powered by poo? Is there life on Mars? Can we travel to another dimension? Local author, Sue Davidson, will help us sort science fact from science fiction, with science demonstrations, hands-on activities and extracts from her recent book, “Chagford Twins – the Quizling Question”.
 Suitable for ages 7+

Chagford Twins – The Quizling Question is out now on Amazon for Kindle for £1.02

After the Easter hunters have explored the Pleasure Gardens including the Blenheim Bygones' exhibition, families can catch the miniature train up to the Palace to see the beautiful Easter display on the grand saloon table.

A Park and Gardens ticket will be required for this event.

Save the Last Dance theatre tour. Sneak a Peek Behind the Magic... The New Theatre Tours offer an exciting way to see the theatre from a truly unique perspective. Tread the boards of our prestigious stage and experience what your favourite performance from stage, screen and the music world enjoy every time they visit.
 
Tours start at 10.30am and last around one and a half hours. They take you on an exciting journey around the backstage areas, including our haunted dressing room, historic sub-stage revolve and, of course, on to our vast and momentous stage.

Sound of Music theatre tour. Sneak a Peek Behind the Magic... The New Theatre Tours offer an exciting way to see the theatre from a truly unique perspective. Tread the boards of our prestigious stage and experience what your favourite performance from stage, screen and the music world enjoy every time they visit.
 
Tours start at 10.30am and last around one and a half hours. They take you on an exciting journey around the backstage areas, including our haunted dressing room, historic sub-stage revolve and, of course, on to our vast and momentous stage.

PriscillaQueen of the Desert theatre tour. Sneak a Peek Behind the Magic... The New Theatre Tours offer an exciting way to see the theatre from a truly unique perspective. Tread the boards of our prestigious stage and experience what your favourite performance from stage, screen and the music world enjoy every time they visit.
 
Tours start at 10.30am and last around one and a half hours. They take you on an exciting journey around the backstage areas, including our haunted dressing room, historic sub-stage revolve and, of course, on to our vast and momentous stage.

March sees the Abingdon Head of the River 2000m rowing race upstream on the River Thames.  400 competitors from across the UK visit Abingdon for this annual event on the river.  All boats sizes and all classes race in four divisions through the day starting at 9:30 – 16:00.  Come and watch the racing  and entertainment along the river bank, ample parking and hot and cold local refreshments available all day (Rye Meadow, by Abingdon town bridge).  Take in the atmosphere of the great sport and enjoy historic Abingdon over a picnic by the river.

Be prepared to play some fun drama games and if you can learn a short song off by heart to sing for us that would be great, it’s not too scary! Young actors (Pippins) have always played an integral role in the pantomime at Chipping Norton and unlike many other Christmas shows, they get great characters, lines and songs. This year we arelooking for 12 children between the ages of 8 and 14 to make up three teams as part of our company of professional actors.

To be a Pippin you must be willing to act, dance and sing and to enter into the magic of pantomime!

Local producers, Cooking demonstrations and farming display. Adam Henson, Director of the Cotswold Farm Park said: "The Cotswold Farm Park has passion in British Farming at its core. The North Cotswold Food and Farming Festival is a great way to promote both farming and local food producers - many of whom are either diversified farmers or source their ingredients locally. This event gives people from both near and far the opportunity to learn a bit more about the countryside and sample some of the great delights on offer".

Try the Alice’s Day Discovery Zone Trail to solve our Wonderland challenges. Use the Discovery Zone’s interactive science exhibits to help the White Rabbit find the fastest route to the tea party, make the Cheshire Cat disappear and solve the Mad Hatter’s riddles. Suitable for 5+ Free with entry to the Discovery Zone

Family Events: please note that tickets must be purchased for accompanying adults as well as children.

Online bookings cannot be made after 9am on the day of the event, instead please call
01865 810 000.

10am-5PM

At the Ashmolean Museum. Our India galleries are the theme for afternoon craft activities, stories, and object handling. All sessions run from 1 – 4pm. Cost: Free, donations are very welcome. Drop in, no booking required. Venue: Education Studio & Galleries. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. Indian Summer. Wed 6; Thur 7; Fri 8 Jun: 1–4pm
 

Warwick Castle offers fun for all the family this Easter with a sorcerous dragon egg hunt, mediaeval siege, Warwick Warriors, the Mighty Trebuchet and Castle favourites the Flight of the Eagles. When:  Mar 31st 2012 - Apr 15th 2012.

Keeping It Local is set to become an annual event taking place in the open spaces across Oxford Castle Quarter as well as talks, workshops, and gigs programmed inside, and on top of, the various restaurants and bars across the quarter. A celebration of the richness of local producers, purveyors and performers Keeping It Local is due to take place in mid-September each year.

Oxford Preservation Trust is Oxford's own national trust, with 80 years of experience of owning land and buildings to protect the character of Oxford and its green setting. The Trust prides itself on its positive approach to Oxford in the 21st century.