Oxford Blue Ice Cream

What are you up to this weekend? I'm SUPER excited because Johnny and I are flying home 

to help celebrate his Granny's 90th birthday and it looks as if you'll have something to celebrate in Oxford too... Have you seen the forecast? 27 and sunny means only one thing - a visit to one of G&D's Ice Cream Cafes is a must!

Known for their wide and imaginative range of ice cream flavours, G&D's has become something of an Oxford institution but you'll need no excuse to visit. There's always something new and exciting to try  - 'Black and Blue' (blackberry and blueberry), 'Golden Secret' (Crunchie Bar) and Hamlet (white chocolate & raspberry) all frequent the menu, but my favourites are 'Bananarama' and 'Oxford Blue' (blueberry). How about you? Which flavour do you like the best?

The first G&D's opened in Little Clarendon Street in the summer of 1992 and was named after its founders - George Stroup and Davis Roberts, who were both students of Oxford University.

All of G&D's ice cream continues to be made on site and is delivered to its new siblings on St Aldates and Cowley Road by bike. It doesn't get more Oxford than that!

Here's my favourite 'Oxford Blue' ice cream. Doesn't it look mouthwateringly delicious? Have a great weekend! xoxo

Have a great weekend!

What are you up to this weekend? I'm off to Bath with my girlfriends and I'm psyched about 

this weather! If you're in Oxford this weekend and looking for somewhere to soak up all the beautiful sunshine, check out The Isis Farmhouse -  It's one of my faves. Hope you have a good one, and stay cool!

Feel like a leisurely stroll or ride along the Thames this weekend? I hope so, because The Isis can only be reached by bike, boat or foot! It's worth the effort, I promise.

Hidden in the fields between Donnington Bridge and Iffley Lock, this characterful riverside pub is about as wholesome as it gets and boasts a huge riverfront garden, (great for the kids), a nice, simple menu, (around 4-5 dishes per day) and a super relaxed vibe. On the downside, there are no baby changing facilities and the service is a bit slow at times, but with a setting like this you won't be in a hurry to leave. 

Tip: Be sure to call or check the website before setting off as opening hours vary depending on the time of year and remember to take some CASH! (no cards accepted). Bonus: Vegetarian friendly. Highlight: The Isis' cream teas and homemade cakes.

The Isis Farmhouse, Haystacks Corner, The Towing Path, Iffley Lock, Oxford OX4 4EL

Food served: 12.30-2.30 & 6.30-8.30pm. Phone: 01865 243854 

Oxford Guide: Child friendly cafes

No matter how strong the craving, walking into an unfamiliar cafe with a baby or toddler in tow can often spell disaster. Whether it's a mum who needs to breast feed, a toddler in need of a high chair or a teeny tiny squawker, the thought of it all can sometimes seem so hard that you'd rather stay at home. However, once you've discovered a few places with all the right ingredients, I hope you'll feel differently. Here are a few of my favorites:

 Maison Blanc (St Giles). One sniff in Raymond Blanc's authentic French Boulangerie and Pâtisserie and you'll be hooked. Go on, treat yourself, you know you desrve it! (Tip: avoid visiting during the early morning rush. Service is slow at the best of times and a disaster for tetchy tots.)

Summertown Wine Cafe (Summertown). This is SO much more than a wine bar. Venture inside during daylight hours and you will be very pleasantly surprised! Bonus: You'll find the SWC nestled amongst some of my favorite stores in Oxford. (Designer fashion + vintage interiors + art gallery + wine bar = heaven). Tip: JoJo Maman Bébé & M&S on Banbury Rd also provide excellent baby changing facilities.  

Queens Bakery on Windmill Rd (Headington), is cheap as chips and has stacks of cute cakes made especially for kids. My friend Kate, (who's a mother of three), assures me that she can push her side by side buggy through the door with ease and never worries about taking up too much space. The interior is a little dated, but when you can get a decent coffee, three little treats for your munchkins and change from 5 quid, who cares?!

Modern Art Oxford (City Centre). The Missing Bean and Zappi's are my favorites for coffee, but Modern Art Oxford ain't bad. Accessed via St Ebbe's Street, MAO offers a fantastic family friendly cafe, complete with free Wi-Fi, daily newspapers, highchairs and baby changing facilities. Admission to the gallery is free and there are even free art activities every Saturday between 1-3pm. (Tip: The basement is great for nursing mums). 

The Barefoot Books - Storyteller's Cafe (Summertown). Three words: Coolest place ever!  

(Tip: Check out Barefoot Books website for a calendar of daily events). 

G&D's Ice Cream Cafe (Cowley). I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! As far as babies and toddlers are concerned, this place is the bomb. There's loads of room for buggies, a del- icious selection of bagels and brownies, and baby changing facilities for mums AND dads. Order a coffee if you must, but can you really resist G&D's famous 'Oxford Blue'? (Tip: If you need a highchair, just ask - they're hidden behind the counter). 

The Jam Factory (City Centre). Paddington Bear would have loved this place, but Frank Cooper’s famous Marmalade Factory is no more. Today it is home to a spacious, uber-cool restaurant, gallery, cafe and bar. As you can see from the photo, it is VERY family friendly. Bonus: All the cakes are home-baked by the owner's mum! (mmmmm)

Ashmolean Dining Room (City Centre). Sound formal? Don't worry, it's a piece of cake. Speaking of which, next time you and your little one/s are visiting the Ashmolean, plan your trip around after- noon tea, served daily (except Mondays) between 3-6pm on the roof top terrace. (Tip: The lift is tiny, so it's a bit tricky with buggies, but my friend Zoe assures me it is perfectly doable!)

There's also another cafe in the basement. It's busier and noisier than The Dining Room, but as I am sure you are aware, this is not necessarily a bad thing! Bonus: Kiddy meals, high chairs and baby changing facilities are available at both cafes and entry to the museum is free. 

That's all for now my poppets. Where do you and your little ones love to hang out? Come on, spill, who makes the best babychino in town?

Blenheim Palace Jousting Tournament

Looking for something to do with the kids this weekend? Take your little lords and ladies by the hand and escort them to the Palace! Blenheim Palace that is, for this weekend gallant Knights and their mighty steeds will meet to battle for glory in a spectacular jousting tournament.

Located in Woodstock, just eight miles from Oxford, the Palace will provide a spectacular backdrop for the weekends festivities. Surrounded by over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland, the great lake and beautiful formal gardens, spectators can watch and cheer for their favourite knights, enjoy falconry displays and have-a-go at archery from 11am each day. 

Swords, shields and souvenirs will also be available from a special retail marquee throughout the weekend, so mums and dads be warned - Dress in your finest armour, be on guard and ready to duel!

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP

The Big Scream

Setting up life in a new city is enough to challenge the best of us, but those who arrive with a newborn in tow, have a lot more to scream about than most. If you've recently arrived in Oxford 
with a baby aged 0-1 year old and are looking for a socially acceptable way to let it all out, the 
Big Scream club might be just for you.

Run by The Phoenix Picture House in Jericho, the Big Scream club screens films exclusively for parents with babies under one year old. So the next time you want to 'see' (but not necessarily hear) one of the latest releases, there's no need to find a babysitter or worry about causing a disturbance - Big Scream sessions are for parents and babies only. Low lights are left on in the auditorium and nappy changing facilities are available, but remember, no baby, no entry!

Phoenix Picture House, 57 Walton Street, Oxford.

Click here for details and session times.

The Oxford Colouring Book

I stumbled across this colouring book whilst browsing in the Oxford University shop this morning and thought what a fantastic gift it would make for all the 'little' fresher's out there. After all, it's not just us big kids that find moving stressful.

Moving is tough on kids as they often feel as though they have little or no control. Help make their 

transition a smooth one by talking about your move as much as possible - The more you are able to help your kids 'see' themselves in their new location, the less anxious they will feel. Little Ox and his friends might be just the ticket!

Oxford Colouring Book - £3.99.

Want a feathered quill just like Harry Potter's?

My 7th 'Oxford' inspired gift idea is for all the Harry Potter fans out there and you'll certainly enjoy the visit to Turl Street to find it. Turl Street is a cobbled shopping strip in the heart of Oxford, which dates back to 1363 and funnily enough, is not unlike Diagon Alley. Here you'll find the Lincoln, Exeter and Jesus Colleges and a myriad of specialty stores lining the street, but your first port of call is the Scriptum Fine Stationary Store. 

Scriptum Fine Stationary 3 Turl Street, Oxford.

I'm sure many of you remember the scene from Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone where Snape misunderstands Harry's furious note taking during Potions class..."It seems some of you have come to class with powers so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention." I did feel sorry for poor little Harry, but what better way to inspire such wizardly diligence than with one of Scriptum's fine feathered quill's?

Christ Church College St. Aldates, Oxford.
(See link for opening times - The dining hall is closed to visitors at lunchtime during term time) 

Potter fans eager to follow in Harry's footsteps will also enjoy a visit to Christ Church College. Did you know that its Great Tudor Hall was the inspiration for Hogwarts’ dining hall?  I say 'inspiration' because the dining hall used in the Harry Potter films was actually an exact replica, created in a North London studio especially for filming - That said, apart from the floating candles it's very hard to tell the difference. To reach the hall, one must climb the College's grand staircase which featured in Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. This is where the first years meet Professor McGonagall for the first time, who explains the sorting ceremony they are about to undergo.  

As you climb the staircase and enter the hall, it's not hard to get swept up in the magic of it all, but if the experience leaves you longing for more, you can join one of the official Harry Potter guided walking tours. Tickets and information available at:

The Oxford Information Centre 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford. Ph: 01865 252200.

Oxford University Baby Grows

Studies by Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley show that babies have an astonishing capacity for statistical reasoning, experimental discovery and probabilistic logic, which enables them to learn about the myriad of objects and people surrounding them with greater depth and efficiency than previously assumed. 

Whether you buy into the hype or not, every proud parent likes to boast about the inherent intelligence of their gurgling baby so my second 'Oxford' inspired gift idea is sure to please. Perfect for expecting parents or studious young bubs, these 'Baby Oxford' grow suits come in pink, blue and white and a range of sizes to suit babies from 6-18months.

'Baby Oxford' grow suit. £7.99 from The Varsity Shop

Alison Gopnik's book, 'The Philosophical Baby - What Children's Minds Tell Us about Truth, Love, and the Meaning of Life,' also makes a great gift for new parents and is available at Amazon for as little as £6.90.

The Varsity Shop, 13 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS

 

Masden Bucket Bicycles

I wonder how long it will take before we see the likes of Madsen’s Bucket Bicycles in Oxford? Aren’t they gorgeous? They might cause a few problems when it comes to parking, but they are super stylish and perfect for green minded parents and yummy mummy’s looking to combine urban errand running with kid hauling fun!  

Madsen bikes come in blue, black and yellow and have a range of specially designed accessories including a removable seat and two seat belts for the bucket! Prices start at $1350USD though, so you better start saving. 

For more information about 'buying a bicycle' including everything you need to know about riding in Oxford, check out my downloadable pdf on 'Buying a Bicycle' here.

Mamma Mia Pizzeria

Mamma Mia is a great little Italian offering incredible value for money. You'll find a selection of antipasti, salads, pasta and desserts on the menu but for me, the stone baked pizzas are the highlight. At half the price of what you’d pay at the likes of Domino’s you really can’t go wrong! There are lots to choose from, but my favorite is the ‘San Fernando’.  

Mamma Mia Pizzerias can be found in both Jericho and Summertown and provide a traditional, laid-back atmosphere perfect for family dining. The service is always efficient, friendly and particularly accommodating when it comes to children - 'kiddy' sized meals are never a problem.  Those dining in Summertown can even watch the chef preparing their meal through the window at the back of the restaurant.

Booking is recommended (particularly on the weekends) as it gets packed from as early as 6:30pm. However if you’re in Summertown and you can’t get a table, this needn’t ruin your plans. Order take-away and head across to the Summertown Wine Café and grab a drink while you wait. They’ll be happy for you to bring your pizza across when it’s ready too! 

Mamma Mia Pizzeria 8 South Parade Summertown &102 Walton Street Jericho