Our day at Oxford was one of those perfect, crisp autumn days when the air has a slight chill, but the sun warms your face just enough to keep it comfortable. We set off from the train station early, the kids buzzing with excitement, as they'd been looking forward to the trip all week. The streets of Oxford were relatively quiet as we made our way through the city, passing cyclists pedalling gracefully along the cobbled roads and rows of ancient stone buildings.

Our first stop was the Radcliffe Camera, and I must say, it's even more magnificent in person than in any photograph. The circular structure, with its pale stone glowing in the soft morning light, rises like a grand sentinel in the heart of the city. We walked slowly around it, taking in the sight of the surrounding colleges and the spires of Oxford, their Gothic and Baroque designs blending seamlessly into the skyline. The kids were less focused on the architecture, of course, and more interested in spotting squirrels, but even they seemed awed by the history that surrounded us.

We spent a few moments just standing in the square, feeling the centuries of knowledge and learning that have passed through these buildings. It was a bit overwhelming to think of all the great minds who had studied there. The boys, however, were mainly concerned with where we were going next. So, after a few obligatory family photos with the Radcliffe Camera in the background, we set off for the Museum of the History of Science.

The museum was an absolute highlight of the day. Housed in the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, it’s filled with treasures that any curious mind would appreciate. The moment we stepped inside, the boys were captivated. There were glass cases filled with ancient astrolabes, compasses, and globes, their brass gleaming under the soft lighting. I explained to the kids that these instruments were once at the cutting edge of technology, used by navigators and astronomers centuries ago. They seemed suitably impressed, though their attention was quickly drawn to one of the more famous exhibits—the blackboard used by Albert Einstein during a lecture at Oxford. It's still covered with chalk scribbles from his talk on relativity, a piece of history captured in the most unexpected way.

The boys spent ages staring at it, asking endless questions about Einstein, how he thought of such complex ideas, and what it would have been like to sit in that very room listening to him speak. It felt surreal to be so close to something that had once been touched by one of the greatest minds in history. The museum did an excellent job of making these historical objects feel alive and accessible, even to children.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. One of the most impressive parts of the museum, and definitely a hit with the kids, was the dinosaur exhibit. While not a dedicated natural history museum, the Museum of the History of Science had a surprisingly extensive collection of fossils, including several dinosaur bones. The kids’ eyes widened when they saw the massive femur of a Megalosaurus, an ancient predator that once roamed the land now known as Oxfordshire. We spent a good deal of time marvelling at the size of the bones, imagining what it would have been like to encounter such a creature millions of years ago.

The fossils were beautifully displayed, and there was a section that showed how early paleontologists pieced together these ancient giants. There were also smaller fossils—prehistoric shells and delicate, fossilised leaves that gave a glimpse into the world these creatures lived in. The boys, naturally, were more interested in the sharp teeth and the massive claws, and they eagerly read the placards, asking about how these creatures hunted and lived.

One of the interactive displays allowed them to simulate what it would have been like to dig for fossils themselves. They were able to use small tools to brush away layers of sand to reveal replica bones, which kept them occupied for quite a while. The exhibit was engaging and educational, and I think they left with a newfound fascination for both dinosaurs and the science behind uncovering their mysteries.

We continued our journey through the museum, finding ourselves drawn into rooms filled with fascinating objects from the world of medicine, chemistry, and physics. There were old microscopes, some of the earliest ever made, as well as a stunning collection of early medical instruments that looked more like something from a horror film than a doctor’s kit. We all winced a bit at the sight of them, imagining the painful procedures they were once used for, and the boys were fascinated and horrified in equal measure.

After a good few hours at the museum, we emerged back into the daylight, our heads buzzing with everything we’d seen. But the day wasn’t over yet. We decided to take a peaceful stroll by the river, where we watched the punts glide lazily through the water, their passengers reclining and soaking in the serene atmosphere. The boys, having spotted a couple of ducks, made a game of trying to count how many they could find along the riverbank. There’s something so calming about walking by the water, especially after a morning of exploring the intellectual treasures of the museum.

As the afternoon light softened and the golden hues of the setting sun painted the trees, we found a quiet spot to sit and relax. The boys were still brimming with energy, running about and pretending to be dinosaurs on the hunt, while we adults savoured the moment of calm, sipping tea from a nearby café.

By the time we made our way back through the city towards the train station, the streets had come alive with students hurrying to lectures and tourists snapping last-minute photos. The kids, though a bit worn out, were already asking when we could return. Oxford had left its mark on all of us, not just for its beauty, but for the sense of history, discovery, and learning that seemed to seep from every stone. It was a day well spent, one that will linger in our memories for years to come.