Our guide to great family days out in August and September

AUG: Take a trip to the JMW Turner exhibition, at the Ashmolean Museum, in Beaumont Street, Oxford. As well as the normal opening times, the museum is open until 8pm during July and August

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ANYTIME: The Oxford University Press Museum, in Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, preserves and displays historic books, documents and printing equipment of the international publishing house OUP. Open during office hours by appointment only. Out-of-hours visits may be arranged for Societies. Admission free. Further information available on 01865 267527

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AUG 6: Oxford's South Park is the place to be for the Positive Vibrations African-Caribbean celebration of music and culture. From noon to 7pm, with live music, sound systems, stalls and entertainment for all

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AUG 20: The annual Oxford Canal Festival celebrating canal life, is being held from 10am to 6pm. Visitors to the festival will be able to enjoy live music, stalls, canal boats and rides, entertainment and inflatables

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AUG 22: The Oxfordshire Bat Group is holding a slide show followed by an opportunity to meet some of the patients from David's bat hospital. Meet at the marquees, halfway along The Plain at Shotover Country Park, top of Old Road, Headington, Oxford. From 8-9.30pm. Further information from Oxford City Council's Countryside Office on 01865 715830

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AUG 25: A fireworks and music evening is being held at Woodstock's Blenheim Palace. Tickets cost 17.50 for adults if you book in advance and 20 on the day. Children, aged five to 16, cost 10. Under fives are free. Tickets available by ringing the box office line on 01625 560000

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AUG 26-28: Join in the fun of a Georgian Murder and Mystery Weekend, from 10am to 5pm. Adults 4.50 and children 2.25. Ring 01295 for more information

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SEPT 2-3: Join in a sponsored dog walk at Oxford's Shotover Country Park from 9.30am. For further details and/or sponsor form, phone Kit Berry at Rehoming Animals in Need on 01865 765008

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SEPT 3: The British Heart Foundation Oxford Heart Cycle Ride starts and finishes in Stonesfield anytime between 8am and 10.30am. For information and a sponsorship form ring 0800 169 3672

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SEPT 5-9: See the Wizard of Oz at Oxford's Apollo Theatre. Tickets are priced from 7

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SEPT 7-10: Blenheim International Horse Trials. Ring 01993 813335 for more details

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SEPT 9: Oxford's Florence Park, off Rymers Lane, in Temple Cowley, will host an annual health and environment festival along with a live folk festival stage, from noon until 7pm. Find out more by ringing 01865 774911

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SEPT 23-24: Cogges Manor Farm Museum, in Witney, is holding a day of jam and pickle making. Ring 01993 772602 for more information

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SEPT 30: The annual Ploughing Championships and Country Fair at Clanfield is being held from 9am to 4.30pm. Ring 01367 252807 for more details