City Sightseeing Oxford is adding an extra sprinkle of festive magic this Christmas with the launch of a brand new Elf Trail, inviting families and visitors to explore the city in a fun, interactive way.
Running from 18 December to 04 January (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day), the self-led trail is available to anyone taking part in the popular Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour.
Participants are challenged to track down five cheeky elves hidden at selected locations across Oxford, each posing a riddle.
Solving all five clues reveals a festive sentence, which can then be exchanged for a sweet reward at the City Sightseeing Oxford visitor information point on Oxford High Street or at Carfax Tower.
The trail has been created in collaboration with some of Oxford’s most loved cultural attractions, including the Ashmolean Museum, The Story Museum, and Modern Art Oxford, helping families combine sightseeing with seasonal fun.
As an added bonus, participants can enjoy a free babyccino with any hot drink at the Ashmolean and a 10 per cent discount at The Story Museum café.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of City Sightseeing Oxford, said the trail reflects the company’s commitment to offering engaging experiences for families:
“Brand-new this Christmas, we are excited to launch the elf trail across Oxford for the festive period. We’re always looking for innovative ways to help families explore the city, whether they’re local residents or visiting Oxford for the holidays.”
The elf trail comes at no additional cost when added to a City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off ticket, which can be booked online or via ticket sellers.
The bus tour lasts approximately one hour and showcases Oxford’s iconic landmarks, including Christ Church, Magdalen Bridge, Oxford Castle, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Ashmolean Museum. Commentary is available in 14 languages, with the route featuring 20 stops across the city.
Parental supervision is required throughout the activity, which is designed to be enjoyable, safe and accessible for families with young children — making it a festive highlight for Christmas in Oxford.
