The Urban Dictionary defines ‘funsies’ as doing something for the fun of it, for good times, and we firmly believe that fun is something which should be prioritised whenever feasible.
In terms of wellbeing, the benefits of funsies are widely recognised in terms of stress management, improved memory retention, boosting energy levels, forming stronger social connections and building resilience. When you have young kids, there are countless clubs and activities on offer – particularly around the main school holidays – but what about when you’re all grown up and on the hunt for good ol’fashioned fun?
Let’s start with golf – no, not the traditional 18 holes, we mean the more accessible/less serious options. You’ve got your ‘Crazy’, and for our money there’s no better place than Cutteslowe Park to the north of the city where you can head to the outdoor café for chips or ice cream after your round. Then there’s ‘Foot’; footgolf, for the uninitiated, is a mash-up of football and golf which takes around two hours and sessions can be booked up at Hinksey Heights Golf Club (oxford-golf.co.uk). Of course, if you like your crazy golf served up with a side order of cocktails, neon lights and pounding bass, the super popular chain Junkyard Golf Club can be found at Westgate Centre.
Also at the Westgate Centre you’ll find Escape Hunt, social cricket venue, Sixes, and, most recently joining the amusement lineup, ‘home’ of social darts Flight Club, which more than delivers on its promise of ‘an unforgettable night out’. Or day out, as they are now spoiling us with a Brunch offering which bundles bottomless pizza, generous amounts beer or Prosecco and an hour at the oche into two hours of fun. Despite being hugely competitive and horribly bad at darts, we’ve been twice, and loved it. It’s perfectly set up for multi-player games with six different twists on traditional darts plus they also have a great cocktail menu and a banging playlist (flightclubdarts.com).
If you’re looking for something less boozy (although it should be said, drinking is not obligatory), both the Ashmolean (ashmolean.org) and the Oxford Botanic Garden (obga.ox.ac.uk) run regular events, classes and talks. There’s a real range here, and no need to be more ‘gown’ than ‘town’ to enjoy what’s available. From April, Tuesday at the Botanic Garden includes Summer Sensations tours where you’ll be guided by the Wellbeing Outreach Officer to spend some mindful time, focusing your senses on a specific plant, feature or area of the garden. Well timed for lunch breaks (12.30-12.50) these sessions are included in the price of entry. Alternatively, the Ashmolean offers free gallery tours most days of the week. Go solo or take a pal and expand your horizons.
Rapidly becoming Oxford’s hippest destination for good times, the Tap Social Movement (tapsocialmovement.com) has made its mark in each of its four venues across the shire; Tap Social, the brewery and community space in Botley, The Market Tap in the Covered Market, Lock29 in Banbury and Proof Social Bakehouse at Sandford Lock. It all started in 2017 with a brewery on a mission to employ prisoners and prison-leavers (hence the tag line “Criminally Good Beer”). Now Tap Social is a multi-award-winning social enterprise brewery, bakery, and hospitality organisation. It was named Consumer Facing Social Enterprise of the Year at the national UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024, and The Telegraph Food named the bakery, Proof Social Bakehouse, as one of the 13 best bakeries in Britain. More than doing good, Tap Social has enhanced the community beyond measure: from informal games, Pickling workshops, Supper Clubs or open mic night (every Friday) at The Market Tap, to Yoga Coffee Club, United Wrestling UK or Spin Jazz Club in the Botley Taproom plus crafting, live music, Chess and Cheers and more at Lock29. Moreover, the jam-packed events schedule over the next couple of months is set to include the Oxford Folk Festival, specialist DJ sets, the Peep Show Quiz (hosted by actual Big Mad Andy!) and later in the year (21 June) there will be guest breweries, street food, live music and DJs congregating at the taproom site in Botley for the fourth annual beer festival.
Another social enterprise, Common Ground (commongroundoxford.com) in Little Clarendon Street operates primarily as a friendly co-working space where all are welcome to plug in their laptops. For the price of a (very good) coffee, students, local makers, social entrepreneurs and/or anyone feeling a bit isolated by working from home can work alone, together. However, this feature is about fun, not work and Common Ground also has that by the bucketload. Each Wednesday, start your day at 7.45am with Running Club, a 5k followed by a much-needed coffee. If that sounds a more energetic than entertaining, we’re pretty sure you’ll find something else at Common Ground to tickle your pickle: community clothes swaps, art markets, life drawing classes, comedy nights, dance sessions, Just Love Network worship nights, monthly DJ sets powered by Flow Sound Systems and, most recently launched, an initiative to support emerging musicians and DJs.
Another Oxford venture supporting the Arts is the Old Fire Station on George Street (oldfirestation.org.uk). This month alone, theatre-lovers will get the chance to see and feed back on fresh ideas from local and emerging theatre-makers at Theatre Scratch, or for poetry-fiend, Everything Is Working Out Poetically offers a night of spoken word, storytelling and poetry from both established and up and coming poets. Whilst you’re there, head to the café run by Damascus Rose Kitchen (supporting Arabic-speaking refugee women) for yummy (and fabulous value) Syrian food. While you’re filling your face with fattoush and falafels – with change from a tenner – browse the events listings for a diverse and inclusive programme of plays, music, comedy and regular theatre workshops
We know we’ve only scratched the surface of the fun to be had packed in amongst the dreaming spires. From big chains to independent venues; darts to dance, take this as your command to go forth and enjoy.
