A Present for Jack at The Story Museum, plus the Magic Bean Appeal and winter extras

Little Seeds Music return to The Story Museum with A Present for Jack, a new festive musical for children and families. Young Jack is on a mission to find the perfect song for his dad, sharing legendary tales along the way. It’s beanstalks, giants and quick wits to the soundtrack of live music, audience participation and original songs.

Details

• Company: Little Seeds Music (creators of Cinderella Ice Cream Seller)
• Credits: Written & composed by David Gibb; directed by Tristan Jackson-Pate
• Tickets: £14 per person
• Under-1s: Go free with a ‘lap’ ticket (book in advance by calling 01865 807 600 or request on arrival at the Welcome Desk)
• Booking: Via The Story Museum website or 01865 807 600
• Suitability: Ages 5+ and their families
• Where: The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP

Fundraising: the Magic Bean Appeal

Running alongside the show, The Story Museum has launched the Magic Bean Appeal to raise £10,000 for Spellbound Schools, its two-year creative literacy programme working with seven Oxfordshire primaries. The programme mixes in-school sessions and museum visits, with targeted projects such as the Extreme Reading Project for reluctant readers.

• Matched giving: Oxfordshire firm Great Communication will double each donation until the £10,000 target is reached.
• How to give: Donate online via The Story Museum website, or swap £5 for a take-home packet of Magic Beans when you attend A Present for Jack.

Also at The Story Museum this winter

Enchanted Library: Winter Trail

Tue 2 December 2025 – Sat 31 January 2026 • Included with Galleries entry
Explore the Enchanted Library and spot the signs of winter hidden among the stories. Pick up a trail sheet with a take-home craft so you can make your own winter stars at home. Suitable for families and running during normal opening hours.

Read and Draw with Korky Paul

Sat 6 December, 11.00 (45 mins) • £10 per person • Ages 5–11 + families
The much-loved illustrator leads a read-and-draw-along. Hear One Snowy Christmas Eve by Marc Bratcher, then watch Korky bring characters to life on the page.

Make a day of it

Alongside the show and seasonal extras, the Museum’s galleries include the Whispering Wood, the Enchanted Library, and The Treasure Chamber (currently home to Here be Dragons, co-curated by Cressida Cowell). In July 2025 the Museum opened The Story Arcade, a permanent gallery exploring digital story worlds from retro to state-of-the-art — a warm space for families to play together.

Galleries entry (prices at time of writing)

• Ages 5+: £14.00 (or £15.50 with donation / Gift Aid)
• Ages 1–4: £7.00 (or £7.70 with donation)
• Small Worlds (ages 0–5), 60-minute session: £7.00 (or £7.70 with donation)

Choosing a ticket with donation helps the registered charity claim Gift Aid at no extra cost to you.

Practical details

• Booking & info: storymuseum.org.uk • Box office: 01865 807 600
• Accessibility, travel and opening hours: see the Museum’s website before you travel.

Travel & parking (closest options):

• Nearest car parks: Westgate Oxford (sat nav OX1 1TS) and Oxpens Car Park (OX1 1RQ) — each about 5 minutes’ walk to the Museum entrance. Charges and opening hours vary; check live info before you set off.
• Park & Ride: Five Park & Ride sites ring Oxford (Seacourt, Redbridge, Pear Tree, Thornhill, Oxford Parkway/Water Eaton). Buses set down in the city centre/Westgate, handy for Pembroke Street.
• Blue Badge parking: On-street Blue Badge bays nearby on St Ebbe’s Street, Pembroke Square and St Aldate’s; there are also Blue Badge spaces at Westgate and at Park & Ride sites. Check the Museum’s accessibility page for current details.
• Public transport: Oxford city centre bus stops are a short walk; trains serve Oxford station (city centre). Plan via operator websites before travelling.

All Details were correct at publication; check the organiser for updates.