The urban guide to the countryside -

Well, hello!

I'm Hero, editor of Muddy Bucks & Oxon, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

Gotta Have It

Don’t leave it to chance! Choose from our handpicked selection of the best businesses near you.

FRI 22 - SUN 24 JUNE 2018

MON 18 - SUN 24 JUNE 2018

June 2018

Jacob’s Plough, Bicester

Best-selling crime writer Sharon Bolton turns her forensic eye to this stylish, family-friendly pub in Bicester. Finger print brush and evidence bags at the ready, she’s going in…
- Wicker basket packed?
  
  It's National Picnic Week so to celebrate we're scoffing scotch eggs and heading off to Bucks & Oxon's 20 top picnic spots.
- Waddesdon’s Fab Feast
  
  It's not just scoffing on offer Waddesdon Manor's Feast. Check out these performers and book in for this unique festival on Sat 16 - Sun 17 June.
- Dine with 7 mighty Michelin stars
  
  It's the 20th birthday of Newbury's The Vineyard, and 7 famous former chefs are cooking up a storm to celebrate in their roots. Deets here!
- All about the bling
  
  Is this the most OTT restaurant in Bucks & Oxon? Feast your eyes on The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

The Shaven Crown

Elizabeth I stayed here – what more do you want? A quirky, homely, lovely inn in Shipton-under-Wychwood from which to explore the Cotswolds.
- Holiday with Poldark!
  
  The BBC bodice-ripper is back, yippee! Fancy hanging out in Poldark Land this summer? We've hunted down the best Cornish coastal cottages, villas and grand design rentals.
- A romantic overnighter with a twist
  
  Muddy's Kerry Potter got married at The Tythe Barn in Launton, North Oxon, a decade ago. She returns - with her husband (yep, he's still tolerating her, phew) - for a sleepover at the venue's new shepherd's hut.

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The hottest new fashion label around

Molly Molloy, former designer at Marni, has just launched the supercool label Colville. The Oxfordshire lass talks fashion mistakes (she’s made a few), art inspo, and how to nail your personal style.
Beauty
- Cult beauty brand alert!
  
  We've got our Muddy fingers in a LOT of Beauty Pie's luxe products this week, and we're going back in for seconds.
- Pink hair – would you dare?
  
  Our intrepid Muddy reporter tried out rose gold hair at Amersham's Gatsby & Miller. But was she in the pink?

Festival Fever

‘Tis the season for drinking too much cider and getting sunburnt in a field under the guise of being a live music fan. Here’s our pick of the best local music festivals. See you down the front!
- Colourscape – whoa, enjoy your trip!
  
  This ever-so-slightly bonkers immersive installation at Waddesdon Manor is brilliant family-friendly fun. Prepare for sensory overload!
- Seeking literary inspiration?
  
  Well, you're in the right place. Muddy's pro bookworm Kerry Potter picks the best June reads for you. And you can win the lot!

Help! Career MOT needed

Job driving you mental? Or maybe it’s a lack of job that’s the problem? We put your work dilemmas to our clever new careers coach. Here’s what she had to say.
Kids
- Make a splash!
  
  Hey hot stuff! Bit sweaty? Break out the Muddy bikini, we’re diving in. Read on for the best outdoor water fun in our 'hood.
- Jump to it!
  
  Fancy sky-diving without the risk to life and limb? Muddy heads to iFLY in Milton Keynes for the ultimate VR experience. Trust me, your kids will LOVE it.

World Cup Wonders

Far be it from us to objectify the World Cup’s hottest footballers at Muddy Stilettos. Instead we’ve gone and found you the smartest. Yes, amazingly there are some!
- My Favourite Places: Tim Henman
  
  Tim Henman, party animal - who'd have thought it? Ahead of Wimbledon, the British tennis legend talks wine, his local hangouts and, er, more wine with Muddy's Kerry Potter.
- Muddy meets… Professor Robert Winston
  
  Want to improve your learning (or theirs - it's GSCE time!) The most famous moustache in modern medicine knows how to help.