Spotlight

What's on in Bucks & Oxon this DecemberWhat a festive feast we have for you this month, with local events for shoppers, toddlers, ravers, foodies, fun-seekers, music, and art lovers across the counties.
Get real! 12 local experiences to gift this ChristmasThe old adage is 'buy experiences, not things' - and with this many amazing workshops, classes and days out on our doorstep, who are we to argue?
Christmas gift guide: for himWhat to buy the bloke who has everything (or 'wants nothing')? We've sorted his Christmas list with 25 cool gifting ideas from independent brands and businesses across the Muddy counties
14 best Christmas markets near Bucks & OxonIs it even Christmas if you haven't eaten scalding chestnuts from a chalet hut? Do your festive shopping right this year with these 14 merry markets within an hour of Bucks & Oxon
Five gripping reads to give your working life a boostWhat better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We've found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit...

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

Party season essentials to add to your beauty bag

It's Christmaaaaas! Treat yourself to some festive glam, and pick up some some gorgeous stocking fillers in one fell swoop at Next Beauty & Home's shopping event (11-12 Dec).

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

See What's On

Eat

20 Autumn roasts with the most

Can’t be bothered to baste potatoes with goose fat? I hear you. Instead grab your gang and head to one of these local gastropubs and let the experts do the hard work
- Fill your Xmas table from these cracking farmshops
  
  Missed the festive supermarket delivery slots? Support local instead and get provenance-assured meat, veggies, cheese, even gifts, at these 21 Bucks & Oxon farm shops
- Review: The Yurt restaurant at Nicholsons
  
  Banish the word café from your mind: The Yurt at Nicholsons in North Oxfordshire has gone full stylish restaurant. Muddy stopped by for a lunch, but did its new menu live up to the hype?

Culture

Pass that remote! Six things to watch this week

It’s freezing! Definitely the only excuse you need to catch up on some sofa time. On our watchlist this week: Benedict Cumberbatch’s cowboy “career-best”, on-demand opera, award-winning BBC comedy, and more.
- Review: Rapunzel at Chipping Norton Theatre
  
  A princess in Doc Martens, a rockstar weasel, pirates, parsley and general pandemonium – this year’s panto has officially arrived at Chippy Norton. But did Muddy like it? (Spoiler: Oh, yes we did!)
- Stumped? Here’s 6 new books for gifting
  
  On the lookout for a new read, or scouring the shelves for Christmas gifts? The team at Gerrards Cross Bookshop are in the know – here’s their pick of the hot new releases to buy now, from memoirs to thrillers to sport and music

Little Black Book

Want to support local? Our curated pick of the most creative, unique and brilliant businesses near you.

Olivine Design

Mrs Bun the Baker Cookery School

The Holiday in a Box Co.

The Special Moves Collective

Blossom Room, Milton Keynes

Bottlesoc

Kocktail

MK Gallery

Travel

Cool yule! Muddy guide to Christmas in Edinburgh

Ice rinks, Santa Land, fireworks and castles…For cracking Christmas celebrations and a helluva Hogmanay, head north of the border this winter.
- The best Black Friday travel deals!
  
  Staying in a gorgeous hotel or lying on a tropical beach never fails to make us happy, which is why we’re excited to bring you all the best discounts around the world. Just think of us as your BFF when it comes to BF!
- Escape by rail to these 7 heavenly new hotels
  
  No flight, no faff… hop on the train to these gorgeous new hotels from the newest Pig Hotel to a Peaks treehouse and a cheeky little number in Paris

Home

Four Christmas cocktails and how to serve them

The perfect festive tipple? We’ve found one to match every kind of Christmas shindig, with the help of the pro shakers at Kocktail. And the best bit? They mix them for you!
- Ten bulbs to plant now for a dreamy spring garden
  
  Want to know how the Wormsley Estate in Bucks looks so fabulous come spring? Head gardener Charlotte Tremlin reveals her secret for glorious beds and baskets.
- Fir real? Where to buy your Christmas tree this year
  
  Time to untangle the fairy lights and haul in the Norwegian spruce. We’ve found the best local options, from pick your own and potted firs to tree rentals. Up she goes!
Wellbeing
- Where to get fit outdoors in Bucks & Oxon
  
  Don’t wait til the new year – get those trainers on, get outside, and get fit now, with these fun exercise classes (honest), running groups for all levels and outdoor swimming (some heated!)
- Morning routines for happy women: the author
  
  Nescafé Gold Blend, to-do lists and occasionally a pair killer heels – this is what a morning looks like for author Natalie Livingstone.

Life

Five gripping reads to give your working life a boost

What better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We’ve found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit…
Kids
- Radley College, Abingdon
  
  With its stunning 800 acre grounds, seriously impressive facilities and strong results, this prestigious all boys full boarding school needs no introduction
- Stowe School, Stowe, Buckinghamshire
  
  A stunning setting across 750 acres, incredible facilities and a growing reputation for its academics has put all-rounder co-ed Stowe School on must-see lists.

Instamuddy

Fashion

Keep calm and carry on! 7 stylish totes for shopping

With luxury designer Anya Hindmarch launching a bag for the big supermarkets, it’s time to raise your shopper game. Check out these seven beauties.
- Hair transformation! Muddy goes ‘petrol’
  
  Time for a new ‘do? From subtle styling to bold design (read on!) Haringtons has you covered with slick service and skill. See what happened when Muddy sat in the salon chair…
- Party season essentials to add to your beauty bag
  
  It’s Christmaaaaas! Treat yourself to some festive glam, and pick up some some gorgeous stocking fillers in one fell swoop at Next Beauty & Home’s shopping event (11-12 Dec).

People

We’re hooked! Pantomime time with Jake Wood

Eastenders is behind you! Muddy chats madcap pantos and Christmas plans with soap legend and Strictly star Jake Wood, ahead of his run as Captain Hook at the Wycombe Swan.
- Muddy meets comedian Ed Byrne
  
  Why he gave up horticulture for comedy, plus his best warm-up joke… Funny man Ed chats to Muddy ahead of hitting the stage in High Wycombe and Milton Keynes…
- Muddy meets Dom Holland (aka daddy Spiderman)
  
  Writer, funny man, and father of big star Tom Holland. Muddy sat down with Dominic Holland to chat life in the shadow of your eldest, stand up faux-pas, and his upcoming set at The Potters Arms.