The urban guide to the countryside -

Bucks & Oxon

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

Father's day incoming! (It's 21 Jun for all you naughty children). If you're stuck on what to buy the paternal figures in your life, here, take some inspo from us.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

What's in - the curated guide to funLooking for fun? Look no further - I've rounded up the best virtual theatre, exhibitions, concerts and TV PLUS there's a drive-thru cinema in our 'hood.
Headline walks in Bucks & OxonLooking for a walk worthy of front page news? Check out these eight headline-grabbing walks from the highest points and best views to the coolest local landmarks.
What's in - your guide to fun at homeWhy the long face Gillian? There are heaps of cultural delights online this week from world-class theatre and film to virtual exhibition tours and concerts in your living room.
Where to play golf and tennis near youBored of running and cycling (or never even started)? Golf courses and tennis courts are now open. Here are the top places to thwack that ball across Bucks & Oxon.
20 stunning self-catering stays in Bucks & OxonWho needs to go abroad with stays like this on our doorstep? If you're looking for a stylish cottage escape close to home for when lockdown lifts, read on.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Thread Tales

Gluts & Gluttony

Su Chases Interiors

The Beach House Company

Rumsey's Chocolaterie, Thame

Ultimate Activity Camps

Perfect Stays

The Greyhound, Beaconsfield

The Coconut Tree, Oxford

Stretch and Tents

Life At Nettlebed

Artist Residence

Eat View more
The Orange Bakery’s cinnamon buns

Lockdown unleashed your inner domestic goddess? Give this cinnamon bun recipe from Watlington’s The Orange Bakery a go – they’re a Muddy favourite.
- Quarantini time! Heston’s Gold Rush
  
  Looking to up your cocktail creds during lockdown? We've rifled through Heston Blumenthal’s cocktail bible, so perk yourself up with a Gold Rush.
- Provençal fougasse with green and black olives
  
  Lockdown is the perfect time to get to grips with everyone's favourite chewy loaf: sourdough. Put your baking skills to the test with this savoury share-and-tear number (you can skip the sharing bit if you like).
- Support local! The best farm shops near you
  
  If you’ve vowed never to go back to piling your supermarket trolley sky high and ignoring your local shops, let us help you keep your promise with our pick of the best farm shops in Bucks & Oxon.
- Nettle recipes from The Pig, Brockenhurst
  
  Why hit the supermarket queue when you can forage in the hedgerows? We consulted kitchen garden experts The Pig for two simple nettle recipes you can make at home.

Instamuddy

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Arts & Culture View more
18 must-watch documentaries

While we’re all about TV escapism right now, the truth can be more entertaining than fiction. Reclaim the remote and pick from our edit of the best Netflix documentaries.
- The best ‘holiday’ reads for lockdown
  
  Okay, 'holiday' might be stretching it - but these books are certainly providing us with welcome escapism during lockdown! Here are the latest releases the Muddy editors are reading in the back garden with a cocktail.
- What’s in – your guide to fun at home
  
  There are cultural delights galore this week from world-class theatre and film to virtual exhibition tours and concerts in your living room.

Home View more
- House swap: what does £250k get you?
  
  £250k for a house? You betcha! If that mortgage is feeling like a millstone, take a peek at these properties across the Muddy counties and start mentally moving in ASAP.
Wellbeing
- Where to play golf and tennis near you
  
  Bored of running and cycling (or never even started)? Golf courses and tennis courts are now open. Here are the top places to thwack that ball across Bucks & Oxon.
- 7 steps to better sleep
  
  You've downed a chamomile tea, ignored your phone for an hour and mentally shoved your 900th sheep over a gate - but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Time to pandemic-proof your sleep, with our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.

Work View more
Open season! Shops and cafés back in action

Shops have been given the go-ahead and cafés are reopening too (I’ll take a flat white and a croissant to go, please). Here’s the lowdown for Bucks & Oxon.
Kids
- To school or not to school?
  
  It's the dilemma that's dividing the nation - is it safe to send our children back to school on Monday? Two Muddy editors, one pro and one against, explain why they've made their personal decision.
- How you can help your child’s mental health
  
  Anxious, stressed, unhappy... words now regularly applied to describe children. In National Mental Health Awareness Week we're asking - are there simple steps parents can take to ease the pain?

Fashion View more
Add to basket! 10 bags to buy now

Light to carry, and gorgeously artisan, perfect your summer picnic style with one of these lovely wicker and woven totes.
- Hot new swimwear for summer
  
  Sunbathing is my specialist subject and the weather's hotting up. Check out the Muddy edit of must have swimwear to suit every shape and size.
- Sunglasses to suit your face shape
  
  The weather's perked up - time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don't sit on them.

Beauty View more
- 5 chic hand sanitisers (that aren’t sold out)
  
  Quit fighting over the last bottle of hand sanitiser in the supermarket and opt for one of these trendy, in-stock options instead (oh yeah, and we have a bunch to give away!)
- Greys, begone! 5 root touch-ups
  
  Step away from the home dye and try one of these fast, effective and affordable root touch up kits to get rid of your greys (and stay in your hairdresser's good books).

People View more
Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer

He’s worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands – raising money for the NHS in association with theatres like The North Wall. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- Where Willow Crossley goes
  
  Renowned floral stylist, local gal and friend of Muddy, Willow Crossley, knows some stylish local spots that she thinks you'll love. Ready to take notes?
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Read the reviews

Fun Finder

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

Travel View more
57 staycation self-catering stays

Planning a staycation for when lockdown eases up? It’s your resident travel agent here with 57 gorgeous self-catering stays across the 24 Muddy counties.
- 20 stunning self-catering stays in Bucks & Oxon
  
  Who needs to go abroad with stays like this on our doorstep? If you're looking for a stylish cottage escape close to home for when lockdown lifts, read on.
- Restaurants with rooms
  
  Dreaming of a foodie getaway? We've scoured the Muddy counties for hotel stays with serious culinary credentials for when lock-down lifts. Tuck in.