Spotlight

Idris Elba in Bucks - and more news you need to knowFind out where the Hollywood hunk's hanging around locally, plus cool comedy, new hipster hangouts, a state-of-the-art cinema and more hot gossip from across Bucks & Oxon.
Walkies! 11 pretty dog walks with pub pitstopsThe sun's out - time to grab the lead and treat Fido to one of these stellar local walks, all with dog-friendly watering holes along the way.
9 outdoor cinemas to book nowNothing says summer like an alfresco night out watching fab movies under the stars. From gardens to amphitheatres, here's where to head, popcorn and blanket at the ready
37 pub gardens for alfresco lunchingThe sun is out, the sky is blue, it's time to pour a rose or two! From snazzy gastro pubs to rustic little inns, we've got your Oxon/Bucks summer hit list right here...
Superflashy newsflash! Food, festivals, and French balletWant to know where you can eat an award-winning burger, drink a seasonal cocktail by the river and watch an 18th century ballet? It's all here, baby!

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

When one destination isn't enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF - the cruise.

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

The Muddy Awards are GO! Show your plucky local indie businesses some love by nominating them now - nominations close 20 May

Nominate now

Eat

Plant power! 13 local vegan & veggie eateries

It’s National Vegetarian Week (16-22 May)! Treat yourself to a meal out at one of these local joints that put veggies front and centre and deliver on flavour.
- The Henley Distillery Gin Experience: the Muddy verdict
  
  Creating your own gin in a copper still is a lot like being let loose in the Hogwarts Potion Class, so naturally we had to be the first to try it at our local award-winning distillery
- 37 pub gardens for alfresco lunching
  
  The sun is out, the sky is blue, it’s time to pour a rose or two! From snazzy gastro pubs to rustic little inns, we’ve got your Oxon/Bucks summer hit list right here…

Culture

Local art we’re lusting after

It’s Oxfordshire ArtWeeks and all around the county the familiar yellow and blue bunting is popping up. Here’s our pick of ceramics, glass, sculpture, painting and more
- Feet up! 6 things to watch on TV this week
  
  Need something new to watch this week? You’ve come to the right place! From a freshly funny new talk show to an indulgent crime thriller, this is the best of the best.
- 9 outdoor cinemas to book now
  
  Nothing says summer like an alfresco night out watching fab movies under the stars. From gardens to amphitheatres, here’s where to head, popcorn and blanket at the ready

Little Black Book

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

Edie + Po, Thame

Table 13, Oxford

AY StrEat Meet, Haddenham

Heba Pilates, Marlow & Beaconsfield

Seven Stars, Marsh Baldon

The Castle at Edgehill

The Sun Inn, Hook Norton

Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury

Stowe, Buckingham

Greys Court, nr Henley

Hughendon Manor, High Wycombe

The Healthy Holiday Company

Travel

Food for thought: the best gourmet getaways

Eat, sleep, repeat! Food and travel go together like, err, gin and tonic (cheers!) and if you find top nosh plays a key part in making your holiday a success, perhaps it’s time to take things a step further and make it the central focus?
- The best cruise holidays for 2023
  
  When one destination isn’t enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF – the cruise.
- 23 of the best places to holiday in the UK
  
  Staycationing this summer? Then you’re going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.

Home

45+ cool kitchen design companies we trust

Thinking of a redesign? From classic Shaker styles to sleek contemporary cabinets, these kitchen design companies across the Muddy counties know just what they’re doing.
- A quick veggie supper dish from Georgina Hayden
  
  This Mediterranean twist on roast potatoes, with coriander and olives, makes a perfect side dish, or the main event for lunch alongside a crisp green salad.
- 8 gorgeous new gardening books
  
  Bountiful borders, striped lawn and artfully placed sculptures here we come, but first, sit down, grab a coffee and get lost in the sublime pages of these beauties (those weeds can wait another hour or so)
Wellbeing
- WIN £3,000 cash for your business!
  
  To celebrate this year’s Muddy Awards, our national sponsor Healthily is giving away a life-changing £3k cash injection to boost one company’s health & wellbeing. Click to enter now!
- Review: Bodhi Tree Spa, Chalfont St Peter
  
  Seeking relaxation? With its eastern inspired, holistic approach to beauty and wellness (and excellent treatment list) this bijoux Muddy Award-winning day spa is the perfect place to zen out.

Life

5 ways weddings have changed for 2022 and beyond

How does the big white wedding look in a post-pandemic world? We asked the Muddy Award-winning team behind The Tythe Barn in Bicester.
Kids
- Cokethorpe School (Prep), Witney
  
  A selective, co-ed independent school set in 150 acres of dreamy Oxfordshire parkland. Though academics are well looked after, there’s a refreshing emphasis on letting kids enjoy being kids.
- Radley College, Radley
  
  With its stunning 800 acre grounds, seriously impressive facilities and strong results, this prestigious all boys full boarding school needs no introduction

Instamuddy

Fashion

10 buys for World Bee Day

Hey, if it’s for the little black and yellow fellas, then who are we to argue with a shopping spree to celebrate World Bee Day (20 May)? Here are 10 on-trend buys we’re totally buzzing about
- The HOTTEST new nail polish shades for spring
  
  Spring is here – time for pretty new nails! From new season chic pastels to Harry Styles’ psychedelic new collection, here are the shades to have on rotation right now.
- REVIEW: new skincare that’s gorgeous – and works!
  
  Let me introduce you to WOAH – your favourite new vegan skincare line, tried and tested by me! See my edit, then win the entire collection, worth over £200.

People

The Guilty Feminist on tour!

Love the podcast? Good news – its creator is coming to Oxford this month. We grabbed the super-talented Deborah Francis-White for a Muddy chinwag.
- My favourite places: Hannah Heys, local artist
  
  Trust an artist to have an eye for lovely local places! With her Hand Crafted exhibition on now at Queen’s Park Arts Centre, textile artist and Bucks local Hannah Heys chats under-the-radar gems.
- Muddy meets Sleeper frontwoman Louise Wener
  
  We copied her hairdo and indie style back in the ’90s, now Sleeper singer and guitarist Louise Wener is back on stage with the band: cooler and more confident than ever.