Spotlight

Is it time to start your own business?2020 has forced many of us to radically rethink our careers, goals and dreams. Muddy meets four women who made the leap and started their own businesses during Covid. Is it time we joined them?
What's on near you this week?There are spooks, scares and ghoulish happenings aplenty this week with ghost hunts, Macbeth and pumpkin picking, plus it's last call to catch a whole raft of excellent local exhibitions.
Superflashy newsflash! The latest local gossPiping hot news, coming atcha! This week: new openings, foodie discounts, and new reasons to shop til you drop.
Fancy a Weekend Escape?Well, you're in the right place! Check out brand new, brilliant guide to help you find the perfect break - from a relaxed family hotel to countryside self-catering, easy day trip or a special occasion space. Now go forth and staycay!
What's on: OctoberHello October, old friend. On the roster this month we have lit fests galore, live comedy, Halloween antics and a string of excellent exhibitions. You ready? Let's go!

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

Forget your usual black and brown, there's a new colour on the block when it comes to winter boots and we're loving it. Here are eight white pairs to add to basket.

It’s all about the staycay! Our handpicked selection of the hippest hotels, pubs, restaurants and cottages to help you book that well-deserved break

Little Black Book

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

Bearded Viking

Black Goo Coffee, Thame

Dirty Bones, Oxford

Crockers Henley, Henley

River and Rowing Museum, Henley

The Story Museum, Oxford

Ashmolean, Oxford

The Five Arrows, Waddesdon

Griffiths Brothers Gin

Lucatello Wood Design

Richard Rogers Designs - Garden & Landscape Design

Clayton's Marlow

Eat View more
Crockers: fine dining without the fuss

Desperate to make an occasion of it? The Chef’s Table experience at this superb new Henley restaurant with rooms is just what you need. Read my review, and book fast.
- Caffeine boost! 39 of the best indie coffee roasters
  
  Can't function without your morning brew? Try one of these delicious artisan blends, from indie coffee roasters across the Muddy counties, to kickstart your day with a caffeine boost.
- Where to drink when you’re not drinking
  
  Designated driver, or taking part in Sober October? Try these 7 brilliant bars near you for marvellous mocktails.
- It’s GBBO biscuit week! On your marks, get set, BAKE!
  
  Ditch the HobNobs and get your bake on making these gluten-free Italian almond biscuits by Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi. They're made for dunking.
- Stroll and scoff: 11 Autumn walks with pubs
  
  Is there anything better than a beautiful Autumnal walk that ends in a pub lunch? (spoiler alert: NO). Here's my starter for 10 across Bucks & Oxon.

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
Sofa surfer! 7 new TV shows and films to watch this week

Anyone up for movie night? Here are six new feature-length flicks landing on the box this week, as well as a brand new Netflix mini-series you’ll love.
- And now, something to cheer us all up…
  
  Need a little light relief? Don't we all? Here are three IG accounts that have been making us laugh this week.
- 10 new films and TV shows landing this week
  
  Bored? Us too! Drop the box set re-runs and settle down with this week's Muddy-curated guide to the best of the small screen.

Home View more
- Light it up! 42 cool indie candle brands
  
  The arrival of autumn means darker evenings snuggled indoors by candlelight. Looking for a new scent? Try one of these gorgeous indie candle brands from across the Muddy counties.
Wellbeing
- 6 steps to better wellbeing this October
  
  Lockdown, curfews, general panic - the last few months have been stressful to say the least, so we're pegging October to focus on our wellbeing, starting with these six simple steps.
- Today’s Muddy motivation: This girl can!
  
  Juggling motherhood, jiggly bits and the barriers to exercising, This Girl Can is back with its brand new campaign for National Fitness Day and we LOVE it! Take a look at the latest ad here...

Travel View more
20 Muddy-approved attractions in Bucks

From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in Buckinghamshire.
- 20 Muddy-approved attractions in Oxon
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in Oxfordshire.
- Book now: 10 European-style staycations
  
  Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel - can you guess where this is?

Work View more
Is it time to start your own business?

2020 has forced many of us to radically rethink our careers, goals and dreams. Muddy meets four women who made the leap and started their own businesses during Covid. Is it time we joined them?
Kids
- Boredom buster! October half-term day trips
  
  Fancy hopping out of county for the afternoon? Then bundle the kids in the car and head off to one of these sites dedicated to family fun.
- 10 of the best subscription boxes for kids
  
  Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.

Fashion View more
Best places to shop vintage in Bucks & Oxon

Shop sustainably in style with our pick of the 10 coolest vintage shops in Bucks & Oxon for uncovering unique hidden gems. Ready, steady, shop!
Beauty
- Beauty treats under £20 to buy at Westgate Oxford
  
  Need a little something to put some pep in your step? Get thee down to Westgate for a rejuvenating beauty buy
- The essential no make-up make-up kit
  
  It’s a trend that’s not going away anytime soon; make-up so subtle that it just makes you look like a brighter and better version of yourself. Here’s the Muddy guide.

People View more
What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room at Holborn Dining Room

Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.
- My favourite places: designer Lorna Syson
  
  Where does seriously stylish interiors guru Lorna Syson get her inspiration? These local hangouts, of course! Here's a peek inside Lorna's own little black book...
- Yes, people, this is Meg Mathews!
  
  Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, self-care and, er, vagina facials.