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

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

7 perfect days of summer - just add gin!Ableforth's Bathtub gin looks cool, tastes even better and will rev you up for a summer of fun. Here, win a case (yup, six bottles of it!) and find out for yourself.
In all your FineryNeed a summer party frock? We can help with that! Cool London brand Finery majors in chic dresses and jumpsuits, and - guess what? - we have 10 x £500 worth of its goodies up for grabs.
Superflashy newsflash!I'm all over it! Hip happenings in High Wycombe, a brand new restaurant, shoe boutique (oh hello!) and Ed Sheeran on a pub crawl in Henley. Find out the latest goss right here.
46 stunning summer pubsFancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub setting with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across all the Muddy counties. Cheers!
The Muddy Awards drinks!The best local businesses came, saw and partied at the Ashmolean Museum's Rooftop Restaurant last week. Wanna see the mischief that ensued?

Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jul

Mon 15 - Sun 21 Jul

July 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The Chesterton, Bicester

Deco styling, black marble bathrooms and oodles of charm make this renovated hotel, just a few miles from Bicester Village, a fashionable overnighter. Here’s what you need to know.
- The 20 best beachside eats
  
  Make the most of the British summer at one of our Muddy-recommended coastal eateries. Napkin at the ready? Let's do this!
- Indian summer
  
  Take one Michelin chef and interiors by Soho House's design guru, and Atul Kochhar's Hawkyn's is an instant recipe for success.
- 46 stunning summer pubs
  
  Fancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across the Muddy counties.
- Wicker basket packed?
  
  I'm heading off to Bucks & Oxon's 20 top picnic spots to scoff some scotch eggs. Who's with me?

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

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

Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of Wight

This sunny little Island may be small in stature but it’s packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We’ve got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.
- Muddy reviews: The Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne, Dorset
  
  Fancy a trip to Dorset? We know just the spot to base yourself. Muddy's Rachel McLoughlin beds in to the newly revamped Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne.
- 40 Quirky Stays for Summer
  
  From yurts to lodges, shepherd's huts to helicopters (not even joking!), the Muddy editors have pulled together the most charming, unusual escapes across 21 counties. Enjoy!

In all your Finery

Need a summer party frock? This under-the-radar label majors in cool dresses and jumpsuits. We’ve got £500 worth of Finery goodies up for grabs for 10 lucky Muddy readers – that’s £5k worth of foxy fashion!
- Gotta Have It
  
  All things bright and beautiful? When it comes to the new jewellery trend for rainbow-coloured gemstones, you betcha.
- J’adore/ J’abhor
  
  So, what's the hot topic currently creating emotional fracking by the office water cooler? This week - velcro sandals!

The top 10 books of the summer

Don’t pack your suitcase or load up your Kindle until you’ve read this! Muddy’s books editor Kerry has picked the 10 best books to get stuck into on holiday.
- Summer Fest Waddesdon
  
  OMG, I can't wait! Waddesdon's Summer Fest (Sat 6 - Sun 7 July) is going to be *awesome*. Here are the best bits to see, PLUS win 2 family tickets!
- June’s juiciest reads
  
  June's best new books are a corking bunch, including Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert's breathtaking new novel. Check out Kerry Potter's reviews - and then win the whole lot!
- Miley goes mental
  
  Hello, who's speaking please? This fruity promo for her new album be Miley Cyrus' naughtiest stunt yet. Creative juices flowing or cynical marketing ploy - you decide!
- Pass the popcorn…
  
  ...top up the Pimm's and pitch up for a pop-up film night. And now please follow the usher this way for over 100 screenings across Bucks, Oxon and beyond!

Flexi-time – are you working it out?

Flexible working is a buzzy phrase, but seriously – how many of us actually live the dream? Read on to find out how it could work for you.
Kids
- Sweetest summer fashion
  
  There's no shortage of gorgeous children's companies, but high street brand Joules is our pick for the best-dressed kids on the beach.
- Things to do with kids this summer
  
  Stuck on what to do with your children for SIX whole weeks? Don't panic, Muddy has you covered with the best bits of Bucks & Oxon.

A day in the life of… a theatre director

Losing star actors, play Dobble, chucking mashed potato around – it’s all in a (surreal) day’s work for Chipping Norton Theatre’s artistic director.
- Everybody’s talking about…
  
  Love Island's Curtis, who's managed to snaffle a highly-prized jaunt in the High Wycombe Christmas panto whilst he's still sunning it on the show!
- My favourite places: Emma Deeley
  
  Super-stylish Emma Deeley, who owns The Tythe Barn in Launton with her husband Will, shares her favourite hidden gems found in Bucks & Oxon. Where first?