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

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

I have news!New openings, famous people arriving, and a gorgeous swirl of gossip around Bucks & Oxon!
5 ways to pamper your petWoof! It’s National Love Your Pet Day this Wednesday, and Fido demands nothing but the best. Um, after his snooze.
A cocktail, and make it snappy!Dry January is over, and to celebrate, we've collated the best bars across the Muddy counties in which to whet your whistle with your favourite tipple. Ibuprofen at the ready? Then we'll begin!
Half term savioursHarassed parents of Bucks & Oxon, breathe! The hols are nearly here, but we know exactly to keep the kids entertained - from film courses and cookery days to the best theatre and days out.
Feb gardening tipsNo idea whether to mulch, prune or - goddamit - both?! The Top 5 things to do in your garden in February to get it into tip top shape for Spring.

Fri 22 - Sun 24 Feb 2019

Mon 18 - Sun 24 Feb 2019

February 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

31 Below, Marylebone

You can keep your Oxford, Bond and Kensington High Streets – it’s Marylebone High Street and its new watering hole, 31 Below, all the way for me!
- Top 50 gastropubs 2019
  
  … and Bucks & Oxon's triple-cooked chips stacked up nicely with SIX foodie pubs shortlisted. Roomy pants on? Let's tuck in.
- 12 places to eat yourself slim
  
  Still on a health drive? All power to you sister! And now, with my yum, fun and not-on-your-bum suggestions, you can eat out AND hit your fighting weight.
- Dig in! The Mole Inn
  
  Just five miles outside Oxford, this attractive rural pub hits the mark for both foodies and families. Here's what we made of it...
- Paris House, Woburn
  
  Elegance, class, sophistication...no, we're not talking about ourselves! The Michelin recommended Paris House in Woburn, Beds, aces fine dining.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Fancy a family weekend of R&R?

De-frazzling in bucolic surroundings while scoffing homemade brownies? Sounds like our perfect weekend. Muddy’s Jo buzzes off to Noke, South Oxfordshire, to investigate.
- Muddy stays: The Fleece, Witney
  
  Cocktails in the Cotswolds? Well, if you insist. Muddy whizzes to the lovely market town of Witney to check out this sleek gastro-pub with rooms.
- Hampshire hotel hotty
  
  Shall we count the ways we love you Chewton Glen? Nah, we'll be here for days.. Instead, here's what you need to know about this coastal classic spa and hotel destination.

Hey sexy pants!

With Valentine’s Day imminent, we hunted down the sexiest, slinkiest new lingerie around. Bridget Jones enormo-pants, be gone!
Beauty
- LED Lady
  
  Want to bust the wrinkles but stay away from the botox syringe? You'll be needing this Déesse Pro Edition mask from Cedar Therapy in Chipping Norton then!
- Natural skincare + bio-active science = RESULTS
  
  Two sisters, one multi-award winning beauty brand and - oh hello - 10 Balance Me bundles worth a total of £1200 to give away!

15 music festivals in Bucks, Oxon and beyond – book now!

‘Tis the season for drinking too much cider and getting sunburnt in a field under the guise of being a live music fan. Here’s our pick of the best summer fests, both local and further afield. See you down the front!
- Enjoy your trip, Naomi?
  
  Check out this bizarre but visually brilliant short film by legend Nick Knight starring La Campbell. One hell of a way to promote a hotel! Whaddya think of it?
- Feb’s best new books
  
  It was still the dog days of winter last time I checked so there's only one thing for it - let's hunker down with a compelling new book.

Back to school?

Feeling the need to feed your brain? There’s loads of ace new academic courses now booking in Oxford for 2019 – and you can be as part-time as you like.
Kids
- Are we pushing our Junior School kids too hard too early?
  
  Is our obsession with exams equipping our kids for the competition of life, or pushing them to an early breakdown? 5 Heads of prestigious local prep schools give their views.
- Queen Anne’s, Caversham
  
  Muddy says: A top girls' school set in 34 acres with cracking facilities, including a super-cool 6th form, a can-do ethos and great results.

Well, hello young man!

It’s a Dirty (Dancing) job, but someone’s got to do it. Muddy meets Michael O’Reilly, sultry star of Dirty Dancing. Catch him at Wycombe Swan next week (but don’t throw watermelons at him, he doesn’t like it).
- Muddy meets Tom Kerridge…
  
  ... and talks Marlow's Pub in the Park (Kaiser Chiefs, people), his favourite local eateries, and work life balance issues - yup, he has them too!
- How He Does it
  
  *The* iconic modern male dancing role is the Swan in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake - so what does it take to make it? Max Westwell reveals all.