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.
find out moreGotta Have It
Little Black Book
Don’t leave it to chance! Choose from our handpicked selection of the best businesses near you.
Spotlight
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No soggy sarnies here!From grotty old table to Muddy style candelbra lunch, decorated in 10 minutes flat. Wanna see how?
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Uber-super fashion SALE!Up to 70% off the designer gorgeousness that is Nellie & Dove boutique - and all shoppable online. Click, click, clicketty click!
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Bookworms rejoice!Introducing Muddy's first ever Literary Salon
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Express Muddy newsOMG, we've only been spotted by the national papers!
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Superflashy newsflash!The good times keep on comin in Bucks & Oxon - lucky us!
What's On
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Pass the scones! It’s Afternoon Tea Week
The Five Arrows, Waddesdon heads up our curated list of top afternoon tea spots. Now we just need to work out whether we add the clotted cream or jam first…
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A French fancy in Reading?
You'd better believe it! L'Ortolan restaurant in Shinfield has held its Michelin star for 15 consecutive years, so this fine dining experience is well worth trying.
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Been to Coppa Club yet?
Where to take 17 exacting Muddy Stilettos editors for lunch in London? Oh hello Coppa Club and your stupendous riverside views!
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Ready to fine dine?
You betcha! Nelson St restaurant has buffed its interiors, refined its menu and now offers food flights. Buckle up for take off.
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The Pint Shop, Oxford
To Oxford, for posh burgers and craft ale at this stylish mini-chain. Sounds blokey; is actually surprisingly family-friendly.
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Moving to Cornwall? 10 tips from a pro
Fancy upping sticks to live in your favourite holiday spot? Don’t hit the estate agents until you’ve read this.
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Need a seaside fix? Six great beach daytrips in under 3 hours
Feel the sand between your toes within a couple of hours - hurray for Muddy's best beach daytrips!
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Park life! Muddy’s favourite green spaces
School's out and it's National Parks Week so - in the words of George Michael - let's go outside!
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Most Read
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Gotta Have It
Summer’s hottest totes: Rae Feather
It’s hard to make pom pom basket bags chic, but Rae Feather has aced it. We love the accessory designer’s super-cool personalised designs.
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Activities
The best lidos and splashparks
Hey hot stuff! Bit sweaty? What you need is an outdoor pool or riverside spot – here are the Muddy picks of the best local spots to cool off this summer.
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Home
Speedy Suppers: Lindsey Bareham’s Miso Cod
Too busy to slave over the cooker for hours? Try this delicious, fast cod and miso recipe from The Times columnist Lindsey Bareham’s ‘Dinner Tonight’ recipe book.
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Bars
Queen of the gin palace at The Keep, Wallingford
Albums on the wall, groovy downlighters, and bikes in fairy lights – we’re loving The Keep in Wallingford, a cool ale and wine bar that manages to please everyone.
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EAT OUT
10 rural pubs in pretty surrounds
A smorgasbord of lovely rural pubs in pretty surrounds, in case you’re in the mood for a brisk walk/Sunday lunch to work off your Saturday hangover.
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Days out
Escape to this beautiful Cotswolds inn
Looking for a romantic escape or maybe just a dog-friendly stride out and Sunday lunch? The Maytime Inn in Mitford country has your back and then some.
Little Black Book
The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love
TVC, Oxford
Rossini's Leathern Bottel
Apex Ability
The Crown at Woodstock
Henley Move Consultants
The Beauty Room
The Lamb Inn, Burford- L’Ortolan
Fitness Function
Claytons Marlow
923 Jobs
De Vere Latimer Hotel
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Bikini vs swimsuit? The Muddy debate
Bikini or swimsuit? It’s the hot topic at Muddy HQ this week. Don’t go anywhere near a sun lounger this summer until you’ve read this.
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Beauty
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Breezy does it
The trend for blow-dry bars in London has reached Bourne End in a light, bright, welcoming studio.
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I’ve been ombréd!
Holy craparoo, I've turned blonde! Read on to see how Beaconsfield's Tom Bishop Hair rock-chicked me.
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Feeling sociable? Go on follow us
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What the Muddy team will be reading on hols
Attention bookworms! We’ve got holiday literary inspiration for you – here are the top tomes Muddy staffers will be squeezing into their suitcases this month.
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Beach reads bonanza!
Sunglasses on, sunlounger primed, children gagged - it's Muddy's best holiday books! Kerry Potter picks her top 10 for summer.
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Summer’s best outdoor theatre
From Shakespeare to Dickens to Austen and beyond: there's an al fresco production for everyone this season.
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Instamuddy
Follow @muddybucksoxon
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Funky showroom alert!
Secret Messages Interiors has a huge new showroom to display its retro, quirky, stylish goodies and it's *very* addictive.
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Time for a Speedy Supper?
Haven't got a clue what to make for dinner? Top food writer Diana Henry's prawn, fennel and tomato pilaf is here to help.
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Wellbeing
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Stoke Park Spa Reviewed
Ain't nothing like a five star spa in the county to make life feel worthwhile, especially when there's a corking deal on.
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New health & fitness fest
Spent too many summers waking up in a sweaty tent stinking of cider with fuzzy memories...
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Could you use a life coach? Muddy meets a problem-solving pro
Feeling a bit ‘meh’ about everything? Maybe life coaching is the answer. We subject professional problem-solver Caroline Pakel to some relentless Muddy moaning.
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Kids
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How to tame your teen
Has your little darling become Kevin The Teenager? We've asked a top parenting expert for advice.
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Oooh, hello David Lloyd summer courses!
Trying to find something sporty for your kids this summer? The family-friendly uber-gym has multisport camps (and no need to be a member!)
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Shazia Murza’s Favourite Places
Rarely have I laughed out loud so much while interviewing a celeb. That Shazia is well funny – who else would pick the M40 services as a favourite place?!
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Griselda’s Secret Oxford
Celebrated children's author Griselda Heppel has a hotline to some beautiful places in the city that most of us have never heard of. Come on, let's check them out.
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My Favourite Places: Victoria Wellington from Sojo Kitchen
Foodie? Vintage lover? Victoria Wellington of Sojo Kitchen caterers hears ya. Here are a few of her favourite places.
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