Whoo-hoo! (*ouch, my head*)

So we’re into 2017, and a huge muddy hug for you to celelebrate. I absolutely love New Year. For me it’s an incredibly positive, optimistic moment, when I haven’t yet cocked anything up, and opportunities can be anything that I imagine – namely a commission to interview Rufus Sewell on a yacht in the Bahamas.

Anyway, I’m not going to blather on about resolutions this year, because you either do them or you don’t, and if you’re like me they’re pretty much the same every year, so, you know, best of luck to you either way.

What I will do is quickly direct you to 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 that hangover. Let’s face it, a throbbing headache is something we’ll all have in common.

The Half Moon at Cuxham – a lovely, family friendly pizza restaurant near Watlington with plenty of lovely walks within striking distance

The Chequers in Fingest, mid Bucks, situated in a glorious spot with circular walk (hilly mind), 12th century church and gorgeous surrounding villages (Turville, Hambleden) for further adventures if the head allows

The Russell Arms in Butler’s Cross – a superior gastropub, spitting distance from Coombe Hill and with a lovely walk to Chequers perfectly possible.

The Perch in Binsey – idyllic thatched pub with a pretty garden and right on the edge of Port Meadow, Oxford’s 300 acre best-kept secret

The Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common – high in the Chilterns, around the corner from Watlington Hill, and amidst the lovely Cowleaze Woods

The Nags Head, Great Missenden – Roald Dahl’s local with superior food and a large garden out the back, just a 2 minute drive from the village centre, where’s there’s a lovely circular walk.

The Crown, Woodstock – lovely relaxed gastropub/inn, where you’re a few minutes wander from the gates of Blenheim Palace

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham – bang in the centre of gastro Cotswolds territory, there are lovely walks in every direction from here

The Miller of Mansfield, Goring – Slightly more restauranty without being starchy, you can wander up to Streatley or take a walk down by the lock

The Queen’s Head, Little Marlow – relaxed local’s pub with a pretty circular walk that takes in the Thames.

There are gazillions more, so if these ones don’t hit, take a look at my Eating Out maps for pubs and restaurants and you can plot your eating via destination.

Have a brilliant start to the year, and get ready to enjoy the very best of Bucks & Oxon in 2017 – normal service on Muddy has just resumed!

Hero x