Bucks &amp; Oxon

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="711" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1.jpg" alt="Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants" class="wp-image-146869" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1-800x379.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1-1000x474.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1-400x190.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-main-pic-1-900x427.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Anyone with their nose to the window at <a href="https://rh.com/gb/en/england" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aynho Park</a>, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate on the Oxon/Northants border over the last 15 years, will have watched in awe as it hosted a stream of A-list hedonists. Drawn by its reputation as a party palace and its ebullient interiors – a giraffe suspended by balloons, oversized disco balls, and most famously a unicorn in the entrance hall – Jade Jagger celebrated her marriage here, and Noel Gallagher chose it for his 50th birthday.



Last month, however, a new calmer chapter opened for this elegant 17th century manor house, with American interiors brand RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) re-opening Aynho Park as <a href="https://rh.com/gb/en/england" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RH England</a> in its first foray outside the US. It&#8217;s a stunning showcase for its elegant products that you&#8217;re able to experience and buy, room-by-room, across the 55,000 square foot manor house. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa-.jpeg" alt="Taupe curved sofas at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146878" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa-.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa--600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa--750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa--300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa--1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-curvy-sofa--394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed.jpeg" alt="Taupe and cream bedroom at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146874" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-bed-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1.jpeg" alt="Nude sculpture at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146872" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-antiquities-1-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s a clever, experiential idea and with 60 rooms to wander around across the main house and two wings, it was fun to experience Ayhno Park&#8217;s 19th century upgrade by Sir John Soane and peer out onto grounds designed by Capability Brown. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window.jpeg" alt="View through window of Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146875" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-building-through-window-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Will you love the new interiors? The LA-inspired, muted aesthetic of beige, black and taupes is easy on the eye but, for me, it became a little wearing; everything is tasteful, but lacks eclecticism or flair. The unicorn remains in situ in the entrance hall as a nod to Aynho Park&#8217;s colourful past, but unless RH thinks a little more like an English eccentric and less like a google exec, I&#8217;m not sure I&#8217;d return for the interiors alone.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729.jpeg" alt="Muddy ed in chief Hero Brown on hige wicker chair at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/IMG_1729-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn.jpeg" alt="Infamous unicorn in entrance of Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146882" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-unicorn-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Truth be told, I&#8217;d actually been drawn to visit RH England by the food offering (I know, what&#8217;s new). RH promises five new restaurants but, in reality, if you&#8217;re looking to sit down and eat formally it&#8217;s two – the grand, hugely impressive Orangery, and The Loggia, a more relaxed open-air restaurant with wood-fired pizzas and sharing charcuterie boards. The Tea Salon, Wine Lounge and The Juicery are secondary spaces where you might grab a drink and nibbles. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="846" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie.jpeg" alt="The Orangery restaurant at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England. Arched widnows and chandeliers" class="wp-image-146880" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie-800x451.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie-1000x564.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie-400x226.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-orangerie-900x508.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>The Orangery </figcaption></figure>



I ate in The Orangery, a stunner of a room, 22 feet tall, huge arches looking out over the deer park and no expense spared on furnishings, with Calacatta gold marble and Italian merino wool velvet seating in abundance. A jaw-dropping chandelier installation by glass designer Alison Berger sets the scene. Trust me, you&#8217;ll be impressed.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window.jpeg" alt="View from The Orangery at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England. Floor to celing windows and parkland view" class="wp-image-146865" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window-300x400.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-table-by-window-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The second jaw-dropping moment is when you see the prices. For brunch an avocado on ciabatta will set you back £22 while mains of Wagyu beef ribeye is £95. Or how about homemade chips and dip with caviar? A steal at £135! I came with two of my kids for a light lunch so wasn&#8217;t in the mood to be splurging – but even with purse-strings firmly tight it was £25 each for rotisserie chicken sandwiches! I mean, don&#8217;t get me wrong, it was a good sandwich, and the vibe was definitely rarified and elevated and deserves a certain premium, but those kind of hedge-fund-meets-daft-tourist prices make it difficult to imagine a return for anything other than a once-in-a-blue-moon event.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich.jpeg" alt="rotisserie chicken sandwich at 1The Orangery at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/chicken-sandwich-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



On the other hand, The Loggia seems much more reasonable, with pizzas coming in around £16, and it&#8217;s actually a very attractive, relaxed space, looking out across the park so, if you&#8217;re not feeling it for caviar on your chips, this might be your option. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia.jpeg" alt="The Loggia restaurant relaxed dining serving pizza at Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146879" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-loggia-900x506.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>The Loggia </figcaption></figure>



Also worth noting that an American-style bistro, The Conservatory, will be opening in Autumn 2023, which I imagine will bridge the extremes of The Loggia&#8217;s relaxed vibe and the fine dining aesthetic of The Orangery.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="840" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house.jpeg" alt="17th century grandeur of Aynho Park, the Grade I-listed 73-acre estate Oxon/Northants now RH England" class="wp-image-146873" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house-800x448.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house-1000x560.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house-400x224.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Aynho-Park-RH-back-view-of-house-900x504.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>The South view, which overlooks the deer park</figcaption></figure>



You can spend a good few hours at RH England by the time you&#8217;ve meandered the rooms and had something to eat, but if you&#8217;re coming for a day trip and are looking for more to do, you&#8217;re about 15 minutes from Bicester Village and Rousham Gardens (designed by William Kent) and 20 minutes from Stowe Park and Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. 



 I&#8217;d love to know what you think as always, so if you do visit RH England, let me know your experience. I&#8217;ll also go back in the Autumn to check out the interiors and the new brasserie, so watch this space.



<a href="https://rh.com/gb/en/england" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RH England</a>, Aynho Park, Banbury OX17 3BQ.

The poshest new dining destination in Oxfordshire?

You may also like