MUDDY’S PICK OF THE WEEKEND

EAT: Food Festival, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Sat 25 – Sun 26 May

Blenheim‘s sixth annual Food Festival is promising a gastronomic weekender packed with talks, demonstrations, family friendly activities and a hearty sprinkling of celebrity chefs, including Raymond Blanc OBE, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Celebrity MasterChef champion, Angellica Bell. There’ll also be up to 160 local and regional foodie and drink stalls with artisan bakers, craft brewers, gourmet burgers, international cuisine and, new for this year, the Vegan & Veggie Garden. Go stuff yourself silly. blenheimpalace.com

FESTIVAL: Lechlade Music Festival, Lechlade-on-Thames, Cotswolds, Fri 24 – Sun 26 May

This Cotswolds weekender is a family friendly affair- Brit indie-pop crew The Feeling are headlining, plus there’s yoga, woodland skills workshops, performances from local talent and schools and storytelling. lechladefestival.co.uk

OPEN AIR CINEMA: A Star Is Born, Wycombe Museum, Fri 24 May

Bradley Cooper is coming to Wycombe Museum! Er, kind of. The museum’s open air cinema returns for 2019 to screen musical blockbuster A Star Is Born. Bring picnic blankets, deck chairs and there’ll also be hot dogs, popcorn and a bar. Tickets here.

INSTALLATION: Colourscape, Waddesdon Manor, Sat 25 May – Sun 2 June

I snapped this at Waddesdon Manor’s ever-so-slightly-bonkers annual immersive installation, Colourscape last year (check on my review here). It’s back for its fifth year – prepare for a sensory overload, as this year will have the longest installation to date with 56 interlinked chambers full of light, colour and music. On weekdays, resident musician, Michael Ormiston, will be creating family-friendly free-flowing workshops and on weekends Hurdy-Gurdy will be performing a theatre piece with dance, acoustics, panpipes and flutes from around the world.

CABARET: Duckie, Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, Sat 25 May

Cabaret for kids? Bear with us… Duckie, a re-imagining of The Ugly Duckling, is acclaimed cabaret star, Le Gateau Chocolat’s first foray into children’s performance (all family-friendly, of course), and it sounds faaabulous. A good moral tale about self respect, with a side order of glitz and glamour. pegasustheatre.org.uk

NEW EXHIBITION: Mechanical Circus, Banbury Museum, north Oxon, Sat 25 – Fri 31 May

This brand new exhibit explores entertainment before the age of iPads- optical illusions, over 40 automata and loads of interactive elements and games (you can even put your head in a lion’s mouth!). The exhibit also features the museum’s first ever international loans from Museum Boerhaave in The Netherlands. banburymuseum.org

FESTIVAL: Oxford Festival of Nature, various locations, Sat 25 May – Sat 8 Jun

Organised by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, this two week festival showcases the wild and whacky wildlife we have here in Oxfordshire with a programme over 40 events, walks, workshops, comedy nights and activities in venues including Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Farmoor Nature Reserve, Blackwell’s Bookshop and more. The festival’s main event, the Wild Fair, is on Sat 1 Jun (expect appearances from wolves, crocodiles, bats, edible insects, music) but before then there are loads of family-friendly drop in activities such as Ready Stead Draw, garden flower pressing and nature walks around Warburg Nature Reserve, nr Henley. Full programme here.

KIDS: Tarzanna, The North Wall, Oxford, Sat 25 May

A fun new take on the jungle classic, Tarzanna is about a young girl who is magically transported to the rainforest. Live puppetry, interactivity and cool aerial acrobatics, the show is suitable for littlies aged 3-8. thenorthwall.com

EAT: Pick your own, Millets Farm, nr Abingdon, from Sat 25 May

Millets Farm‘s PYO season kicks off just in time for the weekend (and half term!) They always have a fantastic selection of fruit and veggies, this year there’s over 30 varieties including raspberries, courgettes, apples and strawberries (for Champers obvs). Rectory Farm, in Stanton St John village, Oxon, is also open for business- the farm specialises in PYO with strawberries, gooseberries and other fruit and veg PLUS a free bouncy castle, sandpit and haystack for kids.

DRINK: English Wine Week, Bothy Vineyard, Abingdon, Sat 25 – Sun 26 May

Next up it’s English Wine Week (well, hello!) at Bothy Vineyard, Abingdon – the vineyard will be open to the public, with free wine tastings, short tours and meet the winemaker talks throughout the weekend (Sat 25 – Sun 26). Picnics and dogs welcome. bothyvineyard.co.uk

SCREENING: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Amey Theatre, Abingdon, Oxon, Sat 25 May

I’m getting vertigo by just looking at this picture. Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour showcases the best films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival held in Canada with two short film programmes. You can see the Blue Programme, featuring Rogue Elements, Surviving the Outback, Reel Rock: Break On Through, at Amey Theatre– it’s amazing stuff and usually sells out so get a ticket quick if you fancy.

DOGS: Big Doggie Do, Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, Sat 25 – Sun 26 May

Can’t forget about Rover! The weekender returns to Willen Lake with dog shows, agility tests and games including K9 Aqua Sport (I’ll believe it when I see it). And, don’t tell my kids, but there are dogs and puppies available to adopt. willenlake.org.uk

Westgate Oxford Spring Party, Oxford, Sat 25 – Sun 26 May

It would be rude not to make the most of Westgate’s gorgeous rooftop, especially if the sun is out, so Westgate has organised a two day mini festival for half term with storytelling, face painting, the Bubble Fairy and for grown ups, plenty of discounts and offers. 11am – 5pm. westgateoxford.co.uk

Roman Gladiator day, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Sun 26 – Mon 27 May

Muscly men running around in tiny shorts. Nope, it’s not the rugby but, erm, Gladiators. Criminals, barbarians, prisoners and disgraced soldiers fight to the death to be crowned champion in full Roman costume. The event is run by Britannia, one of the oldest and largest re-enactement groups in the UK, who have worked on tons of TV projects from Ridley Scott’s Gladiator to kids’ favourite CBBC’s Horrible Histories. You’ll also be able to buy replica weapons, if that’s what floats your boat. coam.org.uk

Sleepover at Stowe, Stowe House, Sun 26 May

To celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday, Stowe House will be holding it’s very first sleepover- you’ll find out about the beautiful 18th century house’s history, play Victorian games, crafts, dance and the Queen will even pop in to say hello. The sleepover is for children aged 7-11 and all children must be accompanied by an adult. stowe.co.uk

FESTIVAL: Frogfest, High Wycombe, Bucks, Sun 26 May

No big names at this fest, buuuut it is High Wycombe’s biggest annual music festival. Now in it’s sixth year, the fest grows every year with performances from local bands and those from further afield, craft workshops, fire shows and circus acts. frogfest.co.uk

CIRCUS: John Lawson’s Circus, Millets Farm, nr Faringdon, Sun 26 – Sat 1 Jun

Roll up, roll up! This small, family-friendly circus is pitching up its big top on Millet’s lawn- all your usual circus antics from unicyclists and aerial artists to clowns and knife throwing (don’t try that one at home). milletsfarmcentre.com

EXHIBITIONS: Brought to Life: Eliot Hodgkin Rediscovered (Thurs 23 May – Sun 20 Oct) and Framing Madame de Pompadour – A collaboration with Factum Arte (Thurs 23 May – Sun 27 Oct), Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor’s new retrospective exhibition Brought to Life: Eliot Hodgkin Rediscovered, is the largest ever show of the British painter’s work who is best known for his still life and landscape paintings. Also at Waddesdon is a recreation of François Boucher’s famous portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756), that’s on display at the Alte Pinakothek, Munich. The project, in collaboration with Factum Arte has used advanced 3D digital reproduction technology to create the painting which will be displayed in its original 18th century frame that was once owned by the Rothschild family. Other digital and 3D reproductions, film and touch displays will exhibit alongside as well as an exploration of the historical connection between the Madame de Pompadour painting, the frame and Waddesdon and the Rothschild family.

COMEDY: Julian Clary, Wycombe Swan, Sun 26 May

Stick your minds in the gutter and brace yourselves for a “tsunami of smut” from the grande dame of filth. In Born to Mince Julian will murder a few songs, read you a sneak preview from his next memoir A Night At the Lubricant and make withering remarks about punters foolish enough to sit in the FROW. wycombeswan.co.uk

PARTY: Café del Marlow, Clayton’s Marlow, Marlow, Sun 26 May

Clayton’s celebrates the start of summer (any excuse for a party) with Café del Marlow, an all-day Ibiza style party and BBQ on the terrace. Break out the circa-1986 fluffy bra (Sun 26)! And thank God for bank holidays, as your head is definitely going to hurt after that one. Tickets here.

POP-UP: Simon Sarin x OasisArt Box, High Wycombe shopping centre, Mon 13 – Sun 2 Jun

Photo by Simon Sarin

Rock’n’roll is coming to Wycombe! Well, kind of. 26 photographs snapped by rock photographer Simon Sarin will be on display in a pop-up gallery, for Mental Health Awareness Week, including images of Pete Doherty, Franz Ferdinand, Shirley Manson of Garbage, Jake Bugg, Slaves, Blossoms and Royal Blood. The pop-up gallery, in collaboration with mental health charity Oasis Partnership, will be displayed in the shopping centre where the charity has its HQ.

THEATRE: Les Misérables, Milton Keynes Theatre, until Sat 8 Jun

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Les Misérables (which broke box office records when it premiered in 2009), comes to Milton Keynes Theatre on its major UK tour. One of the longest running West End shows, this production featuring new staging and scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. No Hugh Jackman (sorry), but a great cast of established actors including Olivier Award nominated Killian Donnelly (The Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots) as Jean Valjean. Tickets here.

FESTIVAL: Chilterns Walking Festival, various locations, until Sun 2 Jun

In case you didn’t know, you either live in or very close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. No, not Aylesbury rather the gorgeous Chilterns, The Chiltern Walking Festival involving over 70 walks with expert guides plus stories and fun activities right across the Chiltern region. Find a walk here.

FILM: Illuminating the Wilderness, MK Gallery, until Sun 26 May

Image by George Smith

It’s your last chance to catch this short 40 minute film production by Project Art Works, in Milton Keynes’ stunning new gallery, investigates a remote Scottish glen over several days and the community that lives there. The film, part of the gallery’s inaugural Lie of the Land exhibition, launches a new venture EXPLORERS 2019- a year of exhibitions and commissions that are the culmination of a three-year programme of workshops, seminars and installations focusing on diverse communities, artists and makers- interesting stuff. mkgallery.org

SUPPER CLUBS

Can’t be bothered to cook? How about trying one of the scrumptious supper clubs happing in our ‘hood this week. Granary Watlington is offering a veggie Lebanese mezze, braised lamb and polenta cake with pistachio ice cream (*drools*), on Fri 24 May. Or, there’s The Secret Supper Society, near Bicester (Fri 24, Fri 31) and South African style Durban Spice, in Wheatley (Fri 24, Sat 25, Fri 31)- both with secret menus revealed on the night.

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

It’s your last chance to see the awesome Jeff Koons exhibit at The Ashmolean, showcasing 17 works spanning the artist’s career that have never been shown in the UK before. There’s also An Earthly Paradise: William Morris & the Thames at River & Rowing Museum in Henley, with textiles inspired by the Thames (until Sun 14 July) and Samurai, at Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury- ancient Japanese armour, ornate helmets and swords. The Museum of Natural History’s Bacterial World exhibit is also in its final full week (until Tues 28 May)- it might not seem like the most interesting subject but the museum has pulled out all the stops including a giant (92 feet long) inflatable E.coli bacterium, hanging from the ceiling.

ART: Oxford Artweeks, various locations, until Mon 27 May

Art by Harriet Riddell

The UK’s largest free artist open studios and pop-up exhibition comes to a close this week with the festival hitting galleries and venues across north and west Oxfordshire including Chippy, Bicester and the Cotswolds- hundreds of works ranging from painting, sculpture and ceramics to furniture, jewellery and photography. artweeks.org

FURTHER AFIELD

FLOWERS: Covent Garden In Bloom, Covent Garden, London, until Sat 15 Jun

Miller Harris window display

Following their London debut in Covent Garden’s iconic Central Avenue last year, floral artists Fleurs de Villes will return to showcase the best floral designs in the Big Smoke and return Covent Garden to its roots as the original (or OG, as the kids say) flower market in London. Covent Garden retailers and restaurants are all mucking in with botanical window displays, exclusive products and spring collections, bespoke cocktails and dishes made with herbs and ingredients from Covent Garden’s veggie garden. coventgarden.london

KIDS: New Children’s Garden, Kew Gardens, London

As if it wasn’t already a prime spot for day tripping, the clever sausages at Kew Gardens have added a brand new Children’s Garden just in time for May half term. Two years in the making, the interactive garden (aimed at ages 2 – 12) has over 100 varieties of mature trees, bamboo tunnels, hammocks and in-ground trampolines all under the cover of a huge 200 year old oak tree. kew.org

NEW EXHIBITION: Beasts of London, Museum of London, Fri 5 May – Sun 5 Jan

This looks amazing- a fully immersive, digital installation (see above for a sneak preview) exploring the role animals have played in the shaping of London, from the Roman era all they way up to present day. The interactive show uses video projection mapping to bring the beasts, from rats to lions, to life as they narrate a virtual tour of London. There are some major British celebs involved too, with Kate Moss, Brian Blessed, Pam Ferris and more voicing the beasts. museumoflondon.org.uk

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

Must-see exhibitions in the big smoke this month include the V&A‘s retrospective of iconic 1960s designer and the mother of miniskirts, Mary Quant– over 200 garments, accessories and exclusive unseen pieces from the designer’s personal archive (until Sun 16 Feb 2020); also at the V&A is this year’s biggie, the largest House of Dior collection ever staged in the UK, which traces the history of Christian Dior and the six artistic directors who succeeded him (until Sun 1 Sept). It is sold out but there are a few first-come, first served tickets available from 10am from the Grand Entrance – it’s well worth trying your luck. Or you can see the exhibition by purchasing a membership for the V&A. Also worth checking out is the major Van Gogh show at Tate Britain, with over 45 works, including Starry Night on the Rhône 1888 from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris, and the rarely loaned Sunflowers 1888 from the National Gallery. There’ll also be work by British artist who were influenced by Van Gogh’s work including Francis Bacon and David Bomberg (until Sun 11 Aug).

BOOK NOW

The Hidden Garden, Henley Royal Regatta, Wed 3 – Sun 7 Jul

If you’re heading down to Henley Regatta this July and want to escape the riff raff (not that Henley does real riff raff, of course) book now for The Hidden Garden. New to the Regatta this year, the luxe but laid-back riverside venue on the Berkshire bank offers brilliant views, VIP hospitality, musical entertainment, gourmet food and – most importantly – lashings of booze (chilled Henriot champagne and local favourite, Mr Hobbs gin to be precise). Pre-booking is a must so grab your other half, bezzies or workies and get organised pronto! findthehiddengarden.com

KIDS: The Little Welly obstacle course and festival, Henley, Sat 8 – Sun 9 June

This is all about getting Muddy so we are IN! A 3km hop, skip, jump and dash through 30 challenges, taking in streams, trails, mud and woodland The Little Welly’s obstacle course is the largest in the UK for kids and is always popular so book now. There’s also an accompanying festival with – deep breath – kart racing, rope climbing, circus skills workshops, live music, helter skelter, laser tag, climbing wall, pony rides and loads more. I think it’s such a fantastic idea – get them away from screens, into the fresh air and doing some exercise. thelittlewelly.co.uk

FESTIVAL: Chilterns Live, Pendley Meadow, Tring, Sat 29 June

guitar grass summer

There’s a brand new festival near our ‘hood! Chilterns Live arrives in Tring with a pop-tastic line-up including Busted, Sophie Ellis Bextor and The Feeling. chilterns-live.co.uk

TALK: Margaret Atwood, New Theatre Oxford, Wed 30 Oct

To celebrate the launch of her new book The Testaments, a sequel to the totally brilliant The Handmaid’s Tale, author Margaret Atwood is going on a live tour- an evening of conversation, exclusive readings and special guests. She’s only touring for eight dates in the UK, so get booking as no doubt it’ll be a sell out. The tour follows the book launch on Tues 10 Sept where Margaret will be speaking at the National Theatre – the talk will be screened to 1,000 cinemas worldwide with loads of Bucks and Oxon locations taking part. Find your nearest screening here.

This weekend

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