Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-look-lively">Look Lively!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1449" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Blake-Lively-Prue-Leith.png" alt="Blake Lively Prue Leith Oxfordshire" class="wp-image-203425" style="aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Blake-Lively-Prue-Leith.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Blake-Lively-Prue-Leith-552x800.png 552w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Blake-Lively-Prue-Leith-690x1000.png 690w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Blake-Lively-Prue-Leith-276x400.png 276w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/blakelively/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@blakelively</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s not exactly headline news to spy a celebrity at Soho Farmhouse over in Great Tew, but we didn’t have Blake Lively meeting national treasure Prue Leith there last week for a tête-à-tête on our bingo card. The two apparently became pals when Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds visited the <em>Great British Bake Off</em> set (just over the border in <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkshire</a>) while Reynolds was filming<em> Deadpool </em>nearby back in 2023. It’s giving ‘celebrity bake off’ a whole new spin. Perhaps Blake’s working on her signature bake?&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mini-michelins">Mini Michelins</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1016" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/The-Coach-Marlow-Breakfast.png" alt="The Coach Marlow kids free breakfast " class="wp-image-203429" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/The-Coach-Marlow-Breakfast.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/The-Coach-Marlow-Breakfast-787x800.png 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/The-Coach-Marlow-Breakfast-984x1000.png 984w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/The-Coach-Marlow-Breakfast-394x400.png 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecoachmarlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@thecoachmarlow</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Tom Kerridge’s <a href="https://thecoachmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a> in Marlow holds both a Michelin star and the crown for one of the best value set lunches around (£20 for two always-exquisite courses). Now they’re spoiling the kids too. The gastropub has just started taking bookings for <a href="https://thecoachmarlow.co.uk/breakfast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekend breakfasts</a>, and kids 12 and under eat free between 8am – 9am every Sat and Sun. Head chef Brad Cacela and his team have brought their usual flair to breakfast staples. The Full English comes with confit tomato, the bacon is honey-glazed, brown sauce is date-infused and the ketchup is of the black garlic variety. The kids menu, meanwhile, is a neat edit of crowd-pleasers including a mini Full English with eggy bread and house baked beans with cheese on toast. Comfort food at its finest (and cheapest, where little ones are concerned).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sky-s-the-limit">The sky’s the limit</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1228" height="872" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Skymaze.png" alt="Cotswolds Wildlife Park skymaze adventure playground" class="wp-image-203430" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Skymaze.png 1228w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Skymaze-800x568.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Skymaze-1000x710.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Skymaze-400x284.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1228px) 100vw, 1228px" /></figure>



<p>We’re not talking about Artemis II, more the newly opened adventure playground at <a href="https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswolds Wildlife Park</a> in Burford. Skymaze has had a total reno, offering immersive play across three different treetop levels for your little monkeys. They can swing across rope bridges, leap over walkways, tumble down slides and race each other up climbing walls, and they might even give you a wave from the 20ft high viewing platform (*gulp). Perhaps don’t treat them to that Full English beforehand. If you’re looking for more ‘school’s out’ entertainment ideas, you’ll find them in our <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/easter-holiday-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local Easter holiday guide</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-the-fun-of-the-fair">All the fun of the fair</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1212" height="814" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Jim-Jones-Art.png" alt="Jim Jones Bradenham Art Fair" class="wp-image-203431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Jim-Jones-Art.png 1212w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Jim-Jones-Art-800x537.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Jim-Jones-Art-1000x672.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Jim-Jones-Art-400x269.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1212px) 100vw, 1212px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Work by artist Jim Jones, on display at Bradenham Art Fair</figcaption></figure>



<p>How does fine art paired with fine wine sound? Inject May bank holiday number one with a hefty dose of culture and crafting at <a href="https://www.theartexhibitionists.co.uk/products/bradenham-art-fair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradenham Art Fair </a>at the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/chilterns-countryside/visiting-bradenham-in-the-chilterns-countryside" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Trust’s Manor Farm</a>, a bucolic escape in the <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-chilterns-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire-hertforshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiltern Hills</a>. Hosted by affordable art pros The Art Exhibitionists, Bradenham Art Fair runs from <strong>1 – 4 May </strong>and is a four-day celebration of art, craft, music and community. If you’re looking for some décor inspo, the curated contemporary art and sculpture in the historic Tythe Barn, courtyard and gardens will have you adding new masterpieces to your moodboard. </p>



<p>And if you want to get your creative juices flowing, there’s masterclasses running all weekend, ranging from illustration to watercolours to oil painting, all taught by experts in their field. Ah yes, the wine. That’s care of local Lloyds Wines, and there will be pies, toasties and cake as well as hot drinks to keep you fueled up. Tickets are £5 and included in any masterclass you book, so nab your space to one of those <a href="https://www.theartexhibitionists.co.uk/collections/bradmoor-masterclasses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> before the coveted spots go. Otherwise, under 14s go free and one third of door proceeds will support <a href="https://www.lindengate.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lindengate</a>, a Buckinghamshire-based mental health and nature charity. A feelgood bank hol in every sense.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-standing-ovation-for-chippy-theatre">A standing ovation for Chippy Theatre</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1257" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton.jpg" alt="Chippy Theatre" class="wp-image-145897" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton-800x670.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton-1000x838.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton-400x335.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/The-Theatre-Chipping-Norton-626x525.jpg 626w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Speaking of feelgood initiatives, <a href="https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chipping Norton Theatre</a> has been hard at work to raise funds and improve resources for young people and the elderly alike in West Oxfordshire. First off, the theatre’s recent Big Give Week raised more money than ever before for their programme providing mental health and wellbeing support for young people in local secondary schools. A whopping £13,610 to be exact. Given the dire state of mental health waiting lists in the area, the theatre goes above and beyond to support young people dealing with anxiety, low mental health or special educational needs. Their weekly workshops “use arts and drama to build self-esteem, friendships and develop skills [so young people] feel better equipped and more confident in their day-to-day lives” says Mental Health and Community Project Leader at The Theatre Clare O’Hara.</p>



<p>Chippy Theatre has also just opened shiny-new pop-up studios on the site in the former Highlands day care centre on Burford Road. The building has had a swish new refurb, complete with a huge mirrored studio overlooking the gardens, and as well as providing a spacious rehearsal space for The Theatre’s performers and crew, it’ll provide an accessible space for the Arts for Elders programme. The new pop-up studios will run in partnership with Age Concern Chipping Norton and there’s an exciting programme to come for spring and beyond.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/best-bakery-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Breadwinners! The best bakeries in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-april-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s on this April? 50 amazing things to do near you</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/best-adventure-playgrounds-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">22 best adventure playgrounds in Buckinghamshire &amp; Oxfordshire</a></li>
</ul>


Who did Blake Lively meet in the Cotswolds? Hot local goss incoming

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