GREEN AND QUIET

Done the sprawling grounds of Waddesdon, Blenheim and the like? If you want take things down a notch, it’s the perfect time to head to some of the more under-the-radar gardens in our ‘hood. Our pick is The Lyde Garden, near Princes Risborough, a sunken aquatic garden along a tributary of the River Thame. No dogs allowed and it’s open 9-4pm (at the owner’s discretion so perhaps call ahead to double check before you make the trip).

Rousham Gardens, near Bicester, which lets in neither dogs nor children under 15 — and so is utterly peaceful — and was named by Monty Don (AKA the God of gardening) the “very best of English gardens”. Commissioned in the early 18th century, it remains almost as its designer William Kent (1685-1748) left it, and is a sight to behold even on a cloudy day. There’s no café on-site, though you’re welcome to picnic, but we recommend heading to the nearby Yurt restaurant at Nicholsons for chic, elevated food, and likely to be a little less busy than normal, with its usual clientele gracing the bistros of the Med at this time of year…

Another peaceful spot is Waterperry, near Wheatley, with its eight acres of landscaped gardens including the pretty Formal Garden (above), a silent space with benches, statues and a heady scent of summer blooms.

What are you up to next Wednesday? Because we’ve got a real gem for you… Broughton Grange near Chipping Norton was created when acclaimed landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith was commissioned to transform a six-acre field into a walled garden. It’s all quiet nooks and crannies as well as a vast woodland and arboretum, knot garden, fountains, orchard and more plus a nursery if you’re feeling inspired to take some of the magic home. Only open on Weds, May-Sept.

If you’re in Bucks, Chenies Manor is an absolute peach and a little quieter than the big hitters in the county like Stowe and Wycombe Park. There’s plenty of places to hide among its lavish borders, pretty veg patch or even in the two mazes if you want to hide away – and in late summer, the dahlias are gobsmackingly gorgeous.

At Grey’s Court, the National Trust pile near Henley, they’re allll about the mellow this summer. There’s the ongoing series of monthly Silent Woodland Walks – a phone-free and quiet meditative walk through the peaceful woodland at Greys Court with guide Deborah Lewis. Alternatively, how about some creative time? Weekly sessions are running on Wednesdays with local artist Paul Robbens, offering a whole indulgent day of teaching techniques with watercolour pencil and paints (£55 per session includes all equipment and light refreshments but not lunch). Also, on Sundays between 10am and 11.30am, the Archbishop’s Maze becomes a silent space. Adults and kids alike are encouraged to take a beat and listen and look around them for a moment. Also check out the website for the Relax Kids days – mindfulness sessions including games, stretching and breathing exercises. Dreamy.

Another National Trust beauty, Hughenden Manor, is one of the less well travelled, and is an idyllic spot for a picnic, amble round the orchard, or a mooch in the bookshop. Check out my review of how it even entertained my pair of teens for a memorable day out.

Can’t choose between a tranquil garden stroll and a stomp through untamed countryside? Have both at the inimitable Stonor, near Henley. One of England’s oldest manor houses, Stonor sits in a sweeping valley that’ll put you in mind of Regency romances and is home to herds of fallow deer as well as badgers, hares, rabbits, pheasant and soaring red kites. Green-fingered readers will also appreciate the manor’s elegant Italianate Pleasure Garden, the Kitchen Garden and the Ladies Walk, which is particularly beautiful in Spring when the blossom’s in full show. Don’t be put off if the car park seems full – Stonor’s children’s playground, Tumblestone Hollow, is particularly popular in the holidays and on weekends, but the walks themselves are generally very serene.

EAT IN PEACE

Worton farm shop hidden behind shurb garden

Haven’t yet managed to nab a table at Oxon’s answer to Petersham Nurseries? Well, now’s the time to try your luck at Worton Organic Gardens, a seven-acre market garden just northwest of Oxford that was a 2021 Muddy Award Finalist for best farmshop, but which also has rustic and relaxed alfresco dining in a gorgeous setting, or a heated greenhouse if it’s chilly. There’s only a handful of tables and diners choose from a weekly changing seasonal menu, much of it gathered from the land around you. In the farm shop pick up veg, fruit and meat (we love the homebred chorizo) as well as homemade kimchi, flowers, and foodie gifts like chocolate and preserves.

It’s not nouveau by any stretch, but the no-car Barn Cafe at Turville Heath is an absolute gem and quiet midweek at this time of year. Expect the odd cyclist and perhaps some clientele arriving on horseback, but otherwise you’ll get your pick of logs or benches to sit at while you enjoy the homecooked burgers, falafel, or now, pizza!

With the students deserting the city, this is the time to head to Isis Farmhouse, a riverside pub in Iffley with a big garden, live music and low key food. You can’t get there by road and the tourists don’t know it so go mid week and you’ll find it as quiet as it gets.

If the weather is good enough (oh, come on summer!) then grab something to takeaway and pick the ultimate peaceful spot for a picnic. Pierreponts, the café on approach to the bridge across the Thames between Goring and Streatley, is a little bit special and you often have to book, so save yourself the hassle and grab a gorgeous piece of home-cooked quiche and cake and head for the river. You’ve got miles of riverside paths in each direction as well as the delightful little pottering shops of Goring and a great circular walk from Lardon Chase if you feel you really need to earn that brownie. Quince & Clover in Great Tew in the Cotswolds is another gem and a stone’s throw from oodles of fabulous walking country with your luxe picnic bagged from the café, beloved by the local glitterati (aka the Beckhams). Or double up and get there early to bag a table for a gorgeous breakfast spread while you peruse the papers (it’s open Weds-Mon from 8.30am).

If it’s something more snazzy you’re after, but without the bunfight, then August is a good bet to bag a table at some of the counties’ more celebrated eateries. We’re lucky to have a clutch of award-winning restaurants in the area including our Muddy Award 2022 best restaurant, Pluma, in Amersham (above), the impossible-to-book Oxford tapas joint, Arbequina (reopening 10 Aug), plus for the starry-eyed among you there’s Marlow’s Hand & Flowers and Amersham’s Artichoke, both with availability in the coming weeks. Then there’s the rising stars, like Muddy fave, Beaconsfield’s The Greyhound, and The Five Elms at Weedon. Grab a table while you can – and in relative peace if you opt for a midweek lunch slot (also when you get the most reasonably priced menus).

CHILL CITY

The rooftop of Oxford’s Westgate is positively dreamy if you get there first thing for breakfast (well, ok, by 10am then…). Top choice for us has to be The Breakfast Club (earlybirds can get there from 8am, even on weekends). The hangover fave, pancake stacks, is always a winner, as well as French toast and cornflake buttermilk chicken – yes really. But did you know that The Alchemist also serves breakkie and brunch – roast squash hash or wings ‘n waffles anyone? You could even pop in to see a movie at Curzon, where the early screenings start at 11.45am and are always the quietest (rustling popcorn aside).

Rain stopped play? How about a museum retreat? There’s no better time to catch a big show at The Ashmolean than when everyone else is on holiday. Ticket availability for the new exhibition series of contemporary art, Ashmolean NOW, is currently looking wiiiide open with a pick of dates over the rest of August. First up are two London-based painters, Flora Yukhnovich and Daniel Crews-Chubb offering new work inspired by the Ashmolean’s historical collections. Head to the Ashmoleon’s glassy rooftop restaurant, below, for a coffee or spritzer pre or post exhibition to get above the madness of the hordes of language students. It’s a serene outside space and does a cracking afternoon tea that’s worth booking in advance.

For uninterrupted views and thinking space, get your energy up to walk the steps up several floors of the Sheldonian Theatre. It will set you back a princely £4 to access the theatre and the cupola at the top (that’s a dome to you and me) but boy it’s worth it. Get there at 10am to avoid the queues and enjoy the view all to yourself. There’s also another inspiring view a five minute stroll around the corner to the Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford. It’s £3.50 to tackle the 97 steps, and en route you’ll find all kind of historical curios, including the door of Archbishop Cranmer’s prison cell from Bocardo Prison. You can also take a moment of quiet time in the church itself – a far cry from the bustle of Cornmarket outside.

Oxford lover? Have a read of our city guide and let us know if we’ve missed off your fave spot.

WALK ON WATER

Or rather, downward dog, child pose or just ommm your way through a paddleboard Yoga Class with The SUP Life on Sunday mornings or Friday evenings at Streatley. The class has now been extended this class to 90mins to include a short paddle along the river and more relaxation time. Or stick to dry land, and join a class with Muddy Award winners Grace & Gravity, at their stunning riverside studio at The Swan in Streatley – there’s at least one class every day of the week.

If you want a challenge but not the adrenalin sort, it’s a mellow six-hour paddle (with the flow) from Benson to Abingdon on one of AV Boat’s kayaks or four-person canoes (he’ll even get up early if you ask nicely for a sunrise hire), or let the (almost silent) electric engine do the work with boat hire from Wallingford or Henley (check out our rivers and lakes feature for more local inspo if it’s a mellow time on the water you’re after).

HIDDEN HIKES

Of course, there’s no shortage of scenic, stretching and sublime walks in Bucks and Oxon, but we’ve got to know some of the gems that don’t come with busy car parks and ladened rubbish bins, which kinda takes the edge off the bucolic day out, doesn’t it?

The Windrush Path is a dreamy flat track along the River Windrush and offers a peaceful way to drift between Witney and Hardwick. This map shows the route, as well as shorter versions around Witney and Tar lakes. There are pubs and cafes galore in Witney and Ducklington, which are the best places to start/finish as there’s very little parking in Hardwick.

Tylers Hill and Ley Hill near Chesham is a winning for Bucks-based walkers and the route finishes along the river Chess, as well as passing through the little villages of Tylers Hill and Ley Hill and Cowcroft Wood nature reserve. Just over the border in Herts, Ashridge Estate is a dazzling 3,000 acre site with ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands, and lush meadows. The Ivinghoe Hills butterfly walk is a three-hour loop route, famous for its butterfly habitats. Refuel with a coffee or scone from the Brownlow Café afterwards.

Shotover Country Park is a hidden gem and unbelievably it’s just minute’s drive from Oxford city centre. The woodland has a magical feel to it (and a murky history of highwaymen) with springs, ponds and bracken, just don’t expect to take a clean pair of shoes home with you unless this dry spell endures. It’s open all year and free to park. There are three marked trails around the park, all starting in Mary Sadler’s Field near the car park and around 2km, 2.5km and 5km long.

Ready for some quiet time? Here’s where to go to dodge the crowds

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