Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mess-about-on-a-boat">Mess about on a boat</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1.jpg" alt="punting magdalen bridge" class="wp-image-113611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/punting-magdalen-bridge1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Punting at Magdalen Bridge</figcaption></figure>



<p>Oxford’s punts are winding down for their winter hibernation but there’s still time to nip down the river into the city or countryside. <a href="https://cherwellboathouse.co.uk/punting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">The Cherwell Boathouse</a> puts their punts, rowing boats and Canadian canoes to bed in mid October, while <a href="https://www.oxfordpunting.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Magdalen Bridge Boathouse</a> keeps their punts out a little longer until <strong>30 Nov. </strong>Bundle up warm and may we recommend a wine blanket?</p>



<p>Many of Henley and Marlow’s self-drive and river cruises moor up around mid October too – book a vintage afternoon tea on the river with <a href="https://hobbsofhenley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Hobbs of Henley </a>on <strong>5 Oct</strong> to get your final Thames cruise fix before they shut off the engines on <strong>15 Oct</strong>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-your-history-fix">Get your history fix</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/HeliosCOAM.jpg" alt="Chiltern Open Air Museum" class="wp-image-173774" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/HeliosCOAM.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/HeliosCOAM-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/HeliosCOAM-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/HeliosCOAM-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chiltern Open Air Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/chiltern-open-air-museum/">Chiltern Open Air Museum</a> is a historic ‘living museum’ for all ages, with over 30 historic buildings from the Chilterns area, a working farm, an orchard and arboretum plus adventure playground and dress-up ops aplenty for the little ones. It closes for the season at the end of the month but it’s not going quietly – the <a href="https://www.coam.org.uk/events/halloween-spectacular-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halloween Spectacular </a>on<strong> 31 Oct</strong> will see all 37 houses dressed in ‘spooktacular’ fashion, with caped horses, live fire performances and marshmallow-toasting over the bonfire. It’s set to be a blast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stop-in-at-a-stately">Stop in at a stately</h2>



<p></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-claydon-house-near-buckingham"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/claydon-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claydon House</a>, near Buckingham</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="454" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers-720x454.jpg" alt="Claydon House" class="wp-image-109197" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers-720x454.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers-300x189.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers-150x95.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers-832x525.jpg 832w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/claydon-house-tony-chivers.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>Owned by the Verney family for over 550 years, this C18th century manor in Middle Claydon is known for its connection to Florence Nightingale (she had a suite of rooms here), as well as its lavish interiors. As a bonus, there are no velvet ropes, so you can make yourself comfy on the plush sofas. If the rain holds off, grab a picnic and sprawl out on the South Lawn, or grab a bite to eat at Phoenix Kitchen in the courtyard. Claydon is open Fri-Mon, with <strong>Mon 20 Oct </strong>your final chance to explore the house and South Lawn. However, the kitchen stays open year-round (10am–4pm), every day except Tues and Weds.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kelmscott-manor-near-lechlade"><a href="https://kelmscottmanor.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kelmscott Manor</a>, near Lechlade</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="663" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/kelmscott-manor-1.jpeg" alt="Kelmscott Manor" class="wp-image-151226" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/kelmscott-manor-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/kelmscott-manor-1-800x530.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/kelmscott-manor-1-400x265.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/kelmscott-manor-1-792x525.jpeg 792w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This 16th century manor on the Oxon/Glos border is famous as the home of William Morris, father of the Arts and Crafts movement and designer of those iconic textiles and prints. Pattern-lovers and maximalists will want to visit for the décor, while history buffs will be in raptures over the Tapestry Room. Drink it all in before wandering the gardens or visiting the quaint tea room. Open Thurs – Sat until <strong>25 Oct</strong>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nuffield-place-near-henley-on-thames"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/nuffield-place" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuffield Place</a>, near Henley-on-Thames</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/nuffield-place-exterior-summer-960207.jpeg" alt="Nuffield Place" class="wp-image-151225" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/nuffield-place-exterior-summer-960207.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/nuffield-place-exterior-summer-960207-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/nuffield-place-exterior-summer-960207-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/nuffield-place-exterior-summer-960207-900x507.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hop in your motor and have a poke around the Oxfordshire home of an entirely different William Morris, he of Morris Motor Company fame, before it shuts its doors on <strong>2 Nov</strong>. Morris (aka Lord Nuffield) lived in this modest but charming home with his wife until he died in 1963 and a tour is a little like stepping into a time capsule; everything’s just as the couple left it, complete with a secret workshop in the main bedroom, which is very on brand. There’s five acres of woodland to meander through too and you can grab a coffee and hot treat from the Maker Space Horsebox café on the old tennis court.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chenies-manor-house-near-rickmansworth"><a href="https://www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chenies Manor House</a>, near Rickmansworth</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="461" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/rear-view-house-720x461.jpg" alt="Chenies Manor" class="wp-image-93633" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/rear-view-house-720x461.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/rear-view-house-150x96.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/rear-view-house-300x192.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/rear-view-house.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chenies Manor </figcaption></figure>



<p>Henry VIII and Elizabeth I all graced this Tudor manor just a smidge over the border in Hertfordshire and we suggest you do too before it locks the door for the winter on <strong>27 Oct</strong>. Apparently King Henry once brought along an entourage of 1000 but we reckon this time of year should be pretty quiet; book in for a house tour (don’t miss the Tudor toilet) and pop into the gardens – they’re still bursting with colour in the autumn. The afternoon teas are top notch too. Open Mon and Tues, with afternoon teas served from 2pm-5pm.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chastleton-near-moreton-in-marsh"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/chastleton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chastleton </a>near Moreton-in-Marsh</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="733" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kitchen-garden-and-house-chastleton-oxfordshire-1785007.jpg" alt="Chastleton" class="wp-image-158959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kitchen-garden-and-house-chastleton-oxfordshire-1785007.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kitchen-garden-and-house-chastleton-oxfordshire-1785007-800x586.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/kitchen-garden-and-house-chastleton-oxfordshire-1785007-400x293.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Stepping into this Jacobean country house is like hopping 400 years into the past, as the house has remained largely untouched since the C17th. Small but perfectly formed, it’s worth a visit to stroll around the gardens and croquet lawns, before browsing the small secondhand bookshop or picking up a few plants if you’re feeling inspired to create your own Chastleton vibes in the garden. Open Weds-Sun until <strong>Sun 2 Nov.</strong> Note that dogs are only allowed in the parkland, forecourt and stableyard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-an-exhibition">See an exhibition</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1356" height="904" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Paz-Errázuriz-Dare-to-Look.png" alt="Paz Errázuriz, Dare to Look" class="wp-image-196711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Paz-Errázuriz-Dare-to-Look.png 1356w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Paz-Errázuriz-Dare-to-Look-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Paz-Errázuriz-Dare-to-Look-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Paz-Errázuriz-Dare-to-Look-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1356px) 100vw, 1356px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Paz Errázuriz: Dare to Look at MK Gallery</figcaption></figure>



<p>Don’t miss the UK’s first solo exhibition of Chilean photographer Paz Errázuriz, on at the <a href="https://mkgallery.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MK Gallery </a>until <strong>5 Oct</strong>. <a href="https://mkgallery.org/event/paz-errazuriz-dare-to-look/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dare to Look</a> features more than 170 works spanning five decades, and offers a raw, intimate and unflinching look at life in a range of environments, from trans communities to psychiatric institutions and indigenous lives under threat. It’s one that’ll stay with you long after it closes.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="670" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Alena-Grom-Stolen-Spring-1000x670.png" alt="Alena Grom Stolen Spring" class="wp-image-196449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Alena-Grom-Stolen-Spring-1000x670.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Alena-Grom-Stolen-Spring-800x536.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Alena-Grom-Stolen-Spring-400x268.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Alena-Grom-Stolen-Spring.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alena Grom, Stolen Spring series</figcaption></figure>



<p>Mark <strong>5 Oct </strong>in your cultural calendar in general; it’s when many exhibitions in Bucks &amp; Oxon wrap up. It’d be a shame not to catch the <a href="https://www.modernartoxford.org.uk/whats-on/photo-oxford-open-call-winners-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Oxford Open Call Winners’ Exhibition</a> at Modern Art Oxford. This year’s theme is Truth; make a dash there for powerful photography, including Alena Grom’s moving Stolen Spring series shot amid the war in Ukraine, alongside nine other striking finalists.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1358" height="772" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Beyond-The-Stars-Discover-Bucks-Museum.png" alt="Beyond The Stars, Discover Bucks Museum" class="wp-image-196712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Beyond-The-Stars-Discover-Bucks-Museum.png 1358w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Beyond-The-Stars-Discover-Bucks-Museum-800x455.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Beyond-The-Stars-Discover-Bucks-Museum-1000x568.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Beyond-The-Stars-Discover-Bucks-Museum-400x227.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1358px) 100vw, 1358px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beyond The Stars, Discover Bucks Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.discoverbucksmuseum.org/whats-on/beyond-the-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beyond The Stars: A Propmaker’s Guide to the Galaxy </a>at Discover Bucks Museum also comes to a finale on <strong>5 Oct</strong>, so hotfoot it to Aylesbury to meet a<em> Doctor Who</em> Dalek and learn how special-effects and alien worlds are created for TV and film. Sci-fi loving teens will be in heaven.</p>



<p>Little ones can enjoy one last trip down the rabbit hole by following the <a href="https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/alice-anniversary-trail" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alice Anniversary Trail</a>, on at <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-the-story-arcade-at-the-story-museum-oxford/">The Story Museum </a>in Oxford until <strong>2 Nov</strong>. It celebrates the 160th anniversary of <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> and meanders through the museum’s Enchanted Forest. The one’s perfect for a rainy October day.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="865" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Kabuki-Kimono.jpg" alt="Kabuki Kimono" class="wp-image-196714" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Kabuki-Kimono.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Kabuki-Kimono-740x800.jpg 740w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Kabuki-Kimono-370x400.jpg 370w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kabuki Kimono</figcaption></figure>



<p>I’m hoping to make it over to the Ashmolean too before <strong>9 Nov</strong> too to see <a href="https://www.ashmolean.org/exhibition/kabuki-kimono-display-costumes-of-bando-tamasaburo-v" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kabuki Kimono</a>, a set of six intricately crafted kimonos owned by kabuki actor Bandō Tamasaburō, who’s a big name in kabuki theatre back home in Japan. Adorned with cherry blossoms, peacocks and dragons, they’ve vivid works of art that you’ll get lost in. Catch them before they exit stage left.&nbsp;</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/things-to-do/whats-on-near-me/october-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/">44 brilliant things to do locally this month</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-near-me/christmas-events-to-book-now-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire-2025/">26 Xmas events in Bucks &amp; Oxon to book now</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/best-new-theatre-shows/">Curtain up: The best new theatre shows to see this October</a></li>
</ul>



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Get in quick! Last call for punting, heritage houses and must-see exhibitions

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