Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Famous faces </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Ryan-Reynolds-Hugh-Jackman-020423-01-68fcc587808b4ebaa40c0dfe6f9c1992.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-147830" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Ryan-Reynolds-Hugh-Jackman-020423-01-68fcc587808b4ebaa40c0dfe6f9c1992.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Ryan-Reynolds-Hugh-Jackman-020423-01-68fcc587808b4ebaa40c0dfe6f9c1992-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Ryan-Reynolds-Hugh-Jackman-020423-01-68fcc587808b4ebaa40c0dfe6f9c1992-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Ryan-Reynolds-Hugh-Jackman-020423-01-68fcc587808b4ebaa40c0dfe6f9c1992-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hollywood hunks have been causing quite the stir in our ‘hood recently and the latest to join is A-lister is Ryan Reynolds (that’s Deadpool, if you’re down with the kids) and everyone&#8217;s Aussie crush Hugh Jackman, AKA Wolverine. The superhero duo were spotted costumes-and-all just outside of Tring on the Bucks/Herts border filming for&nbsp;<em>Deadpool 3</em>&nbsp;– rumour has it the film won’t be dropping until September next year, so we’ll be expecting (and hunting for) more celeb sightings from the hit franchise, which also stars&nbsp;<em>The Crown</em>’s Emma Corrin.</p>



<p>Love or hate him, Simon Cowell has ditched the big smoke for the country (I did it first, just saying) and was papped at Cotswold Wildlife Park raising money for charity. Kicking off the annual Rhino Month fundraising event, which raises awareness and money for rhino conservation in Africa, the former&nbsp;<em>X-Factor</em>&nbsp;judge bid a whopping £2.5k for a 23-karat gold leaf rhino dung. It’s exactly what it sounds like &#8211; one of the calves’ droppings was spruced up with Italian gold leafing. How does the saying go? All that glitters ain’t gold…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="951" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1-1000x951.png" alt="" class="wp-image-147832" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1-1000x951.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1-800x761.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1-400x380.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1-552x525.png 552w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Sam-Ryder-1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Photo: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/samhairwolfryder/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sam Ryder</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>If you’ve had no luck spotting famous faces, never fear –&nbsp;<em>Eurovision</em>&nbsp;sensation Sam Ryder will rock out at Bicester Heritage’s Vegan Camp Out Fest this Fri 28 – Mon 31 Jul. Also gracing the stage is telly frequenter Romesh Ranganathan with his usual deadpan observational stand-up. It’s short notice, sure, but this festival is well worth a visit, if not for the celebs, then for the 60+ vegan food vendors, live music, and afterparties &#8211;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vegancampout.co.uk/line-up" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you can find tickets here</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lights-camera-action">Lights, camera, action&#8230;</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/3/2023/07/filming-a-new-star-wars-show-near-me-uk-oxford-v0-hy5ywxun14db1.jpg-copy.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-147833" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/filming-a-new-star-wars-show-near-me-uk-oxford-v0-hy5ywxun14db1.jpg-copy.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/filming-a-new-star-wars-show-near-me-uk-oxford-v0-hy5ywxun14db1.jpg-copy-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/filming-a-new-star-wars-show-near-me-uk-oxford-v0-hy5ywxun14db1.jpg-copy-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/filming-a-new-star-wars-show-near-me-uk-oxford-v0-hy5ywxun14db1.jpg-copy-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Photo: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWars/comments/154p30t/filming_a_new_star_wars_show_near_me_uk_oxford/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=ios_app&amp;utm_name=ioscss&amp;utm_content=1&amp;utm_term=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradghost</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>A film crew for what fans suspect is the latest season of&nbsp;<em>Andor</em>, a spin-off tv show based in the blockbuster&nbsp;<em>Star Wars&nbsp;</em>universe, was spotted near Watlington last week. The first season of the critically acclaimed Disney + series starred big names like Stellan Skarsgård and Andy Serkis, fingers crossed they&#8217;ll be popping up on our patch as filming continues. Nothing&#8217;s confirmed yet, but pictures of the set taken by locals certainly fit the series&#8217; sci-fi out-of-this-world bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-say-hello-to">Say hello to&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-14.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-147837" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-14.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-14-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-14-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s more to quaff than scoff at Jericho’s fabulous new wine and charcuterie bar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lynrace.com/popina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Popina</strong></a>, taking over the former spot of Jericho Grill (sob). Owner and Jericho local Paul Southouse has carefully curated a contemporary atmosphere in this latest location by the Lynrace brand, from the art hanging on the wall and sommelier-selected wines to the Italian meats and cheeses practically sliced tableside. Serving up 10 whites, 10 reds, plus sparkling wines and rosé by the glass, be the first to taste-test the cool spot on its opening night this&nbsp;<strong>Thursday 27 Jul</strong>.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford-1000x666.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-145316" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/05/The-Store-Hotel-Oxford.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8216;Out with the old, in with the new&#8217; seems to be this month’s mantra as hot new boutique hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://thestoreoxford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Store</strong></a>&nbsp;is due to open on the site of the old Boswell’s. Anyone who&#8217;s stepped inside the old department store knows it&#8217;s a tough act to follow but the hotel sounds promising &#8211; with its swanky rooftop bar (and one inside), spa, co-working area, and 101 plush rooms. What was expected to be a late summer opening has now been pushed to autumn, fingers crossed we&#8217;ll be testing the springs soon.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="713" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar-1000x713.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-147961" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar-1000x713.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar-800x570.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar-400x285.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar-737x525.jpg 737w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Unity-Place-Sky-Bar.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy a rooftop cocktail? Always! Swish new hub Unity Place in central Milton Keynes (which is reportedly costing £150m to build and will house the new Santander UK technology hub) is getting a cherry on the top with Unity Place Sky Lounge, a chic new bar serving up wine, cocktails, small plates and desserts &#8211; as well as sweeping views of the city from on high. We’ll be booking our table for when it opens in September. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-goodbye-to">And goodbye to&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-2022-12-07T160236.341.png.gallery.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-147846" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-2022-12-07T160236.341.png.gallery.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-2022-12-07T160236.341.png.gallery-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-2022-12-07T160236.341.png.gallery-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Untitled-design-2022-12-07T160236.341.png.gallery-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A very sad farewell to the Oxford Christmas Market, as organiser Nicole Rahimi announced on Instagram that the festive fair is cancelled indefinitely. The market has been a local go-to for artisan goodies, food, and an annual day out for many families over the last 14 years. A new organiser has already been invited to step in and host this year&#8217;s market but it&#8217;s still hush, hush &#8211; you&#8217;re welcome back any time, Nicole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-other-news">In other news</h2>



<p><em>Bridgerton</em> had us all demanding the kids call us &#8216;Lord&#8217; and &#8216;Lady&#8217; (just me?). Well, you can make that dream come true thanks to Silverstone Auctions. One bidder can buy the title ‘Lord of the Manor of Silverstone’ at next month’s Silverstone Festival Sale. The new Lord will receive all rights and privileges plus full entitlement to change their title to Lord on passports, bank cards and any official documents – you can have it all for chump change, £80k &#8211; £120k.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Book now!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140075" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Blenheim-lights-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s only, erm, 154 sleeps till Christmas &#8211; that&#8217;s close enough to start the tinsel talk, right? Okay, so it&#8217;s a&nbsp;<em>little</em>&nbsp;early, but we&#8217;ve got an excuse, promise! We stay on top of all the local must-dos in December, but we know that booking tickets close to the dates is complete luck of the draw. So, ever the holiday hero, Muddy is keeping your calendar prim and organised this Christmas by staying clued up on events you can book now. On sale now: the ever-popular<a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Christmas at Blenheim Palace</a> (above), <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas at Waddesdon</a>, and <a href="https://www.milletsfarmcentre.com/santas-grotto-at-webbs-garden-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Santa&#8217;s Grotto at Millets Farm</a> just outside of Abingdon &#8211; nab em while they&#8217;re hot.&nbsp; </p>


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