Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-french-star-at-le-manoir-nbsp">A new French star at Le Manoir&nbsp;</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/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2.jpg" alt="Le Manoir" class="wp-image-127188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2-360x240.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/Belmond-Le-Manoir-aux-Quat’Saisons-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/chef-raymond-blanc-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raymond Blanc MBE</a> retired from his role as boss at <a href="https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons</a> this month, and while the iconic Oxfordshire foodie destination will remain closed until summer 2027, his replacement is already waiting in the wings. Blanc isn’t quite leaving the building – he’ll stay on as “lifetime ambassador” – but acclaimed French chef Arnaud Donckele will step into his double Michelin-starred shoes when the ornate gates swing open once more. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="970" height="1258" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/belmondlemanoir.png" alt="Arnaud Donckele Le Manoir" class="wp-image-201438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/belmondlemanoir.png 970w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/belmondlemanoir-617x800.png 617w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/belmondlemanoir-771x1000.png 771w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/belmondlemanoir-308x400.png 308w" sizes="(max-width: 970px) 100vw, 970px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arnaud Donckele, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/belmondlemanoir/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@belmondlemanoir</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Donckele is currently in charge of celeb haunts La Vague d’Or in Saint-Tropez and Plénitude at Cheval Blanc in Paris, both of which boast triple Michelin star status, so perhaps he’ll bring even more Michelin glory to <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/oxfordshire/great-milton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Milton</a>? Watch this space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spoons-but-make-it-chic">Spoons, but make it chic</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/The-Chiltern-Beaconsfield.jpeg" alt="The Chiltern Beaconsfield" class="wp-image-201443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/The-Chiltern-Beaconsfield.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/The-Chiltern-Beaconsfield-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/The-Chiltern-Beaconsfield-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/The-Chiltern-Beaconsfield-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://camra.org.uk/pubs/chiltern-beaconsfield-199646#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAMRA</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>You wouldn’t normally find ‘Wetherspoons’ and ‘chic’ in the same sentence, but step inside the chain’s latest opening in Beaconsfield and it starts to look like a possibility. The group cut the ribbon at<a href="https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-chiltern-beaconsfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow"> The Chiltern</a> last week in Beaconsfield’s New Town and the interior of the listed building is all period features, gilded panelling and atmospheric pendant lighting, It’s giving <em>The Great Gatsby</em>, but with fewer champagne towers and more free tea refills. The Chiltern was originally a cinema and showed some of the first ‘talkies’ ever made; the film and TV prints on the walls are a nod to its cultural past. With art deco décor and very Jan-friendly deals (giddy up payday), it’s certainly worth checking out.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fizz-and-fashion-for-a-good-cause">Fizz and fashion, for a good cause</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale.jpg" alt="Smart Works Sale Marlow" class="wp-image-201490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Smart-Works-Marlow-Sale-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Remember celeb stylist Bay Garnett’s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion-lifestyle/bay-garnett-interview-the-village-attic-bicester-village/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vintage fashion pop-up</a> at Bicester Village in aid of <a href="https://www.smartworks.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smart Works</a>? It was a vintage shopping treasure trove (hello archive Chanel), and there’s more preloved, designer and flashy new fashion finds in store in<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/buckinghamshire/marlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Marlow </a>next month at the charity’s pop-up on <strong>14 Feb</strong>. Smart Works offers interview dressing and preparation services to women in the UK who are unemployed or on zero-hours contracts, with ambassadors including designers Claire Waight Keller (who made Meghan Markle’s wedding dress) and Lulu Guinness. It’s safe to say that the sartorial offerings will be a cut above your average charity shop haul. Nab early bird tickets on <strong>13 Feb</strong> between 6pm – 8pm to get first dibs on the best designer finds, as well as a glass of fizz on arrival. Catch all the action at All Saints Marlow Church Hall and<a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/smartworksreading/2024453" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> reserve your spot here.</a>&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-coco-in-the-cotswolds">White Coco in the Cotswolds</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford-.jpg" alt="Burford" class="wp-image-122284" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford--360x239.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford--720x479.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford--150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/10/burford--789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burford</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another high-end fashion pop-up to add to your spring/summer agenda is elegant boutique <a href="https://www.whitecoco.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Coco</a>’s Burford residency. The understated style haven will have a new temporary home in Wysdom Hall on Burford High Street from <strong>26 March – 21 June</strong> and will add to the town’s already stellar shopping scene. Grab some new gladrags then head to <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/review-bull-burford-oxfordshire-cotswolds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull </a>to show them off at the Michelin-rated Wild restaurant.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-popping-bottles">Popping bottles</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="976" height="1284" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Undici-Amersham.png" alt="Undici Amersham " class="wp-image-201458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Undici-Amersham.png 976w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Undici-Amersham-608x800.png 608w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Undici-Amersham-760x1000.png 760w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Undici-Amersham-304x400.png 304w" sizes="(max-width: 976px) 100vw, 976px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/undici_amersham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@undici_amersham</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy marking the end of dry Jan will something special? <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/peterley-manor-farm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peterley Manor Farm</a>’s <a href="https://peterleymanorfarm.co.uk/pop-up-wine-bar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pop-up wine bar </a>on <strong>29 Jan</strong> is just the ticket. Expect curated wine flights by expert Tom Killen, paired with cheese, charcuterie and deli delights from the farm shop. Entry is £15 but you’ll be gifted a £15 voucher on entry to spend on all the gourmet grazing fodder that takes your fancy. Reserve your space beforehand <a href="https://peterleymanorfarm.co.uk/pop-up-wine-bar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>And if fizz is your thing, the brilliant team behind Marlow’s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/la-dolce-bolla-marlow-buckinghamshire-wine-bar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Dolce Bolla</a> has just opened a new location in the historic heart of <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/buckinghamshire/amersham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Amersham</a>. <a href="https://fizzyhappiness.com/pages/undici" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Undici </a>is an Italian wine bar cum book shop where you can sip the world’s finest prosecco while leafing through the pages of a limited-edition new release. There’s monthly tasting events that’ll take you on a tour of Italy’s wine regions – the next explores Veneto on <strong>29 Jan</strong> – and a book club will launch on <strong>1 March </strong>with local author Jade Lee Wright. Chin chin!</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/winter-restaurant-deals-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9 posh eats for cheap in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/la-dolce-bolla-marlow-bar-review-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: La Dolce Bolla bar, Marlow</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-cookery-schools-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The top 5 cookery schools in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>
</ul>


Superflash! Designer pop-ups and who’s replacing Raymond at Le Manoir?

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