Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-amp-drink-news">FOOD &amp; DRINK NEWS</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/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T121944.023.jpg" alt="Ox Two Summertown wine bar and small plates" class="wp-image-184732" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T121944.023.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T121944.023-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T121944.023-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T121944.023-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Just when you thought the Summertown dining scene had never looked so good, in comes news of a new venue to get your teeth into. The wrappers came off small plates and wine bar venue <a href="http://www.oxtwo.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OXTWO</a> on Sat 1 March and it&#8217;s looking hot-to-trot. What else would you expect from the love child of Back Lane Tavern and Duke of Marlborough, plus Grape Minds and Summertown Wine Bar (OXTWO is replacing SWB).</p>



<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/3/2025/03/Snapinsta.app_476238509_17855692761369712_3772459225492172252_n_1080.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-185033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Snapinsta.app_476238509_17855692761369712_3772459225492172252_n_1080.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Snapinsta.app_476238509_17855692761369712_3772459225492172252_n_1080-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Snapinsta.app_476238509_17855692761369712_3772459225492172252_n_1080-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Snapinsta.app_476238509_17855692761369712_3772459225492172252_n_1080-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cornish black bream, sobrasada picante, Fowey mussels, lovage, and monks beard.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Conceived over a glass of wine last year (we like their style), the team have set out to create a place you&#8217;ll keep returning to for its small plates, Sunday roasts, or just a drink – it works equally well for quick bites or long boozy lunches. Exec chef Johnny Parke&#8217;s food centres largely on British ingredients with flair – think Cotswold lamb taco, chimichurri, avocado, anchovy sauce or early season asparagus, confit egg yolk, and duck ham. Yum. Plus there&#8217;s kids&#8217; plates and vegan options. <a href="https://www.oxtwo.co.uk/reservations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nab a table</a> while you still can.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oak-restaurant-takes-root">OAK RESTAURANT TAKES ROOT</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/3/2025/03/OAKROOM1.jpg" alt="Oak restaurant Crazy Bear Stadhampton" class="wp-image-185037" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM1-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s another hot Oxfordshire foodie spot for your wish list: The Crazy Bear has opened its new <a href="https://crazybeargroup.co.uk/oak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oak restaurant</a> at its Stadhampton hotel. It&#8217;s a bells-and-whistles relaunch of its fine dining offering, with hot chef Callum Holyland, most recently top dog at Norfolk gastropub The Ingham Swan, installed as head chef to deliver a seasonal, locally sourced modern British menu with a modern flair.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM3.jpg" alt="oak restaurant crazy bear" class="wp-image-185039" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/OAKROOM3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>Comme boisson</em>? Enter seasoned sommelier Shaun Corrigan, who&#8217;s been busy sourcing high-quality, small-production wines that rival the best in the world – with a nod to the best-in-class UK winemakers too.&nbsp;After a complete refurb of the space that was previously the English Restaurant, we&#8217;re excited to trot along to Stadhampton. And if you live in Oxfordshire, there&#8217;s a tasty introductory offer. Providing at least one diner has an OX postcode, there&#8217;s 50% off the food bill for lunch and dinner bookings between Tue and Thu in March. Michelin-standard cooking and a killer wine list? <a href="https://crazybeargroup.co.uk/oak/">Book your table</a> presto! </p>



<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/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T131354.888.jpg" alt="Carlo Scotto" class="wp-image-184752" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T131354.888.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T131354.888-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T131354.888-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T131354.888-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Psst! While we&#8217;re on the subject of The Crazy Bear news, also coming this Spring is the Beaconsfield hotel&#8217;s new restaurant: Bear by Carlo Scotto. This superchef has come from Amethyst in Mayfair, which has been showered with awards for its complex Nordic, Japanese, Arabic and French influenced food. Ergo: don&#8217;t expect this new venture to shy away from bold dishes. Expect the unexpected.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-duke-meets-duchess">DUKE MEETS DUCHESS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/DoubleRedDuke-WeTheFoodSnobs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-142876" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/DoubleRedDuke-WeTheFoodSnobs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/DoubleRedDuke-WeTheFoodSnobs-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/DoubleRedDuke-WeTheFoodSnobs-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/DoubleRedDuke-WeTheFoodSnobs-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hot hotel news: a new venture called The Duchess is coming soon from the owners of the <a href="https://www.countrycreatures.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Country Creatures</a> Cotswolds boutique hotel group (which includes the chichi Double Red Duke in Clanfield). The team are finalising details as we speak, but line up that country weekender because the latest venture from co-founders Sam and Georgie Pearman is sure to be a beauty if its sister pubs-with-rooms are anything to go by. We&#8217;ll keep you posted, baby!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-la-dolce-vita">LA DOLCE VITA</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/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080.jpg" alt="La Dolce Bolla March" class="wp-image-184668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/Snapinsta.app_466048133_2256663071379111_1374547764714878844_n_1080-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">La Dolce Bolla, Marlow</figcaption></figure>



<p>Marlow&#8217;s chic new Italian wine bar, <a href="https://www.ladolcebolla.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Dolce Bolla</a>, has quite the social calendar going on – so it&#8217;s time to shed those hibernation vibes. Clear the decks for the after-work DJs on the last Thursday of the month, the fabulous wine tasting on Weds 19 March, and the live music night on Fri 11 April. Sip fine Italian wines and the best Prosecco you&#8217;ve ever had, plus premium Italian nibbles, and you&#8217;re living La Dolce Vita.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</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/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T153029.495.jpg" alt="Scenic Sauna, Cotswolds" class="wp-image-184815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T153029.495.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T153029.495-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T153029.495-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T153029.495-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;ve jumped aboard the ice-bath/sauna train, or are still waiting at the station, perhaps this will tip you over the line. The <a href="https://www.scenicsauna.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scenic Sauna</a> crew have launched extended opening hours (Tues opening and extra weekend sessions), plus a new retreat on 24 May, a fortnightly women&#8217;s circle and sauna, and an art and sauna workshop on 2 April. All held at its dreamy Cotswolds woodland site. Go on, take the plunge.</p>



<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/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T134928.658.jpg" alt="Art at Pheasants, Henley Arts Trail" class="wp-image-184770" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T134928.658.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T134928.658-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T134928.658-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T134928.658-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Art lovers rejoice because the <a href="http://www.henleyartstrail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henley Arts Trail</a> is back. This year&#8217;s festival takes place from 3-5 May, and this knock-out contemporary home, Pheasants, will be the host venue once again. In total there are 32 venues taking part, from distilleries, gardens and studios to local NT treasure, Greys Court. Make a May day of it.</p>



<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/3/2025/01/MILTONKEYNESMUSEUM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-182636" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/MILTONKEYNESMUSEUM.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/MILTONKEYNESMUSEUM-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/MILTONKEYNESMUSEUM-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Milton Keynes Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mkmuseum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milton Keynes Museum</a> is re-opening again for Easter (hurray!) after a devastating fire that meant it had to remain closed over Feb half term (sob). It&#8217;s a real gem for spring visits because of its massive outdoor space, playground and café – plus its newly unveiled Ancient Gallery (above) for digging around the past. There will also be egg hunts and seasonal crafts for Easter ahead of the big event in May: the Old Lawnmower Festival (I kid you not). <a href="https://miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/">Find out more here</a>. And over in Chalfont St Giles, <a href="https://www.coam.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiltern Open Air Museum</a> re-opens this weekend (Sat 8 March), with its historic buildings that have been taken down from around the counties then rebuilt on site, as well as its 45 acres resplendent with farm animals and picnic spots. Great for letting little ones run off a bit of steam.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The cute <a href="https://www.minifarmersclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hill View Farm</a> near High Wycombe, a smallholding and farm shop, is already much loved by those with littlies for its Mini Farmer’s Club – an outdoorsy stay-and-play complete with farm animals. The venue has now put in for permission for an outdoor play area, which combined with its excellent cake and coffee offering sounds like manna from heaven for parents with pre-schoolers. </p>



<p>Rain shall not stop play: a new bowling centre is opening on 21 March in Milton Keynes, called <a href="https://lane7.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lane 7</a>. It&#8217;ll be way more than bowling if the sister venues are anything to go by, and this venue is set to be the biggest yet. Think 14 bowling lanes, a roller rink, bumper cars, golf stimulators, playground, karaoke rooms, retro gaming stations, beer pong, pool and darts alongside an epic cocktail offering and tunes!</p>



<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/3/2024/07/BigFeastival.jpg" alt="Big Feastival" class="wp-image-167075" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/BigFeastival.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/BigFeastival-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/BigFeastival-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/BigFeastival-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Instagram @thebigfeastival</figcaption></figure>



<p>In festival news, the <a href="https://bigfeastival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Feastival</a>&nbsp;has unveiled the line-up for its 22-24 August shindig and it sees Blur bassist Alex James finally take to the stage – though with a twist. No Blur reunion down on the farm, alas, because he&#8217;ll be performing Brtipop classics with a live orchestra and special guests. It&#8217;s the 1990s, reimagined. Also on the bill is Faithless, Nelly Furtado, and Travis. A right old 90s knees-up.</p>



<p>Sporty types will be more than familiar with the <a href="https://www.blenheimtriathlon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blenheim Palace</a> annual triathlon, but this year sees a new duathlon added to the event on 7-8 June (without the swimming in the lake part). There&#8217;s sprint distances, full and team relay options, so it&#8217;s open to all abilities and in gorgeous surroundings to boot. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celeb-news">CELEB NEWS</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/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T142420.356.jpg" alt="New College, Oxford" class="wp-image-184788" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T142420.356.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T142420.356-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T142420.356-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Untitled-design-2025-03-03T142420.356-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The announcement of HBO&#8217;s <em>Harry Potter</em> TV series, which starts filming later this year, has got tongues wagging that Oxford is sure to be featured, what with its starring role in the films. The Bodleian Library, New College, Christ Church, Divinity Schools and Blenheim Palace have all been among the locations so far. Budding Hogwarts brats, your time is now! Meanwhile, Jack White of The White Stripes popped into the Oxford Union last week to chat songwriting and fame. He told students his Grammy Award-winning <em>Seven Nation Army</em> took him ten seconds to write. At the less rock and roll end of the fame spectrum, Clare Balding has filmed your favourite local River Thames-side spots in Channel 5’s <em>Tales from the Riverbank</em>. The premise is how the Thames has been portrayed by writers and painters; you&#8217;ll see Oxford and the Henley area pop up on your screens in Episode 3. One for a cosy night in over a glass of Merlot.</p>


Superflash! New foodie hotspots and fresh spring outings

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