Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1529" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Beyoncé-in-garden-deckchair-her-IG-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-195987" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Beyoncé-in-garden-deckchair-her-IG-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Beyoncé-in-garden-deckchair-her-IG--785x800.jpg 785w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Beyoncé-in-garden-deckchair-her-IG--981x1000.jpg 981w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Beyoncé-in-garden-deckchair-her-IG--392x400.jpg 392w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTLjDI3HTxf/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beyoncé Instagram </a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Beyoncé’s crazy in love with the <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/beyonce-guide-to-the-cotswolds/">Cotswolds</a>! The Carters are closing in on the sale of a £7.5 million 58-acre estate in Wigginton and planning permission for a dreamy rural retreat is firmly across the line. At this point the Hollywood hills have nothing on our honey-hued stone and rolling fields; there’s more stars in the shires and they continue to align, with Beyoncé and Jay Z joining the likes of the <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/david-beckham-home-sauna-best-to-buy-right-now/">Beckhams</a>, Ellen DeGeneres and Kate Moss in this most Muddy of regions.</p>



<p>We&#8217;re all about loving local on Muddy so &#8211; kind hearts that we are &#8211; we&#8217;ve put together a little local cheatsheet for the Carters, just to get them settled.&nbsp;Also potentially useful for any reader planning to discreetly &#8216;bump&#8217; into the superstars over the coming months. Just saying.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about">ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1277" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton.jpg" alt="Mill Lane Wigginton" class="wp-image-195942" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mill-Lane-Wigginton-1536x1022.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Maxwell Douglas</figcaption></figure>



<p>Wigginton sits at the northwestern tip of the Cotswolds and the nearest town is Banbury, six miles away. Going back a bit, the Romans put down roots here in the 2nd century AD, building a large villa just as Beyoncé plans to do, only we expect those Italian guys didn’t have approval from Cherwell District Council. </p>



<p>Wigginton is pocket-sized as settlements go – there’s a 13th century church, a 19th century Methodist church, a village hall and a few winding streets fronted by chocolate box cottages. The pub, The White Swan, sadly hasn’t reopened since lockdown so things are pretty quiet around here – we sense that the Carters crave peace. That said, there’s plenty of bucolic high jinx to be had in surrounding villages should they ever wish to leave their proposed seven-bedroom haven, and there’s always the annual village fete. Speaking of which…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-things-to-do">THINGS TO DO</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/3/2025/08/Fairytale-Farm-3.jpg" alt="Fairytale Farm mushroom house" class="wp-image-194468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Fairytale-Farm-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Fairytale-Farm-3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Fairytale-Farm-3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/Fairytale-Farm-3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fairytale Farm</figcaption></figure>



<p>Beyoncé’s just missed the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/wigginton-village-fete/428826100845052/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wigginton village fete </a>and dog show (second week of September &#8211; ear mark it for 2026) which included performances from the local Adderbury Morris Men who we’re betting could give her backing dancers a run for their money. Perhaps she’ll make a guest appearance alongside the Main Street Folk Band next year? There’s also a dog show and organisers describe the event as “fabulous” so Bey’s got a lot to look forward to.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For downtime, there’s a community bookswap and she can take the kids along to <a href="https://www.waterfowlsanctuary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wigginton Waterfowl Sanctuary &amp; Children&#8217;s Farm </a>to cuddle some baby rabbits, feed the goats and ride on a tractor. You don’t get those kinds of agricultural larks in LA. <a href="https://www.fairytalefarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fairytale Farm </a>in Chipping Norton is also just a ten minute drive away for even more pastoral playtime.</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/3/2025/05/Soho-House.jpg" alt="Seating area by big windows at Soho Farmhouse" class="wp-image-189196" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Soho-House.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Soho-House-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Soho-House-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Soho-House-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Soho House</figcaption></figure>



<p>For the grown-ups, <a href="https://www.sohohouse.com/houses/soho-farmhouse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soho Farmhouse</a> is a 12 minute drive away from Wigginton which is handy for rubbing shoulders with mates Harry and Meghan and <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/beauty-lifestyle/taylor-swift-orange-lipstick-autumn-winter-nars-merit-charlotte-tilbury-delilah-violette/">Taylor Swift</a> and Travis Kelce. The Swift-Kelces rented a £3.3 million cottage in nearby Chipping Norton to stay in during Taylor’s <em>Eras</em> tour in the UK last year – perhaps they can stay at Bey’s for the future <em>Life of a Showgirl </em>album tour? Or maybe they&#8217;ll pick the Cotswolds as their <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/life/weddings/dreamiest-wedding-venues-across-the-muddy-counties-hotels-stately-homes/">wedding venue</a> like Eve &#8216;daughter of Steve&#8217; Jobs did recently when marrying British equestrian Harry Charles? They got hitched at superhot hotel for hedge-funders <a href="https://estellemanor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estelle Manor</a> &#8211; a handy 30 minutes from Wigginton so the Carters could easily book a local taxi there and back. We digress.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shopping">SHOPPING</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/3/2025/07/Jeremy-Clarksons-Diddly-squat-farm-shop.jpg" alt="exterior of Diddly Squat farm shop" class="wp-image-192085" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jeremy-Clarksons-Diddly-squat-farm-shop.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jeremy-Clarksons-Diddly-squat-farm-shop-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jeremy-Clarksons-Diddly-squat-farm-shop-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jeremy-Clarksons-Diddly-squat-farm-shop-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With other 50 varieties of cheese to peruse, alongside a butcher, grocer and generous larder of local goodies, <a href="https://www.wykhampark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wykham Park Farm </a>is the Carters&#8217; wholesome local farm shop and it’s just 11 minutes away. The house smoked salmon also comes Muddy recommended – Bey could sample it in the form of eggs royale from onsite café Farm + Table.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Equidistant is <a href="https://saltwayfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saltway Farm Shop </a>on the Broughton road just outside Banbury which is the the place to hit for local chutneys and preserves as well as regular carboot sales should they wish to pick up some bits for their new pad. Slightly further afield is the Jeremy Clarkson&#8217;s much loved <a href="https://diddlysquatfarmshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diddily Squat Farmshop</a>, a 22 minute drive away in Chipping Norton, where they&#8217;ll be elbowing David Beckham and Rebel Wilson out of the way to sample Clarkson&#8217;s &#8216;Wet&#8217; perfume or bee juice rum. At the more ritzy end, <a href="https://www.daylesford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daylesford Organic Farm </a>is also a 20 minute hop from Wigginton –  a housewarming hamper (£400) will go down a treat when the family moves in.&nbsp; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Falkland-Arms.jpg" alt="Exterior of Falkland Arms" class="wp-image-195929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Falkland-Arms.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Falkland-Arms-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Falkland-Arms-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Falkland-Arms-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While the White Swan is closed, the Carters can nip five minutes down the road to the former Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://www.falklandarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Falkland Arms </a>at Great Tew. The 16th Century Cotswolds pub also has rooms in case the Carter estate is at capacity. Also five minutes away is <a href="https://www.hooky.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hook Norton Brewery</a>, where they can savour a pint of Hooky with a bite to eat from <a href="https://www.hooky.co.uk/visit-us/malthouse-kitchen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malthouse Kitchen </a>after a brewery tour. Jay Z owns a cognac brand (D&#8217;USSÉ Cognac) but we’re sure he can be swayed by a stout or zingy IPA. </p>



<p>If they’re more in the mood for a Michelin starred feast, <a href="https://thewildrabbit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wild Rabbit</a> in Kingham, about a 10 minute drive from Wigginton, will fulfil their gourmet cravings. There’s even a vegan Sunday lunch (roasted hispi cabbage with black garlic and Yorkshires) for when they’re going plant-based, as the couple do for part of each week. There’s no danger of a dry nut roast in these parts.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-vultures">CULTURE VULTURES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/BLENHEIM-PALACE-GARDENS-.jpg" alt="BLENHEIM PALACE GARDENS" class="wp-image-189665" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/BLENHEIM-PALACE-GARDENS-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/BLENHEIM-PALACE-GARDENS--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/BLENHEIM-PALACE-GARDENS--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/BLENHEIM-PALACE-GARDENS--400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>When not getting together at the Grade II listed <a href="https://www.wiggintonvillagehall.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wigginton village hall</a>, the Carters can assemble at <a href="https://www.broughtoncastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broughton Castle</a> near Banbury which happens to be the Fiennes family seat (Ralph and Joseph are in showbiz too), where they might pick up some olde worlde <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/interiors/best-vintage-homewares-shops-markets-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/">interiors inspo</a> while touring the moated 14th century manor house and grounds.<a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Blenheim Palace </a>is also a mere 20 minute drive away in <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/oxfordshire/woodstock/">Woodstock</a> if they’ve not fulfilled their historic houses’ quota.</p>



<p>For walks and wildlife, <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/woodford-bottom-and-lambs-pool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodford Bottom and Lamb&#8217;s Pool</a> is six minutes from Wigginton and surrounded by wildflowers and swaying reeds to shield her from the paps. In fact, she’s more likely to encounter herons, kingfishers and maybe even a barn owl or two if she hangs around until dusk. <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/glyme-valley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glyme Valley,</a> a 15 minute journey towards Chipping Norton, is also a top spot for rambles – it’s a south-facing slope running down to the river Glyme that’s a sanctuary for local birds. Binoculars at the ready, Bey!</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/latest-news/superflash-news-beyonce-oxfordshire-raymond-blanc-le-manoir/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Superflash news! Beyoncé’s moving in and Raymond’s doing a reno</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/insider-guide-to-the-cotswolds-oxfordshire-gastropubs-walk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswolds Insider Guide: where to eat, stay &amp; play</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/best-places-to-shop-fashion-homeware-cotswolds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The ultimate shopping guide to the Cotswolds</a></li>
</ul>


Beyoncé buys in… Wigginton! Read our insider guide to find out why

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