THEATRE AND DANCE

A Midsummer Night's Dream Oxford Playhouse — *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* at Oxford Playhouse

If Christy Lefteri’s The Beekeeper of Aleppo stayed with you as it did me, you’ll want to see the moving bestseller brought to the stage from 3 – 7 Mar at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The poignant play is from the same producers of West End hit The Kite Runner and charts the journey of beekeeper Nuri and his wife Afra from war-torn Syria to Britain. Bring tissues.

Austentatious at MK Theatre on 7 Mar promises to be a bit sillier. With a revolving cast of comics including Cariad Lloyd and Rachel Parris, the improv show dreams up a new Jane Austen novel, inspired by a title suggested by the audience. Put your thinking caps on now. Meanwhile at The Oxford Playhouse at the end of the month, there’s a fresh spin on A Midsummer Night’s Dream from 24 – 28 Mar. It’s a collaboration with Oxford Playhouse associate company Headlong and Shakespeare’s Globe, and it’s a biggie with some very balletic costume action.

Hidden Aylesbury Waterside Theatre — *Hidden* at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, photo by Dan Tucker

Speaking of ballet, Oxford Playhouse also has two dance dates for the diary. Improbable Sessions: Music to the Dance on 11 Mar sees talented musicians jamming and improvising, led by a dancer who makes up moves in the moment, while Richard Chappell Dance: BLOOM on 13 Mar features three compelling dance works set to poetry and live folk music.

Is dance-circus a genre? It is now. Hidden at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 12 Mar promises gravity-defying choreography made all the more immersive thanks to dynamic sets and digital tricks. And the OG circus is coming to town at Millets Farm in Frilford; Tweedy’s Massive Circus will be causing hilarious, joyful chaos from 26 Mar – 4 April. There’s no better place to start the Easter hols than in the Big Top.

EXHIBITIONS

Sarah Wiseman Arboretum — *Arboretum* at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery

You’ll feel immediately calm and grounded amongst the trees in Summertown with a trip to Arboretum, a new contemporary landscape exhibition at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery from 7 – 28 Mar. Showcasing paintings, photography, prints, and mixed-media works from UK-based artists, the works depict everything from walks through Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire by Bee Bartlett to Clare Halifax’s drawing of pockets of nature in London.

There’s a budding new exhibition (sorry) over at The Ashmolean in the centre of town too. In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World is on from 19 Mar and features 100+ artworks and objects that uncovers the global stories behind some of Britain’s most beloved plants and flowers.

Highlighting the generosity, hard graft and life stories of Buckinghamshire’s volunteers is the mission behind Shout Volunteering: A Photographic Exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury until 15 Mar. It’s a brilliant insight into the people who keep society ticking in our Muddy county and an exhibition you won’t forget in a hurry.

Back to nature, Foraging Connections at Modern Art Oxford from 27 Mar displays works made using foraged plants by artists Lilli Tranborg and Arbie Edward in collaboration with local charity, Children Heard And Seen. They’re also repurposing a sculpture in nearby Wytham Woods so you can wander down and see how they’re getting on there too.

Waddesdon Manor is full of the joys of spring too. The Coach House Gallery has had a glow-up and hosts Four Seasons from 27 Mar. Light artist Bruce Munro will translate Vivaldi’s Four Seasons into dynamic light while his daughter, Tink, uses barkcloth in inventive ways to explore themes affecting our natural environment.

MUSIC

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is also on the agenda at the Holywell Music Room in Oxford on 21 March, this time by candlelight and performed by The Unity String Quartet. An evening with world-class cellist Mischa Maisky and conductor Christoph Eschenbach at the Sheldonian Theatre on 12 Mar sounds just as captivating. Romantic works are on the musical menu, from Tchaikovsky’s Nocturne to Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C major.

Technically not in Bucks & Oxon but well worth booking before tickets fly is Oxford band Stornoway at The Royal Albert Hall on 30 Mar. The indie folk lot are celebrating their 20th anniversary since taking the Cowley Road (then Glasto) by storm and the show is a tribute to the natural world as much as it is their brilliant back catalogue. It’s a big night for the Oxford music scene; I’ll see you in the stalls.

COMEDY

March is far from a ‘meh’ month in comedy circles, starting with Russell Howard’s residency at MK Theatre from 1 – 7 Mar. His punchy Don’t Tell The Algorithm Show might make you want to delete your social media apps.

The bookings team at New Theatre Oxford are determined to have us sniggering into spring. First up there’s the Helen & Douglas House Charity Comedy Gala on 9 Mar. Matt Richardson’s the host and you’ll be tickled by Zoe Lyons, Ed Byrne, Fin Taylor and a roster of UK comedy’s rising stars. It’ll have you looking forward to a Monday night in March, which is no small feat. There’s also – deep breath – Ross Noble on 6 Mar, Chris Ramsey on 18 Mar, Sue Perkins on 25 Mar, Aisling Bea on 26 Mar and none other than Harry Enfield bringing the house down on Sat 28 Mar. Our sides are sore already.

For gags in Bucks, head to swanky Danesfield House near Marlow on 13 Mar for an evening of stand-up from comics Mary O’Connell, Will Sebag-Montefiore, Laura Moss and MC Sophie White. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre has plenty of laughs in the pipeline too; Josh Widdicombe is stopping by on 14 Mar, Joel Dommett is doing what he does best with Happy Idiot on 18 Mar, followed by Judi Love on 19 Mar.

Heading back over the border, Dylan Moran and guests are gracing the Cornerstone in Didcot on 20 Mar. He won the prestigious Perrier award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 30 years ago, and he’s still got it. Finally, Ruby Wax will be giving the fine people of Henley some juicy insights into her provocative TV shows on 25 Mar at The Kenton Theatre. She’s famously interviewed everyone from Donald Trump to Madonna, and she’s got beans to spill.

BOOKS AND CULTURE

There’s something about the arrival of spring that gets our arty juices flowing and there’s a Milton Keynes venue determined to unleash your talents. Head to Westbury Arts Centre on 22 Mar for a relaxed creative taster day during which you can try your hand at ceramics, watercolour painting, life drawing and more, all led by encouraging pro tutors who won’t judge you for wonky pots or sketchy drawings. Getting into a flow state is a proven way to boost your mood and these no-pressure workshops in Westbury’s Grade II listed 17th century manor house will do just that. Sign up sharpish before the workshops sell out.

If your mantra for 2026 is less scrolling, more reading, Bucks & Oxon are brilliant for bookish events, starting with a humble book exchange at Unity Place in Milton Keynes on 5 Mar. It’s World Book Day (klaxon for the parents arranging outfits) and you’ll leave with hot literary tips as well as a preloved read.

Spoken word your jam? Poet and author Hollie McNish will be reading from her brand new book, Virgin, at The North Wall in Oxford on 14 Mar. If you’ve not read her poetic parenting memoir, Nobody Told Me, hop to it. She hits the mark while making you laugh with almost every line.

The big diary date for spring is the Oxford Literary Festival (21 – 29 Mar), which takes over the city with authors, journalists and thinkers popping up in beautiful venues. This year’s headliners include Chris Packham (BBC nature guy), Tim Spector (co-founder of the Zoe app), Michael Morpurgo (author of War Horse) , Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (The Grufallo creators) and actor Christopher Eccleston.

St Patrick’s Day isn’t all about Guinness: there’s a seminar to your good health at The Crazy Bear in Stadhampton on 17 Mar led by Director of Fitness Steve Griffiths. He’ll be giving you food for thought on how to stay fit and well in our rather manic-paced modern world. It’s heavily weighted towards balance, so there will be a pint of the black stuff on offer, or some bubbles if you prefer.

Moomi Botanicals Henley — Moomi Botanicals

If the arrival of the daffs is giving you green fingers, sign up for the spring floral workshop with Lyndsay Wade from Henley’s Moomi Botanicals at The Plough in Shiplake on 11 Mar. The team at The Plough have their gloves on all month; there’s a spring garden design workshop with award-winning garden designer Tabitha Rigden on 26 Mar too. The morning session includes tea and coffee on arrival and a two-course lunch with a glass of wine after you’ve swotted up on all things horticultural. And finally, gardening god Monty Don is presenting A Journey Through British Gardens at the New Theatre Oxford on 27 Mar. If that doesn’t give you some inspo for the borders, we’re not sure what will.

OUTDOORS

Hughenden manor NT — Hughenden Manor, photo by Hugh Mothersole

Seguing smoothly to the great outdoors, National Lottery Open Week allows free entry to venues, gardens and galleries all over the UK from 7 – 15 Mar. Buy a lottery ticket, Instant Win Game or Scratch Card and you’ll gain free entry to glorious local spots including Stowe Gardens, Hughenden Manor, Greys Court and Cliveden. There’s two-for-one entry at The Chiltern Open Air Museum in the Chalfonts too, which reopens on 7 March.

A blooming gorgeous day out awaits at Waterperry Gardens near Oxford from 1 Mar onwards when the daffodils come out to play. 10,000 bulbs were planted back in autumn, so expect a stunning display. Then ring the bell for bluebells at Cliveden from 21 Mar. They’ll peak around early April, so you’ve got plenty of time to catch them.

For more fresh air with bells on, The Wandering Rabbit Nature Walk on 7 Mar sets off from The Wild Rabbit in Kingham and onto the Daylesford estate. A guide will take you on a tour of the farm and market garden, flask of freshly brewed coffee in hand, then you’ll enjoy a picnic of Daylesford’s finest produce before filling your boots in the farm shop and meandering back to the pub for a pint. They’ll even provide a coat and wellies if you’re underequipped. At £60, you’d kind of hope so.

The wild garlic Bloody Mary is a signature drink at The Five Little Pigs in Wallingford, so it figures that they’re hosting a Wild Garlic Walk on 28 Mar to forage for the stuff. The team will show you the best wild garlic growing spots in the area and show you how to forage for them and other wild springtime ingredients. Then it’s back to the restaurant for a garlicky snack and a cocktail. The perfect walk doesn’t exis…

Ending with a gardening extravaganza, Rosara at Nicolsons’ Spring Fair on 28 Mar offers up clean, green fun for all the family (although a fair degree of soil might be involved). There’s spring wreath making workshops, seasonal planting talks from the pros and the friendly folk at The Wildlife Trust will reveal what all the creatures and creepy crawlies are up to at this time of year. Wholesome vibes.

KIDS

Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling and Rose Byrne are just a few A-listers who rate Emmy-winning Aussie kids TV show Bluey, and the stage adaptation is treading the boards at New Theatre Oxford from 12 – 15 Mar. It isn’t a show you’ll snooze through; here’s why Bluey’s Big Play is a pre-school show that adults will legit enjoy.

Other local theatrics to leave your little ones speechless include Mika and the Polar Bear at the North Wall in Summertown on 14 Mar (dance theatre with puppets) and Dr Seuss classic The Cat in the Hat at Chipping Norton Theatre on 21 Mar. The cat’s M.O is to turn a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure, which sounds extremely relatable from where I’m sitting.

Our Easter Holiday guide is loading, but until then there’s lots on locally to celebrate World Book Day on 7 Mar. The Story Museum in Oxford is treating us to half-price entry all day and kids can turn a notebook into a dragon at Hughenden Manor near High Wycombe, scales and all. If dragons aren’t their thing, they can create a magical ‘under-the-sea book nook’ instead. There’s also free daily storytelling sessions in the library at Greys Court near Henley for littlies aged 2 – 5 from 2 – 6 Mar.

Natural History Museum Oxford — Natural History Museum, Oxford

Mini Einsteins, meanwhile, will enjoy discovering why scientists wear lab coats (cue controlled explosions) at Super Science Saturday on 7 Mar at the Natural History Museum in Oxford. They’ll also test their detective skills by spotting AI-generated images, which is a modern skill for life imho. Not far away, tiny gardeners will love Arboretum Adventures for Under 5s at Harcourt Arboretum on 11 Mar. Expect natural crafts, sensory activities and storytelling under the trees.

Storytelling with a side of swines? You’ll want to head to Odds Farm Park near Wooburn Green for Trotters & Tales, every weekend until 22 Mar. Your litter can meet adorable piglets, hear some mischievous pig themed stories and get stuck into farmyard arts and crafts. And for some free farmyard adventures, mums get complimentary admission to Hogshaw Farm on 14 and 15 Mar to mark Mother’s Day. Fingers crossed for breakfast in bed beforehand. Lastly, for a rain-safe kiddie outing at the end of the month, MK Gallery Toddle Tour on 28 Mar will explore the new Euan Uglow: An Arc from the Eye exhibition with artist and sensory practitioner Julia Collar. They’ll be able to touch, move and play to their little heart’s content, and you’ll get a good view of the art too. Happy days.

FOOD

Double Red Duke Bicester Village — The Double Red Duke, Bicester Village

The Bull Burford is raising a glass and slice of bara brith to Wales on 1 Mar to toast St David’s Day. The special menu includes a Welsh rarebit amuse-bouch, Welsh beef fillet and spiced bara brith with a Welsh honey glaze and Penderyn whisky cream. Head over to Muddy Wales for more St David’s Day celebrations and foodie inspo.

Next up, is British Pie Week (2 – 8 Mar) on your radar? The Peach Pubs team is all over it – there will be pie specials galore at The Thatch in Thame and The Fishes in North Hinksey. It’s also International Women’s Day on 8 Mar (I wouldn’t mind a pie, thank you) and The Bull in Charlbury has invited veggie-led chef Helen Graham, formerly of London’s Bubala, up to the Cotswolds to cook up a Middle Eastern inspired feast. We hear Ottolenghi’s a big fan. The Yurt at Nicolsons is also putting plants centre stage at a root-veg themed supper club on 13 Mar. Expect to have your mind and tastebuds blown by parsnips. Really.

Five Little Pigs cocktail — A cocktail at Five Little Pigs

Mother’s Day weekend on 14 and 15 Mar is the perfect opp to treat yourself or a mum in your life. We’ve rounded up the best afternoon teas locally and you can add the Double Red Duke in Bicester Village to that list. The stylish eatery debuts its very first afternoon tea on 15 Mar, served in the Tea Parlour in a very generous window of 12pm – 6pm, with British produce at the fore on every cake and sandwich tier. Or knead your own seasonal bakes at Oxmoor Farm near Great Missenden on 14 Mar: learn to make hot cross buns, then devour them with a steaming pot of tea by the fire.

Finishing with something slightly naughtier, the Mother’s Ruin Cocktail Evening with Cotswolds-based Lords Fragrance House at the Five Little Pigs in Wallingford on 16 Mar will have you mixing up two scent-inspired gin cocktails before sitting down to a delicious two-course meal. You can browse the Lords Fragrance pop-up shop for take home goodies too. We love their thinking.

March on! 60+ things to do locally this month

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