ART & CULTURE

This month has seen the long-awaited reopening of Modern Art Oxford with an exhibition by the late Cuban artist Belkis Ayón, whose powerful work re-imagines ancient stories – the gallery is just behind the Westgate centre so no excuses! If you loved the National Gallery’s once-in-a-lifetime Van Gogh exhibition, Poets & Lovers (or have yet to nab tickets), I have the next best thing. The Chipping Norton Theatre is exploring Van Gogh’s work on screen on Tues 19 Nov with a 90-minute film exploring the Dutch artist’s years in the south of France. The film is made in close collaboration with the National Gallery so it will be rich on detail – book tickets here.

van gogh starry night — Van Gogh Vincent (1853-1890). Paris, musée d’Orsay. RF 1975 19.

Catch the work of another pioneering female artist, the Bloomsbury Group’s Vanessa Bell, at the MK Gallery, or over in Oxford the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative returns to the North Wall Arts Centre from 29 Nov with their Lightening the Dark exhibition. Expect another dazzling array of beautiful and skilfully created prints. There’s one more cultural rec this month – it’s over the Bucks/Berks bridge in Cookham, but I reckon the new Winter Exhibition at the Stanley Spencer Gallery is well worth a short trek. Open now, it explores how the local artist merged the double meaning of art and life in his work.

SHOPPING

Waddesdon Christmas Fair — Photo @Hugh Mothersole

We do love a festive market – and the stockpiling starts in earnest in November. Christmas kicks off in Marlow with A Merry Marlow Christmas in Marlow’s Liston Court Gardens on 30 Nov, hidden just away from the bustle of the high street, where where you can browse the gift stalls while the children line up for a meet-and-greet with Santa. Over in Henley is the annual Christmas Festival, on 29 Nov, which will start with the lights switch-on at 7pm (manned by the Mayor and a secret celeb guest), followed by carollers, a visit from Santa at the King’s Arm Barn, and a bucket load of artisan stalls. Or head to the buzzy Patch co-working space in The Old Library, High Wycombe, for a family friendly festive afternoon on Sat 16 Nov. Browse the market bursting with gifts from talented local makers before taking the kids to meet Christmas donkeys, have their faces painted, or get creative with writing letters to Santa and making Christmas tree decorations. There’ll also be a singalong with a local choir, plus free mulled wine and mince pies to add to the seasonal cheer. It’s on from 12pm to 4pm and you can book here.

The other Christmas Market big guns are the Waddesdon Christmas Fair (from Fri 15 Nov), the Christmas festivities at Blenheim Palace (also from Fri 15 Nov), where the show-stopping Christmas market is set in The Great Court, Peterley Christmas Market in Great Missenden from 14-17 Nov and the Humble Country Christmas Market landing at the The Walled Garden in West Wycombe from 29-30 Nov. Head over to Watlington – a community known for its artists and makers – for the Late Night Shopping evening on 21 Nov with live music, tacos and gifts 5-8pm. For even more Christmas fairs and markets, see our handy guide here – then call the bank manager and start making your Christmas lists.

MUSIC

With over 10 million album sales to date, it’s no surprise Great Missenden local Jamie Cullem‘s show at Oxford’s New Theatre on 19 Nov sold out before the start of the month. So you’ll have to console yourself with tickets for Tina Turner tribute night What’s Love Got to Do With It? on Sat 16 Nov. Meanwhile, Dolly Parton fans will be delighted by the new musical at the MK Theatre, Here You Come Again, from Tues 19 to Sat 23 Nov.

On the classical music front, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra reliably hits all the right notes. This month’s highlight is the recital of Bach’s Trio Sonatas at Merton College Chapel by Bath Abbey organist Huw Williams (Fri 22 Nov). You’ll also want to catch the Oxford Harmonic Choir performing Mendelssohn’s St Paul, the first of the two oratorios he completed in his lifetime, at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre on Sat 23 Nov. It’s followed by the Oxford University Philharmonia’s Michaelmas Concert on Weds 27 Nov – the programme includes Emilie Mayer’s fabulous Symphony No. 4.

Lastly, here’s one in early Dec – but some ticket bands have already sold out (I know!) so you’ll need to get in there quick. It’s the family Christmas concert at Christ Church Cathedral, with heavenly festive sounds from the choristers’ angelic voices. On Sat 7 Dec, here’s the link to book.

THEATRE & COMEDY

Ahoy panto lovers! The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook is setting sail for Aylesbury in 2024

Ready for panto yet? At Chipping Norton Theatre, they’re reaching for the clouds with Jack and the Beanstalk (from 13 Nov to 12 Jan) promising giant-sized adventures, magic beans, and a whole load of audience participatio, or book up the swashbuckling take on Peter Pan that’s set to sail into Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Fri 6 Dec. In Oxford, The Oxford Playhouse presents Sleeping Beauty (from 22 Nov to 5 Jan), or head to the North Wall Arts Centre for Hansel & Grettel: this year’s Christmas show from the Creation Theatre (from 1 Dec). For laughs to cheer up Grimvember, John Bishop takes some time off the telly to tread the boards with his new stand-up show Back At It at the New Theatre Oxford (Thurs 14 – Fri 15 Nov).

War Horse New Theatre Oxford — War Horse UK and Ireland tour 2024

And here’s one for teenagers heading into GCSE revision year. Perennial set-text An Inspector Calls is on at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Tue 26 Nov – Sat 30 Nov. Book here to bring this creepy J.B. Priestley morality play to life.

Last but by no means least, this one’s early next month but you’ll want to book now so you don’t miss out. War Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling novel, is returning to Oxford’s New Theatre from 10 Dec to 4 Jan. With puppetry so good you’ll forget you’re watching a wooden horse, and an emotional story that’s guaranteed to leave you moved, we reckon it’s the hottest ticket in town.

OUTDOORS

The Bucks & Oxon stateleys are lighting up the skies in November. As well as its festive market, Waddesdon Manor’s stunning annual festive extravaganza (open Mon to Weds from 15 Nov) includes a light trail, illuminations and Cinderella-themed displays throughout the house. Stowe Gardens (from 30 Nov), Greys Court (from 23 Nov) and Claydon House (from Thurs 28 Nov) also offer light trails, beautifully decked-out interiors and festive events, as do Ashridge House just over in Herts (from 29 Nov), Hughenden near High Wycombe (from 25 Nov) and the palatial Blenheim Palace (from Fri 15 Nov). Up in North Bucks, Milton Keynes’ Land of Lights Festival is back for a third year every Fri/Sat/Sun from now until Jan with some megawatt mystical lanterns. We hear it’s had glowing reviews.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Gastro blow-outs are possibly the last thing you need in the run-up to Christmas, so I’ll keep this section fairly lean. Check out our guide to the best private dining rooms to book for your Xmas parties – they’re sure to be lively now award-winning chef Simon Bonwick, aka The Troublesome Lodger, has installed himself in the upstairs room at The Oarsman in Marlow. The next guest chefs at Oxmoor Farm’s Wild Feasts this month is Lasse Petersen (23/24 Nov), or head to Worton Kitchen Garden near Cassington on 16 Nov for a hands-on workshop exploring Zymology (that’s the art of fermentation, as of course you knew) and its Thanksgiving Supper Club on 29 Nov hosted by gastrophysicist Professor Charles Spence.

You can also welcome in winter with an autumnal feast curated by The Yurt at Nicholsons’ award-winning kitchen team. Their Wild Game Night & Wine Flight on Fri 22 Nov promises three courses of delicious dishes whipped up using the season’s last produce, paired with wine. Book here for £75pp. Raymond Blanc has a celebratory lunch in the offing to toast 40 years of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons: it’s on 25 Nov and the deal is five courses, plus wine pairings, for £295pp plus a stroll round the gardens.

And if you want some festive bubbles (never too early in our book) then Marlow’s new Prosecco bar, La Dolce Bolla, is hosting an evening wreath-making workshop on 26 Nov. Pop along from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and be guided through making your own evergreen masterpiece with not one but three glasses of premium fizz. Book tickets here.

FOR KIDS

if you live in the Cotswolds, you’ll probably find yourself drawn to The Magic of Christmas at Cotswold Farm Park, which will turn on its illuminated light trail from 22 Nov (newsflash, dogs are welcome!) and welcoming Father C too. Or meet real live reindeer at Waterperry Gardens for one weekend only on Sat 23 & Sun 24 Nov, while Odds Farm in South Bucks has Santa, snow shows, toys, trails and penguins singing a cappella from 29 Nov if you really want to blow some tiny minds. Christmas at Mead Open Farm near Leighton Buzzard opens on 30 Nov. Want more of the jolly man in the red suit? He’ll also be in situ at Hogshaw Farm every weekend from 23/24 Nov as part of its festive experience. There are also dedicated SEN sessions here, where the magic and mayhem is dialled down a notch or three. Elf hats off to that! Speaking of elves, it wouldn’t be Xmas without watching Elf and – whadda you know – the national touring production of Elf the Musical is coming to our hood Head to the Wycombe Swan from Tues 19 – Sat 23 Nov.

Want something more highbrow in your house? The Family Cushion Concerts at the Jaqueline du Pre Music Building in Oxford are another great way to get kids excited about music. There are three short 40-min concerts on Sun 17 Nov, led by soprano Becca Marriott.

Finally, the Indigo Moon Theatre’s SeedHeart on Sat 16 Nov at the North Wall Arts Centre looks like a sweet show for younger kids (from 4+). It tells the eco-tale of humans’ impact on the environment and how we can restore our once green planet. Post the Christmas retail-apocalypse, Mother Earth will need it!

ALREADY GONE THIS MONTH…

You’ll also want to clear your diary for the long-awaited re-opening of Modern Art Oxford with an exhibition by the late Cuban artist Belkis Ayón, whose powerful work re-imagines ancient stories. It’s open to the public from Sat 2 Nov but there’s a preview party the night before – tickets are free and on the door.

Paddy McGuiness returns to stand-up with his Nearly There tour in his post-Top Gear leap at the Milton Keynes Theatre (3 Nov), or there are still a few tickets left for pub landlord Al Murray‘s Guv Island show at the Wycombe Swan on Thurs 14 Nov. There’s the brilliant Sh!t-faced Shakespeare on Fri 15 Nov with its drunken characters and colourful take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream (for 14+, no surprises there).

There are some cracking firework displays exploding across Bucks and Oxon this weekend and next – from the stylish show at Danesfield House near Marlow on Tues 5 Nov to the mega-display at Blackpit Brewery near Stowe on Sat 9 Nov and the explosive Abingdon Bonfire & Fireworks on Sat 9 Nov. Need more inspiration for a banging (sorry) family night out? Check out my round-up of all the best fireworks displays happening locally.

Head to the Plough Shiplake‘s Fashion Lunch on Thurs 7 Nov, when local stylist Maggie McMillan and SpaceNK makeup artist Alex Rosas will be discussing all things fashion over a two-course lunch. Sounds absolutely fabulous.

There’s more family friendly fare at Henley’s Kenton Theatre, which has Annie the musical from Thurs 7 to Sat 9 Nov, and a one-man show from chorister Aled Jones telling his life story on 10 Nov.

Your November guide: What’s On in Bucks & Oxon this month

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