Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivals-nbsp">FESTIVALS&nbsp;</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/3/2026/05/STEREO-MC_S_HI-RES-FOR-PRESS_12.jpg" alt="stereo mcs Chesham fringe" class="wp-image-204308" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/STEREO-MC_S_HI-RES-FOR-PRESS_12.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/STEREO-MC_S_HI-RES-FOR-PRESS_12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/STEREO-MC_S_HI-RES-FOR-PRESS_12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/STEREO-MC_S_HI-RES-FOR-PRESS_12-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stereo MCs</figcaption></figure>



Looking to pack the final May bank holiday weekend with fun? Hotfoot it over to <a href="https://cheshamfringe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chesham Fringe Festival</a> from 22 – 24 May. The bill goes big on local and national talent, from theatre to comedy to cabaret and kids’ shows, with pop-up venues all over town. Must-grab tickets include comedians Esther Manito and Matt Richardson and a set from nineties’ hip-hop group Stereo MCs. The festival may only be in its third year, but it’s thriving.



To end May with warm and fuzzy feels, <a href="https://www.willenlake.org.uk/events/love-willen-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love Willen</a> near Milton Keynes on 23 May takes some beating. A new community event raising funds for Willen Hospice, it promises a morning packed with free family activities, including splash n’ play sessions, treetop exploring, zorbing and a ‘gel blaster zone’. Two charity open water swimming sessions will get the day off to a fresh start, then there’s a 4k family fundraising walk at 1pm with puzzles, games and challenges for kids en route.&nbsp;



Otherwise, deliciousness abounds on the local bank holiday festival scene. The big hitter is&nbsp; <a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/food-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blenheim Palace Food Festival</a> from 23 – 25 May, with culinary thrills, cooking demos and Michelin-starred chefs in residence. Pick up tips from Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt on Fri, Oxfordshire’s own Raymond Blanc OBE on Sat and brilliant British-Iranian chef Sabrina Ghayour on Sun.&nbsp;



<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/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden.jpg" alt="the perch beer garden" class="wp-image-128731" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden-360x240.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/perch-inn-beer-garden-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Perch beer garden</figcaption></figure>



The weather forecast is looking sizzling from here, so there’s no better spot to soak up some rays (and ice cold pints) than <a href="https://www.the-perch.co.uk/beerfestival/?ref=oxfordclarion.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Perch Beer &amp; Cider Festival </a>right by the river in Binsey, near Oxford, from 23 – 24 May. It’s just a stroll from Port Meadow both the restaurant and Shed Bar will be serving grub all day so you can really settle in. Then take the whole gang to <a href="https://www.harwellfeast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harwell Feast </a>near Didcot on Mon 25 May for culinary delights, live music, classic cars, steam engine displays, falconry, a dog show and a parade complete with floats and Morris dancers. There’s also inflatables to wear the kids out. I don’t think bank hols come more British.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exhibitions">EXHIBITIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1073" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Art-in-Nature-Waddesdon.png" alt="Art in nature Waddesdon" class="wp-image-204310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Art-in-Nature-Waddesdon.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Art-in-Nature-Waddesdon-800x572.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Art-in-Nature-Waddesdon-1000x715.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Art-in-Nature-Waddesdon-400x286.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Art in Nature at Waddesdon Manor</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://www.artweeks.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxfordshire Artweeks</a> is go until 25 May and it’s your last chance to meet, watch and buy direct from over a thousand artists, makers and designers across the county. It’s moved over Oxford way for its last leg and there’s too many brilliant options to list here, but take a look online where you can filter by location, art form and date. Art smarts!&nbsp;



You can also add to your collection at the <a href="https://www.stonor.com/events/decor-fair-at-stonor-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Decor Fair </a>at Stonor Park from 22 – 25 May. Budding interior designers will be their element and there’s everything from vintage furniture to jewellery, lighting and decorative antiques to pore over. The hand-picked selection of dealers were chosen to create an eclectic mix of wares to please every taste, whether you’re into retro designs or grand old oil paintings. We challenge you not to find a gem, and you can mull over your purchases while tucking into fresh seafood or steak from Henley’s Fire Truck to the tune of live music. It’s sustainable retail therapy with bells on.



Need to tempt kids away from their screen over the long weekend? Immerse them in interactive art trails and a whole lot of nature-based play at <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/art-in-nature/?srsltid=AfmBOoquSGwJquINWDsJTJhzNGlN2Xke4QASLSdyca1M1DPuCqlTUHRP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waddesdon Manor’s Art in Nature</a>, from 23 May. Environmental artists will create ingenious artworks using foraged materials, and young maestros are encouraged to muck in. And speaking of little ones, the May bank holiday handily coincides with the school hols – there’s ideas galore to nix boredom for all ages (you included) in our<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/may-half-term-activities-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> May half term guide</a>.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art-720x480.jpg" alt="greys court
" class="wp-image-118044" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art-360x240.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/greys-vcourt-art.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grey&#8217;s Court</figcaption></figure>



Heritage houses across our counties have caught the art bug too; <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/greys-court/events/28cff8f3-0534-4187-a6fe-870663e8d593" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Darling Buds of May </a>at Grey’s Court near Henley runs until 8 June and is an all-female mixed media celebration of the house and local area. Marvel at vibrant textiles by Henley-based Kate Findlay, colourful impressionist paintings by Sarah Pye and intricate jewellery by silversmith Janet Richardson (she’s been featured in Vogue among other prestigious glossies). The paintbrushes are out at Hughenden near High Wycombe too, but this time for drawing up conflict-altering maps: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden/events/6e5d6985-9f15-449e-a33a-1dbcb583e0af" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ink, pens and paintbrushes: writing history at Hughenden</a> is on until the end of the month.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food">FOOD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza.png" alt="Plough Shiplake Pizza" class="wp-image-204311" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza-679x800.png 679w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza-848x1000.png 848w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza-339x400.png 339w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Shiplake-pizza-1303x1536.png 1303w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pizza at The Plough in Shiplake </figcaption></figure>



Start your bank hol as you mean to go on on 21 and 22 May at <a href="https://www.theploughshiplake.co.uk/pizzamenu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plough in Shiplake</a>; the pizza oven is firing up for the season in the award-winning Hestia garden and from then on you can tuck into doughy delights every Thurs and Fri eve and on Saturdays from 12 – 8pm. We hear that The Cheeky Carbonara pizza is particularly moreish.&nbsp;



There’s wood-fired pizzas and small plates after the<a href="https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/oxmoorfarm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dusk Chorus Walk</a> at Oxmoor Farm near Great Missenden on 23 May too. Expert ‘birdman’ (technical term) Jon Mason will take you on a walk through the nearby ancient woodland to hear an orchestra of birdsong as the sun sets, then it’s back to the barn for a two-course feast. Just don’t forget your binoculars.&nbsp;



Finally, save room for <a href="https://www.westwycombewalledgarden.com/ticketed-events/street-food-easter-monday-95mb7-a5xnr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Walled Garden’s Street Food Lunch</a> on 25 May. Stone-baked pizzas are once more the order of the day from 12pm – 4pm, and there’s drinks, coffee and cake on tap from The Walled Garden Café. Dogs are welcome and the outdoor playground will keep the kids busy once they’ve wolfed down their margaritas. Heaven!



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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/for-kids/may-half-term-activities-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/">Your May 2026 half term survival guide: 35+ things to do with the kids</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-marlow-summer-festivals-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer in Marlow’s hotting up! 5 unmissable events to catch</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/riverside-walks-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">13 gorgeous riverside walks in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>
</ul>

13 brilliant ways to spend the May bank holiday in Bucks & Oxon

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