Bucks &amp; Oxon


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</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/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS3.jpg" alt="The Five Arrows, Waddesdon " class="wp-image-178553" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This award-winning boutique hotel stands at the gates of the Rothschild family&#8217;s Waddesdon Manor, the magnificent French Renaissance-style chateau with breathtaking grounds that&#8217;s one of the jewels in the National Trust’s crown. Such is the Waddesdon estate&#8217;s pulling power you&#8217;ll recognise it as the filming location for <em>Downton Abbey</em>, <em>The Crown</em>, <em>Sleeping Beauty</em> and even the 1980s James Bond outing <em>Never Say Never Again</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</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/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS6.jpg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178508" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS6-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS6-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS6-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Five Arrows is flanked by its coach house and courtyard garden and has a distinctive design with eye-catching architectural features of spires, gables and intricate Tudor-styled chimneys. The interiors are designed in a palate of soft colours using layers of natural wood, linens and wool. Gone are the formal drapes of a historic stately home. The Five Arrows has had a glow-up, with a welcoming contemporary vibe.</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/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS5.jpg" alt="The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178533" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/FIVEARROWS5-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Rothschild family&#8217;s vineyards have long been associated with some of the finest wines in the world, making The Five Arrows a fantastic destination for any wine buff looking to try out some exceptional labels. The wine menu is a Who’s Who of winemaking, and the 16 bedrooms are each named after a Rothschild wine. Look more closely at the pale cream walls and you&#8217;ll spot artworks of Chateau Mouton Rothschild wine-labels painted by some of the most celebrated artists of their day, including Dali, Picasso, Hockney and Francis Bacon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/image.jpeg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178534" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/image.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/image-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/image-400x300.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Now Advent is upon us, The Five Arrows is in full festive mode &#8211; and it doesn&#8217;t do Christmas by halves. On arrival we were whisked through the bar with its comfy looking leather sofas (perfect for that late-night whisky, I’m sure) to admire a magnificent Christmas tree and opulent festive decorations. The fireplaces are adorned with stunning displays of red velvet ribbons, tumbles of flowers and frosted berries designed by floral artist Amie Bone. My Instagram feed couldn&#8217;t be happier. Once seated, the high-ceilinged dining room hummed with conversations from diners on a festive mission to combine lunch with a walk up to the Waddesdon Christmas lights. If you&#8217;re looking for a more intimate dining experience, make sure to ask for the private alcove with the glass wall overlooking the side garden. It&#8217;s totally charming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



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<p>Although I&#8217;m local so didn’t need to stay over, we were given a peek into a couple of bedrooms including a lovely Junior Suite. Carefully styled with a nod to the historical Five Arrows legacy, the interiors have a touch of country house-luxe. The bedrooms are housed across the main house and the coach house and I&#8217;m told Room 9, a junior suite with a large four-poster bed in a peaceful spot overlooking the courtyard, is the most popular. Five of the rooms are dog friendly and pooches are welcome everywhere else in the hotel except the restaurant. Given you&#8217;re at the gates to the Manor with its wide-open spaces, this hotel is a dog owner&#8217;s dream.</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="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8810.jpg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178512" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8810.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8810-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8810-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chargrilled langoustine tails</figcaption></figure>



<p>Under head chef Matt Butcher, The Five Arrows focuses on freshly prepared food using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients in inventive ways &#8211; and it has two AA Rosettes to show for it. On the day we visited, the festive set menu was available alongside Matt&#8217;s à la carte menu. We decided to start with lemon-cured chalk stream trout, chargrilled langoustine tails with saffron aioli, and confit of duck leg terrine, duck liver mousse and toasted spiced orange brioche. Each starter was beautifully presented, with great flavour.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8816.jpg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178513" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8816.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8816-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8816-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Poached stone bass</figcaption></figure>



<p>No sooner had we finished than our mains arrived, which included the festive free-range Bronze turkey companied by chestnut stuffing, pigs in blankets and a Jenga tower of carrots, parsnips and roast potatoes. (Well, it is almost Christmas after all!) For something lighter, I tried the poached stone bass with cauliflower purée and Chinese cabbage. The Christmas turkey was magnificent, and the stone bass was delicately balanced by sweet chestnut-like ponzu meringue drops. If I had a slight criticism, the fish dish lacked a bit of colour on the plate, but it tasted great so I’ll let them off.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8817.jpg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178514" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8817.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8817-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8817-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roasted Bronze turkey with chestnut stuffing </figcaption></figure>



<p>We couldn’t resist dessert, and hats off to the chef for the choux bun snowman with winter spiced crème diplomat and chocolate ganache cream. The snowman&#8217;s arrival at our table really made us smile. Like kids, we knocked off his head and then tucked in. We also ordered the apple and brandy crème brûlée with Tonka bean streusel, apple miso sorbet and white chocolate fudge, which really held its own too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8824.jpg" alt="festive menu The Five Arrows" class="wp-image-178516" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8824.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8824-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_8824-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The festive menu is available until&nbsp;5 Jan, so get booking if you&#8217;re looking for some festive dining before or after the big day, as the menu is well worth it. As for drinks, you’d have to go a long way to find a better wine list: it runs for four pages and covers every type of wine you could imagine. Our wine waiter explained that about 70% are from the Baron Rothschild winery and the rest have been selected to broaden the list, including New World wines.</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="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/10.-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-Manor-National-Trust.-Photo-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg" alt="Christmas at Waddesdon" class="wp-image-176309" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/10.-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-Manor-National-Trust.-Photo-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/10.-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-Manor-National-Trust.-Photo-Hugh-Mothersole-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/10.-Christmas-at-Waddesdon-2022-Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-Manor-National-Trust.-Photo-Hugh-Mothersole-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re on the doorstep of the Waddesdon estate, which comes into its owner the festive season, with a <em>Sleeping Beauty</em>-themed <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/preview-christmas-at-waddesdon-manor-looks-spellbinding-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas extravaganza</a> in full swing from Weds to Sun and <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">further selected dates</a> until 5 Jan. Stroll down to the chateau to enjoy the Christmas Market (to 22 Dec) laid out at the front of the Manor with cute wooden stalls of festive food, fashion and handicrafts &#8211; plus a warming glass of glühwein or warm cider. There&#8217;s also the dazzling illuminations, a light trail, and a <em>Sleeping Beauty</em>-themed tableaux inside the manor designed by theatrical set designers.</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/3/2024/11/19.-Christmas-Fair-at-Waddesdon-©-National-Trust-Waddesdon-Manor.-Photo-Chris-Lacey.jpg" alt="Christmas at Waddesdon" class="wp-image-176314" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/19.-Christmas-Fair-at-Waddesdon-©-National-Trust-Waddesdon-Manor.-Photo-Chris-Lacey.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/19.-Christmas-Fair-at-Waddesdon-©-National-Trust-Waddesdon-Manor.-Photo-Chris-Lacey-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/19.-Christmas-Fair-at-Waddesdon-©-National-Trust-Waddesdon-Manor.-Photo-Chris-Lacey-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/your-visit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planning a visit</a> beyond Christmas, I&#8217;d suggest booking tickets for the house and aviary, followed by a walk through the grounds and the woods (there&#8217;s a gorgeous snowdrop display in Jan), then stroll down to The Stables for afternoon tea. For an early evening drink you could head to <a href="https://www.thebowwaddesdon.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bow</a>, Waddesdon’s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-the-bow-waddesdon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newly opened village pub</a>, for a few cocktails or craft beers. Further afield, if you fancy a day trip the dreaming spires of Oxford are 25 miles away, or the retail mecca of Bicester Village is a 12-mile hop. Closer to home, the windmill at Brill, the thatched cottages of Long Crendon and the pretty market town of Thame (with indie shops galore), are all within 8 miles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>A traditional yet relaxing weekend break in beautiful countryside, celebration dinners, a festive family get-together, a treat for serious wine-buffs, and dog-friendly breaks.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> A noisy night out with the girls or groups looking for a wild weekend. While children are welcome, it&#8217;s not the best place for raucous tiny tots.</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>Winter break specials start at £180 for dinner, bed and breakfast.&nbsp;From the <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62fbf697d9d61f5a1bd7d2be/t/672b96dfdef54167359d063f/1730909921040/Festive+a+la+carte+2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">à la carte menu</a>, starters are around £9, mains are £17.50-£28.50, and desserts start at £7.50. The <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62fbf697d9d61f5a1bd7d2be/t/672b96f00191f76836a7e889/1730909936692/Festive+Set+Menu+2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">festive set menu</a> is available until 5 Jan, at £29.95 for two courses or £35.95 for three.</p>



<p><a href="https://fivearrowshotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Five Arrows Hotel</a>, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE. Tel: 01296 651727.</p>


Review: The Five Arrows, Waddesdon

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