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Christmas
REVIEW: OFS Christmas show Glacier is a beautiful, penetrating, humorous look at friendship, loneliness and humanity from a freezing lake!
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Oxford's Old Fire Station is renowned for premiering some truly brilliant, profound and funny Christmas shows, and this year's Glacier is...
concert
The Sugababes, Melanie C and Shaznay Lewis are confirmed for Nocturne Live 2024 at Blenheim Palace
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The Sugababes, Melanie C and Shaznay Lewis are the latest names confirmed for this summer’s Nocturne Live concert series on June 15...
Eat
REVIEW: Brussel sprout bhaji burger anyone? Table 13’s joy lies in its exceptional plant-based sustainable menus, unique communal dining experience and sense of humour
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Anyone who's been to a Table 13 Supper Club will understand the joy of pitching up to a residential house in...
Eat
REVIEW: Why everyone is flocking to Great Tew’s Quince and Clover in their well-heeled droves, thanks to head chef Mary Franklin’s cooking!
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When the nights draw in, the heating goes up, and all you want is a warm bowl of soup in a...
Christmas
DON’T MISS: Newly composed festive concert ‘Lighting The Dark’ celebrates ancient music and Christmas stories at Oxford’s Wesley Memorial Church
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"Lighting The Dark is fundamentally about Christmas not being easy for everyone, while maintaining that euphoric festive energy," composer Martin Green...
Christmas
REVIEW: As fun, edgy and unique as ever, Creation has really pulled it out of the bag this year with a steam punk Christmas Carol at North Wall
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Revising a classic, and bringing something new to the table, is always a challenge, especially a festive favourite like Dickens' A...
Eat
REVIEW: Killingworth Castle has just been listed in Estrella’s Top 50 Gastropubs. But does it deserve it? If head chef Adam Brown’s banana soufflé is anything to go by,...
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Killingworth Castle has ridden so many peaks and troughs since opening back in 2012 that it's hard to keep up.
Christmas
REVIEW: Rock on! Jack and the Beanstalk at Oxford Playhouse is a joy from start to finish. We’d see it again in a trice’
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We all know what to expect from a panto right? A jolly romp into fairyland with all the usual suspects? But...
Art
RAVE ON: New conceptual cafe ‘CLUB TOGETHER’ designed by British artist Emma Hart, to open in Modern Art Oxford, in £1.2 million revamp!
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A £1.2 million redesign of Modern Art Oxford includes an exciting new cafe Club Together, designed by famous British conceptual artist...
Christmas
TOP 20+: Where to eat, drink and party over Christmas and New Year from pop-ups and cocktails to festive dinners, plus where to escape when it all gets too...
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1) BEST FOR LIGHTS SWITCH ON! Tulasi Restaurant is ready for the Kidlington Christmas Lights Switch On tomorrow (November...
Eat
REVIEW: The new look Brasserie Blanc in Jericho is given a fresh makeover while the menu remains as wonderfully French as ever!
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In a world of uncertainty, Brasserie Blanc stands resolute, confident in its offering, consistency it's middle name. So while other Oxford...
concert
TRIPLE BILL: Chaka Khan, Sister Sledge and funk group The Fatback Band join 2024’s Nocturne Live line-up at Blenheim Palace
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Music legend and pop culture icon Chaka Khan was announced today as one of Nocturne Live's headliners in a hugely anticipated triple bill...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: Sartorelli’s to open new wine and pizza emporium Fire & Wine in Milton-under-Wychwood with Eynsham Cellars!
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Sartorelli's has struck again. Not content with their brewery pizza offering at New Yatt, or their cosy spot in Oxford's Covered...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: The lowdown on Oxford’s first Absinthe bar…. Welcome to The Parlour in the basement of Lynrace in Jericho!
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Oscar Wilde once said "a glass of absinthe is as poetical as anything in the world." It's getting your hands on...
Eat
REVIEW: Bia in Summertown lives up to all expectations with a fun, unique and innovative menu. An exciting addition to Oxford’s restaurant scene!
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There was so much hype surrounding the opening of Bia, mainly down to the new, young chef on the block George...
Art
DON’T MISS: Oxford artist Tim Steward’s self curated show ‘Tregardock And The Atlantic Coast’ at Darle and the Bear in Woodstock
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Darle and the Bear, the much loved Woodstock gallery, may be closing for good, but it's going out on a high...
Eat
REVIEW: Unlikely as it sounds, Sturdy’s Castle outside Kidlington now serves a decent curry, with Indian chef Krishnapal Negi in charge!
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I have to admit, I didn't think I'd be reviewing Sturdy's Castle any time soon. Not that there's anything wrong with...
Christmas
‘The bigger and more bonkers the better’ Jack’s climbing the Oxford Playhouse beanstalk with private detective Jill on the case. Here’s what to expect!
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Rehearsals are in full swing at Oxford Playhouse as Jack and his crew get ready for a fantastic and full on...
Christmas
REVIEW: Is that a banana in your pocket? Chippy panto Cinderella is a jungle infused extravaganza of fun from the word go!
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The Chippy panto manages to pull something intoxicatingly joyous out of the bag year after year. But when Cinderella was announced...
Christmas
WORLD PREMIERE: Glacier is a must see festive comedy for grown-ups at OFS. But why are three women swimming alone on Christmas Day?
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That Glacier is entertaining us at Oxford's Old Fire Station over Christmas is a miracle in itself, a result of crowdfunding...
Eat
REVIEW: The tale of two Thais: Old school Bangkok House versus the new Rosa’s Thai! But is there room in Oxford for both?
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Rosa's Thai opened on Oxford George Street this summer, the 30th venue in the chain's portfolio. READ ABOUT IT HERE.
Christmas
SELLING OUT FAST! OSJ’s Christmas is ringing out with a festive concert series of Britten’s Saint Nicolas Cantata, Handel’s Messiah, carols and a NYE to remember!
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Oxford's Orchestra of St John's has come up with a festive musical feast to be proud of this Christmas.
Eat
REVIEW: A heavenly night away at the Fleur De Lys in Bampton for some much needed pampering and incredible French food
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It seemed unlikely - a new French restaurant with rooms serving stunning food in the tiny Cotswold town of Bampton. Tearooms...
Christmas
TOP 30+ CHRISTMAS shows, events, markets, pantos, concerts, trails and fairs to book now in Oxford, Bicester, Banbury, Chippy, Woodstock and Didcot!
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As the Christmas season approaches and things start getting booked up, now's the time to get some dates in your diary...
Eat
REVIEW: “We won’t be eating there again” Why the new Cosy Club in Oxford is not for the faint-hearted or hungry!
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We try not to review opening nights. Too much pressure, too new, too busy, too many expectations, customers, clamour.
Christmas
BOOK NOW: Celebrities Toby Jones, Mel Giedroyc, Greg Wise and Jason Isaacs join Macmillan’s ‘Follow the Stars’ Christ Church carol concert
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A dazzling array of celebrity guests have been confirmed for the magical annual Macmillan 'Follow the Stars Christmas Carol Concert' at...
Eat
What’s a Panuozzo? The Neapolitan pizza sandwich streetfood coming to Oxford’s Covered Market as Il Corno opens its doors next week!
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"Naples is all about food, drink and hospitality and that's what we want to bring to Oxford's Covered Market," Barbara Clemente...
Bar & Drinks
GET YOUR TICKETS: Tap Social’s November Festive Beer Bash features seven independent UK craft breweries, live music and food!
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Tap Social's 'Change is Brewing' Beer Fest was so successful that it's decided to hold a festive version of its festival...
concert
BREAKING NEWS: Crowded House, Sheryl Crow And Turin Brakes confirmed for Nocturne Live 2024 on same night at Blenheim Palace!
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Crowded House, Sheryl Crow And Turin Brakes are the first acts confirmed For Nocturne Live 2024 at Blenheim Palace next summer,...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: The lowdown on new restaurant Bia in Summertown, chef patron George Nolan and its morning pop-up cafe
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Bia in Summertown is open, the new South Parade restaurant run by 27 year-old chef patron George Nolan, where El Rincon...
Eat
Lunch at a golf club? With head chef Jamie King at the helm it’s worth a trip to Frilford Heath Golf Club for the food alone!
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It was an unlikely excursion - lunch at Frilford Heath Golf Club being a first - any golf club actually an...
Bar & Drinks
REVIEW: ‘Lip-smackingly good’ The Three Horseshoes in Witney bridges that impossible gap between gastro pub and popular local boozer
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It's such an uplifting success story the revival of The Three Horseshoes in Witney, now positively thriving.
Previously...
Eat
REVIEW: Why the curry and steak nights at The Swan in Ascott-Under-Wychwood are increasingly appealing as the nights draw in!
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Whilst some villages lack any decent takeaways, let alone a proper pub, The Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood is covering all the bases.
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: A sneak peak at Oxford’s enormous new bar and restaurant The Cosy Club which opens this week
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It's an incredible transformation, the new Cosy Club on Cornmarket Street, now occupying an incredible 7,500 elevated feet of bar and...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘One of the most memorable meals ever’ Why our 11 course lunch at Orwells in Shiplake was such an unforgettable experience!
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It seems almost impossible that a meal of such epic proportions, dexterity, creativity, imagination, ambition, generosity, playfulness and food born of...
Eat
REVIEW: The lowdown on the newly opened Black Horse in Salford (near Chipping Norton) and head chef Dan Smith
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"For me food is about nostalgia," Black Horse head chef Dan Smith tells me after the lunch sitting in the recently...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘What a discovery’ Our lunch at The Chandlers Arms in Epwell was an absolute delight from start to finish and excellent value!
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The Chandlers Arms in Epwell has been on our radar for quite some time, rumours of some mighty fine cooking, in...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘A neighbourhood restaurant to covet’ Steak and scallops for £30? No wonder Whistlers in Chipping Norton is packed!
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Whistlers is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that we all covet - that friendly local bistro where you can pop in...
Art
REVIEW: “We want to surprise people” New exhibition ‘Colour Revolution: Victorian Art, Fashion and Design’ opens at The Ashmolean
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The Victorians have always attracted bad press; modern-day accusations of vulgarity, prudery, garishness and hypocrisy refusing to go away.
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: ‘It’s a cracking site’ Ted Sandbach gives us a sneak peak of The Oxford Wine Cellar, opening next week on Oxford High Street!
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It's all go at The Oxford Wine Cellar on the city's High Street as the final preparations are completed ready for...
Entertainment News
EXCLUSIVE: Check out the £3.5 million restoration of Abingdon’s Old Abbey House into a stunning, new boutique hotel opening in October!
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The Old Abbey House Hotel is preparing to open after a £3.5 million refurbishment to transform the derelict former council offices...
Eat
REVIEW: Executive head chef Alan Gleeson is back in the driving seat as new Daylesford pub The Bell in Charlbury opens on Sunday!
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We are big fans of Alan Gleeson. The Oxfordshire chef is a great, sturdy, reliable, gifted hulk of a man whose...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “Why I’ve killed off Silvie’s” Beloved East Oxford cafe replaced by pop-ups – Dayums Street Food Kitchen is first up!
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Jess McHugh is sad but resolute when we discuss her decision to close her beloved cafe Silvie's on Iffley Road for...
Eat
REVIEW: The Zero Waste Supper at Nicholsons’ Yurt allowed head chef Andrew Carr to really flex his impressive culinary muscles!
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If anyone is set up to stage a Zero Waste Supper it's The Yurt at Nicholsons with its impeccable eco credentials....
Charity & Fundraising
OVER 4000 SIGNATURES IN JUST 4 DAYS! ‘It’s heartening to know we’re not alone’ Customers launch petition to save Oxford’s Vaults Garden & Cafe
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"We are totally bemused," Vaults & Garden Cafe owner Will Pouget says, shaking his head over the news that the church...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “It’s devastating news” Why Summertown’s Spanish restaurant El Rincon is closing and what happens next!
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"We have worked so hard and put so much love, passion and hours into the business, that this news is devastating....
Bar & Drinks
TOP 70+: 2023’s best pub gardens, alfresco cafes and restaurants in Oxfordshire! Where to eat, drink and soak up the sun
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Now that summer is here, as far as eating outside is concerned, we've got it covered! From lush gardens and courtyards...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: A £1.5 million refurb and 4 month closure. How Daniel Ede plans to restore The Feathers in Woodstock to its former glory!
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"We want to create a new Feathers Hotel that pays tribute to its history, by restoring the beautiful historic building to...
Eat
REVIEW: “Exceptional from the word go” Best restaurant in Oxford? Wilding is what we’ve all been waiting for!
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My meal at Wilding has haunted my dreams. How to do justice to Michael Carr and Ben Wood's extraordinary cooking?
Books
Don’t have time to read? Want to join Oxford’s newest book club, run by a famous author and open to everyone? Now’s your chance!
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Famous local author Simon Mason is starting a new book club in Oxford city centre with a difference - no prep...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “We want Wilding to be the best restaurant in Oxford” Michelin starred chefs Michael Carr and Ben Wood talk plans!
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"It's our Messi and Ronaldo signing. What's not to love about that," Kent Barker says, having lured two of the UK's...
Eat
REVIEW: Stunning views and a stonking Sunday roast. Make sure you try community pub The Abingdon Arms in Beckley!
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It was a warm summer Sunday (rare I know) and the sun was out, where to go for lunch? Somewhere with...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: ‘We’ve had grown men weeping at the bar’ Why the brilliant pub The Hand and Shears in Church Hanborough is having to close!
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The Hand and Shears in Church Hanborough has been a roaring success since opening its doors back in 2020, with customers...
Eat
REVIEW: Does Oxford feel empty? That’s ‘cos everyone is at Gloucester Green Outdoor Street Market, eating like kings!
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If Oxford seems empty over the summer just pop round the corner to Gloucester Green's glorious outdoor street market and you'll...
Bar & Drinks
REVIEW: It’s all change at Tap Social’s White House with a new chef, revamped look and mainly plant-based menu!
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It's easy to forget that tucked down on Abingdon Road is one of Oxford's best little pubs - Tap Social's White...
Do
Did you know you can now go rowing and kayaking on Blenheim Palace’s Great Lake and even bring your own paddle-board?
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You can now go paddle-boarding, rowing and kayaking at Blenheim Palace's Great Lake until September 3, thanks to LiveFree Adventures.
Bar & Drinks
‘Opportunities like this don’t come up very often’ Community pub The Bull in Great Milton bought by local resident and busy again!
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17th century pub The Bull Inn in Great Milton has been bought by a local resident, despite being turned into a...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘We’ve got through 8kgs tomatoes just in BLTs’ Why Chloe’s in Charlbury is already thriving!
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Chloe Horner couldn’t look more content as she ventures out behind the counter of her new cafe in Charlbury, because it...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: ‘There’s already such a buzz around Popina so we can’t wait to open’ The lowdown on Jericho’s new wine and charcuterie bar!
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"Everyone likes wine but we wanted to do something a bit different - to create a sanctuary, a hideaway and...
Eat
REVIEW: The Woodstock Arms is worth it for the Bloody Mary’s alone! Oh and the tomato tart, the steak, the peach tatin, need we go on?
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It's been a rocky ride at The Woodstock Arms over the years. When the Woodstock pub reopened in 2016, it was...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: ‘We are speechless’ OX GINS take 4 gold medals and 3 silver medals at the USA’s 2023 Bartender Spirit Awards!
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Our friends at The Chalgrove Artisan Distillery, home of OX GINS, were awarded an incredible 4 gold medals and 3 silver...
Books
EXCLUSIVE: Oxford’s Cara Hunter on new crime thriller Murder In The Family, two TV series’ and Abingdon, Carterton, Oxford and Bicester book tour
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Cara Hunter is killing it at the moment with her new crime thriller Murder In The Family whose TV rights were...
Eat
REVIEW: A tale of one bridge, two eateries, three courses. We try The Folly and The Head of The River in Oxford!
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It's easy to leave some of the best places in Oxford to the tourists, but on a scorching day, al fresco...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “Chloe’s is my way of saying ‘here is my food, come and eat it’!” Chloe’s sustainable shop and cafe opens in Charlbury in July!
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Chloe Horner is grinning from ear to ear as she shows me around her new cafe and shop Chloe's due to...
Eat
BREAD OF HEAVEN: The Orange Bakery pop up cafe and community bakery in Watlington, plus cookbooks and Kitty’s Kits!
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Famous Watlington breadmakers Kitty Tait and her dad Al have achieved national and global fame since first opening The Orange Bakery...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: The boys are back in town! Landlords return to Woodstock Arms to ‘give it the love it deserves’ and restore its reputation
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The Woodstock Arms is back in business and customers already flocking as owners Johnny Pugsley and Damion Farah return to restore...
Eat
REVIEW: Marmite mayo in a burger? Absolutely. Why ‘The Edge at Lils’ in Witney has the best burgers in Oxfordshire!
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When Fat Lil's in Witney decided to concentrate on their Corn Street music venue and offered up the cafe space at...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: ‘End of an era’ Landlord Johnny Pugsley on closing Jacobs Inn after ’10 glorious years’ in Wolvercote!
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There has been an outpouring of shock and sadness at news that the popular Oxfordshire gastropub Jacobs Inn in Wolvercote closed...
Eat
TRAVEL REVIEW: The ultimate getaway – a night away at The Wild Rabbit in Kingham and dinner at its popular supper club
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The accommodation at The Wild Rabbit is literally everything you could dream of - it's beautiful, comfy, intimate cottages are just...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: Brothertons in Woodstock doubles in size, as owner takes over La Galleria next door for June opening!
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The decorators are frantically painting La Galleria in Woodstock at the moment to transform the premises ready to reopen later this...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: ‘It was an exciting meal’ We review The Crown in Church Enstone under new head chef Jason Christie!
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The menu was impressive - different, exciting - not your bog standard, know-what-you're-having-before-you-walk-in-the-door, Cotswold gastro pub fare, but something much more...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘A guaranteed fun night out’ Enjoy some Turkish hospitality at Antep Kitchen on Cowley Road!
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The party was in full swing when we arrived at Antep Kitchen for dinner on Friday night, the unmistakable sound of...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: “We are back with a bang” Oxford’s House Bar reopens today after owner rushed to hospital and nearly loses the business!
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Oxford's House Bar owner is delighted to reopen today after being rushed to hospital and nearly losing the business!
Charity & Fundraising
EXCLUSIVE: “We are here for everyone” Check out top community cafe Waste2Taste’s new premises in Cowley!
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"it's such an amazing space, and we needed somewhere bigger. We had grown out of our old premises," Sandra Ruge tells...
It was a tip off from someone in the know. Had I been? Why not? I had no defence. And having...
Eat
EPIC CELEBRATIONS at the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2023 – winners and pics of Oxfordshire’s incredible hospitality industry!
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What an extraordinary evening. There were tears, cheers and epic celebrations taking place at last night's OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2023 at...
Eat
Fancy a curry? Botley Community Kitchen’s free curries are a massive hit as community helps reduce food waste
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"It's all gone. That's 80 free curries in one go," Rachel Cross, vicar of St Frideswide Church on Botley Road tells...
Eat
BREAKING NEWS: OVER 30,000 votes! THE FINALISTS who made it through to the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2023
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The voting is closed! And the finalists who have made it through to the Ox In A Box Food Awards can be revealed!...
Cinema
FIRST LOOK at ‘The Living Room’ – Chipping Norton’s plush new cinema opening this summer
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Check out the new look The Living Room Cinema in Chipping Norton, the much anticipated boutique cinema due to open this...
Eat
“I want to elevate the food to the next level” Top chef Simon Bradley has big plans for The Horse and Radish in Minster Lovell near Witney!
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One of our all time favourite chefs Simon Bradley has big plans for The Horse and Radish in Minster Lovell since...
Bar & Drinks
THE WITNEY BUBBLE: Why Witney is booming with new bars, restaurants and pubs opening! Cocktails anyone?
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From late night piano bars, to cocktails, burgers, street food, proper pub grub and even a wine cafe - new bars,...
Eat
54 years between them! Le Manoir and The Nut Tree retain their Michelin stars while The Yurt at Nicholsons makes new entry
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They've done it again. Both Le Manoir and The Nut Tree have kept their Michelin stars it was announced tonight.
Eat
REVIEW: Best meal of the year? It was right up there. Have you been to Spiced Roots on Cowley Road yet?
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We watched at least 10 groups of wannabe diners being turned away, the night we dined at Spiced Roots, willing a...
Eat
“I want us to be the best restaurant in Oxford” How Rhys Grayson, The Randolph’s new Executive Chef, is putting The Alice back on the map!
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It's a big team to head up at The Randolph - 22 chefs and seven kitchen porters - but it was...
Entertainment News
“We have such strong chemistry’ New Oxford band The Kokroachez talk BBC Introducing and playing The Bully, O2 and Jericho Tavern
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Everyone is talking about new Oxford band The Kokroachez. The garage punk rock group have already headlined at iconic venues such...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: We review the new look Dosa Park in Botley’s West Way as plans for UK expansion get underway!
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News that Dosa Park has opened a new premises at Botley's West Way is travelling fast. The state-of-the-art site is not...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: The lowdown on new veggie/vegan falafel cafe ‘Chickpea’ which opened in Oxford this week!
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New veggie/vegan falafel cafe Chickpea has opened its doors, just off Oxford High Street, and is already doing a roaring trade.
Bar & Drinks
REVIEW: The Duke in Woodstock. What a good pub should be – great food, live music and people having fun. Book the Sofa Sessions now!
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The Duke, just on the outskirts of Woodstock, was heaving when we arrived for dinner on Friday night. There was a...
Eat
TOP 30 – WHERE TO FIND THE BEST PIZZA IN OXFORDSHIRE. The definitive guide! And yes we have tried them all!
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It's been a chore, tirelessly tracking down the best places to eat pizza in Oxfordshire, as you can imagine, but we've...
Eat
REVIEW: The Fox in Oddington is where it’s at! Why Lady Bamford’s new Cotswolds pub is doing a roaring trade
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Opening a new Cotswold pub is always a risk and never a given, but Lady Bamford is proving rather good at...
Eat
“I’d forgotten how good Ben Bullen’s cooking is!” Enjoy a cracking Sunday lunch at The White House community pub in Bladon
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it was lovely to be back. If only all pubs could be like The White House in Bladon. Uncomplicated, welcoming, community...
Eat
REVIEW: Does the new Mamma Mia in Summertown live up to all the hype? Hell yes! No wonder we all love it
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Being fully booked in the middle of a cold, grey and financially oppressive January is impressive. But considering the new Mamma...
Eat
REVIEW: “Moments of brilliance” The Carpenter’s Arms in Fulbrook is the perfect bolthole on a cold winter’s day!
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We had been admiring the complex and original dishes coming out of the kitchen at The Carpenters Arms in Fulbrook on...
Eat
REVIEW: Head chef Andrew Lewis at The Sir Charles Napier is “an exceptionally talented young chef whose ambition and passion is evident in every dish”
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Head chef Andrew Lewis took me completely by surprise. Not only was our lunch at The Sir Charles Napier in Chinnor...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: Spot the difference – Why Mamma Mia in Summertown has opened a new restaurant this week and what to expect!
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Mamma Mia in Summertown is one of Oxford's culinary institutions, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary. read about it here So news...
Eat
TOP 40: The definitive guide to Oxfordshire’s best veggie/vegan restaurants, pubs, cafes and food, from fine dining to pop ups!
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With Veganuary hard upon us and the excesses of Christmas to dispel, here's our guide to Oxfordshire's best veggie and vegan...
Eat
REVIEW: Why is veggie/vegan pub The Gardeners Arms in Jericho so busy and does it MEAT expectations?
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Perched on the end of an unassuming street in the depths of residential Jericho, sits The Gardeners Arms, a pub that...
Eat
REVIEW: Head chef Jamie Whiting’s all day Sunday roast at The Black Horse in Standlake near Witney is cracking!
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It was heaving when we arrived for dinner at the Black Horse in Standlake in November, our evening coinciding with the...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “It’s perfect as it is” The Milkshed is given a fresh lease of life as new owners take over!
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"We don't want to change The Milk Shed. It's perfect as it is," new owners, husband and wife team Rob Whitaker...
Eat
REVIEW: “You can open with a bang, but maintaining excellence is another thing entirely” Why The White Hart in Fyfield is always packed!
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Packed to the rafters as always, there is already a festive feel at The White Hart in Fyfield, and while doom...
Entertainment News
Before and After: Look how The Swing Bridge in Oxford was saved and taken off the Heritage at Risk Register!
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Oxford's Swing Bridge, one of only two moving bridges on the river Thames (the other being Tower Bridge), has been fully...
Eat
REVIEW: “That first taste of tortilla is always a seismic moment” Why Arbequina on Cowley Road has still got it!
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It's the simplicity that takes your breath away at Arbequina on Cowley Road.
Unashamedly pared back, its...
Do
TRAVEL: Try a staycation at Voco Hotel in Sandford-on-Thames, the perfect base for exploring Oxford
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Ever been a tourist in your own city? Neither had we! But having spent a few days at the gorgeous Voco...
Entertainment News
BIG NEWS: Lionel Richie adds second date to Blenheim’s Nocturne Live 2023 concerts due to unprecedented demand!
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It has been confirmed that megastar Lionel Richie has added a second night to his Nocturne Live dates due to popular...
Eat
REVIEW: It’s showtime! Fine dining in Faringdon as new head chef Samuel Squires opens at The Old Crown!
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Let's start with the bread. It was never going to be ordinary under the ambitious auspices of new head chef Samuel...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘A culinary adventure of heroic proportions’ The Duck on the Pond near Banbury, 12 courses and a long run!
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I had high expectations. Hendrik Dutson-Steinfeld comes with an impressive pedigree, a huge passion for food and a point to prove....
Eat
REVIEW: ‘They care and it shows in every last mouthful” Why Five Little Pigs in Wallingford is still flying!
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Ever since opening their doors last year (read about it here) Five Little Pigs in Wallingford has been flying. Nominated for...
Eat
REVIEW: Meat who? How The Punter is championing the plant-based of Oxford by cooking with invention and flair!
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The Punter may have bucked the trend back in 2020 by announcing that its traditional canalside pub was becoming a vegan/vegetarian...
Eat
“Food is an international language” The new pop up Iraqi cafe at The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock
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"Food is an international language and we just wanted to share Iraqi food as a way of connecting with people," artist...
As Za'atar Bake on Cowley Road opened at 12 noon, I was already queueing, knowing how popular it was, and wanting...
Eat
FOOD ENVY: The instant success of Elle’s Deli in East Oxford and it’s Oli’s Thai takeaway meals!
Ox In A Box -
Walking into Elle's Deli on Magdalen Road, East Oxford is a strange experience. Where are all the tables, the bar where...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: The lowdown on Oxford’s cool new cocktail bar and off licence Lynrace in Jericho? Negroni anyone?
Ox In A Box -
Let's start with the aesthetics. Lynrace in Jericho, Oxford's newest cocktail bar, is sleek, sexy and enticing. It's impossible to walk...
Eat
REVIEW: Community pub The Plough at West Hanney is ‘hospitality at its best’. Why every village should have one!
Ox In A Box -
"Well the chef certainly knows how to cook," my mother said, smacking her lips together most uncharacteristically, having not spoken AT...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: Chef Hendrik takes over ‘The Duck On The Pond’ pub in South Newington, Banbury!
Ox In A Box -
Anyone who has eaten at The White Horse in Kings Sutton over the past eight years will know why chef Hendrik...
Eat
PROOF Social Bakehouse’s new bakery, coffee shop and café to open in former brewery in Kennington!
Ox In A Box -
“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join forces with our good friends at Tap Social and open a new bakery”...
Eat
REVIEW: “A gastronomic feast of complexity, fun and accomplishment” Adam Brown at Killingworth Castle in Wootton
Ox In A Box -
With Adam Brown now heading up the kitchens at Killingworth Castle, its food offering is once again soaring.
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “I want to put my stamp on it” Why Ben Bullen, head chef at the White House in Bladon, has taken over the community pub
Ox In A Box -
News that head chef Ben Bullen has taken over the tenancy of The White House in Bladon has spread like wildfire.
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: Welcome to Bishops Court Farm in Dorchester, the Snug Cafe, head chef David McLeary and the three Als!
Ox In A Box -
Barry the alpaca was born while we were at Bishops Court Farm in Dorchester, joining the close knit herd (see what...
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: “It’s a fabulous pub” Oxford’s No 1 Ship Street opens The Chequers in the Chilterns
Ox In A Box -
Oxford's award-winning restaurant No 1 Ship Street is expanding, having taken on The Chequers in Fingest on the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire borders.
Bar & Drinks
EXCLUSIVE: “It’s been a lifelong dream to open our own pub” The new look Lamb Inn at Little Milton finally opens
Ox In A Box -
The new landlords at The Lamb Inn in Little Milton have got a lot on their plates. Not only are Ben...
Eat
REVIEW: “Delicious, authentic and brilliant value for money.” Damascus Rose Kitchen’s Syrian food at Oxford’s OFS
Ox In A Box -
Where to start? With the incredible story of the Syrian women who run the Damascus Rose Kitchen at the Old Fire...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘We’d forgotten how great The Coconut Tree is’ Sri Lankan food, great value and party vibe! What’s not to like?
Ox In A Box -
The Coconut Tree in St Clements was absolutely heaving when we arrived on a cold, wet Tuesday night, when most restaurants...
Eat
TAKE YOUR OWN TOPPINGS: New pizzeria Sartorelli’s brings a slice of Naples to Oxford’s Covered Market
Ox In A Box -
Magnus Joye is firing up the huge pizza oven in Sartorelli's new site in Oxford's Covered Market when we meet.
Books
“Writing gets me out of bed in the morning”. Crime writer Mick Herron on a million copies, Gary Oldman and Oxford Lit Fest!
Ox In A Box -
"Playing the author rather than the writer is enjoyable, but I have to go and lie down in a dark room...
Eat
EXCLUSIVE: “I saved up for 13 years to open Oxford’s Tree Artisan Cafe.” How dreams do come true!
Ox In A Box -
"I've always dreamt of opening my own cafe, but it took 13 years to make this a reality," Graziella Ascenao tells...
Eat
REVIEW: Hot or cold? Don’t miss legendary Lardy Cake Thursdays at Blake’s Kitchen in Clanfield!
Ox In A Box -
Do you want your lardy cake hot or cold? It wasn't a question I'd ever expected to field, let alone answer....
Eat
REVIEW: Can Afternoon Tea at Oxford’s Randolph Hotel be any more quintessential? We think not…
Ox In A Box -
Can there be a more quintessential Oxford experience than eating afternoon tea in The Randolph at a table overlooking The Ashmolean,...
1) Cherwell Boathouse, North Oxford - The best riverside views with food to match - watch the punters glide by! Classy.elegant...
Eat
REVIEW: “I can’t feel my tongue” We venture down to Part and Parcel in Witney for a lip-tingling supper…
Ox In A Box -
"I can't feel my lips, or my tongue for that matter," my son said, sweating profusely.
"You...
Eat
The Cinnamon Stick in Middle Barton is as popular as ever thanks to Khalid Mohammed’s affordable and delicious Middle Eastern cooking
Ox In A Box -
The Cinnamon Stick in Middle Barton was absolutely packed to the rafters when we arrived for dinner on Friday night, which...
Eat
REVIEW: ‘Highly accomplished cooking with a light-hearted vibe’ Why Five Little Pigs in Wallingford is making such a big splash
Ox In A Box -
When Five Little Pigs opened in Wallingford this spring, to great fanfare, it walked the walk and talked the talk. Somewhere...
Eat
Cooking Gorgeous: There’s a new female chef in town and she wants to teach you to cook with a Turkish twist!
Ox In A Box -
Ayla Clulee has an impressive CV under her culinary belt - most recently at The Rosewood Hotel in London.
Eat
REVIEW: “This is the real deal” How the White House in Bladon’s food has been transformed by head chef Ben Bullen
Ox In A Box -
It was the first spoonful of soup that clinched the deal. Served in an ornate teacup with a few slices of...
Eat
‘Revolutionary – the best vegan meal we’ve ever had.’ Table 13 – Oxford’s ‘ground-breaking’ new plant-based social dining club opens today!
Ox In A Box -
Down an unassuming driveway, off the beaten track in Wheatley, lies a ground-breaking new culinary experience set to open next month,...
Eat
REVIEW: Merci Morteau! How the food at The Black Horse in Thame is brilliantly unconventional and traditional at the same time!
Ox In A Box -
The starter alone was enough to have me returning to The Black Horse in Thame on a weekly basis. The seemingly...
Eat
Battle of the noodles: We review street food inspired Pho and Ramen Kulture in Oxford. Here’s what we recommend!
Ox In A Box -
Popping out at the top of The Westgate Centre, it's unnerving to find so many people out shopping, socialising, going to...
Eat
Why Killingworth Castle is “head and shoulders above the competition” with new chef Adam Brown at the helm
Ox In A Box -
It's been a while since I dined at Killingworth Castle in Wootton near Woodstock, give or take some mighty fine outdoor...
Eat
REVIEW: The sunny side of Oxford: Why Cafe Coco and Kazbar’s outdoor piazza is the new place to be!
Ox In A Box -
It was pure, unadulterated heaven. Sitting outside with the sun beating down, sipping freshly made cocktails while we chatted, drank, ate...
Eat
Why Mr Souvlaki is on a one man mission to share his family’s passion for Greek street food with Oxfordshire
Ox In A Box -
The opening of Mr Souvlaki in Oxfordshire is the realisation of a dream for Ilias Alexeas who is following in his...
Do
Work, rest or play? Award-winning experts Inside Out Oxford, who created Ox In A Box HQ, on how to design the ultimate bolthole!
Ox In A Box -
With 24 million Brits now working from home because of COVID-19, the trend for buying, designing and building home offices has...
Eat
PIZZA PANIC: Don’t know where to go? Here’s our round up of Oxfordshire’s best 20 pizza delivery and takeaways
Ox In A Box -
If lockdown has left you desperate for pizza then look no further! We have rounded up the best places for takeaway...