Oxfordshire Uncorked book toasts local tipples

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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Tour guide and expert in all things wine, Marcus Rees invites his fellow enthusiasts to embark on a delightful journey around the winemakers of Oxfordshire and the north Cotswolds

This unique guide reveals the beauty of English wine, and Marcus would argue there are none better than those from Oxfordshire and its surrounding counties! From one of England’s oldest wine producers at Stanlake Park to newcomers like JoJo’s Vineyard, Oxfordshire Uncorked shines a light on the often unsung past and bright future of great British wine.

Marcus fell in love with Oxfordshire after his studies at Oxford University and has travelled the length of the county and beyond to explore its many vineyards and wineries. Whether you are a travelling tourist, staycationer, or local Oxfordshire tippler, this guide is essential reading for anyone wanting a taste of luxurious wine right on their doorstep. Marcus explores each site, doing a deep dive into the wines they produce and how to best enjoy them. From the delectable notes of elderflower in Oaken Grove’s Bacchus Reserve, to the tantalising tingle of Wyfold Vineyard’s 2017 Sparkling Brut, this guide will help you discover your new favourite bottle. If a vineyard’s story is what sparks your curiosity, however, you may also find yourself tempted by the rich history of Kidmore Vineyard or the humble, intimate setting of Little Oak.

Oxfordshire Uncorked’s detailed profiles provide an in-depth look into each vineyard and winery’s processes and ethos, as well as tasting notes for the wines they produce. The book includes essentials like the vineyard’s first vintage, its acreage, and visitor and tour information, with each site description offering further insight into the story of the land, the wine, and the people behind its production.

Follow this guide to discover the amazing wines and events these vineyards have to offer. For anyone mad about wine, Oxfordshire Uncorked beckons you to travel the picturesque English countryside and explore the wonders of its bountiful vineyards.

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Chilton’s Rally Champion Michael Jenkins’ Journey

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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Chilton’s own championship rally driver Michael Jenkins tells us about his inspiring journey so far

My love of rallying started at the age of 12. My parents bought me a remote-controlled car for my birthday; a blue Subaru Impreza with the name “Richard Burns” on the back windows. In November the same year (2001) Richard Burns became England’s first World Rally Champion. Little did I know at the time that Richard was local to me – just a stone’s throw away in Checkendon, and the team which ran his Impreza was the Prodrive outfit at Banbury.

Richard became my hero and I became obsessed with the sport. I begged my parents to take me spectating. I’ll never forget my first experience of seeing a rally car in action… stood in a damp, foggy, cold and damp forest in Wales with the sound of a rally car popping and banging in the distance echoing through the forest and then all of a sudden – BAM! – car comes into view fully sideways, gravel flying everywhere and disappearing off into the distance… I was hooked!

Richard’s death four years later hit me quite hard and as soon as it was announced that a charity would be setup in his name – The Richard Burns Foundation – I was there, volunteering and helping where I could. I was lucky enough to become good friends with Richard’s father, Alex Burns through my time at the charity. And it was Alex that really inspired me to get behind the wheel – something I’d wanted to do for a long time!

I remember standing in a barn full of Richard’s old competition cars, overalls, trophies and piles of rallying memorabilia when Alex got quite emotional and turned to me said “live every day like it’s your last, you never know what is around the corner” Those words really stuck with me and it wasn’t long before I was doing everything I could to get behind the wheel of a rally car.

At 22 I’d saved enough money to build my first rally car from an old Peugeot 205 road car with the help of my good friend, Colin Minton at Ignition Motorsport in Newbury. I competed in the 2012 & 2013 Tempest Rally, based in the forests around Aldershot. Alongside co-driver, Scott Dance we finished both events on a shoe-string budget, I didn’t even have enough money for a trailer so driving back home down the M4 in a muddy rally car after a full day of competition was a surreal experience!

I took a long break from competing after getting married, buying our first home in Chilton village and having two children (Fleur Rallye – yes her middle name is Rallye & Sebastien – named after nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb).

During lockdown I decided the rebuild my old Peugeot 205 rally car that had been sat for seven years since its last event and get back behind the wheel. I wanted to see how I would fare in competition after all those years and show my kids that your dreams can come true if you put in the work.

I competed in the Rally Nuts Stages based in Builth Wells, Wales in November 2021, an event which used many of the stages I’d watched as a child. To my surprise I’d ended up with a podium class finish in a self-built car – an extremely proud moment! Especially as I’m not a mechanic by trade and work in telecoms! The following year myself and my wife – Alexandra Jenkins – decided to compete in another type of rallying called Targa Rallying, a slower, more technical and much more budget friendly form of motorsport. With me driving and Alex navigating, we came away as class winners and novice champions, an amazing achievement considering the navigator has a much harder job than the driver and Alex has never sat in a competition car before in her life!

I continued to campaign the Peugeot in stage rallying along-side the Targa Rallying but after some disappointing retirements due to mechanical failures I decided to upgrade to a more professional, purpose-built rally car – an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2 – which myself and friend, Colin from Ignition Motorsport drove to Sweden to collect.

2024 is my first full season along-side co-driver, Jordan Joines from Ellsmere Port and team-mates Colin Minton and co-driver Adam Westerby who compete in the top class in a Ford Fiesta R5, all of us under the Ignition Motorsport team based in Newbury.

We’re competing in the UK’s biggest gravel rally championships, The Protyre BTRDA Rally Series, The Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, Reis Motorsport Insurance English Rally Championship and the TCS Rally Challenge. It’s been a struggle with budget, being completely self-funded we’ve had to make do with sleeping in the back of a van, using second-hand tyres and making them last for multiple events. Knowing that I can’t find the limit of the car has been difficult too, having to manage each event, both pushing and holding back when needed with a niggling reminder in the back of my mind that if I roll the car into a ball I simply won’t have the time or money to put the car right in time for the next event.

Having fought for sponsorship and failed, we decided not to run blank cars with no livery and support a local cider firm – Tutts Clump Cider. A family-run business that’s been hit hard by the financial impact of the lockdowns. We’ve been rewarded by our support with the launch of a special edition cider named after us “special stage” with a label that features both mine and Colin’s rally car which is pretty cool. We’re doing a great job at raising their profile and everyone is talking about them, our tongue in cheek marketing campaigns which can be found on our social media pages have had ten of thousands of views since the start of our season which is great for Tutts Clump and also great evidence for us when approaching sponsors. We’re also running a competition to win a case of ‘special stage’ cider and a passenger experience of a test day with us, check out our socials for more info on how to enter!

We’ve had an incredible first half of our season despite the budget challenges, with seven out of seven finishes including my debut on tarmac for the Abingdon CAR-nival Stages at Dalton Barracks with my wife making a guest appearance in the co-driver’s seat, an event that we didn’t take very seriously and treated as a day out but the result means that I’m currently the leading driver in the TCS Rally Challenge!

We have sealed the class championship in the Protyre BTRDA Rally Series with three rounds to go, 3rd in the Silver Star Standings (exclusively for 2-wheel drive cars) and 9th in the Fuchs Lubricants BTRDA Gold Star (all cars, including the counties best drivers in £250k+ machinery!)

We’re also leading our class in the Reis Motorsport Insurance English Rally Championship and 2nd in the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far this year, especially considering the teams we’re up against that can afford new tyres on each loop of each event with huge sponsorship support and much bigger budgets than us.

I’m passionate about sharing my rallying and motorsport experiences and knowledge with the younger generation and also spreading the word about the sustainability efforts that are being made in our sport, our governing body – Motorsport UK – who are based at the Bicester Heritage site have many initiatives to get younger people involved in all aspects of the sport, from volunteering and marshalling to competing and officiating. There are also lots of people putting efforts into sustainable bio-fuels and carbon offsetting initiatives which really mean a lot to me. I recently took my rally car along to my old school, St Birinus in Didcot where I gave a presentation to over 250 sixth form students and taking the car along to as many local shows such at the DISH at Harwell Classic car meet and Aces High car meet in Steventon.

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Forest bathing, good for the soul! 

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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Ecotherapist, Shinrin-Yoku guide & dad Rob Faure Walker tells us how he can help you unwind in a frazzled world thanks to the ancient art of forest bathing in the Savernake Forest

It now seems inevitable that I’d end up working in the woods as an ecotherapist, but it wasn’t always so obvious. My former academic work explored how counter-terrorism policy promotes rather than prevents violence and led me to Westminster to advise universities on policymaking. So, how does one go from heated arguments in Parliament committee rooms to quietly guiding people to connect with nature?! 

Parliament and universities both force people into disagreements, disagreements that leave everyone stressed. Don’t get me wrong, the thrashing out of ideas is vital (it’s how knowledge and society progress). But looking around the world today, that’s up for debate. 

A few years ago, in response to these stressful disagreements, I started a new project. This led to my next book, Love and the Market: How to Recover from the Enlightenment and Survive the Current Crisis. Drawing on eastern philosophy, I suggest that we need to seek connections and to recognise more of the world. Through doing so, we develop our capacity to care and love, and rise above the oppositional arguments that seem to be tearing us and our environment apart. This connection, recognition, care, and love starts with nature, and we’re lucky to still have some precious chalk downland and ancient woodlands in north Wiltshire. Having trained with leading ecotherapist Stefan Batorijs, I now practise as an ecotherapist or Shinrin-Yoku guide to help others to connect with these threatened, beautiful landscapes. 

Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing”, was developed in Japan in 1982 to help people to cope with the stresses of a rapidly urbanising society. Specifically, the Japanese Health Ministry started prescribing guided time in nature in response to the very Japanese problem of “Sudden Office Death Syndrome”. While this may seem like a problem particular to the overstretched workers of Tokyo, work-related mental health crises are all-too familiar here. With 40 years of clinical trials showing Shinrin-Yoku to be more effective than antidepressants, the NHS has recently caught up and started prescribing time in nature too.  

This fills me with hope for the future as I’ve seen firsthand how guided nature connection has helped my clients to heal.

You can find out more about Rob at integratedmind scapes.co.uk. Love and the Market: How to Recover from the Enlightenment and Survive the Current Crisis is available from Bristol University Press (you can claim a 50% discount with code CNF24 until 15th October); visit bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/love-and-the-market to buy your copy. 

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Food, glorious food

Karen Neville

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Oxfordshire

Karen Neville

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Junior Bake Off winner South Oxfordshire’s Tilly opens this year’s Didcot Food Festival

Didcot Food Festival returns for its eighth outing on Saturday, 5th October at Didcot Civic Hall with fine food and drink and skills demos.

The event which has grown year on year will be opened at 10.30am by local girl Tilly who won this year’s Junior Bake Off. Tilly is coeliac and will be doing a demo in the chefs theatre.

In addition to Till who’ll be on stage at 10.45am there are three other shows to enjoy.

Great British Bake Off’s Howard Middleton will take to the stage at 11.45am baking a Coeliac Swiss Roll. Howard has written a gluten free cook book. It is hoped he will be joined by Christine Wallace who he was on the Bake Off with.

Nick Galer has recently taken over as Head Chef at the Pot Kiln at Thatcham and will be treating audiences to something delicious at 1pm.

Andrew Scott was on Great British Menu and is Executive Chef for Wadworth, you can see what he’ll be cooking up at 3pm.

There are more than 40 food and drink traders, many are local, to browse, sample and buy.

Crafters Emporium are taking over the Northbourne room with refills and food gifts from their handmade traders and there’s a café serving tea coffee, sandwiches, cakes.

Didcot Food Festival supports local charity TEAM Mikayala who will have a sweet stall and you’ll be greeted by Didcot Guiders who our manning the reception.

Admission is £5 on the day children free (must be accompanied). All chefs theatres are included in the admission price.

Advance tickets are available New tab (didcotevents.co.uk)

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Walk under the stars

Karen Neville

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Oxfordshire

Karen Neville

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Join together with hundreds of others to celebrate the lives of those you love and miss

Join the Starlight Hike Thames Valley and take part in Sue Ryder’s biggest fundraising event of the year on Saturday, 5th October.

Walk under the stars at Mapledurham Estate while raising funds in memory of your loved ones in this very special event sponsored by Gravity Personnel and Azego.

Get together with friends and family and challenge yourself to complete the 10k route which wraps around the beautiful grounds of the Estate, with stunning views across the Thames. You’ll have plenty of time to grab yourself refreshments from the Pattie Wagon, enjoy live music by DJ2Play, join in with Michelle’s energetic Zumba warm up, all before setting off on the hike at 6pm.

Near the beginning of the route, you will pass a special remembrance area where you can make a dedication for your loved ones. Around the route you will see stunning light installations, including coloured waves per kilometre marker to help guide you and ensure that you celebrate every step of the way.

Glee choir will be ready to welcome you in harmony at the finish line and you will be handed your well-deserved medal.

By taking part in Sue Ryder Starlight Hike you’re helping ensure people approaching the end of their life or grieving can access the right support at the right time. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but together we can ensure, no one has to face dying or grief alone.

So, sign up today for a night you won’t forget Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Thames Valley Tickets

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Crime & enjoyment with Chiltern Kills

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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The Chiltern Kills crime writing festival in aid of Centrepoint, returns to Gerrards Cross on Saturday, 5th October, with a stellar line-up including Jeffrey Archer, Louise Minchin, Sir Ian Rankin, Robert Thorogood and more.

Best-selling crime authors and TV detectives are converging on Gerrards Cross for the Chiltern Kills 2024 crime and thriller writing festival on Saturday, 5th October.

Sir Ian Rankin of Rebus fame, storytelling genius Jeffrey Archer, and Peter James of the Roy Grace book and ITV series will be joined by TV crime busters Dempsey and Makepeace and the cast of The Bill, from 9am-11pm at the GX Community Association at the historic Colston Hall on East Common in Gerrards Cross.

It’s the second year of Chiltern Kills with all ticket sales again going to the Centrepoint charity to combat youth homelessness. Sir Ian Rankin says: “Centrepoint is a very special charity whose work is – sadly – more necessary than ever. I’m pleased to be able to support them.”

Tickets cost £40 via https://www.chilternkills.com/ or for a little more, you can book a one-to-one session with top literary agent Nicky Lovick from WGM Atlantic. (And whisper it, she’s looking for new authors to join her list.”

Jeffrey Archer said: “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at Chiltern Kills on 5th October. I’m a great admirer of the work Centrepoint does.”

Chiltern Kills founders, authors Paul Waters and Tony Kent said: “What makes Chiltern Kills special is that authors. including our patron Fredrick Forsyth, and fans all mingle off-stage, in our luxury food village, in our WhoDunHim Inn – where famous authors will be pulling pints, and at our famous Murder A Song karaoke at the end of the day.”

There will be 60 top authors from across the UK, Ireland, north America, Africa and India, on the Poirot and Marple stages. They include debut crime author and former BBC Breakfast TV star, Louise Minchin, Robert Thorogood the creator of Death In Paradise, Harriet Tyce, Nadine Matheson, Ajay Chowdhury and Sarah Pinborough.

Peter James said: “I’m hugely looking forward to Chiltern Kills. It is so wonderful to support Centrepoint, a brilliant charity that does so much to combat youth homelessness – and all the hopelessness and despair that goes with it.”

Every festival goer gets a free tote bag filled with festival goodies. Last year visitors came from as far away as Scotland, Ireland, Devon, Yorkshire, Kent, Manchester and Birmingham. One said: “What a joyous day I had at Chiltern Kills. The vibe was amazing, the choice of food fabulous, drinks were flowing and author panels exceptional!”

Another festival-goer said: “Impeccably organised, with the feel of a family festival, informal, really interesting panels, relaxed writers, so much goodwill, good food and lots of laughter! Bravo Chiltern Kills.”

After last year’s festival, Centrepoint said: “A big thank you to everyone involved with Chiltern Kills for helping us support more young people to reclaim their dreams and build a future beyond homelessness.”

Chiltern Kills 2024 is on Saturday 5th October at Colston Hall on East Common in Gerrards Cross. Tickets via https://www.chilternkills.com/. It would be a crime to miss it!

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All aquiver for The Bow opening

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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A beloved pub is due to open soon in the historic village of Waddesdon, on the doorstep of Waddesdon Manor, after being bought by The Rothschild Foundation

Known as The Bell in the 19th century, and after that The Long Dog, the pub has been renamed The Bow in tribute to its older sister establishment in the village, the Five Arrows Hotel, and will open to the public in October.

The Grade II listed building first opened as a public house in 1863. Before that, it housed the bell room for the adjacent 800-year-old St Michael’s and All Angels church.

In the heart of Waddesdon, The Bow has been reborn as a lively, welcoming pub, offering a fresh take on the classic village experience. The team at The Bow aim to offer a true celebration of community spirit, top-tier quality, and locally sourced produce.

Head chef Anthony Skeats, formerly of The Punter in Oxford has more than 25 years of culinary experience. He has crafted an inventive, seasonal menu to highlight fresh ingredients, where possible sourced within ten miles, with meat from nearby farms and vegetables from the surrounding Waddesdon Estate, Eythrope Walled Garden and local farms.

Expect signature smashed burgers, delicious modern pub classics and wonderful desserts, such as a brioche sticky toffee pudding. The kids’ menu features fun and nutritious options and favourites like homemade jellies and ice cream. Families are welcome, with a secure play area.

The welcome news of The Bow’s renaissance comes after TV star Jeremy Clarkson was lauded for his purchase of The Windmill pub overlooking the Windrush Valley in the Cotswolds. Although, when it opens the Bow won’t be serving its own beer – a la the former Top Gear presenter’s Hawkstone brewery – it will support local producers, such as the Boobytrap microbrewery based a couple of miles away in Westcott.

There is a bold wine list catering for all palettes – including a range of Rothschild wines – from the old to the new worlds. The Bow is also offering an exclusive membership programme with access to the pub’s upstairs rooms with quiet, comfortable, collaborative spaces with desks, free WiFi, and cosy seating. For social or business meetings, there is also a private dining room available for members’ parties of up to 12 guests. Director of hospitality Holly Saunders says: “Whether you’re meeting with friends or dialling into a work call, The Bow will be your go-to spot for both social and virtual connections. We’re so excited to be bringing this lovely pub back where it belongs to the heart of this vibrant community and are dedicated to offering delicious food, quality drinks, and a space where everyone feels at home – all at reasonable prices. Join us for our grand opening week and discover why The Bow is set to become the new local favourite. We can’t wait to welcome you!”

Some pub history:

The Grade II listed building is located on the northeastern side of the High Street opposite the Rothschild Estate Office, which has been owned by the Rothschild family since 1874. Parts of the building date back to the 17th and 18th centuries but it has undergone many alterations over the last 200 years.

Before it was bought by the Rothschild Foundation and renamed The Bow, the pub last traded as The Long Dog, before closing in 2022. Before then it was called The Bell, also known historically as the Bell Inn. In 1864, the village of Waddesdon boasted five public houses: the Bell Inn, the Ship Inn, the White Lion, the Baker’s Arms and the Marlborough Arms. The latter is now The Five Arrows Hotel and Restaurant, The Bow’s sister establishment, both of which are run by the team at Waddesdon.

These 19th-century establishments not only catered to locals in the village but also to those passing through, as they travelled along the main Aylesbury-to-Bicester road. It may also be why two nightwatchmen were appointed by the parish council to patrol the streets of Waddesdon in the first half of the 19th century.

The Bow (Bell) originally faced the Ship Inn which was acquired by Miss Alice de Rothschild around 1910 from The Aylesbury Brewery company. The pub and two adjoining cottages adjacent were then demolished and replaced by a new house called The Cedars. In contrast, while The Bow has undergone and witnessed much change in the past two centuries, it will remain very much at the heart of Waddesdon village life.

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Half Term Horrors

Round & About

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Oxfordshire

Round & About

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There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

Berkshire
Oxfordshire
West Berks

Berkshire

Take a breath-taking trail through light, colour and fantasy as you discover the night-time wonder of Welford Park, selected dates Oct 18th-Nov 10th. Enjoy this beautiful, illuminated trail through the majestic woodland and around the gardens all lit under the stars.

Head to Wellington Country Park this October half term, where they’re throwing the biggest and most friendly spook’tacular Hallo’welly’ween ever, and you’re all invited! From family shows, to recycled junk crafts, from pumpkin carving to the Halloween train ride, there is so much to do this October half-term.

There’s been a murder… of the wildlife kind. After a bump in the night, there’s a crime scene at Windsor Great Park. Help solve the wildlife mystery – whodunnit? Complete the detective training through the family trail, learn how to find and identify tracks and signs of animals. Oct 29th-31st. Book at Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (bbowt.org.uk) and search ‘events’.

Illuminate the Skies at Windsor when the pyrotechnics team will unleash the firework fiesta featuring a dazzling display of rockets, Catherine Wheels and fountains to incredible music. Head over to the funfair for thrilling rides and with yummy treats to keep you and yours fed and toasty you’re sure of an explosive night all round on Saturday, 2nd November.

The The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is once again hosting Brick or Treat – where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over and throwing a Monster Party to celebrate their favourite time of the year!​ Along with the return of the fangtastic Monster Street, there’s the thrilling Monster Jam Show, explore the Haunted House Monster Party – get ready for the most frightfully fun ride of your life! ​Enjoy amazing rides, live shows and attractions until Nov 3rd. 

Follow the October half-term trails at Basildon Park and Greys Court. Follow the map to discover the activities at each venue and collect a small prize when you have finished. Cost £2 per trail.

Join the Moon Witch at Tumblestone Hollow, Stonor and go on a Halloween Scavenger Hunt exploring the woodland that surrounds Tumblestone Hollow, ticking off spooky items and solving mystical riddles along the way.

Track down more than 30 scarecrows on the half term Binfield Scarecrow Hunt around the village with the help of a trail map.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre

Oxfordshire

If you’re looking to keep the family entertained during October half-term, look no further than The Story Museum in Oxford. With a packed programme of events and skills courses, not to mention magical gallery spaces and a fantastic new exhibition, Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless, the museum is the place to be, The Story Museum.

Abingdon County Hall Museum has what’s sure to be a fun offering with the Barbie & Ken Exhibition, see the couple dressed in costume through history from 1066 to 1980. More at Abingdon County Hall Museum.

Shop beautiful gifts, watch live craft demonstrations and try your hand at ‘have a go’ sessions at Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair, Nov 1st-3rd in the ancient Abbey Buildings. More than 60 craftspeople will be displaying their work. More at Abingdon Craft Fair.

Talk to whales, hear the universe laugh, and investigate the impossible with IF Oxford, the Oxford science and ideas festival, Oct 9th to Nov 3rd. With more than 100 intriguing and interactive events and activities. IF Oxford has a whole world (and beyond) to entertain and surprise you. Details at Oxford science and ideas Festival.

High Lodge Farm’s bewitching Halloween trail and pumpkin patch is back this October half-term at the farm in Culham OX14 3BN. Follow the spooky trail, PYO Pumpkin, tuck into mallows and tasty treats and have fun on the farm. Visit High Lodge Farm.

From gremlins and goblins to witches with charm, Millets Farm invite you to their Spook-tacular Farm! With a circus full of tricks, a disco full of spooks and field full of pumpkins, there’s spookily good fun this half term.

Tiptoe through spooky rooms at The Witch’s House at Cogges Manor decorated with scenes from favourite childhood stories, and see spooktacular sights and sounds. There will be a pumpkin trail around the grounds too.

Get your hands dirty and boots muddy as you pick pumpkins and squash from the growing field at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham. Take on the mega maze maze, visit the storytelling teepee and follow the scarecrow trail around the farm.

Blenheim Palace invites you to wander from dusk into darkness and through the spooky spider tunnel to be surprised by fantastic fire performers. Watch out for the headless horseman emerging from the mist.

Take a Spooky Tour of Oxford Castle & Prison and uncover some of the grisly stories of its inhabitants – some of whom are said to still roam the grounds. Join the resident witches and warlocks for a half-term potion-making activity.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre.

West Berks

Take a breath-taking trail through light, colour and fantasy as you discover the night-time wonder of Welford Park, selected dates Oct 18th-Nov 10th, through a wonderful spectacle of light and sound. Enjoy this beautiful, illuminated trail through the majestic woodland and around the gardens all lit under the star. Sip delicious hot chocolate and spiced cider as you meander along this beautiful trail. Take a moment by the house to tuck into scrumptious hot food.

Head to the Orchard at Avebury Manor Garden over the weekend of October 26th and 27th and join in the apple weekend celebrations. Pick up information on the apple orchard at Avebury and join in fun family activities, have a go at pressing some fresh apple juice from several native apple varieties. Why not join a family stone circle tour on Wednesdays and Sundays during school holidays to learn more about this amazing site as a family!

This autumn half-term explore the outdoors with a tracker pack at Buscot and Coleshill Estate. Pick up a rucksack with everything in it you’ll need to explore Coleshill, binoculars, magnifying glass, spotting sheets and more. Search for bugs, identify trees and see what signs of animals you can spot, then head to reception for a nature friendly prize.

Follow the enchanting decorated woodland trail in Aldermaston through Wasing Estate’s stunning autumnal woodland then head for the pumpkin patch where a fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits and where you can choose your perfect pumpkin nestled in the organic field to take home and carve. Afterwards enjoy tasty seasonal snacks and hot & cold drinks.

Join the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham on October 29th & 31st for a Spooky Spectacular Halloween Trail through their nature reserve. Find out about some of the amazing creatures associated with Halloween and why they are not as scary as you once thought. Pop along to The Hutch afterwards for a craft activity to take home.

Blaze and his dragon friends have decided to play hide and seek in West Berkshire Museum – help Blaze to count the tiny glow-in-the-dark dragons as well as to find his dragon friends and, the greatest treasure of all, a precious dragon egg. The family friendly event on Friday, 1st November, 5-7pm, features a free dragon hunt through a dark or dimly lit museum – please bring a torch.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre.

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Crazy Bear’s Okto-BEAR-fest on 5th October

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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Crazy Bear Stadhampton will be hosting Okto-BEAR-fest – a wild twist on the classic Oktoberfest celebration

Are you ready for a day of beer at the Crazy Bear Stadhampton?

Crazy Bear Stadhampton will host Okto-BEAR-fest – a wild twist on the classic Oktoberfest celebration.

Tickets grant you access to an unforgettable day filled with Bavarian vibes and the Crazy Bear’s very own crazy flair.

Incredible entertainment to see the mood, plus a fantastic selection of great food and beers from Wiper and True Brewery will be available for purchase throughout the day 2-10pm.

Whether you’re there for the beer, the pretzels, or just the good times, this is sure to be a day to remember!

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Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems live shows

Liz Nicholls

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Oxfordshire

Liz Nicholls

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HEY GIRL…HEY BOY… Superstar DJS…HERE WE GO! Jo Whiley is here with the ultimate 90s party… at Oxford’s o2 Academy on 3rd October and G Live in Guildford on 18th November

Get ready to be transported back to the decade that defined a generation – as the legendary Jo Whiley brings her electrifying new show Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems to your doorstep.

The undisputed queen of this decade of British music will be rummaging through her record bag, dusting off her vinyl and bringing you the biggest hits and hidden gems that shaped the soundtrack of the 90s.

From the rise and huge success of Blur and Oasis to the block rocking beats of The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, with Jo behind the decks, this isn’t just a soulless 90’s playlist – it’s a journey through music history. Jo lived every moment, curated every track, and shared the studio and stage with the greatest acts of the decade.

Jo says: “I can’t wait to get back on the road in 2025 and bring the best of the 90s to audiences across the UK. There’s nothing like the energy of a 90s Anthems crowd, and I am looking forward to relive those moments with everyone – from Britpop to Rock to dance, it’s going to be an epic trip down memory lane.”

It really WAS better in the 90s… let Jo Whiley show you with this sensational new show. Prepare for a night of Britpop nostalgia, high-energy beats, the ultimate celebration of the era and let Jo remind you of what you’ve forgotten with this sizzling anthem-packed party to end them all.

Jo is still at the cutting edge of new music and will always be the ultimate authority on the very best of classical sounds of the 90s, Jo is an institution in her own right and a national treasure.

Whether you were rocking out to Britpop, raving to club classics, or living the indie dream, Jo’s got you covered – Jo loved it all and she’s ready to remind you why 90s really were the best time to be alive.

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