Oxford Events
How to do a Rivals-inspired weekend in Oxford and the Cotswolds
There is a certain kind of English weekend that doesn’t present itself as an itinerary. It unfolds instead as atmosphere, as rhythm, as a sequence of places that feel as though they have always been connected, even if you have only just arrived. It is a weekend that moves easily between contiguous worlds, each distinct in character but quietly aligned in tone and intent.
Between Oxford and the Cotswolds, of continuity is particularly pronounced. One is shaped by intellect, hierarchy and inherited gravity; the other by space, visibility and the soft performance of leisure. Together, they form a circuit of English life at its most composed — a world where nothing ever feels entirely accidental, not unlike the world of Rivals.
Friday: Oxford, where everything begins with a conversation.
There is a certain kind of English weekend that doesn’t present itself as an itinerary at all. It unfolds instead as atmosphere, as rhythm, as a sequence of places that feel as though they have always been connected, even if you have only just arrived.
Between Oxford and the Cotswolds, that feeling becomes particularly pronounced. One is built on intellect, hierarchy and inherited gravity. The other on space, visibility and the soft performance of leisure. Together, they form a circuit that feels not far removed from the world of Rivals: polished, competitive, and always slightly aware of itself.
Oxford does not so much welcome visitors as absorb them into its existing order. Arrival is everything here, and where you choose to stay quietly sets the tone for what follows.
At The Randolph Hotel, the experience is immediate and composed. There is a theatricality to the building that never tips into performance, as though grandeur is simply part of its language. Inside, the atmosphere feels suspended in conversation, as if nothing in the building ever quite begins or ends, but instead continues in carefully maintained flow.
A short walk away, the Old Bank Hotel offers a different register. It is lighter, more contemporary in its sensibility, and positioned directly on the High Street, where the city’s rhythm is constantly in motion. There is a sense here of proximity rather than enclosure, of being close to everything without needing to participate in all of it at once.
Further along, Old Parsonage Hotel brings a quieter, more private cadence. It feels removed from the city’s sharper edges, with interiors that encourage slower conversation and longer pauses. It is the sort of place where discretion feels less like an offering and more like a design principle.
For a more contemporary interpretation of Oxford hospitality, The Store Hotel introduces a different energy entirely. There is a modernity to it that feels intentional rather than decorative, attracting a crowd for whom aesthetics, conversation and positioning are often intertwined.
By late afternoon, Oxford reveals a different kind of depth. A visit to the Ashmolean Museum feels almost essential to the rhythm of the day, not as a formal stop but as a moment of recalibration. Within its galleries, time is arranged rather than linear, and history feels less like something observed and more like something still being actively organised.
For those who want to lean further into Oxford’s layered identity, an alternative afternoon unfolds within its collegiate core. Entry is often dependent on opening times and visitor access, so it requires checking in advance, but when available, a slow circuit of the older, more picturesque colleges becomes one of the most atmospheric experiences in the city.
Magdalen College offers riverside walks and cloistered quiet that feel almost cinematic in their stillness. Christ Church College carries a more grand, architectural presence, where scale and ceremony dominate. St John’s College feels more contained, almost private, in its courtyards and lawns, while Trinity College offers a quieter elegance that rewards slow observation rather than hurried passing.
Stepping back out from the colleges, Oxford feels subtly recalibrated – less like a city being visited, and more like one being read.
Dinner in Oxford does not rely on spectacle. Instead, it relies on positioning, proximity and the quiet awareness that conversations often matter more than courses.
At Quod Restaurant & Bar, the energy is central and lightly theatrical, with the High Street just beyond the windows providing a constant sense of movement and observation. At The Old Parsonage Brasserie in Oxford, the tone becomes more subdued and atmospheric, extending the intimacy of the hotel into the evening.
For something more informal and storied, Turf Tavern offers a hidden, almost mythologised version of the city, where the setting feels as important as the gathering itself. Alternatively, No. 1 Ship Street provides a more contemporary expression of British dining, precise without being performative.
By the time the evening settles, Oxford has already done what it does best. Nothing feels explicitly resolved, yet everything feels quietly understood.
Saturday: The Cotswolds, where visibility becomes a language.
Leaving Oxford is less a departure than a shift in register. The road outward softens the city’s structure into something more open, more expansive, and more deliberately uncontained.
The day begins with arrival at the modern country-house circuit, and nowhere captures its tone more precisely than Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire. It is a place that understands balance as its defining aesthetic – composed but never rigid, indulgent yet controlled.
Long lunches drift into spa time and then into conversation again, as if the day has been designed to blur its own edges. There is a carefully maintained sense of effortlessness here, the kind that only works because so much has been quietly arranged beneath the surface.
Yet Estelle Manor is only one interpretation of how a Saturday in the Cotswolds might begin. The choice of base subtly reshapes the entire rhythm of the day, and each alternative brings its own register of tone and social energy.
At Soho Farmhouse, the atmosphere shifts towards something more informal and creatively charged. It feels less like a country house and more like a private social ecosystem – cabins scattered through woodland, shared spaces that encourage drift and encounter, and a guest list that leans towards media, design and cultural industries. The tone here is deliberately unpolished, but no less curated for it.
Further along the spectrum sits Ellenborough Park, where the mood becomes more classical in its country-house expression. Set within its own estate, it carries a quieter sense of separation from the outside world. The rhythm is slower, more traditional, and shaped by space rather than social flow – a setting where leisure feels framed by landscape rather than activity.
For something with more heritage weight and a sense of continuity, The Lygon Arms in Broadway offers a different kind of presence altogether. Centuries of layered history sit behind its walls, giving it a grounded, almost narrative quality. It feels less designed around contemporary lifestyle and more shaped by time itself – a place where discretion and longevity carry their own quiet authority.
From there, the landscape takes over and the afternoon unfolds as a loose sequence rather than a fixed plan. At Daylesford Organic Farm Shop, Kingham, the experience is less about commerce and more about cultural signalling. Everything feels observed and intentional, from arrival to departure, as though presence itself carries meaning.
At the more restorative end of the spectrum, Thyme in Southrop introduces a quieter register altogether. Here, the rhythm slows. Gardens, kitchen gardens, spa spaces and softly composed interiors create an estate that feels less about social performance and more about absorption into the landscape itself. It is a different kind of country-house experience — still curated, but deliberately subdued, as though the noise of the wider circuit has been briefly turned down.
Spa-led pauses at estates such as Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham offer a more traditional sense of countryside leisure, while village circuits through places like Broadway and Chipping Campden introduce a slower rhythm of movement and observation. Seasonal sporting fixtures, where available, or informal terrace gatherings add another layer of social choreography, where visibility is subtle but never incidental.
Venture to the Cotswolds Distillery in charming Stourton, which boasts a warehouse, cafe, shop, terrace and brand-new distillery bar and cocktail experience – The Hidden Still, for a tour of the distillery and cask warehouse, and a detailed account of how their award-winning spirits are crafted, followed by a sample of spirits and liqueurs.
As evening falls, the easy drift of the afternoon tightens into something more deliberate, as if the countryside itself is beginning to choose its cast for the night. Conversations become more intentional, arrivals more carefully timed, and the idea of “dinner” shifts from nourishment into positioning.
From here, the Cotswolds offers several distinct expressions of that ritual, each with its own interpretation of what an English evening should feel like.
At The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, the mood is quietly assured – a modern gastropub that understands restraint as a form of luxury. Stone, candlelight, and considered plates create an atmosphere where everything feels slightly softened at the edges, as though the conversation matters more than anything coming out of the kitchen.
A short distance away, The Feathered Nest Country Inn at Nether Westcote offers a more elevated, panoramic version of the same idea. Perched above the Evenlode valleys, it carries a sense of scale and stillness, where the view becomes part of the dining experience and the evening stretches outward rather than inward.
For something with greater informality but no less confidence, The Lamb Inn at Burford brings a more traditional countrypub energy into the mix. There is warmth here rather than polish, a sense of continuity rather than reinvention, and the feeling that this is where local rhythm and visiting ambition briefly overlap.
And if you prefer a note of contemporary refinement, The Bull at Charlbury sits comfortably within the modern Cotswolds circuit. It is sociable without being loud, stylish without feeling curated, and the sort of place where tables seem to fill in a pattern that suggests who arrived when, and with whom.
Taken together, these are not simply dinner options but different interpretations of the same idea: that in this landscape, evening is never just an ending. It is a recalibration of presence, where who you are sitting with matters almost as much as where you are sitting.
Sunday – Blenheim, scale, and the soft ending of a performance.
By Sunday, the weekend begins to settle into a different register altogether. The focus shifts from movement to scale, from positioning to perspective.
At Blenheim Palace, that shift becomes immediate. Designed landscapes by Capability Brown unfold with a kind of controlled naturalism that reframes everything that has come before it. Lakes, lawns and tree lines extend with deliberate ease, not to impress but to establish proportion. Here, leisure feels secondary to scale, and scale feels inseparable from history.
As the afternoon draws in, the tone softens into ritual. Sunday slows almost imperceptibly, as though the landscape itself is exhaling after the pace of the weekend. What remains is not activity, but atmosphere — a final, unhurried pause before the return to the everyday.
Close to Blenheim Palace, afternoon tea or a late brunch takes on a more grounded, local elegance, where proximity to the estate shapes the experience as much as the setting itself.
At The Aviary at The Feathers, the ritual feels naturally aligned with its surroundings. Just moments from the palace gates, it offers a composed, contemporary interpretation of country-house dining — refined without excess, and relaxed without losing structure. It is the kind of setting where Sunday feels gently extended rather than formally observed.
A short distance away in the same historic market town, The Woodstock Arms brings a more traditional, grounded version of the occasion. Here, the atmosphere leans into classic British warmth — a reassuring counterpoint to the grandeur of Blenheim itself, where brunch or tea feels less staged and more instinctively local, as though it has always belonged to the rhythm of the town.
For something with a slightly more elevated, hotel-led cadence, The Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock offers a heritage setting that sits comfortably within the Blenheim orbit. Tucked into the centre of Woodstock, it carries the weight of history in its walls, and afternoon tea here feels quietly composed — panelled rooms, soft light, and a sense that Sunday has been carefully slowed rather than simply allowed to fade.
Alternatively, the weekend can turn back towards the city, where afternoon tea becomes a return to structure after openness. At The Alice Restaurant at The Randolph, it carries a sense of symmetry, as though the weekend is gently looping back to where it began.
In a more contemporary vein, The Store, Oxford offers a lighter, more modern interpretation of the ritual, where sips and scavenger bites are served in its vast ground-floor bar and snug area overlooking bustling Broad Street. The bar menu is seasonal and ever-changing, shifting with the rhythm of the kitchen rather than tradition, creating a more fluid, informal way to close the day.
What lingers at the end of the weekend is not a sequence of places, but a pattern of behaviour. Oxford’s layered intelligence, the Cotswolds’ curated visibility, and the quiet grandeur of the country-house circuit all begin to blur into something more atmospheric than logistical. It is a rhythm built on arrival and observation, on who is seen where, and how effortlessly they seem to belong there.
In that sense, the experience mirrors the world of Rivals not through plot, but through tone. Nothing is ever quite incidental, yet nothing is fully declared. Power is implied in dinner reservations, in the choice of a hotel bar, in the length of a lunch that was never meant to end at a fixed time. Conversation becomes currency, and setting becomes strategy.
By the time the weekend dissolves back into everyday life, there is no single defining moment to point to – only a collection of rooms, landscapes and tables that felt briefly arranged around you. And perhaps that is the closest echo of Rivals itself: a world where everything appears effortless on the surface, while beneath it, everything is quietly positioned.
Oxford Events
The Art of White: Salon Privé’s extraordinary collection of white automotive icons coming to Blenheim Palace
There are few colours in the automotive world that carry the same sense of elegance, purity and understated confidence as white.
From the crisp simplicity of a classic grand tourer to the futuristic presence of a modern hypercar, white has long been chosen by designers and collectors seeking to highlight the shape, craftsmanship and character of an exceptional automobile.
This September, that enduring appeal will take centre stage at Salon Privé 2026 at Blenheim Palace, where a specially curated White Collection will bring together some of the world’s rarest and most significant cars.
Displayed throughout the five-day event, the collection will feature 20 automotive masterpieces finished in an extraordinary spectrum of whites — from classic ivory and subtle eggshell tones to deep pearl finishes that reveal their character under changing light.
Rather than focusing on a single marque or era, the collection celebrates the diversity of automotive design across more than seven decades. The line-up spans from 1955 to 2026, bringing together historic icons, collector rarities and cutting-edge performance cars that share a common visual language.
Among the first vehicles revealed are some of the most celebrated names in motoring: the legendary Lamborghini Miura, the technologically groundbreaking Bugatti Veyron, the rare Lexus LFA, and the Aston Martin Valiant Prototype. Further examples from Ferrari, Auto Union and Radford add even greater variety to a collection designed to reward both enthusiasts and casual admirers.
The result is less a traditional car display and more a study in automotive design — showing how a single colour can transform the personality of very different machines.
The White Collection forms part of Salon Privé’s 21st anniversary celebrations, with the 2026 event continuing its tradition of combining world-class motoring with the elegance of an English garden setting.
Alongside the new display, this year’s Concours will celebrate some of the most significant chapters in automotive history, including 60 years of the Lamborghini Miura, 80 years of Bristol Motor Cars, 100 years of Touring design, early air-cooled Porsche icons, Ferrari, supercars and hypercars.
With many of the White Collection cars rarely appearing together — or even in public — the display promises to be one of the defining moments of Salon Privé 2026.
For collectors, enthusiasts and anyone with an appreciation for automotive artistry, it offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to see history, engineering and design brought together in one unforgettable setting.
“Each year at Blenheim Palace we enjoy offering innovative ways to showcase exceptional cars.
“The White Collection is something we’re really proud of, since it brings together cars that you would rarely see side by side. There are automotive icons here, genuine collector’s cars and some incredible examples of engineering, all linked by one of motoring’s most timeless colours.
“Whether visitors are seeing these cars for the first time in the flesh or have admired them for years, we believe this is a display that will stop people in their tracks and will be one of the highlights of our 21st year event.”
What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this August
Hello and welcome to your essential guide to the best events, exhibitions, and things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire throughout August.
From open-air theatre under golden evening skies to leisurely weekend brunches in sun-dappled courtyards, August is a glorious time to explore everything our beautiful city and surrounding countryside has to offer.
Whether you’re staying local with a picnic basket and a blanket or fancy venturing further afield for a cultural day trip to a quieter-than-usual London for a West End matinee, there’s plenty to inspire your days out.
Dive into our events section for more handpicked events and happening in Oxford and across Oxforshire – from family-friendly festivals and food markets to art shows and live performances – as well as unmissable events beyond the county that would make for a great day out.
So, here it is – your go-to guide for making the most of August in Oxfordshire. Enjoy the sunshine, soak up the culture, and relish your summer adventures. And if you’re hosting an event, list your event on The Oxford Magazine website and reach our growing audience of people who live, work or play in Oxfordshire.
Party in the Paddock returns in 2026 with two massive weekends of racing and live music at Newbury Racecourse. With world-class racing, unforgettable performances, and an electric summer atmosphere, this is a series you won’t want to miss.
Festival lineup includes: Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes / Ronan Keating / Tinie Tempah / Jessie J.
Guiting Power Village Hall
Guiting Music Festival continues to grow its reputation as one of the leading music festivals in the Cotswolds, offering a superb eclectic mix of artists and genres of music at its annual event in the Cotswold village of Guiting Power. Over 10 days it will play host to world-renowned, international, European and UK artists.
Trot on over to the Stables in the West Courtyard this summer to meet our four-legged friends and discover the part horses and ponies have played in the story of Blenheim Palace.
The Oxford Piano Festival was founded in 1999 by Marios Papadopoulos, renowned pianist and Music Director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the Festival welcomes piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts, to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral.
Blenheim Palace is delighted to be hosting a series of exclusive watercolour workshops led by acclaimed Woodstock artist Rod Craig.
Our Man in Havana follows the hilarious exploits of James Wormold, a British vacuum cleaner salesman in pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba. Jack Ashton, Bob Barrett, Leon Ockenden, and Jodie Steele play over 30 characters to bring 1950s Havana vividly to life in this wonderfully funny and fast-moving romp!
Wilderness festival is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, artisanship, late-night parties, outdoor pursuits and culinary experiences. It’s one festival where genres are redefined, identity is turned on its head, and arts from across the spectrum sit side by side.
Festival lineup includes: Scissor Sisters / Carl Cox / The Last Dinner Party / Sisters: curated by Annie Lennox / Soulwax / Baxter Dury / Saint Etienne / Good Neighbours / The Hot 8 Brass Band / Groove Armada (DJ Set) / Nic Fanciulli / Eats everything / Olive F / Dan Shake • Say She She / Demi Riquísimo / Delilah / Chloe Qisha / Mr Cutts and many more.
Van Gogh & Me is a compelling new play starring Jack Ellis, examining the turbulent relationship between Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. Blending art, history and personal reflection, the production explores creativity, rivalry and the human cost of artistic ambition.
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from acclaimed pianist Vanessa Latarche and fellow piano masters.
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from acclaimed pianist Richard Goode and fellow piano masters.
Mozart’s beloved comic masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro is filled with sparkling melodies, mistaken identities, clever disguises and laugh-out-loud comedy, bringing one of opera’s greatest love stories vividly to life in period costume.
Oxford Piano Festival Participants take to the stage with fresh guidance from the world’s most esteemed pianists echoing in their ears.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity proudly presents Fame packed with high-energy songs and unforgettable performances. Grab your leotards and legwarmers and be part of something amazing.
The remarkably talented participants of the Oxford Piano Festival receive masterclasses from acclaimed pianist Arie Vardi and fellow piano masters.
The All American Auto Club’s “Rally of The Giants” bring their 60th year celebration of classic American cars at Stonor Park. This year’s event is lining up to be unforgettable, with vehicles from 1900 right through to the modern day, live music, food and retail,
Enjoy Oxford Coffee Concerts with Huw Watkins, Ben Baker, Emma Wernig and Tim Posner performing Watkins’ String Trio No. 2 and Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3.
The Waterperry Opera Festival returns in 2026 from 07 to 16 August, offering a mix of full-scale operas, recitals, and open-air performances at Waterperry Gardens. The festival showcases international singers and orchestras, alongside pre-performance talks, garden tours, and family-friendly activities.
From classic favourites to contemporary works, it promises an immersive cultural experience for both opera enthusiasts and newcomers. Tickets and passes are available online and on-site, with early booking recommended for popular events.
Cogges Annual Beer & Cider Festival is a party in the barns where you can try over 50 different locally produced craft beers and ciders, with live music all afternoon and evening to get the crowd dancing.
The Great Antique & Vintage Car Boot Fair returns to Stonor Park with more than 200 quality sellers offering antiques, collectibles and vintage treasures. Visitors can browse unique finds, enjoy delicious food and make the most of the beautiful parkland, with additional attractions available onsite.
Enjoy Oxford Coffee Concerts with the Kleio String Quartet performing Schubert’s String Quintet in C major, op 163, D 956 in Holywell Music Room.
The acclaimed pianist and composer Jack Gibbons is joined by award-winning pianist Sarah Beth Briggs for an evening of much loved piano duets including Fauré’s Dolly Suite, Debussy’s Petite Suite, Schumann’s masterly Piano Quintet Op.44, and the world premiere of a new transcription for piano duet by Gibbons of Gershwin’s dazzling Girl Crazy Overture (featuring the classic songs I Got Rhythm and Embraceable You).
Instruments of Time & Truth recreate intimate musical evenings from Oxford, London and Lübeck in Ayres of the Night. Featuring mezzo-soprano Martha McLorinan and period-instrument specialists, the programme explores evocative works by Purcell, Bach and Buxtehude as dusk falls.
Cropredy Village, Banbury
The Fairport Cropredy Convention 2026 will be staged over the weekend of 13 to 15 August. The annual festival of folk and rock music, headed by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention is held on the edge of the village of Cropredy near Babnury in Oxfordshire.
Festival lineup:
Thursday – Fairport Acoustic / Banter / Soft Machine / Matt Bragg / Turin Brakes / Le Vent Du Nord
Friday – Cropredy Primary School Folk Class / Danny & The Champions of The World / Danny Bradley / The Celtic Social Club / Marshall Gilmour Webbs / Breabach / Spooky Men’s Chorale / Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips (plus S Nicol, D Mattacks & D Pegg)
Saturday – Gerry Colvin Big Band / Rob Jones & The Restless Dream / The Haar / Barbara / Hayseed Dixie / Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth / Fairport Convention & Friends
Step inside a current exhibition with one of the curators. These focused, 30-minute tours offer in-depth insights into the ideas, processes and stories behind the work on display.
Fame Jr. brings young performers to the stage in a vibrant summer production celebrating talent, ambition and creativity.
NW Inventors: Comedy Workshop invites young people to develop comedy skills through movement, facial expressions and voice. Across three fun-filled mornings, participants will build confidence, explore performance techniques and showcase their talents to a supportive audience in a lively environment.
Join this actor focused workshop where your acting skills will be refined through voice, movement and script exploration, featuring classical, contemporary and self-written monologues with an opportunity to present a mock audition.
Discover the fascinating history of make-up, from the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, the bold looks of the Swinging Sixties, and everything in between! Join us in one of our traditional dressing rooms and get creative with your own theatrical designs.
Get ready for some dramatic fun! In this workshop, children will uncover the secrets behind creating realistic bruises, cuts and wounds for the stage. (You might want to double-check those injuries before reaching for the first aid kit!)
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames
Rewind Festival South is probably the biggest 80’s music festival in the world. It is a spectacular event, packed full of fun, laughter, great (and terrible!) costumes and friends. Celebrate the best decade around with all your favourite 80s icons. Get your tickets and join the biggest party of the summer. This really is going to be one of the 2025 festivals in Oxfordshire you can’t afford to miss.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Get ready for some dramatic fun! In this workshop, children will uncover the secrets behind creating realistic bruises, cuts and wounds for the stage. (You might want to double-check those injuries before reaching for the first aid kit!)
Discover the fascinating history of make-up, from the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, the bold looks of the Swinging Sixties, and everything in between! Join us in one of our traditional dressing rooms and get creative with your own theatrical designs.
Legendary 2 Tone pioneers The Selecter bring their unmistakable blend of ska, punk and social commentary to the stage. Expect a high-tempo set packed with classic hits, brass-driven hooks and dancefloor-friendly grooves, delivered with the band’s signature urgency and feel-good spirit.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Our Stage Summer Drama is an exciting week-long project offering the chance to young people with disabilities, neurodivergence and additional needs to develop skills in Drama, Dance, and Design, ending with a celebratory showcase for friends and family in the Norman Bragg Studio.
For those curious about what happens behind the curtain, this workshop is a brilliant introduction to the technical side of theatre. Children will work alongside the technical team, learning the basics of lighting, rigging and sound.
Richfield Avenue, Reading
Reading Festival, one of the UK’s most iconic music events, returns in 2026 with an electrifying lineup across multiple stages. Known for showcasing the best in rock, indie, hip-hop, and dance, the festival promises an unforgettable weekend of live music, vibrant energy, and festival culture. Join thousands of music lovers and make Reading Festival 2026 your highlight of the summer!
Festival lineup includes: Travis Scott / Chappell Roan / Bring Me The Horizon / Hozier / Becky Hill / AJ Tracey / Sammy Virji / Shikari / Conan Gray / Lola Young / Amyl and the Sniffers / Wunderhorse / Lancey Foux / Royel Otis / Wallows
The ICHF Henley Craft Show returns to Stonor Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend, featuring more than 200 artisan stalls, handmade gifts, food and drink, live craft demonstrations, falconry displays, family entertainment, live music and a petting zoo.
Claydon Estate, Buckingham
Found Festival is a micro festival blend live music, wellness, creativity, comedy and dance together for a weekend of pure joy. . Relax and let the music, dance, art & craft wash over you or jump in with both feet and experience a creative process through performances, workshops, informal gatherings and masterclasses.
Festival lineup includes: TBC
Alex James’ Farm, Kingham
The Big Feastival will be back on Alex James’ beautiful Cotswolds farm this August Bank Holiday. This family-friendly music and food festival promises to be one truly unforgettable weekend. Expect a top-drawer selection of live music acts, some of the country’s top chefs, and plenty of hands-on activities for both big and little ones. The Big Feastival is for everyone, big and small.
Festival line-up:
Good Music – Basement Jaxx / The Streets / Bastille / Rudimental / Perrie / Mimi Webb / Doves / White Lies / Freya Ridings / The Coral / Antony Szmierek / Meek / Red Rum Club / Ms Dynamite / Nubiyan Twist / Tors / The Ordinary Boys / + Much more!
Good Food – Simon Rogan / Anna Haugh / Emily English / Rachel Allen / Poppy O’Toole / Tom Barnes / Meera Sodha / Nokx Majozi / Sally Abé / + Much more!
Good Times – Harriet Kemsley / Joel Dommett / Suzi Ruffell / Suzi Ruffell / Shappi Khorsandi / Joe and James Fact Up / Scott Bennett / The Scummy Mummies / Daniel Foxx / Justin Fletcher / Mc Grammar / Nick Cope / + Much more!
Sick of the summer holidays? Pop along to New Theatre Oxford’s piano bar for a light hearted escape, enjoy the best comedians from around the country and a big drink.
Come and join Nick Cope for a brand new, delightful family concert, featuring all your favourite hits and more. Nick has a magical way of reaching into people’s hearts, igniting children’s imagination in an organic, unpatronizing, educational and fun way.
Foodies Festival Oxford is a celebration of food, drink, and live entertainment. Across the festival, visitors can watch top chefs and bakers create mouth-watering dishes, sample fine wines, cocktails, and craft beers, and enjoy immersive cookery workshops.
Complementing the culinary delights, live music fills the festival, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Whether tasting new flavours, learning kitchen skills, or dancing to the music, the festival offers a full sensory experience for all ages.
Music lineup includes: Boyzlife / Gareth Gates / B*Witched
Chef lineup includes: Radhika Howarth / Joe Wadsack / Andrew Carr / Mark Peregrine / Tom Surgey / Gary & Jay
Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award-winning, Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter. Join him as he hits the road in 2026 with his Glow UK headline tour, coinciding with the release of his brand new solo album, Glow.
Enjoy Oxford Coffee Concerts with the Adderbury Ensemble and Lawrence Cummings performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and the delightful Coffee Cantata.
Every Saturday (Except 26 December)
Out of the Deep is a family-friendly specimen handling and exploration of the underwater world of marine reptiles.
Step back into the golden age of the Great Western Railway at this 21-acre living museum, where trains from Victorian times to the 1960s bring railway history to life. Explore historic engine sheds, restored locomotives, interactive signalling displays and wartime exhibits, with the rare chance to see steam-era engineering up close in a quieter, immersive setting.
Modern Art Oxford is delighted to present Little Fennel’s Complaint, a major solo exhibition by Olivia Plender (b. 1977, London), exploring historic and ongoing inequalities in women’s healthcare, from early modern witchcraft to contemporary debates on reproductive rights and medical authority. Plender developed the exhibition through research with leading Oxford institutions, including the Bodleian Library, Oxford Botanic Garden and John Radcliffe Hospital.
The exhibition displays a collection of work created using foraged plants, transformed through ancient techniques such as cordage and weaving, to reflect the raw beauty and cyclical nature of the natural world, that is both ephemeral and enduring.
In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at the Ashmolean Museum uncovers the hidden histories behind Britain’s most beloved blooms. Explore over 100 artworks and objects that reveal how plant exploration and trade shaped landscapes, cultures, and economies – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.
The Oxford Shakespeare Festival is back for its 16th year! This outdoor theatre experience that takes place in the castle yard of Oxford Castle & Prison will see Wild Goose Theatre, BMH Productions, Siege Theatre, and Greensleeved will be putting on marvellous performances of Shakespeare’s finest classics.
Anna Ridler’s A Perfect Language of Images is a digital artwork created with Oxford’s Dr William Poole, exploring systems of classification through AI. Inspired by John Wilkins and Jorge Luis Borges, it reflects on how machine learning both organises and destabilises knowledge.
Meet the four-legged and feathered summer guests this summer as the Walled Garden comes alive with the sights, sounds and snuffles of the Marlborough Mini Farm.
Camp Tumblestone arrives at Tumblestone Hollow with a brand-new outdoor adventure included in every summer holiday ticket. Families can enjoy giant garden games, an agility trail, imaginative play in the teepee camp area and even more exciting activities alongside the popular adventure playground.
Developed through research into the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Oxford, the exhibition brings together sound, video and photography to consider what is revealed and concealed through the collection, preservation and display of musical instruments. At its centre is a new sound work created using recordings of historic instruments from the collection.
Blenheim Palace presents Life Through a Royal Lens, a major photography exhibition tracing the Royals’ enduring relationship with the camera, from the reign of Queen Victoria to the present day.
The Bodleian Libraries’ Wonder of Birds exhibition explores art, science and culture through the lens of avian life. Featuring rare archives, manuscripts and immersive sound, it invites visitors to reflect on both the beauty of birds and their decline.
Join Pip & Posy’s Treehouse Trail in Adventure Play on an adventure to solve the mystery of the missing toy Piggy!
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What we’re covering
Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the latest developments surrounding the government’s proposed local government devolution plans and their potential impact on Oxfordshire.
In December 2024, the government published an English Devolution White Paper that proposed abolishing district councils and replacing them with new unitary authorities, and creating larger mayoral combined authorities to enable a shift of power away from Westminster.
Stay tuned as we bring you updates from key discussions, reactions from local leaders, and what these changes could mean for residents. Whether it’s concerns about democracy or the potential for streamlined services, we’ll cover all angles and keep you informed here.
Reporting by Ay Adeduro, Esme Keeney, Aled Thomas, James Aldridge and Olivia Churchill.
West Oxfordshire leader disappointed by Government decision on three-unitary model
West Oxfordshire District Council leader Councillor Andy Graham has expressed disappointment after the Government confirmed plans to create three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire from 01 April 2028.
The council had supported a two-unitary model, arguing it would provide simpler structures, reduce duplication and improve financial resilience. Councillor Graham said concerns remain over additional costs and complexity, but pledged to work constructively with partner councils to protect services and ensure West Oxfordshire communities remain represented during the transition.
Oxford City Council leader welcomes “historic” decision to create Greater Oxford authority
Oxford City Council leader Councillor Susan Brown has welcomed the Government’s decision to create three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, describing it as a “historic day”.
She said the new structure would simplify local government, keep decision-making local and help address Oxfordshire’s housing challenges. The approved model, led by Oxford City Council, will create Greater Oxford, Northern Oxfordshire and Ridgeway councils from April 2028, replacing the county, city and district council system.
Vale leader calls for rural communities to remain at heart of council reorganisation
Vale of White Horse District Council leader Councillor Bethia Thomas has responded to the Government’s decision to create three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, saying she is disappointed the preferred two-authority model was not chosen.
She called for rural communities to remain central during the transition, highlighting concerns over local identity, countryside protection and representation. The Vale will work with other councils to support a smooth transition ahead of the new Ridgeway and Greater Oxford authorities launching in 2028.
South Oxfordshire leader voices disappointment over three-council reorganisation decision
South Oxfordshire District Council leader Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers has criticised the Government’s decision to create three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, saying the chosen model is “deeply disappointing”.
She warned that the structure could increase complexity, duplicate costs and weaken rural representation. South Oxfordshire had backed a two-unitary model instead. The council said it will continue working with other authorities to support the transition ahead of the new councils launching in April 2028.
Local government devolution proposals: What is it and what will it mean for Oxfordshire?
Oxfordshire councils to be abolished as Government approves three new authorities
The Government has confirmed plans to abolish Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the county’s district councils, replacing them with three new unitary authorities from April 2028.
The approved model will create Greater Oxford Council, North Oxfordshire Council and Ridgeway Council, following the proposal submitted by Oxford City Council.
The decision ends months of debate over the future governance of the county, with supporters highlighting housing and strategic planning benefits while critics raise concerns over boundaries and financial pressures.
Oxfordshire leaders seek fresh devolution deal after Thames Valley plan collapses
Oxfordshire leaders have renewed calls for a stronger devolution settlement after writing to Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham, following the collapse of plans for a Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority.
The proposed arrangement, covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon, was rejected last month after Oxfordshire County Council raised concerns over its powers, funding and geography.
The decision has prompted criticism from regional leaders and business groups, while Oxford City Council is expected to reaffirm its support for a future devolution deal.
Thames Valley leaders furious after plans to create powerful regional Strategic Authority collapse
Thames Valley leaders are furious after plans to create a powerful regional Strategic Mayoral Authority collapsed, accusing Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat leadership of derailing a once-in-a-generation devolution deal after it withdrew support at a crucial stage.
Business leaders described the collapse as a serious setback for investment, skills and infrastructure planning across the region. However, the Council’s Liberal Democrat leadership defended its position, arguing that the Government had altered the terms of the deal during negotiations.
Thames Valley mayoral authority plans unravel as Oxfordshire’s Lib Dem leadership withdraws support
Plans to establish a powerful new Thames Valley-wide strategic authority have been thrown into disarray after political leaders from Oxfordshire abruptly withdrew support at a crucial meeting in Reading.
The gathering, which brought together representatives from across Berkshire, Swindon and neighbouring areas, was expected to sign off a shadow “Foundation Strategic Authority” (FSA) — the essential precursor to a future Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority with elections pencilled in for May 2028.
Oxfordshire councils prepare for July decision on local government reorganisation
Oxfordshire and West Berkshire councils are preparing for a government ‘minded-to’ decision expected in July on local government reorganisation, which could reshape the area into one, two or three unitary authorities.
The statutory consultation closed in March and set out options for a single authority, two councils or three, with leaders working jointly to prepare for any outcome.
A structural changes order follows later in 2026, with shadow authorities in May 2027 and vesting in April 2028 ensuring continuity services.
Oxfordshire County Council urges residents to support One Oxfordshire proposal
Oxfordshire County Council is encouraging residents to support the One Oxfordshire proposal after the government announced local government reorganisation decisions for several English counties.
While Oxfordshire awaits its own decision in July, council leader Liz Leffman said a single unitary authority offers stronger financial resilience, simplified services and better long-term planning with potential to save £63m annually.
Oxfordshire local government shake-up risks being a “great distraction,” thinktank warns
Plans to shake-up local government in Oxfordshire risk becoming a “great distraction” from the real issues facing councils if not handled properly, accprding to a local thinktank.
Chris Cousins, a member of POETS (Planning Oxfordshire’s Environment and Transport Sustainably), argued the Government risked replacing “one two-tier system with another”, despite its stated aim of simplification.
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