Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Race you to The Greyhound</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef.jpeg" alt="Green Oak Windsor James Lyon Shaw and Jamie Dobbin" class="wp-image-35293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Greene-Oak-Windsor-Ivy-chef-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Roomy pants on! A new gastropub is opening in the Berkshire &#8216;hood this Friday. <strong><a href="https://greyhoundfinchampstead.co.uk/">The Greyhound in Finchampstead</a></strong> is being relaunched by James Lyon-Shaw and Chef Jamie Dobbin – owners of Brucan Pubs and formerly of The Ivy&#8217;s parish. This will be their third pub – they own the Greene Oak in Windsor (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="read my review here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-greene-oak-gastropub-windsor-berkshire/" target="_blank">read my review here</a>) and the Drumming Snipe in Mayford, Surrey. The menu will be seasonal and focus on British game, meat and fish.  overseen by head chef Andrew Sage. No tiny portions, deconstructed dishes, frills or foam – just superb&nbsp;food. Watch this space, a review will be coming soon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/The-Greyhound-Finchampstead-e1629286012330.jpeg" alt="The Greyhound Finchampstead Beef wellington" class="wp-image-37028" /></figure>



<p>In a few weeks the team will also open <strong><a href="https://goswellandbirds.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Goswell &amp; Bird's (opens in a new tab)">Goswell &amp; Bird&#8217;s</a></strong>, a traditional village store located next to the pub, that will focus on British seasonal produce and champion small producers and regenerative farming. It will offer rare-breed meats, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as a daytime café menu for breakfasts and light lunches.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A cool Patch in Windsor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza.jpg" alt="Patch on the Plaza sharing food" class="wp-image-37027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Patch-on-the-Plaza-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The hottest seat in Windsor town right now? The brand new <strong>Patch on the Plaza</strong>. This super-cool outdoor restaurant is a collaboration between the Lumley family (who own a number of local leisure businesses) and Test Kitchen (owned by foodie icons Milly and John). The restaurant has breathed new life into an unloved area of the arches and Chef John and Milly will be flexing their culinary creativity with their delicious sharing dishes. These two are passionate about food and the menu is a pleasing list of locally sourced, quality produce. Ready to drool at the menu? How does corn-fed chicken thighs on spiced corn purée, herbed feta &amp; cucumber grab you? Or perhaps a Korean steak melt or Miso double cheese burger. Snap up a reservation now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Be caught in the NOOD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores.png" alt="Nood Stores Caversham" class="wp-image-37029" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Nood-Stores-787x525.png 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A new shop? You&#8217;ll find me nose pressed against the glass trying to see what&#8217;s popping up. Well Caversham is in for a treat. <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="NOOD Stores (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.instagram.com/noodstoresuk/" target="_blank">NOOD Stores</a></strong> has just opened on Church Street and it&#8217;s good… really good. It is a eco-luxe lifestyle shop, home to three brilliant business owners – Claire of <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="NOOD Skin (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.noodskin.co.uk/" target="_blank">NOOD Skin</a></strong> and <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="NOOD At Home (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.noodathome.co.uk/" target="_blank">NOOD At Home</a></strong> – an eco vegan brand producing nasty-free products that work really well for sufferers of acne, eczema or anyone sensitive to chemicals. Plant queen Jacqui owner of <strong><a href="https://midribplants.com/">MidRib</a></strong> and Muddy Award winning florist Hannah of <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The F* Word (opens in a new tab)" href="https://thefwordflower.com/" target="_blank">The F* Word</a></strong>. There&#8217;s also lots of gorgeous gifts, prints, and refills. On its opening night and walked away with a frilly fern, a bunch of dried lavender and a MOOMOO salt and pepper soap which is brilliant for teen skin. I defy you not to buy something. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">David Hockney in the ‘hood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1.jpg" alt="Hockney and Hollywood at The Base Greenham 1000x666" class="wp-image-31889" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1-720x479.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Hockney-and-Hollywood-at-The-Base-Greenham-1000x666-1-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The works of Britain’s most famous living artist will go on display in West Berkshire – and we’re giddy with excitement. The legendary David Hockney’s major photomontage&nbsp;<em>Hollywood</em>&nbsp;exhibition will open at The Base Greenham Common on 22 October to 28 November 2021.</p>



<p>It features an extraordinary life-sized nude photographic study of Theresa Russell by David&nbsp;Hockney. The&nbsp;Yorkshire-born artist was commissioned by Hollywood film director Nicolas Roeg to create the montage for the film&nbsp;<em>Insignificance</em>. It starred his then wife Theresa Russell as Marilyn Monroe.</p>



<p><em>Hockney&nbsp;and Hollywood</em>&nbsp;is at&nbsp;<strong>The Base, Greenham Common</strong>&nbsp;from 22 October 2021.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thebasegreenham.co.uk/http://www.thebasegreenham.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tickets</a>&nbsp;£8 (£7 concs, £5 schools/students, under-16s free). Booking is essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reading takes the Biscuit</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory.jpg" alt="Reading Biscuit factory" class="wp-image-37026" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Reading-Biscuit-factory-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wowzers! What is going on in Reading right now? Broad Street Mall, which has looked a bit shabby in recent years, is having a makeover of epic proportions. Case in point, the recently opened new cinema named after Reading&#8217;s iconic biscuit factory. <strong><a href="https://readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Reading Biscuit Factory (opens in a new tab)">The Reading Biscuit Factory</a></strong> is a stylish three-screen boutique cinema, work space and community hub, offering food and drink from Reading&#8217;s local food producers. Become a Member and get discounts on films, events, food &amp; drinks and more!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It’s always sunny in Berkshire!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/08/pexels-photo-2817056.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-119301" /></figure>



<p>Looking for a low-cost, lovely day out? Then head to family-run <a href="https://pickingpatch.com/maize-maze-pick-your-own-sunflowers/maidenhead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Picking Patch, in Cookham (opens in a new tab)"><strong>Picking Patch, in Cookham</strong></a>, to check out its sunflower farm, wildflower meadow and Peter Pan themed Maize Maze open until 30 Aug. Waft down the sunflower paths (buggy friendly), take snaps, pick your own flowers (9 varieties to choose from) which you can purchase for £1 each or £5 for six and there&#8217;s crafty activities and a maze to give kids (and grown ups) to opportunity to let off steam. Don&#8217;t worry there&#8217;s snacks, ice cream, coffee and cake for much needed refuel. Proceeds will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marlow munchies</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/08/hugo-dressed-up-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-119300" /></figure>



<p>Mutts of Marlow rejoice! Dog-friendly restaurant chain&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://megans.co.uk/" target="_blank">Megan’s</a></strong>&nbsp;is set to open its second outpost outside of London (the other is in St Albans) in the refurbished Liston Court. The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant will serve all-day from brunch to evening cocktails with options like baked eggs shakshouka, ‘posh’ kebabs, sharing dishes and mezze plates. Meanwhile, on Spittal Street,&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://theoarsman.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Oarsman</a></strong>&nbsp;gastropub will be reopening mid Sept under new ownership with revamped interiors and an open kitchen. At the helm is Nigel Sutcliffe (CV: Hetston’s The Fat Duck Group, managing director of The Crazy Bear Group) and James Mclean who has experience working in Michelin restaurants and has previously won Young Chef of the Year – so yeah, we’re expecting big things!</p>


Superflashy newsflash! Have you heard?

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