Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodie-goss">FOODIE GOSS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7.jpg" alt="the fat duck christmas" class="wp-image-83171" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/fat-duck-christmas-TFD_02072025_Pinot-Noir-Grape-Dessert-7-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This isn’t your regular turkey-and-trimmings sitch &#8211; it’s a full-blown Christmas spectacle. Festive chaos, culinary brilliance, and a little bit of madness &#8211; welcome to an average feast at Heston&#8217;s <a href="https://thefatduck.co.uk/christmas-at-the-fat-duck" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fat Duck</a> in Bray. Three Michelin stars will get you a ten-course tasting menu with all the bells and whistles: The King’s Venison and Heston’s indulgent, history-inspired take on the mince pie, featuring diced Wagyu short rib and lardo di colonnata topped with caviar.</p>



<p>To top it all off, you&#8217;ll finish with Botrytis Cinerea &#8211; the world&#8217;s most famously complicated dessert. I&#8217;m talking 20 different elements&nbsp;and&nbsp;over 50 different stages of preparation.&nbsp;In fact, it&#8217;s so tricky to make, it was used as a challenge for contestants in the finale of <em>MasterChef Australia</em>. Honestly, it&#8217;s absolutely crackers (sorry, couldn&#8217;t help it!) Join the festivities 18&nbsp;Nov until 21&nbsp;Dec.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3.jpg" alt="the braywood maidenhead chef sam brennan menu AA rosettes" class="wp-image-81688" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/braywood-TheBraywoodMasterDecemberLR2FINLR-3-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In case you missed it, the new AA Rosettes were recently announced and we were feeling pretty smug when we saw Berkshire&#8217;s <a href="https://www.thebraywood.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Braywood</a> in Maidenhead awarded a cheeky 3 rosettes. Inspectors commented: &#8220;outstanding cooking and great hospitality in this stylish modern restaurant.&#8221; And honestly? We couldn&#8217;t agree more. It exudes culinary finesse under the watchful eye of Head&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/chef-sam-brennan-the-braywood-restaurant/">Chef Sam Brennan</a>. See our <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-the-braywood-restaurant-maidenhead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-openings">NEW OPENINGS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1311" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery.png" alt="fern's bakehouse newbury bakery" class="wp-image-83170" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery-610x800.png 610w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery-763x1000.png 763w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery-305x400.png 305w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/ferns-bakery-768x1007.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>On your marks, get set, BAKE! Nothing gets my mouth watering more than a new bakery. And <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fernsbakehouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferns Bakehouse</a> in Newbury is looking pretty darn naughty indeed. Find the micro bakery at Inch’s Yard dishing up bakes so stunning even Prue would approve. Sweet milk buns, focaccia, cookies, brownies, bagels &#8211; they have it all. All home baked daily. Keeping the foodie theme afloat, head just outside of town to Hungerford for the opening of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thenutteryhungerford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nuttery</a> on Tue 28 Oct &#8211; a new eco-friendly refill shop. Ridiculously excited about this one.</p>



<p>Caversham is one of our <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Places To Live in Berkshire 2025</a> for a reason, one of them being the oodles of indie boutique shops. Spoiler alert: another one is coming. From the masterminds behind The Edit and The Collective comes <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cadeaux.caversham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cadeaux</a> &#8211; a new shopping destination bringing you a curated selection of gifts, children’s and baby items, homewares, and party supplies like you’ve never seen before. Just in time for Christmas as well. It will be located between Church House and Waitrose. Eyes peeled for the opening date.</p>



<p>You may have noticed Prezzo in Reading has enjoyed a snazzy little face lift these past few weeks. In fact, it was one of the first UK sites to be refurbished with the relaunch part of the brand&#8217;s 25th anniversary celebrations. It&#8217;s even had a name change too &#8211; going from Prezzo to <a href="https://www.prezzo.co.uk/restaurants/reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prezzo Italian</a>. Expect a new, modern design, Italian-inspired artwork, and a refreshed menu serving a big dollop of warm, Italian hospitality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festival-fever">FESTIVAL FEVER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s.jpg" alt="windsor festival new long walk music" class="wp-image-80917" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/07/windsor-castle-free-s-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A summer filled with festivals, sunshine, and cider feels like a world away. The good news is there&#8217;s a brand-new festival in Windsor set to take the Long Walk by storm next June. In fact, it even has the Royal seal of approval with Charles giving his express permission for the go ahead of <a href="https://longwalklive.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long Walk Live</a> &#8211; a two-day music festival with bands, professional tribute acts and incredible local talent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-book-now">BOOK NOW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight-.jpg" alt="beverley knight reading tour 2025 tickets" class="wp-image-83160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight--600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight--750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight--300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight--768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/beverley-knight--1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Alright, soul lovers — hold onto your sequins because <a href="https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/beverley-knight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beverley Knight MBE</a>, a.k.a. the undisputed Queen of British Soul, has just dropped a bombshell: she’s heading out on a huge UK headline tour next June, and The Hexagon in Reading is one of the stops (10 June). Let&#8217;s not forget her fan club includes actual music royalty — David Bowie? Check. Stevie Wonder? Check. She’s jammed with Prince, belted with Bocelli, grooved with Jamiroquai, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Take That, Joss Stone and even Marvin Gaye. Tickets on sale now!</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/property-home/wind-in-the-willows-house-for-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The house that inspired <em>The Wind in the Willows</em> is for sale and could be yours</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotel-and-inns/michelin-key-hotels-in-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michelin names UK’s best hotels – and there’s three in Berks</a></li>



<li><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/the-street-bakeshop-reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flour power! Viral bakery to open in Reading</a></li>
</ul>


Is this the most insane Christmas menu of all time? Probably

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