Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
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Magical new Santa’s Grotto Experience coming to Yarnton Home & Garden this Christmas
Yarnton Home & Garden has unveiled plans for a brand-new Santa’s Grotto Experience this Christmas, complete with reindeer food-making, a private visit with Santa, and a Present Room filled with gifts.
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City Sightseeing Oxford and Black Oxford Untold Stories marks Black History Month
City Sightseeing Oxford celebrates Black History Month with guided tours led by historian Pamela Roberts, exploring the stories of black scholars who shaped Oxford’s history. Tours take place on 10 and 18 October, departing from Broad Street.
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Oxford Bus Company to operate shuttle bus service for Oxford Half Marathon
Oxford Bus Company will operate a special shuttle bus service on Sunday, 12 October, to support runners and volunteers participating in the Oxford Half Marathon. Services will run from Pear Tree, Redbridge and a temporary Unipart Park & Ride to University Parks from 7.00am.
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Millets Farm named among the UK’s best pumpkin patches for 2025
Millets Farm Centre has been named one of the UK’s best pumpkin patches for 2025, ranking joint second in a national survey. The Oxfordshire favourite scored highly for affordability, popularity, and social media buzz as pumpkin picking season begins.
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Big Open Weekend of free family activities returns to four Oxford leisure centres
The Big Open Weekend returns to Oxford on 11 to 12 October, offering free swimming, skating, and family activities across four leisure centres.
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Free Park & Ride travel announced as part of major Oxford bus network improvements
Oxford Bus Company will offer three months of free Park & Ride travel and introduce major service upgrades across the city, including new routes, improved frequencies, and better links to hospitals, following the introduction of Oxford’s temporary congestion charge.
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Prime Suspect actor’s widow to run Oxford Half Marathon for Sobell House Hospice
Widow of Prime Suspect actor John Turner is running the Oxford Half Marathon in his memory, raising funds for Sobell House Hospice, which cared for him during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Dame Mary Berry officially opens Audley Shiplake Meadows retirement village
Audley Shiplake Meadows, a new retirement village near Henley-on-Thames, has officially opened with a ceremony led by Dame Mary Berry. The development offers 65 senior living apartments, penthouses and cottages, all with private outdoor spaces and andscaped grounds.
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Speakers confirmed for landmark World Mental Health Day event in Oxford
On World Mental Health Day, Oxford University’s Kellogg College and Oxfordshire Mind will host a free event exploring the financial cost of poor workplace mental health and how absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover create significant business challenges.
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South Indian vegetarian restaurant Crispy Dosa opens at Orchard Centre Didcot
Orchard Centre Didcot has welcomed a vibrant new addition to its dining lineup with the opening of Crispy Dosa. The South Indian vegetarian restaurant brings authentic flavours, bold spices and a colourful menu to Didcot.
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Brits brewing up a storm as Macdonald Hotels reports 10 per cent surge in coffee sales
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has seen a 10 per cent rise in coffee sales across its 32 UK hotels, serving more than 730k cups in a year. Through its partnership with Paddy & Scott’s, every brew helps fund meals for children in coffee-growing communities.
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Community campaigner takes fight against Oxford congestion charge to Downing Street
Community campaigner Amir Steve Ali has delivered a petition to Number 10 calling on the Prime Minister to halt Oxford’s £5 congestion charge, due to begin in October Critics say the scheme ignores public opposition and risks harming residents.
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National Album Day research names Oxford the UK’s top city for launching rock artists
Oxford has been crowned the UK’s top rock city per capita in new research for National Album Day 2025, with Radiohead, Supergrass and Foals leading the charge. The city outperformed Manchester, Liverpool and London, reaffirming its place at the heart of Britain’s vibrant rock scene.
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Oxford’s £185m Schwarzman Centre opens with aim to boost culture and tourism
Oxford University’s new Schwarzman Centre has opened its doors, uniting all humanities departments under one roof. Featuring theatres, a concert hall, cinema, and exhibition space, the £185 million development aims to boost tourism and widen access to arts and culture.
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Stowe House announces Halloween trails and stargazing for October half term
Stowe House is celebrating half-term with a week of family activities, including a Halloween trail, spooky storytelling, and stargazing with UK Astronomy. Families can enjoy history, creativity, and seasonal fun in a magical setting.
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St Edward’s School announces plans for new sports centre open to community
St Edward’s School has revealed plans for a new sports centre and outdoor pitches in Oxford, to be shared with local schools and charities. The scheme includes a rowing tank, cricket field, amphitheatre, and athletics track, with work starting in 2026.