Retail and Leisure
Our Retail and Leisure category brings together the places, products and experiences that shape how we shop, stay, unwind and explore. From independent boutiques and high-street favourites to standout hotels and leisure destinations, discover what’s new, what’s worth your time, and what’s making an impact across the sector.
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Westgate Oxford and DogFest to host Mutt Strut dog event with prizes
Westgate Oxford is teaming up with DogFest for a Mutt Strut this September, giving dog owners the chance to pose with their pets, win prizes and receive a discount on DogFest tickets.
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Diddly Squat Farm launches new garden gifting collection for Christmas
Diddly Squat Farm and Blue Diamond Garden Centres are launching a new collection of garden gifts for Christmas, including seeds, bulbs, bird food and a 12 Days of Christmas flower seed calendar.
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Highlight: Four hours at St Giles’ Fair 2026, condensed into four minutes
We spent four hours at the fair capturing the atmosphere as Oxford’s streets were transformed by one of the city’s best-known annual traditions.
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Viral dog sensation Viola Snow is coming to Blenheim Palace for DogFest
Viola Snow, the viral husky with millions of social-media followers, is heading to Blenheim Palace for DogFest in October, with two exclusive Meet & Greet sessions giving fans the chance to meet the internet-famous dog.
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Gulp Fiction plans new bookshop and café-bar on Oxford’s Broad Street
Gulp Fiction has applied for a licence to open a larger bookshop and café-bar on Broad Street, with plans for food, drink, live music and literary events at the former Mountain Warehouse premises.
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Beryl Cook’s iconic characters to take over Bicester Village
Beryl Cook’s exuberant characters will spill across Bicester Village this autumn as a mile-long installation marks the artist’s centenary, alongside a new three-year partnership supporting creative education for Oxfordshire schools, colleges and community groups.
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13 remarkable cars to look out for at this year’s Salon Privé Concours
From a 1933 Armstrong-Siddeley to the Bugatti Bolide, discover 13 remarkable cars set to appear at this year’s Salon Privé Concours at Blenheim Palace.
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Oxford rowing and canoeing club seeks to expand Thameside boathouse as useage grows
Falcon Rowing and Canoeing Club has submitted plans to expand its Oxford boathouse, citing increased use and a need for more storage, training space and facilities to support growing junior, beginner and community programmes.
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Supercar invasion: Salon Privé 2026 to bring a slew of UK automotive debuts
Blenheim Palace is about to become the centre of the automotive world, as Salon Privé returns with a remarkable line-up of supercars, hypercars and coachbuilt creations — including UK debuts from Lamborghini, BRABUS and Giamaro Automobili.
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Westgate Oxford Roof Terrace celebration set to return with dining deals and live music
Westgate Oxford’s Roof Terrace celebration returns from 12 September, bringing nine days of live music, dining offers, family games and rooftop experiences, with exclusive discounts available to members of the centre’s free PLUS+ programme.
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Diddly Dog Show to make debut at Cornbury House Horse Trials this September
A new Diddly Dog Show will bring a celebration of countryside dogs to Cornbury House Horse Trials in September, with entry fees donated to the Ernest Cook Trust.
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Grove rider Eva Reichardt selected for England endurance squad at Home Internationals
Grove-based endurance rider Eva Maria Reichardt has earned selection for England at the Home Internationals, following two years of building a successful partnership with her Arabian horse JT Roulette.
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The Game Fair to return to Blenheim Palace in 2027 for landmark 69th anniversary celebration
The Game Fair will return to Blenheim Palace from 23 to 25 July 2027, celebrating its 69th anniversary with what organisers promise will be the event’s biggest and most ambitious edition in recent years.
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Californian athleisure brand Vuori opens first UK discount boutique at Bicester Village
Californian performance apparel brand Vuori has opened its first UK discount boutique at Bicester Village, bringing its coastal-inspired activewear collection to Oxfordshire’s luxury shopping destination.
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Richard Hammond set to return to Blenheim Palace for Salon Privé 2026
Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond will return to Blenheim Palace this September as one of the headline guests at Salon Privé 2026, where he will judge the Concours de Vente and meet visitors during Supercar Saturday and Supercar Sunday.
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Leys Pools & Leisure Centre shortlisted for national ukactive award after community transformation
Leys Pools & Leisure Centre has been shortlisted for a 2026 ukactive Award after transforming into a community-focused Active Wellbeing Hub. The Blackbird Leys facility has seen participation rise by almost 60%, with thousands more young people using its new Active Zone and Youth Hub.