Ignite your senses at this year’s Surrey Hills Fire and Food Fair

Zoe Gater

food

From flaming demos to cosy fire pits, enjoy the ultimate autumn gathering at Hogs Back Brewery in October 2026.


Hogs Back Brewery will be serving up a feast for the senses as it hosts the Surrey Hills Fire and Food Fair with big flavours, bright fires and brilliant local makers.

Run in partnership with BBQ Magazine the event combines live-fire cooking, artisan stalls, masterclasses from celebrity chefs and local producers, BBQ food, live music, and even pancake stacking and cornhole challenges!

Warm up on an autumn afternoon with outdoor fire cooking and demos all day in the Fire Garden, set your tastebuds alight with live fire demos from top chefs and the Surrey Hills Flavour Stage with tastings and talks from local makers.

Flip and stack your way to the top in the legendary pancake challenge and take on the cornhole challenge to win prizes.

Tuck into street food, deliciously squishy s’mores and much more, hot drinks including mulled cider and freshly poured Hogs Back beers as you watch the fire performers and entertainers, all accompanied by live music throughout the day.

More than 60 artisan stalls packed with flavours, gifts and local crafts from Surrey Hills producers will be available to shop, perfect with Christmas around the corner.

Surrey Hills Fire and Food Fair runs Saturday 17 from 12pm-9pm and Sunday 18 October from 10am-4pm.

Adults £15, under 16 free, OAP, NHS & full-time students £12.50.

Free on site parking. Friendly dogs welcome on leads.

For more information or to book, visit surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-fire-and-food-fair-2026/#book-tickets.

Wingstop opens High Wycombe restaurant at Eden Shopping Centre – and the first 100 customers get free wings

Zoe Gater

food

Wingstop UK has officially opened its first High Wycombe restaurant at Eden Shopping Centre, bringing its menu of saucy wings, tenders, burgers and sides to the town – with freebies for the first 100 customers.


High Wycombe has a new destination for chicken fans, with Wingstop UK opening its doors at Eden Shopping Centre on Friday 18 September 2026.

And there’s a tasty reason to get there early, as the first 100 customers through the doors can choose between eight free chicken wings or Wingstop’s signature boneless to celebrate the opening.

The new restaurant can be found at Unit 24, Eden Shopping Centre, with the 3,147 sq. ft. venue offering 87 covers for diners.

It marks Wingstop’s first restaurant in High Wycombe, adding another location to the rapidly expanding chain’s growing UK and Ireland estate.

Food-wise, the menu sticks to the Wingstop favourites, with wings, tenders, boneless, burgers and sides all available.

The chicken is cooked to order before being hand-sauced and tossed in Wingstop’s range of signature flavours, with choices including the smoky Hickory Smoked BBQ, zesty Lemon Pepper and fiery Atomic.

The brand has also built a reputation beyond its food, with its UK operation closely linked to music, fashion and sport through collaborations, events and partnerships.

Chris Sherriff, CEO at Wingstop UKI, said: “High Wycombe has been on our radar for a while now, and we couldn’t be happier to finally set up here at Eden Shopping Centre.

“This is about bringing something new to the town: proper wings, bold flavour, and a bit of that Wingstop spirit fans have come to know and love. It’s exciting to keep building our presence across the UK and Ireland, and High Wycombe is a brilliant next step in that journey.”

The opening comes as Wingstop UKI continues to grow, with the brand now operating more than 100 sites across the UK and Ireland and employing more than 3,000 people.

Originally founded in the US, Wingstop launched in the UK and Ireland in 2018 and has since developed a sizeable following for its flavour-focused chicken menu and culture-led approach.

Be sure to get there early if you want to be among the first 100 customers and bag the opening-day freebies!

Jazz up your Saturday night and support St Frideswide’s community curry

Zoe Gater

food

Enjoy live jazz while helping provide a new servery for St Frideswide’s free community curry this September.


Jazz lovers can enjoy an evening of live music while supporting a brilliant local community initiative when the Rory McInroy Jazz Quartet performs at St Frideswide’s Church on Saturday 26 September 2026.

The concert, starting at 7.30pm, will raise funds for a new servery at the church on Botley Road, which hosts the popular Friday Community Curry.

Rory McInroy is an accomplished jazz pianist and will be joined by Terry Hutchins on guitar, Steve Kershaw on bass and Ben Twyford on drums for an evening of live music in support of the project.

The Friday Community Curry provides a free meal and welcoming space for around 100 people every week, bringing together a wonderfully diverse mix of students, commuters, local residents who may be feeling isolated, families and people experiencing homelessness.

Even the food has a community focus, with the curry made using surplus vegetables from Oxford Food Hub.

As numbers grow, the new servery will help the church continue providing meals in a welcoming and hospitable environment.

And this is one fundraiser where you certainly won’t go hungry.

Concert tickets cost £20 per person and include a glass of wine and cheesy nibbles, making for a rather appealing Saturday-night combination of jazz, refreshments and a very good cause.

The evening offers a chance to support a practical improvement to a community project that has become an important weekly gathering point for people from across Oxford.

Win! Tracklements feast goodies

Zoe Gater

food

You can win a fabulous Tracklements prize, packed with award-winning flavours and eco-friendly treats including the award-winning chutney.


Ready to take your cheeseboard to the next level? We have a fabulous Tracklements prize bundle to give away!

Our winner will receive a slate cheeseboard, Fresh Chilli Jam, Robust Wholegrain Mustard, Caramelised Onion Marmalade, Strong Horseradish Cream, Particularly British Piccalilli, Apple & Cider Brandy Chutney, two beeswax wraps and a Tracklements tea-towel.

Made in Wiltshire since 1970, Tracklements creates more than 40 award-winning chutneys, mustards, relishes and sauces using traditional recipes and plenty of proper flavour.

Its iconic Fresh Chilli Jam has won 10 Great Taste Awards and is naturally vegan and gluten-free – delicious with everything from soft cheese to sandwiches.

How to enter

To enter our prize draw, fill in the form below before 12pm on Friday 9 October 2026.

Your Name

Your Address

Your Email*

Telephone

How did you find us?

Would you like to opt in and receive marketing communications from our competition supplier? If yes, how?

Sign up to our newsletter


Where to find more prizes?

Head to our competitions page to find all of our current prizes.

This Oxfordshire bakery is serving ice cream inside fresh croissants

Zoe Gater

food

Move over waffle cones, we’re eating ice cream from croissants now – thanks to Imma The Bakery.

One of the UK’s most talked-about bakeries, Imma The Bakery near Henley-on-Thames, is pushing pastry boundaries again – this time with a croissant–ice cream hybrid landing just in time for warmer weather.

From Sunday 10 May 2026, the team will be serving house-made ice cream nestled inside buttery, laminated croissants. And if you arrive early enough in the day, you’ll catch them still warm from the oven – hot, flaky pastry and cold, melting ice cream, yum!

In an Instagram post, the bakery said flavours will rotate with the seasons and “whatever we feel like making that week,” with customers also invited to suggest ideas for future menu specials.

The launch is the latest chapter in a fast-rising reputation for experimental baking. The Stoke Row bakery has built a cult following for its meticulous approach to fermentation, heritage grains, and viennoiserie – alongside a growing list of national accolades.

Most recently, Imma was crowned Ultimate Champion at the Britain’s Best Loaf 2026 competition, underlining its status as one of the UK’s most inventive artisan bakeries.

Beyond its headline-grabbing specials, the counter regularly features an evolving selection of baked goods. Expect jammy bear claws, apple turnovers, cinnamon croix (a hybrid between croissant and cruffin), chocolate éclairs, rhubarb and custard pastries, and pastel de nata – all made in limited batches that tend to sell out quickly.

Star Q&A: Double Michelin-starred chef, Raymond Blanc

Zoe Gater

food

Liz Nicholls chats food, festivals & more with Raymond Blanc OBE who stars at Blenheim Palace Food Festival in May…

Bonjour! What’s your first festival memory?

A beautiful festival du vin in the Jura in France. It was about community, no excess, no ego, just people enjoying food, culture and each other. Festivals are about people coming together. At Blenheim and Pub In the Park, I’ll demonstrate simple food – beautiful, tasty, delicious, with heart!

Who are your favourite musicians?

Jacques Belle was my first love, Francis Cabrera, Carla Bruni… French music from the soul! I also love British music, blues and rock. I love Amy Winehouse, such a beautiful soul.

You’ve said being ‘exiled’ here in England in the 1970s was awful, with terrible food! Any Brit food faves you’ve grown to love?

Brown sauce! I used to hate it but I fell in love with it on a fishing trip… HP even awarded me a silver bottle as I do so much to promote it, haha!

Anything you don’t eat..? Andouillette perhaps?

I’m a Frenchman, Liz, I eat everything! When we grew up you ate or went straight to bed! British food is much better nowadays but overcooked food is the worst. And sliced white bread?! Dis-gus-TING! It’s nutritionally rubbish, do not eat it!

Le Manoir reopens next year – what can we all expect?

Magic! Modernity, creativity and memorable experiences

Hospitality is a high-stress industry. How do you look after your mental health?

As a young man, I faced setbacks – losing my job, being in a foreign country. But I never let that break my pursuit of excellence. I wanted to be part of a team that created a positive, creative kitchen environment.

Later on, during my battle with Covid, I spent a month and a half in hospital on the brink of death. I focused on survival, meditation and positive thinking.

Despite being surrounded by suffering, people dying, I concentrated on breathing, light and gratitude.

The experience taught me surrender and the importance of mental and physical care. I exercise every morning, breathing, stretching, and swimming once or twice a week.

Mental health requires personal work and support from trusted people, friends, mentors, and parents. Speaking out is the first step. I have created a safe, kind space for my team.

If you had a magic wand what would you wish for?

For France to win the World Cup! Also, that we can learn from the past, enjoy more empathy, and grow a world that’s more harmonious. I’m a romantic dreamer.

Are we going to have a great summer?

My grandfather taught me to read the signs in nature… And the red berries on the holly tree show that the weather will be extraordinary.

Book at blenheimpalace.com

Images © Poppy Thorpe

The Bear in Oxshott reopens after refurbishment with new menu and terrace

Zoe Gater

food

A much-loved Surrey pub has reopened its doors following a major refurbishment.

Located in the heart of Oxshott, The Bear has returned after an extensive top-to-toe makeover, bringing a fresh new look, revamped menus and a renewed focus on relaxed socialising.

Blending heritage charm with contemporary design, the newly imagined space features cosy seating alongside mixed-height tables, making it just as suited to a quick pint as it is to a leisurely Sunday lunch.

Outside, the team has transformed the sun-trap terrace with new decking and festoon lighting, creating an ideal spot for al fresco drinks with friends and family.

The Bear’s new chapter brings a packed calendar of events that aim to unite the community, including weekly quizzes, monthly ‘Butcher’s Block’ steak nights and Friday seafood specials.

Behind the bar

Guests can expect a well-rounded selection of cask ales, IPAs and pale ales, alongside Hawkstone and Jubel Peach.

There’s also a globe-spanning wine list and a lineup of seasonal spritzes, including a martini spritz with olives, a white sangria with peach, and a raspberry honeybee made with Beesou honey. Non-drinkers are catered for too, with alcohol-free options like 0% Amalfi and berry Hugo.

On the menu

In the kitchen, head chef Toni Mitchell is serving up a menu packed with elevated pub classics and seasonal British ingredients.

Starters range from chicken and bacon Caeser bon-bons to a prawn and crayfish ‘Bloody Mary’ cocktail, while mains include pork, apple and leek toad in the hole, Jacob’s Ladder short rib and minted Welsh lamb and pea pie.

And for group dining, there are generous sharing plates designed for grazing, with a standout dish being the fondue-style Welsh rarebit with Guinness chutney and soldiers.

Sundays are all about the roast, with a line-up of prime cuts including crispy pork belly, West Country beef and lemon and thyme roast chicken, alongside a wild mushroom and asparagus wellington.

Expect all the trimmings, from golden roasties to towering Yorkshire puddings, with the option to go all out with a short rib sharer.

The Bear is open seven days a week.

10 of the best places to go fruit picking – within easy reach of London

Zoe Gater

food

From sun-ripened strawberries to pumpkin-filled autumn fields, these pick-your-own farms near London offer the ultimate seasonal day out – with plenty of fresh air, flavour, and countryside charm.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about picking your own produce straight from the source. Whether it’s a punnet of perfectly ripe strawberries, a bunch of vibrant wildflowers, or a wheelbarrow-worthy pumpkin in autumn.

And fortunately, you don’t have to travel far from the capital to find some of the UK’s best pick-your-own (PYO) experiences. Across Surrey, Oxfordshire and beyond, farms are opening their gates each season to welcome visitors into their fields.

So whether you’re planning a wholesome weekend activity, entertaining little ones, or simply chasing the taste of fruit at its freshest, these PYO farms deliver a seasonal experience that’s as enjoyable as it is delicious.

Fruit picking in Surrey

Garson Farm, Esher

If you’re after a pick-your-own experience that really delivers, Garsons Farm more than earns its award-winning reputation. Crowned ‘Pick Your Own of the Year’ at the 2025 Farm Retail Association Awards, it’s a go-to for top-quality produce and beautifully kept fields.

Spanning an impressive 155 acres, and farmed by the same Thompson family since 1871, it’s one of the UK’s largest PYO sites. Expect row upon row of vibrant crops – from juicy strawberries to colourful flowers – with around 30 varieties to choose from across the season. PYO typically kicks off in late spring, just in time for those first sweet harvests of the year.

Crockford Bridge Farm, Addleston

Steeped in history (it even gets a mention in the Domesday Book!), Crockford Bridge Farm blends heritage with a seriously good seasonal offering. Set across 80 acres of Surrey green belt, this family-run spot is a firm favourite for good reason.

There’s always something new to pick from June through to December – think sun-warmed strawberries and raspberries in summer, followed by pumpkin patches and winter squashes as the seasons turn. And whatever you do, don’t leave without stopping by its ice cream parlour – the perfect end to a day in the fields.

Secretts of Milford, Godalming

A staple of Surrey’s food scene is Secretts. Just outside Godalming, this award-winning farm is known for its lively events, beautifully maintained fields, and seriously fresh, seasonal food.

Depending on the time of year, you can wander through fields picking everything from asparagus and rhubarb to pumpkins – all harvested just metres from where you stand. Afterwards, the farm shop is a must-visit – especially the cheese counter, which boasts more than 300 varieties (yes, really).

Priory Farm Estate, Redhill

Looking to turn your fruit picking into a full day out? Priory Farm Estate has you covered.

Alongside seasonal PYO fields, you’ll find woodland trails, nature-inspired play areas, and plenty of space to roam. Kids can run wild, and adults can slow down – ideally with a basket full of fresh produce in hand.

Fruit picking in Oxfordshire

Rectory Farm PYO, Oxford

Rectory Farm has been feeding Oxfordshire (and beyond) for generations – and its PYO offering is just as impressive as you’d expect.

With 45 acres dedicated to pick-your-own crops – plus a further 60 acres of asparagus fields nearby – there’s plenty to explore. From April through to October, the fields come alive with more than 30 varieties, from spring asparagus and strawberries to late-summer sunflowers and autumn pumpkins (with thousands planted each year).

Fruit picking in Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden

Tucked away in the Chilterns, Peterley Manor Farm feels like a proper countryside escape. Family-run and full of charm, it offers a relaxed, scenic setting for a spot of seasonal picking.

Depending on when you visit, you might find yourself gathering plums, strawberries, or redcurrants in the sunshine – or wandering through fields of sunflowers and pumpkins later in the year. Come Christmas, it transforms again, with rows of beautifully grown trees ready to take home.

Copas Farms, Cookham/Iver

If variety is what you’re after, Copas Farms – operating as The Fruit Fields – is hard to beat. With multiple sites and a well-planned growing calendar, it offers a steady stream of crops throughout the seasons.

From the first strawberries and cherries of early summer to raspberries, apples, sweetcorn and more, there’s always something worth picking. It’s a reliably good choice for those who like their PYO trips easy, well-organised, and packed with flavour.

Fruit picking in Hampshire

Pickwell Farm, Bursledon

A much-loved local spot just outside Southampton, Pickwell Farm has been welcoming visitors since 1985.

The picking calendar is packed with variety, from early rhubarb and strawberries to late-summer sweetcorn and autumn pumpkins. In between, expect everything from raspberries and blackberries to courgettes and beans – perfect for filling your basket (and your kitchen) with fresh, seasonal produce.

Goodall’s Strawberry Farm, Lymington

For a more traditional, no-frills PYO experience, Goodall’s Strawberry Farm is a south coast classic.

Best known for its beautifully grown strawberries, this is the place to come on a sunny day when only the freshest, sweetest fruit will do. Simple and seasonal!

Fruit picking in Wiltshire

Lotmead Pick Your Own, Wanborough

Friendly, relaxed, and easy to visit, Lotmead PYO is a great all-rounder for families and casual pickers.

Fields are well-kept and full of variety, with strawberries and raspberries in summer giving way to pumpkins as autumn rolls in. Whether you’re planning a wholesome day out or just popping by for a punnet or two, it’s a lovely spot to soak up the seasons.

10 perfect picnic spots across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire

Zoe Gater

food

From riverside lawns in Marlow to peaceful corners near Henley and wide-open parkland with far-reaching views, these are our favourite local spots to roll out a blanket and make the most of the warmer months.

With sunnier days upon us, it’s the perfect excuse to slow things down, grab the factor 50, pack up a few sandwiches and head outdoors.

Whether you’re planning a last-minute lunch, a family day out or a catch-up with friends, these picnic spots across our patch offer just the right mix of scenery, space and fresh air.

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

A standout National Trust estate, Cliveden combines sweeping terraces, woodland walks and beautifully maintained gardens overlooking the River Thames. There’s plenty of space to explore, with quieter corners to settle in for a picnic with a view.

It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a full afternoon wandering before finding the perfect spot to pause and take it all in.

Higginson Park, Buckinghamshire

Set along the Thames in the heart of Marlow, Higginson Park is a firm local favourite. With open green space, riverside views and easy access to the town’s cafés and delis, it’s an effortless choice for a relaxed picnic.

Watch the boats drift past, enjoy the lively atmosphere and make the most of one of the area’s most scenic town parks.

Greys Court, Oxfordshire

Just outside Henley, Greys Court offers a quieter, more secluded setting. With its orchard, wildflower meadows and gentle woodland walks, it’s ideal for those looking to escape the busier spots.

It’s a peaceful place to unwind, with plenty of tucked-away areas perfect for a leisurely picnic.

Dinton Pastures Country Park, Berkshire

Dinton Pastures Country Park is a popular choice for group outings, thanks to its mix of lakes, open fields and walking routes.

There’s ample room to spread out, whether you’re bringing a picnic for family and friends or planning a full day outdoors exploring the trails and waterside paths.

Basildon Park, Berkshire

Set within rolling parkland, Basildon Park offers far-reaching countryside views and a classic picnic backdrop.

With wide open spaces and historic surroundings, it’s a great option for those who enjoy a slower pace and a more scenic setting for their outdoor lunch.

Shotover Country Park, Oxfordshire

Just outside Oxford, Shotover Country Park combines woodland trails with elevated viewpoints across the city and beyond.

It’s a great choice if you fancy pairing your picnic with a walk, with plenty of space to explore before settling in at one of the higher vantage points.

Windsor Great Park, Berkshire

Spanning vast areas of open land, ancient woodland and landscaped scenery, Windsor Great Park offers no shortage of picnic spots.

Whether you’re looking for wide grassy expanses or quieter shaded areas, it’s easy to find your own peaceful corner away from the main paths.

Black Park Country Park, Buckinghamshire

Surrounded by woodland and centred around a large lake, Black Park Country Park is a great option on warmer days.

With shaded areas, walking trails and open clearings, it’s a relaxed, natural setting that works well for both short visits and longer stays.

Cookham Common, Berkshire

Offering open grassland along the Thames, Cookham Common is a classic riverside spot with plenty of space to unwind.

There are scenic walking routes nearby too, making it easy to combine a gentle stroll with a relaxed picnic in a laid-back setting that feels quintessentially local.

Henley-on-Thames riverside, Oxfordshire

Sometimes the simplest option is the best. The riverside in Henley-on-Thames offers one of the prettiest picnic backdrops in the area, with rowers gliding past and plenty of spots to pause along the water’s edge.

Bring a blanket, settle in and enjoy one of Oxfordshire’s most charming views.

Daisy Sandwiches launches new food trailer popping up at events across Godalming

Zoe Gater

food

Look out for a new trailer dishing up fresh sandwiches, savouries and sweet treats around Godalming as Daisy Sandwiches hits the road.

“These must be the best sandwiches in Godalming,” said one very happy customer of Daisy Sandwiches – and now locals will have even more chances to try them, with the launch of an eye-catching new food trailer popping up at events across the town.

Lizzie and James have been running Daisy Sandwiches at Godalming Station, serving commuters coffee and freshly made sandwiches, since taking over from James’s parents, who founded the family business in 2002.

Now, the couple are excited to bring their much-loved food to the wider community, with Daisy’s new trailer appearing at local events and gatherings.

Alongside the hand-prepared sandwiches that regulars already know and love, visitors can also expect homemade cakes and savouries, plus cold drinks and snacks – perfect for grabbing on the go.

All sandwiches are made to order using fresh, high-quality ingredients and locally baked bread. The menu is also designed with dietary needs in mind, with allergens catered for – something particularly important to Lizzie, who is gluten and dairy intolerant herself and understands how tricky it can be to find suitable options.

As part of the new venture, Daisy Sandwiches will also be supporting The Meath Epilepsy Charity, which has been providing specialist care and support for people living with epilepsy in the Godalming area for more than 130 years.

Keep an eye out for Daisy at upcoming local events including ChoirBlast, the Godalming Spring Festival on Friday 4 April 2026, Blackmoor Apple Day and more.

The trailer is also available to book for private events and parties.

For bookings or enquiries, call 07786 616221 or email daisytrailerevents@gmail.com.

For more information, visit daisysandwiches.co.uk.