A Day Trip To Oxford

View of Radcliffe Camera from St Mary The Virgin Tower, Oxford

From exploring the city’s history, to great shopping and restaurants, this travel guide will help you plan your day trip to Oxford.

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REVIEW: The Artichoke Restaurant, Amersham

Smoked haddock with radishes, beetroot and horseradish cream at The Artichoke, Amersham

The Artichoke has consistently been rated as the best restaurant in the Amersham area. After an impressive experience in January, I couldn’t wait to sample their autumn menu.

Amersham’s old town offers a range of dining options. Along with upmarket coffee house The Grocer, chain restaurants Cote, Prezzo and Ask, and several historic pubs, there’s a gourmet neighbourhood offering – The Artichoke.

The Artichoke, Amersham
The Artichoke, Amersham

Chef Patron Laurie Gear and his wife Jacqueline opened the Artichoke in 2002. The restaurant focuses on high quality, beautifully presented seasonal dishes, served with a dash of magic. I visited on a weekday evening to sample the seven-course autumnal tasting menu (with wine pairings). But first… a glass of rosé champagne to kick off a very special dining experience.

The menu at The Artichoke, Amersham
The menu at The Artichoke, Amersham

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REVIEW: Obicà Restaurant, St Paul’s, London

Fresh mozzerella and flatbreads at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul's, London

From delicious burrata to tasty pizzas, Obica Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in St Paul’s. Find out more in this detailed review.

Forget tapas bars. Forget sushi bars. Right now, it’s all about the mozzarella bar. And I seem to have found a good one right in the heart of London.

Mini boccocini balls, smoked mozzarella, burrata, and an enormous braid of mozzarella arrived at the table. It was an overwhelming quantity of cheese… but I couldn’t wait to dive in.

Fresh mozzerella and flatbreads at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul's, London
Fresh mozzerella and flatbreads at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul’s, London

With 23 restaurants across the globe (from Japan to the USA), Obicà’s cheesy empire is growing fast. Just a few weeks ago they opened their latest London restaurant, in the heart of the city by St Paul’s.

It’s a smart place – contemporary, elegant, but surprisingly – it’s not expensive. It’s a great place for a date, dinner with friends or a casual lunch.

Happy diners at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul's, London
Happy diners at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul’s, London

Wine racks at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul's, London
Wine racks at Obicà Restaurant, St Paul’s, London

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REVIEW: Maze Restaurant, London

Crab salad at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair

One of the top restaurants in London, It’s time to review lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Restaurant in Grosvenor Square.

From Petrus in Knightsbridge and Plane Food in Heathrow Airport, to restaurants in Vegas and Singapore, Gordon Ramsay’s empire has risen to 30 restaurants across the globe. They’ve been awarded a handful of Michelin stars, and are a must-visit for many foodies.

I was excited to return to one of my favourites – Maze Restaurant in Grosvenor Square. It’s a glamorous, gourmet restaurant in the heart of Mayfair with a varied menu of fine-dining dishes and sushi.

Maze London review - Lounge area
Maze London review – Lounge area

It was my mum’s birthday and we were an awkward party of 5 that included not only a vegetarian, but a 10-month old baby. Yes, surprise – this sophisticated restaurant welcomes babies!

Maze London – Review

We started the afternoon in the relaxed bar area enjoying the bright sunshine while sipping on prosecco and indulging in scallop canapés. The seared scallops were sandwiched between thin lime slices, creating the flavour of a deconstructed ceviche.

Scallop canapes at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair
Scallop canapes at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair

Vegetarian sushi canape at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair
Vegetarian sushi canape at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair

We were shown to our table and far from hiding us away, my baby niece was seated in a high chair at the head of the table, where she rose to the occasion and behaved impeccably for the full three hours we were there.

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REVIEW: Burley Manor, New Forest, Hampshire

Burley Manor Hotel, New Forest

Find out what it’s like to stay at the luxurious Burley Manor in the New Forest.

I’ve pledged to see more of the UK this year, and I’m so happy to report that I’ve just found one of the prettiest places yet!

Yes I may have nipped to the Alps for a quick play on the ski slopes, and caught some winter sunshine in Marrakech… but I’ve also been won over by London’s brightest festival – Lumiere London, and swapped big city life for an English country manor in the New Forest. Just a quiet January then…

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