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Published: 10 February 2026

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The government has set out plans for the most significant changes to private rental sector energy standards in over a decade.

If you’re a landlord in Oxford, we know that much of the private rented sector property stock can struggle to make cost effective improvements, due to the age and style of many properties located here in the city.

There are certain allowances in the proposed legislative changes that might help. It is worth knowing what the changes are and what allowances might ease the transition, so we have put together this guide to lay things out.

The proposed new requirements are expected to affect you by 2030. As local Oxford letting agents, here are the key steps we think you should take now.

What Is Set to Change?

The government has announced its intention that from 1st October 2030, all privately rented properties will need to meet the equivalent of EPC Band C, or have a valid exemption.

This would be a significant step up from the current minimum of Band E that has been in place since 2020.

However, there is something else worth noting in this regard.

The government is proposing to reform how EPCs work. Instead of just the single energy efficiency rating we’re used to, future EPCs (expected from late 2026) are likely to show multiple metrics:

• Fabric performance (insulation, windows, doors)
• Heating system (boiler, heat pump, etc.)
• Smart readiness (solar panels, batteries, smart meters)

Under the current proposals, your property would need to meet a Band C‑equivalent level on the fabric metric first, then Band C on either the heating system or smart readiness metric – with that second route being your choice.

Early Action Will Be Rewarded

If your property already achieves EPC Band C under the current system before 1st October 2029, current indications are that you will benefit under so‑called “grandfathering” provisions.

The government’s response suggests that these properties would be treated as compliant under the new system until that EPC expires (up to 10 years), even once the new metrics are introduced.

This could prove to be crucial: it means landlords who act now using today’s EPC recommendations are unlikely to be penalised when the new system arrives. In fact, you gain greater certainty and may not need to worry about the new metrics at all until your current EPC expires.

These are as yet proposals, remember – this could all yet change. Which means it may be a gamble on your part to do this ahead of 2029; nevertheless, it may prove one worth taking.

Investment ‘Cap’ Lower Than Expected

The government originally floated a £15,000 cost cap per property, but following consultation feedback – including from thousands of landlords and lobbying from the lettings industry – this has been reduced in the latest proposals to £10,000.

Better still, analysis in accompanying impact assessments suggests the average spend per property is expected to be significantly lower than this – between £5,000-£6,000, rather than the full £10,000.

If you invest in relevant improvements and, on hitting that cap, find the property still doesn’t meet the standard, you will be able to register a 10‑year exemption and continue letting.

Importantly, any qualifying improvements you make from 1st October 2025 onwards will count toward this cap, which is designed to encourage early action rather than last‑minute rushes.

Relief for Lower-Value Properties

The government has proposed an “affordability exemption” for properties valued below £100,000. For these properties, the cap is lower, effectively set at 10% of the property’s value rather than the full £10,000.

For example, a property worth £70,000 would only require investment up to £7,000 before an exemption could be claimed. This recognises that lower‑value properties often generate lower rental returns.

The benefit in Oxford – given average property values of just under £500,000 across the city, according to data from the Office for National Statistics – is, we imagine, fairly non‑existent.

Nevertheless, for balance and completeness, this is what has been proposed.

Making Use of Grant Funding

If you are worried about the costs involved in improving the energy efficiency of your property, it is worth noting that there is third‑party funding available – including government grants – and this funding is expected to count toward your £10,000 cap.

The Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme and other programmes may be available to eligible landlords – see link here for information.

There is an important exception: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grants (£7,500 for heat pumps) do not count towards the cost cap.

But this does mean, for example, that if you have £3,500 left under your cap, you could install an £11,000 heat pump using the BUS grant – effectively getting a low‑carbon heating system installed within your investment limit.

Exemptions

The government has seemingly taken onboard some of the concerns that have been raised by the lettings sector and landlord groups, and has proposed an expanded exemptions regime, including:

• Solid wall insulation (SWI) exemption: If your property would need SWI to meet the new ‘fabric standard’ but you choose not to install it (perhaps due to concerns about damp or aesthetics), you would be able to register an exemption.
• Negative impacts exemption: If you can evidence that a measure would damage your property or devalue it by 5% or more, an exemption is available. This seems somewhat of a grey area at this stage; we expect that a Red Book or other formal valuation report by a chartered surveyor is likely to be required.
• Third‑party consent: Still applies where freeholders, planning authorities, or tenants refuse permission.
• New landlord exemption: Applies to anyone acquiring a tenanted property, giving six months to comply.

Most exemptions are expected to last 5 years, but the cost cap exemption is expected to last 10 years, which again should help reduce the administrative burden.

Tax and VAT Considerations

The zero‑rate VAT on energy efficiency installations (insulation, heat pumps, etc.) continues until March 2027 under current rules, which could represent a significant saving – but of course the clock is ticking.

Additionally, HMRC guidance and tax commentary indicate that replacing an existing heating system with a modern equivalent can, in some circumstances, be treated as a repair or maintenance cost and deducted from rental income for tax purposes, rather than being capital expenditure. This will depend on the specific facts and on how HMRC views the works, so specialist tax advice is strongly recommended before assuming a particular installation (such as a heat pump) will qualify as a revenue expense.

What Steps Should You Take Now?

1. Check your EPCs
   Know where you stand. Properties already at Band C or close to it should consider upgrading before October 2029 to benefit from likely grandfathering.
2. Budget for improvements
   The proposed compliance date might be 2030, but that is now only four years away. Planning now allows you to spread costs, make use of any void periods to carry out works, and avoid last‑minute, stressful projects as 2030 approaches.
3. Consider available grants
   Check eligibility for schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or local authority grants linked to the Warm Homes Plan.
4. Use quality installers
   Government strongly recommends TrustMark‑accredited installers following PAS 2035 standards to ensure quality work and consumer protection.
5. Keep records
   From 1st October 2025, save all receipts for qualifying improvements, as they are expected to count toward your cost cap.

The Bottom Line

These changes represent a clear step‑up in requirements, and many landlords will understandably see them as a burden.

We recognise that, but the government has at least shown some willingness to listen to landlord and industry concerns.

The reduced cost cap, proposed grandfathering provisions, expanded exemptions, and recognition of early action should all help make compliance more manageable – even if they don’t remove the challenge entirely.

With a few years until the anticipated compliance deadline, landlords who plan ahead – particularly those who can achieve a Band C on current EPCs before October 2029 – are likely to find themselves in a strong position as the new regime takes effect.

As always, we’re here to help guide you through these changes and to ensure your property remains compliant and attractive to tenants as the rules evolve.

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Published: 29 January 2026

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New Tenancy Agreement Requirements Announced: What Oxford Landlords Need to Know

Specific legal requirements for what to include in new tenancy agreements have been announced.

Here at Cherry Picked Residental, we specialise in letting and managing properties for landlords across Oxford. Here is our guide to help you navigate the upcoming changes to tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act, before the date arrives!

With the 1st May 2026 deadline fast approaching for most new private assured tenancies, now is the time to understand what’s required and make sure your documentation is ship-shape and watertight.

The key change: written statements become mandatory

From 1st May 2026, most new private assured tenancies must include a written statement containing specific mandatory information, provided before the tenancy is agreed.

This represents a significant legal change to how rental arrangements are formalised, and getting it right is crucial to avoid enforcement action and potential fines.

What must be included in your written statement

The government’s draft secondary legislation sets out a comprehensive list of mandatory information set to be included. Here’s what every written statement for an assured periodic tenancy is expected to contain under the new rules.​

Basic tenancy information

Your written statement must clearly identify the core details of the tenancy:

• The landlord’s full name – if the property has multiple owners, every joint landlord must be named.
• All tenants’ names – every individual who will be party to the agreement.
• A service address in England or Wales – this is where tenants can serve notices on the landlord.
• The property address being let – one hopes this one is a no brainer.
• The date from which the tenant is entitled to possession of the property.

The regulations also note contact details and certain identifiers will be included, so in practice your template will need to capture all prescribed items rather than just the headline points above.

Financial terms

Financial transparency is central to new requirements:

• The rent amount and payment schedule – how much is payable, how often and on what dates.
• A clear statement that rent can only be increased using the statutory rent increase process (the updated Section 13 route), rather than by informal or unilateral increases.
• Utility and service arrangements – whether utilities, TV licence, communication services or council tax are included in the rent or paid separately.

If they are paid separately, you must explain how and when payment is due, or how the tenant will be notified of charges.

• The security deposit amount (if applicable) – you must state the amount to be paid as a deposit.

You do not have to specify in the written statement which deposit protection scheme will be used, although you still have to comply with the existing tenancy deposit protection rules and provide the prescribed information separately.​

Notice periods and possession rights

Tenants need to understand their rights and obligations around ending the tenancy and how possession works.

The minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the agreement has a defined statutory minimum, and will be set in regulations.

A statement explaining possession procedures, which is drawn from the Housing Act 1988, must cover three key points:

• The landlord can normally only end an assured tenancy through obtaining a possession order from the court.
• To obtain a court order, the landlord typically needs to serve a notice in the prescribed form setting out the statutory grounds for possession (commonly referred to as a Section 8 notice).
• The notice period will depend on which grounds for possession are being used and what those grounds relate to.

As the wording of these possession explanations is prescribed, your documentation will need to align with the final form set out in the regulations.​

Property standards and safety

Your written statement must include several declarations about property standards:

• A statement confirming the landlord’s obligation to ensure the property is fit for human habitation, reflecting the modern “fitness” duties that apply to most private tenancies.
• A statement outlining the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, covering repairs to the structure, exterior and key installations.
• A statement detailing the landlord’s obligations under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations.
• If the property has gas, a statement covering the landlord’s obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.

These elements are designed to ensure tenants are explicitly told, in writing, what standards they can expect from their home.

Equality and accessibility

Two important provisions relate to equality and accessibility:

• Information about Section 190 of the Equality Act 2010 – this confirms that landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent to disability‑related improvements that would help a disabled occupant enjoy the premises.
• Information about the tenant’s rights around adaptations and how to request consent in a way that is consistent with the Equality Act framework.

In practice, this should encourage earlier conversations about reasonable adjustments and clarity over what will be permitted.

Pets and pet requests

The new regime also strengthens tenants’ rights around keeping pets:

• Tenants will be able to request permission to keep a pet under a new section inserted into the Housing Act 1988 by the Renters’ Rights Act, and landlords may not unreasonably withhold consent.
• The written statement must explain this right to request a pet and how landlords will deal with such requests, including any timescales for responding.

Any conditions attached to consent, such as requiring additional cleaning or damage clauses, will still need to comply with the Tenant Fees Act and the existing deposit cap, as there is no separate “pet deposit” permitted.

Special circumstances

If applicable:

• For supported accommodation, you must include a statement identifying it as such and explaining why it meets the criteria set out in the regulations.​

This helps distinguish supported tenancies from standard private lets where slightly different rules and expectations can apply.​

How this affects Oxford landlords

For our clients across Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages, there are clear practical implications we are keeping on top of on your behalf:

• For new tenancies starting on or after 1st May 2026: providing the written statement before the agreement is signed or otherwise agreed. This information can be incorporated directly into our tenancy agreement or provided as a clearly linked separate document.
• For existing written tenancies created before 1st May 2026: we do not need to issue entirely new agreements just because of the written statement rules, but we must provide all named tenants with a government‑issued information sheet by 31st May 2026. This information sheet is expected to be published in March 2026.

We don’t operate on verbal agreements as an agency, but if you are reading this and currently not a client of ours, and if you do have any existing verbal‑only agreements that started before 1st May 2026, you need to take action – and soon.

Landlords will be required to provide a full written statement with details of the key terms by a statutory deadline (currently expected to fall later in summer 2026), not just an information sheet.

Where a tenancy is partly written and partly verbal, the transitional rules are expected to focus on ensuring the tenant at least receives the government information sheet, with additional written terms provided where necessary to plug obvious gaps.​

The risks of non‑compliance

Failure to provide a compliant written statement, or to meet the deadlines for existing tenancies, exposes both landlords and agents to enforcement action, including financial penalties.

Civil penalties for breaches of the new duties can reach several thousand pounds per offence, and repeat or serious non‑compliance may lead to more severe sanctions.

In a competitive rental market like we have here in Oxford, regulatory issues and disputes around unclear terms are the last thing most landlords want distracting from securing and keeping good tenants.​

Our approach: getting ready now

Although the final version of the statutory instrument is expected in March 2026, we are already working with our own landlords to review and update tenancy documentation so it can be quickly aligned with the confirmed wording, based on the details in this latest government announcement.

The draft legislation does, after all, offer a clear roadmap, and starting early means we won’t be rushed, nor should our clients feel under pressure when the deadline arrives.

We are also monitoring sector feedback on these requirements.

Industry bodies such as Propertymark and the NRLA have successfully pushed for clarifications on timing and delivery methods, and there are ongoing discussions about how best to reflect agents’ details and to accommodate the upcoming landlord unique identifiers that will be linked to the new Private Rented Sector Database (a separate but related reform under the wider Renters Rights Act 2026).

What you should do next

If you are a client of ours already, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

If not, then to prepare and stay ahead of changes, Oxford landlords should:

• Review current tenancy agreements and any side letters – identify where they fall short of the new written statement requirements.
• Watch for the March publication of the final statutory instrument and the government information sheet – these will set the definitive requirements and wording.
• Plan your timeline – if you have tenancies starting in early May, build in time now for agreement updates and for issuing the information sheet to existing tenants.

By all means, if you are unsure about these changes and feel it is time to seek professional advice, please do contact us to discuss updates.

We can help you prepare compliant documentation that folds the prescribed wording into your existing templates without over‑complicating them.​

Final thoughts

These changes add some administrative steps to the letting process, but they do serve an important purpose: ensuring tenants have clear, comprehensive information about their rights and obligations from day one. In our experience across Oxford’s diverse rental market, this kind of transparency helps prevent disputes, sets clear expectations and supports stronger landlord‑tenant relationships.

The key is preparation, however. By understanding what’s required and acting now, you’ll be ready when 1st May arrives and your lettings can continue smoothly without interruption – and without you feeling under any stress or pressure.

If you have questions about how these changes affect your specific properties or circumstances, please get in touch.

This article is for guidance purposes and reflects the draft secondary legislation available in January 2026; landlords should seek professional advice for their particular situation and keep an eye out for the final statutory instrument expected in March 2026.

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Published: 23 January 2026

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This week brought some mixed economic news. For several months we have seen gradually falling inflation, leading to six base rate cuts since August 2024, with hopes for more. But this week we heard that inflation has ticked up again, to 3.4% in December, from 3.2% in November.

At the same time, however, the Rightmove House Price Index reported the largest January rise in average asking prices since the index began 25 years ago. 2.8%!

In many ways this is being read as signalling renewed economic confidence.

So what does this mean for your house move in Oxford? Is one right and one wrong? Does one bit of news matter more, and the other less. If you are selling your home?

Overall, there is still plenty of reason to feel confident about moving home.

Here is a breakdown of the key developments and what they mean for the weeks and months ahead.

Understanding December’s inflation rise

Before sounding any alarm bells, it is worth understanding what drove December’s inflation uptick. Not only that, but to note that it had been expected – albeit the expectation was to see 3.3%, and it rose to 3.4.

The increase was largely attributed to specific sectors rather than broad price pressures across the whole economy, with tobacco duty changes and higher December air fares playing a big part in the rise.

Economists often describe these as largely “one‑off” or time‑limited factors: temporary bumps in certain industries or sectors, rather than clear evidence of a full reversal in the broader disinflation trend.

The bigger picture on inflation

Despite December’s surprise, the wider view among many forecasters is that inflation is still likely to move closer to the Bank of England’s 2% target over the course of 2026. That matters.

The exact pace and timing are uncertain, and recent data is a reminder that the path downwards will not always be smooth. In fact, we shouldn’t expect it to be.

For homeowners and movers, it is the broader trend which matters more than any single monthly figure. It is the medium‑term outlook after all that will guide interest rate decisions and, in turn, mortgage pricing.

What this could mean for interest rates

With inflation ticking up slightly, the February interest rate decision has become more finely balanced. It makes it more likely that the Bank of England will hold rates steady at that meeting, as policymakers will want clearer evidence that inflation is firmly under control before making cuts.

Here is how we expect this to affect Oxford homeowners and buyers:

• For those on variable and tracker mortgages: Payments are likely to stay broadly where they are in the near term. However, if inflation resumes its downward trend later in the year, further rate cuts are still expected in 2026 and these sorts of mortgages track the base rate – tracker rates directly, variable rates less so, but broadly speaking.
• For those seeking fixed‑rate mortgages: Lenders have been competing in recent weeks to bring their product rates down and win customers. This latest inflation news may cause fixed‑rate reductions to level off in the short term, but there remain some appealing products for buyers and those remortgaging.

The property market remains resilient

Some genuinely encouraging news is that the property market continues to show real resilience. Rightmove’s latest index shows January produced the largest jump in average asking prices for any January since the measure began, suggesting that buyer confidence and demand have picked up again.

For sellers in Oxford, it will come as welcome relief. It is well known that London’s market has taken a downturn in recent months – at odds with the rest of the country, overall, but perhaps a historic correction of sorts, after the steep rises seen in London over previous years. 

But certain markets have followed suit, and whilst Oxford hasn't seen the same level of price decline as London, it has nevertheless fallen - which naturally affects confidence amongst those thinking of selling. The average property value in Oxford currently is, in fact, 5% lower than it was 12 months ago, according to Rightmove’s data. The average property here is now £560,288.

That said, well-presented, well-priced homes are attracting strong interest, and, in many cases, actually securing better prices than a few months ago.

Overall, however, confidence has taken a knock as prices have dropped – not just in Oxford but across Oxfordshire and, indeed, the South East.

Rightmove’s House Price Index news might be the signal, therefore, that this low confidence might be about to turn.

For buyers, rising prices are never ideal, but they do indicate a healthy, functioning market rather than a stagnant or falling one. Also, for any buyers who have been watching, waiting for the bottom of the market, this might be the sign you need that things are not likely to fall further. 5% in a year is significant, but as confidence starts to return to the wider market, this pattern is likely to reverse fairly quickly.

A promising window of opportunity

Taking all of this together, the first half of 2026 looks set to be a favourable time to make your move in Oxford.

We remain one of the country’s most sought-after locations, with our history, University environment, low crime rate, excellent transport links and access to wonderful green spaces and surrounding countryside. Demand for quality homes here often outstrips the supply coming to market.

Mortgage rates, while not guaranteed to fall further immediately, are generally far more manageable than they were 12–18 months ago, bringing some previously priced‑out buyers back into the market.

If you are selling, you are doing so against a backdrop of recovering asking prices here in Oxford. If you are buying, moving sooner rather than later may mean getting in ahead of any further price growth should the current momentum continue.

A balanced approach to moving in 2026

A rise in inflation, even a relatively modest one driven by specific categories, is not ideal news and does add a note of caution to the near‑term outlook.

At best, it may delay the interest rate cuts that many were hoping to see early this year, and there is no guarantee about the speed or scale of future reductions.

However, context is crucial. The overall picture still looks positive – by comparison to the way things looked in 2025, for example. Inflation is expected by many to ease over time, borrowing costs have reduced, and when it comes to the property market, we see it demonstrating renewed strength.

For those considering a move in Oxford in 2026, with every reason to expect that the fall in property prices may at last be levelling off, it is a positive moment for sellers and buyers alike.

As always, speaking with a professional adviser is the best way to understand how these trends apply to your specific budget and plans. If you are thinking about selling or buying in Oxford this year, we would be delighted to talk you through the local market, help you plan your move and support you in finding your new home, or securing a buyer for your own.

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Published: 20 January 2026

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Today marks National Cheese Lovers Day (20th January), and here in Oxford, we have every reason to celebrate. From the cheese counter in our historic Covered Market to cutting-edge artisan producers, cheesemongers and delis dotted across the city and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside, living here is a paradise for anyone who appreciates a nice cheeseboard of an evening.

Whether you're choosy about cheddar, go barmy for a bit of blue, or it’s a good bit of ewe’s that’s for you, Oxfordshire has something rather special to offer.

A City That Created Its Own Cheese… Eventually

Oxford isn't just home to world-class universities – we've also produced a world-class cheese. But it’s a funny old story...

In 1995, Baron Robert Pouget – he who also created the brilliant, spicy Oxford Sauce (something that deserves much wider recognition!) – created Oxford Blue; his aim: to develop a creamy, milder alternative to traditional blue English cheeses like Stilton. Something, in fact, to rival the Roqueforts and St. Agur’s of his homeland.

Named for our city, and created by a fellow who may be a French Baron but has his heart firmly set here in the city, the Oxford Blue was actually developed at the famous Hartington Dairy in Derby, and produced there for many years until the dairy closed. Production moved temporarily to Wales, but the Baron was determined to bring his cheese home – and so he purchased an old barn just outside Burford, converted it (after some trials and tribulations) into his new dairy, and it is here that the Oxford Blue is now produced, right here in Oxfordshire.

Now one of England's most popular blue cheeses, it has twice won Gold at the British Cheese Awards, and remains a point of pride for any cheese lovers who call Oxford home. You'll find it gracing cheese boards across the country, but what can be better, on National Cheese Lovers Day, than enjoying a small wedge in the very city it was named for?

The Oxford Cheese Company, which produces the Oxford Blue, also produces Oxford Isis – a washed-rind cheese matured in mead with a bold, earthy character, and their range has expanded to include chutneys and accompaniments through the Oxford Provender brand- not least, that Oxford Sauce!

Just another of Oxford’s many quirks.

Where the Locals Shop

For over forty years, the Oxford Cheese Company’s cheese counter has been the beating heart of the cheese scene in the city. Located in the historic Covered Market, this gem of a shop supplies many of Oxford's colleges and finest restaurants.

The knowledgeable staff can guide you through their carefully curated selection of rare alpine cheeses and British farmhouse varieties, making it a destination for both tourists and discerning locals alike – so if you’re stuck wondering what to go for this National Cheese Lovers Day, take a trip down there on your break and feel free to ask them – they’ll be delighted to help you!

But the Oxford Cheese Company is not the only local cheesemonger worth a look.

Just a short stroll away on Little Clarendon Street, the Jericho Cheese Company focuses on British and Irish farmhouse cheeses. Their commitment to small-scale producers and traditional methods means every cheese has a story to tell.

They specialise in raw-milk varieties and cheeses from farms that prioritise sustainable, environmentally conscious practices – precisely the kind of attitude that makes Oxford tick.

Oxfordshire's Artisan Producers

Beyond the city centre, Oxfordshire's countryside is home to some remarkable cheesemakers. Nettlebed Creamery, just a twenty-minute drive away, produces organic artisan cheese, milk, and kefir on their farm. Their Cheese Shed café and shop offer refreshments and the chance to purchase their products directly from the source. Why not pop along one day for a cup of tea and a toastie, and see where their beautiful cheeses are made?

At Earth Trust Farm in Little Wittenham, local couple Fraser Norton and Rachel Yarrow hand-make small-batch goats' cheese from their own herd of pasture-fed Anglo-Nubian goats – known as the ‘Jersey Cow’ of goats, due to the richness and creaminess of the milk they produce. Their cheeses, including Brightwell Barrow and Sinodun Hill, are named after local landmarks (Sinodun Hill is an old name for the Wittenham Clumps, as most know them today), rooting their products firmly in our Oxfordshire landscape.

Making the Most with a Fine Local Pairing

We’re lucky to have some fantastic local cheese makers in this county of ours - but we are also producing great local wines too, to pair them with!

The Brightwell Vineyard near Wallingford started planting in the 1980s and has been owned by its current owners since the year 2000. Its chalky soil and sheltered low-lying valley landscape, sheltered between the Cotswolds and the Chilterns, make ideal growing conditions for many grape varieties.

Their Pinot Noir has been rated in the Top 5 UK Red Wines (2024), and is a great pairing with an Oxford Blue.

For a great local white wine, we like the Hendred Vineyard – at Hendred in the Vale of the White Horse. It is one of England’s oldest vineyards, producing wine here for over fifty years. Its Rosé and Sparkling wines have both won recent awards, but the Hendred Furlong – a still white wine – is our recommendation for a subtle, fruity white to enjoy with a bit of Sinodun Hill goats cheese.

Celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day, Oxford Style

So how should we mark National Cheese Lovers Day? Here are some suggestions from a couple of Cherry Picked cheese lovers who know the city well:

Visit the Covered Market – Oxford's historic market is a treasure in itself, and popping into the Oxford Cheese Company gives you the chance to discover something new. The staff's expertise means you'll leave with exactly the right cheese for your taste.

Create a local cheese board – Showcase Oxfordshire's finest: Oxford Blue, a soft goats' cheese from Norton and Yarrow, perhaps something from the Nettlebed Creamery. Add some Oxford Sauce and Provender chutney, crackers, and you've got a proper celebration of local produce.

Support independent shops – They are keepers of tradition and champions of quality, and they need your local custom. The Jericho Cheese Company and Oxford Cheese Company connect us to small farms and artisan producers across Britain and beyond.

Share your discoveries – Cheese makes a thoughtful gift. A carefully chosen selection shows you've put genuine care into it, and supporting local businesses while you're at it makes it even better.

The Oxford Difference

Living in Oxford means being part of a community that values quality, heritage, and innovation. Our cheese scene perfectly encapsulates this – Baron Pouget creating Oxford Blue in the 1990s, artisan producers crafting award-winning cheeses in the local countryside, and independent shops and delis here in the heart of the city and scattered throughout the county.

We're fortunate to have the best of both worlds: a vibrant city centre with historic markets and specialist shops, and the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside where skilled cheesemakers still work their craft. It's these connections – between city and country, tradition and innovation, local makers and local gourmands – that make Oxford such a special place to live.

So today, take a moment to appreciate the cheese in your life – as well as the city and county you live in. Whether you're discovering one of our local cheeses for the first time or returning to an old favourite, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate what makes our corner of the world so special, which isn’t just the normal University-based heritage that tends to drive things here.

And you know what? If you can’t manage to do it today, why not let National Cheese Lovers Day be the nudge you need to celebrate it sometime soon, nevertheless. Because if we don’t support these local artisans and independent producers – and indeed our local independent shops and other businesses in general – we soon regret it once we’ve lost them.

Happy National Cheese Lovers Day, Oxford!