The urban guide to the countryside -

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Well, hello!

I'm Hero, founder of Muddy Stilettos, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable across the counties.

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Gotta Have It

Hey shady lady! It's sunglasses season. But how to channel Anna Wintour rather than Bono? We've found the best brands on the block, just add sunshine and your best pout.

Meet the Team

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Spotlight

The loveliest pubs with roomsFancy a weekend away in the countryside? The Muddy editors across 19 counties know all the best spots for a relaxed overnighter.
Review: Range Rover EvoqueRevving up on stage left, please find a brand new Muddy car review. And the star of the show? The Range Rover Evoque. Encore! Encore!
How to relocate without losing your mindBuying in a new area can be a humongous headache but we've picked up some great tips from a top property search expert.
Britain's first forest festival comes to townThe heart of the National Forest will come alive with music, arts, crafts and more with Timber Festival next month and we cannot wait.

Eat OutView more

The Daneway

This one-time rural boozer near Cirencester is full of rustic charm and too-good-to-miss gastro-pub inventions.
- Life in the Slow Lane
  
  A dose of rural life goes a long way at Cornish family farm Botelet. Muddy stops by for a blissful Monday breakfast.
- South Downs tea garden walk
  
  Walk this circular route from Firle, near Lewes, taking in the Beacon and a lovely hidden tea garden
- Helen Browning’s Royal Oak
  
  Homespun charm, yummy, wholesome food and dreamy rooms to overnight in, there is NOTHING not to like here!
- Worrall Thompson winner
  
  Excellent food and service from this quirky Worrall Thompson gastro pub in South Oxfordshire, renowned for its Wagyu beef.

TravelView more

Make a dash for the seaside

You don’t have to hop on a plane to enjoy a little beach time this summer. Here are 8 stylish British staycations for inspiration
- Cotswold House Hotel & Spa
  
  Classy and discreet, this boutique townhouse hotel in Chipping Campden gives its country house cousins a run for their money.
- Insiders Guide To Falmouth
  
  A seaside town with bags of style, community spirit and an arty edge. Here are Muddy's top tips for a day or stay in Falmouth...

FashionView more

The hottest new fashion label around

Molly Molloy, former designer at Marni, has just launched the supercool label Colville. The Oxfordshire lass talks fashion mistakes (she’s made a few), art inspo, and how to nail your personal style.
- Gotta have it
  
  Don't miss this print-tastic collaboration between high street hero, & Other Stories, and cool interiors designers House Of Hackney.
- Update your wardrobe
  
  Don't worry, we're not going to tell you to chuck it all out and start again. You just need Muddy's super-duper style tweaks.

BeautyView more

- Cult beauty brand alert!
  
  We've got our Muddy fingers in a LOT of Beauty Pie's luxe products this week, and we're going back in for seconds.
- The elixir of youth
  
  This supercool beauty brand is adored by millennials. But there's also a lot to love here when you have more (*cough*) mature skin.

Arts & CultureView more

Seeking literary inspiration?

Well, you’re in the right place. Muddy’s pro bookworm Kerry Potter picks the best June reads for you. And you can win the lot!
- Popcorn + Pop-up
  
  The best outdoor cinemas in our 'hood this summer. Just add popcorn, a hot date and that all-important brolly.
- Muddy meets Bill Bailey
  
  The cerebral veteran comedian is marking 20 years of stand-up, so how better to celebrate than...
- Need a new book?
  
  Well, you're in the right place. Muddy's pro bookworm Kerry Potter has a bumper selection of May's rave reads - and you can win the lot!
- Meet the RSC’s new Juliet
  
  Super-modest and down-to-earth Glaswegian actress Karen Fishwick is a girl after our own hearts here at Muddy – “passionate” about drinking and good food!

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HomeView more

- Tonight’s dinner, sorted
  
  This week's Speedy Supper comes from Muddy favourite, Donna Hay. It's fast, it's healthy and it's such a cinch even a child can make it.
- Review: Range Rover Evoque
  
  Revving up on stage left, please find a brand new Muddy car review. And the star of the show? The Range Rover Evoque. Encore! Encore!
Wellbeing
- Study among the spires
  
  Yes, you! Oxford's Continued Education arm has a course for everyone. Say bonjour to Kerry Potter as she brushes up on her French.
- Introducing the midweek skive (hell, yeah!)
  
  Yes, weekends are often mental but it is possible to carve out a little free time elsewhere. Inspiration incoming!

WorkView more

- Help! Career MOT needed
  
  Job driving you mental? We put your work dilemmas to our clever new careers coach. Here's what she had to say.
- The future’s AllBright
  
  Want to start your own business? Need funding to get to the next stage? Female entrepreneurs, breathe deep, smile wide and meet your new best friends.
Kids
- Thorpe House School
  
  A small, friendly day school for boys aged 3-16 between Gerrard's Cross and Chalfont St Peter, set in 7 acres and high on inclusivity.
- How to grow happy kids
  
  How can you help your kids find the holy grail of happiness? We’ve found an expert who has previous in the matter…

People View more

My Favourite Places: Tim Henman

Tim Henman, party animal – who’d have thought it? Ahead of Wimbledon, the Oxon-raised tennis legend talks wine, his local hangouts and, er, more wine with Muddy’s Kerry Potter.
- Muddy meets… Professor Robert Winston
  
  Want to improve your learning (or theirs - it's GSCE time!) The most famous moustache in modern medicine knows how to help.
- Muddy meets Bill Bailey
  
  The cerebral veteran comedian is marking 20 years of stand-up, so how better to celebrate than...