Well, hello!

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

Find out more

Gotta Have It

Move over Mr M, I'll take it from here. Make the barbecue your own this summer with these super-handy gadgets and accessories.

The insider’s guide to the Top 200 places to live outside London

View our picks

Spotlight

What's in: what to watch this weekGot a hot date with your sofa? Here are this week's best new film and TV releases to spice up your evenings
What's in: what to watch this weekRubbish weather got you down? Settle on the sofa with a cuppa and binge-watch some of these new TV and film releases instead.
Mini break anyone? The best hotel deals to book nowIf you're hankering for a few days away from your own four walls, then you'll need these mini break deals from hotels across the Muddy counties. Race you to check in.
Muddy 'Lockdown Gardens in Bloom' is GO!Calling all green fingered goddesses! We want to see your lockdown gardening handiwork. Snap your space and post it on Instagram for the chance to win vouchers (there's £1000 up for grabs) to spend online at gorgeous garden and homewares boutique Olive & Sage.
Muddy's insider guide to DevonIf Devon's on your holiday hit list this year you'll be needing our totally brilliant insider guide to the county. PLUS we have £2,888 of summer goodies up for grabs!

EatView more

Eat out to help out! Where to get a discount in Bucks and Oxon

Sick of cooking? Good news – from 3 Aug, you can get a 50% discount on your dinner and drinks when you eat in. Here are the pubs and restaurants to make your reservation at.
- Recipe inspiration, courtesy of Giffords Circus (yes, really!)
  
  Roll up, roll up! ... Put some razzle-dazzle back into mealtime monotony with a double whammy of scrumptious, summery dishes from Giffords Circus' new cookbook.
- In the pink: the rosé revolution
  
  Once dismissed as "lady petrol" rosé wine is now officially the drink of the summer. Read on for tips on the best to buy, and that all important question - does it give you a hangover?
- Smokin’! The perfect summer burger recipe
  
  The weather's pulling a blinder this week, so fire up the BBQ and rustle up this bad boy with homemade ketchup (fancy!) from Muddy favourite The Pig group.
- Recipe: posh tomato salad, m’lady?
  
  Light, fresh, and the perfect summer serve, sink your chops into Heston's posh Tomato Salad. The secret is all in the prep.

Instamuddy

Follow @Instagram

Arts & CultureView more

Alice in Lockdown – new socially distanced UK outdoor theatre tour

Looking for some culture to entertain the kids in August? Warwickshire’s Heartbreak Productions’ latest family outdoor performance is coming to scenic venues across the Muddy counties.
- What’s in: what to watch this week
  
  Rubbish weather got you down? Settle on the sofa with a cuppa and binge-watch some of these new TV and film releases instead.
- Grab yourself a mini masterpiece from £50
  
  If buying art leaves you with a blank expression to match your blank walls, then read on, laydee. Before you make an expensive mistake, we called in the experts for some top tips.
- What to watch online this week
  
  Your weekly boredom buster is here with all the best and brand spanking new TV, film, music and theatre to keep you entertained from the sofa.
- Culture vulture: my July hitlist
  
  Missing the theatre and live venues? OMG, me too. Until normal service resumes for the arts world (your guess is as good as mine), here's my personal culture planner for July - podcasts, books, music and theatre. I'll budge up on the sofa, come and join me.

HomeView more

- Reclaim the BBQ! Best outdoor cooking accessories
  
  Move over Mr M, I'll take it from here. Make the barbecue your own this summer with these super-handy gadgets and accessories.
- Transform your garden (and maybe your life)
  
  North Oxfordshire landscapers Nicholsons are the best in the biz, so who better to ask for advice on creating a sublime outdoor garden space from dreamy grand designs to creative quick fixes. We chatted to owner Liz Nicholson.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep in lockdown
  
  So you've downed a chamomile tea and ignored your phone but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Read on for our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.
- Lost the will? Go see your solicitor and sort it!
  
  Corona virus has forced many of us to confront our mortality, but that also means facing up to the practicalities of making a will. Here's why you need to take action asap.

WorkView more

- J’adore/ J’abhor: video calls
  
  Are you a FaceTime fanatic or a Skype cynic? After months of video call catch-ups, two Muddy editors battle it out over the digital face-to-face.
- Which entrepreneur won Tide’s £2000 helping hand?
  
  Thanks for asking! Say hello to Jade and her delicious bakery business and find out how the money has helped her boost her business to the next level.
Kids
- 10 books for younger kids
  
  Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.
- Thorpe House School, Gerrards Cross
  
  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, priding themselves on knowing every child individually.

FashionView more

Our new favourite fashion trend

Puff sleeves are as du rigueur as a mojito in hand this summer and we’ve found eight totally wearable sartorial stunners to add to your summer wardrobe now.
- Flop it like it’s hot! 10 stylish summer flip flops
  
  Flip flop season is in full swing so treat your feet to a pair of these summer beauties on our wish list (just remember to paint your toenails!).
- The final straw: 7 chic hats to buy now
  
  What keeps you cool, but is this summer's hottest accessory? The straw hat, of course! Nail the trend with one of these affordable woven beauties.

BeautyView more

- Best at-home pedi kits
  
  It's starting to feel a lot like peak summer and with the mercury knocking 25 degrees on a regular basis, it means it's also time to expose The Feet. Ready, set, attack!
- Nail it! 5 pretty press-ons for summer
  
  Beauty salons are back, laydee! Jeez, where do we start? Gagging for a mani? I hear you. Why not fake it 'til you make it with 5 sets of pretty press-ons

People

My favourite places: Lynne Levin, Levin Wines

Michelin-starred restaurants, a royalty-approved cheese shop and a farm the kids will love? Sign us up! We take a peek in uber-glam wine expert Lynne Levin’s address book…
- My favourite places: Natasha Lane from Manor Oxford
  
  Property guru and city girl Natasha Lane is always on the hunt for the best spots in Bucks and Oxon - let's see what she's discovered...
- Muddy meets: iconic photographer Nick Knight
  
  He's worked with everyone from Alexander McQueen and John Galliano to Lady Gaga and Kanye West - so it's a surprise to find photography genius Nick Knight's newest exhibition is of flowers shot from his garden and showing at Waddesdon Manor! Blooming heck Nick, what's going on?

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Read the reviews

The UK’s most prestigious local lifestyle Awards

Be part of our 2020 Awards

TravelView more

J’adore/j’abhor: camping

Does the sight of a sleeping bag pique your sense of adventure, or break you out in a cold sweat? Two Muddy behemoths duke it out over camping – let’s hope it doesn’t get too tents (sorry).
- Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of Wight
  
  This sunny little Island may be small in stature but it's packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We've got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.
- Mini break anyone? The best hotel deals to book now
  
  If you're hankering for a few days away from your own four walls, then you'll need these mini break deals from hotels across the Muddy counties. Race you to check in.