The urban guide to the countryside -

Well, hello!

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

Gotta Have It

Budget not stretching to Fendi or Chanel on the slopes this year (or frankly *any* year?). Julien Macdonald's collab with Dare2B to the rescue!

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

Close shaveThought Brexit was divisive? You'd better take a look at this controversial new Gilette ad...
How to be happy in 2019New Year, new chance to give yourself a great big shot of positive energy with one of these 28 inspirational ideas.
The Muddy year in picturesHow much fun did we have together in 2018? Well, this much!

Best January cheap eats

If you caned the credit card at Christmas swanky dinner dates are probably off the menu this month. What you need is a Muddy-approved cheap but chic dining spot. Table for two, madame?
- Heston’s egg-centric pub
  
  Elegantly eccentric from the decor to the menu – Heston Blumenthal's Michelin star Hind's Head is THE place to scoff and quaff in Berkshire.
- The Royal Standard of England
  
  Want to impress the rellies? Take them to the oldest freehouse in England - at 900 years old with resident ghosts, The Royal Standard in Forty Green has character in spades.
- Join the Wine Rebellion
  
  The perfect gift for foodies - or to self - Muddy tries the Wine Rebellion version of the award-winning Brighton Food Tours
- Kirtlington classic
  
  Take one 19th century pub, add a huge garden, great food and kids 12+ in the dining area, and whaddya get? A brand new gastropub to add to your must-try list!

Out-of-Season Scilly with Kids

Cornwall meets the Caribbean on this unspoilt archipelago just 28 miles from Land’s End. Here are my top tips for visiting with the family in 2019.
- Hot travel destinations for 2019
  
  After a hip, holiday destination? We've rounded up the best places to visit from once-in-a-lifetime dream destinations to cultural hotspots this year.
- The best house party in the mountains
  
  Ready for more partying after the Xmas season is over? How about heading for the Alps for the best party you can imagine?

Witness the fitness! The best new sports gear for 2019

Finding it hard to kickstart that hardcore new exercise regime? Buy some slinky new kit and you’ll be sprinting around the park faster than Mo Farah (possibly).
- Our festive fashion Top 10
  
  Invitations piling up and nothing to wear? Well, Cinders, you shall go to the ball (or, er, pub). Muddy's partywear edit incoming!
- Wrist Action
  
  Obsessed with the time since the clocks went back? Then you'll appreciate our round up the coolest watches for all the family.

Close shave

Gillette’s new ad campaign is ruffling a few feathers. What do you think?
- The wonderful Wizard of Oz
  
  This isn't Kansas, it's Somerset, in a clever re-working of the iconic tale at The Brewhouse in Taunton
- Top 10 books for young adults
  
  Abingdon's magnificent indie bookshop Mostly Books has scoured the shelves, and selected its Top 10 books for the miracle of a tween/teen no-screen Christmas.
- Coffee table tomes
  
  From fashion to flora to Frida, Muddy's books editor Kerry Potter has got a gorgeous coffee table tome for you.
- Top 10 kids books
  
  The Top 10 books for kids this Christmas - lovingly chosen by The Book House in Thame, purveyors of one of the top kids sections in the county!

Muddy makes the glossies

The brilliant ‘Psychologies’ magazine wrote a 6 page feature about Muddy’s Hero Brown called , ‘My Life, My Way”. (Nov ’18 issue)
- ‘It’s a real action-hero, ‘Marvel’-like play’
  
  Super-stylish rising RSC talent Amber James on Gregory Doran's Mad-Max-style futuristic dystopian Troilus and Cressida.
- Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?
  
  Tring Park School for the Performing Arts churns out constellations of new generation stars - wanna see the latest batch of A-listers?