Spotlight

Italy, Mr Bond? 24 hours in MateraMake mine a martini, shaken not stirred while we tell you our insider tips on how to best experience the coolest city you've probably never heard of.
10 knockout farmhouses that are up for sale nowFell in love with rural life on your staycay? Us too. Quick, before the market turns: check out these absolutely stunning farms to snap up across the Muddy counties (and beyond).
65 paw-fect dog-friendly staysHave pooch, will travel? Here are 65 stays across the Muddy counties that are all Fido-friendly from stunning stately homes to rural cottage staycations.
Muddy stays: Brown's Hotel, MayfairElegant, oozing with history and slap-bang in central Mayfair - this impressive five star hotel is a dead cert for a special occasion stay in the Big Smoke.
16 of the best places to holiday in the UKChoosing a UK holiday? Then you're going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.

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

Back to school season always calls out for new books and pens — the prettier the better. Grown-ups, gather round: this is your ultimate stylish stationery round-up, from pens to paperweights.

Thanks to everyone who took part this year, and helped celebrate the most awesome indie businesses across 25 counties.

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EatView more

Review: Pluma, Old Amersham

Is this the best tapas restaurant in Buckinghamshire? Read on for the Muddy lowdown on Muddy Awards 2021 finalist Pluma in elegant Old Amersham
- Lunch with a view: 21 top riverside eats
  
  Ahh, is there anything better than a stroll along the riverside? Actually, yes - a riverside that includes a long lazy lunch and some stonking views across Bucks or Oxon!
- Insta-worthy places to eat in Oxon and Bucks
  
  Now we're all going out out, naturally we want to shout about it. Be the envy of your followers at these photogenic local hotspots where the backdrop is as good as the food.
- Glug! Vineyards in the Berkshire ‘hood
  
  English wine is officially having a moment – and what better time to try it than in English Wine Week (19-27 June)? Top up your glass with a drop from one of these local Berkshire vineyards.
- Review: Two One Five Kitchen & Drinks
  
  Food reviews are back on the menu and this one's a goodie. Relaunched in lockdown, this 3AA Rosette restaurant offers fine dining that won't break the bank - ready to tuck in?

Arts & CultureView more

New TV alert! 6 shiny things dropping this week

We’re getting into prime autumn telly season, with three — count them, three! — hotly-awaited series returns this week. Read all about them (as well as the other shiny new releases) here…
- 5 things you won’t want to miss on TV this week
  
  Channel 4's making history, Colin Farrell stars in the BBC's bleak new period drama, Anya Taylor-Joy comes of age in Ireland, and more. Muddy's got the inside-line on unmissable telly this week.
- Stop! It’s sofa time: 5 new releases to watch this week
  
  Is that autumn in the air? Time for some top-tier TV. We've got screwball comedy whodunnits, big-budget fairy tale retellings, and powerful documentary deep-dives. Reader, take your pick.
- Pass the popcorn! 6 new releases to watch now
  
  There's something for everyone on the box this week, from brand new bingeable reality TV to exciting reboots and Benedict Cumberbatch's latest spy thriller.
- Pass the remote! 5 best things to watch this week
  
  Forget flicking aimlessly through the channels, cut through the TV guff with our round-up of the best new releases to watch this week.

TravelView more

Italy, Mr Bond? 24 hours in Matera

Make mine a martini, shaken not stirred while we tell you our insider tips on how to best experience the coolest city you’ve probably never heard of.
- Muddy reviews: The Swan at Streatley
  
  This boutique hotel in the village of Streatley, West Berkshire, with its slick styling and stunning riverside location is the ultimate weekend escape.
- 65 paw-fect dog-friendly stays
  
  Have pooch, will travel? Here are 65 stays across the Muddy counties that are all Fido-friendly from stunning stately homes to rural cottage staycations.

HomeView more

- 10 knockout farmhouses that are up for sale now
  
  Fell in love with rural life on your staycay? Us too. Quick, before the market turns: check out these absolutely stunning farms to snap up across the Muddy counties (and beyond).
- Gardening jobs to do in September
  
  Who better to advise on what to plants, prune and ignore than Charlotte Tremlin, head gardener at Wormsley, the Getty family's private estate in the Chilterns
Wellbeing
- 10 super spa days in Berkshire
  
  A little pampering goes a long way especially as we head into the colder darker months. Here's the best spa days in Berkshire. And relaaax.
- Your health questions answered!
  
  Don’t understand why the weight won’t shift? Have a back that’s reminiscent of Quasimodo? Muddy puts your questions to Healthily’s chief medical officer, Professor Maureen Baker

LifeView more

- Write on! 11 stylish stationery picks
  
  Back to school season always calls out for new books and pens — the prettier the better. Grown-ups, gather round: this is your ultimate stylish stationery round-up, from pens to paperweights.
- Back in the office? We’re here to help!
  
  Feeling unprepared to head back to the office after a year WFH? Muddy to the rescue with eight essential Do's and Don'ts (and yes, you will have to change out of sweatpants).
Kids
- Ashfold School, Dorton, Mid Bucks
  
  This bucolic co-ed prep school for day pupils and boarders in the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire is family-oriented with a deserved reputation for its all-rounder offering.
- How to supercharge your kids learning
  
  Are there educational bumps in the road ahead? Why a roadmap of schools advice, academic support and mentoring could supercharge your child's success.

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FashionView more

A new leaf: your 10 autumn wardrobe essentials

Bright knits, checks, big handbags, even bigger boots. We’ve got your autumn/winter 2021 fashion fix sorted.
- Rent your clothes like Carrie!
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with Carrie Symonds showing us how to work a sustainable wardrobe, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your clothes in style.
- Best swimwear for 2021
  
  Nothing says summer like new swimwear. Who cares if it's the Med or the back garden, it's time to splash out. Whether it's eco, floral, striped, shaping, nautical or sporty, we've found your perfect bikini or swimsuit.

BeautyView more

- Can Haringtons tame the Muddy mane?
  
  Fly-away hair with lots of grey? Not just me then... The challenge for award-winning hairdresser and colourist Barry was to create a style that will still look good a week later
- How to get that perfect sun-kissed glow
  
  Forget pale and interesting... we're channelling the St Tropez vibe, minus the orange tint. Here are some lotions and potions for a natural-looking tan without the UV damage

People

Muddy meets Dom Holland (aka daddy Spiderman)

Writer, funny man, and father of big star Tom Holland. Muddy sat down with Dominic Holland to chat life in the shadow of your eldest, stand up faux-pas, and his upcoming set at The Potters Arms.
- Berkshire’s Olympic giants going for gold
  
  Addicted to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? With Maidenhead's Tom Dean winning gold, meet your local Team GB stars medal hunting in Japan.
- Muddy meets celeb ventriloquist Paul Zerdin
  
  He won America's Got Talent and is finally back on tour. Muddy talks to ventriloquist Paul Zerdin about weird fan mail, dressing up as Maggie Thatcher and his beef with Barney the Dinosaur.