Eat Out

Sleepover at The Swan, Wedmore

Heartwarming food, luxury bedrooms (where dogs are welcome), killer breakfasts and nearby walks aplenty on the edge of the Somerset Levels
Lussmanns, Tring

Tring’s modern brasserie is bringing sophisticated meat-free dining to the table. Muddy Herts’ resident veggie gives it her verdict…
31 Below, Marylebone

You can keep your Oxford, Bond and Kensington High Streets - it's Marylebone High Street and its new watering hole, 31 Below, all the way for me!
Dig in! The Mole Inn

This pretty village gastro pub south of Oxford serves up both pub classics and more inventive dishes. Muddy pops in for a Sunday lunch eat-a-thon. Here's the verdict.
The White Hart, Somerton

Light lunch or blow out in this relaxed rustic chic pub on the edge of Somerton's ancient Market Square
Paris House, Woburn

Elegance, class, sophistication...no, we're not talking about ourselves! The Michelin recommended Paris House across the border in Woburn, Bedfordshire aces fine dining.
Carnivores unite!

All the fuss about clean eating and vegan this-and-that driving you insane? Get your chops around the unashamedly meat eats at The Corn Stores.
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.
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 (near Beaconsfield) 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
The Queens Arms, Corton Denham

Night out or weekend away at a cracking Somerset village pub with cosy rooms and great atmos, Michelin-listed nosh – or just a handmade pork pie from the bar.
Kirtlington classic

Take one 19th century pub, add a huge garden, great food and a policy of allowing only children 12 and older in the dining area, and whaddya get? A brand new gastropub to add to your must-try list!
The Miller of Mansfield

Friendly pub meets fine dining at this Goring restaurant-with-rooms, a village retreat with serious aspirations. Muddy’s Anna Brech was in there like swimwear.
Christmas drinkies!

Usually face-down in a vat of Baileys throughout December? You can do better than that! Here's our guide to nailing your Christmas drink choices like a pro.
On the Waterfront

The Encore overlooking the River Avon in historic Stratford-upon-Avon has just reopened after a swish complete makeover. Shall we?
The most fun restaurant in Oxford?

A party atmosphere, sexy Sri Lankan street food and killer cocktails - The Coconut Tree in Oxford has got it all going on. Muddy's Clover Stroud gets involved.
The perfect pub grub?

Scampi aficionado Jo Sutherland has a lotta love for the classic pub fayre at the newly rebooted Full Moon in Hawridge. Don't steal her tartare sauce, whatever you do.
Swanning about by the river

A pub immersed in literary history with stunning river views and a new chef adding pizazz to the menu. Is it a page turner? You bet it is.
20 Sunday Roasts! But not all at once…

Bring on the Yorkshire puds! Where are the best spots for a weekend nosh up? Here's our round up of our fave cosy pubs for you to try...
The Mulberry Inn

Big flavours and a big friendly welcome is the order of the day at this newly zhushed up Surrey country pub owned by Chris Evans.
2019’s Michelin Stars

It's the accolade that all chefs want – so who's reached for the stars in Glos, Wilts and surrounding counties this year?
The Castle at Edgehill

Muddy goes all 'Rapunzel' and checks into an impressive 15th Century folly for the night with panoramic views over a famous Civil War battlefield.
Muddy’s fave new hangout, The Priory

After a stylish gastro pub for lunch or dinner? We've found just the joint down Loughborough way.
The White Horse, Haselbury Plucknett

Foodie alert: an unpretentious family-run pub serving truly outstanding food, with a personal touch.
Rathfinny’s new vineyard restaurant

Enjoy fine seasonal food with a view, and perhaps the diverting antics of 'Kevin' the kestrel, at this new Sussex eatery
The Curlew, Bodiam

Beautiful food in an unstuffy atmosphere - Muddy visits one of Sussex's best restaurants, perfect for a special occasion or romantic treat
Dorset Arms, Withyham

Find Winnie-the-Pooh connections on the doorstep and great home-reared food on your plate at this Ashdown Forest pub
The Old Coastguard, Mousehole

A year-round star of the local food scene. Retreat to this west Cornwall bolthole for a leisurely lunch or cosy supper and a sleepover.
There’s a chef in my kitchen!

Planning a special celebration in Cornwall? Hire this brilliant private chef and let the restaurant come to you.
The Longstore, Charlestown

You had us at steaks and seafood! This Cornish harbour-side eatery was named ‘Best Restaurant’ in this year’s Muddy Awards. Here's why...
The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Muddy tucks into a 6-course Tasting Evening at this 4* top golf, leisure and spa resort in the North Warwickshire countryside. It was definitely well above par.
The Daneway

This one-time rural boozer near Cirencester is full of rustic charm and too-good-to-miss gastro-pub inventions.
Helen Browning’s Royal Oak

Homespun charm, yummy, wholesome food and dreamy rooms to overnight in, there is NOTHING not to like here!
Caw blimey! The Blackbird

Tom Aiken's former head chef has opened his own place in a Berkshire country pub. Expect the unexpected (and a fab 80s tune) at Dominic Robinson's Blackbird in Bagnor.
Grey’s Brasserie

Whatley Manor’s revamped eaterie is cutting quite a swathe with its chic European interiors and innovative menu.
Superflashy newsflash

Food and booze news! Check out the latest Sussex food and drink launches and more - including a big wineries weekender, new pubs, dining experiences and tipples.
The Ivy Cheltenham

Cheltenham’s new The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie delivers on food, drinks, service and glitz. Muddy was there to review it first.
Cornwall’s Healthy Eating Haunts

12 Cornish cafes and health food shops that will help you eat better and feel positively saintly, as recommended by the experts.
185 Watling St…

Revisited this gem in Towcester - a great spot for groups of friends looking for a good bar vibe in the evening and a classy dinner. Nom!
Mullins Coffee Shop

I've hit on a great place for lunch in Dorking. Wanna know more? Yes? Huddle in, I've got lots to tell.
The Best Pub in England!

Into the winner's enclosure! A lovely village pub that's only gone and got itself the accolade of AA Best Pub in England
Race you to The Pheasant

This stylish inn nr Lambourn is an odds on favourite for scoffing and quaffing before staggering to bed.
The Black Horse

The newly refurbished Black Horse in Reigate is creating quite a stir locally, not least because of its Michelin starred ties.
Perfect eats in town for Mudlets

Heading to the big smoke this month? Check out our top places to feed the Mudlets
The Fat Duck, Bray

The waiting list just got longer. Heston Blumenthal's Berkshire restaurant adds another gastronomic gong to the trophy cabinet.
Spread Eagle, Midhurst

Fancy preparing for layer removal with a spa day, or holing up and fine dining in cosy surrounds? The Spread Eagle Hotel at Midhurst has you covered either way and it's so historic Elizabeth I stayed here!
The Stanwick Hotel

This Muddy is a regular visitor to The Stanwick Hotel, (formerly The Courtyard Hotel), as I have a monthly networking group I go to that's hosted there (never networked? You haven't lived ; ) Also they're a Muddy Award winner, so I thought you guys could probably do with a peek inside too!
The Potager Garden & Café

This idyllic cafe near Falmouth serves up delicious, organic, veggie food, fresh juices and gluten-free cakes - you can't help but feel good here.
The George Townhouse

Officially Warwickshire's Best Pub (and who knows what will happen at the National Pub & Bar Awards grand final), this Shipston-on-Stour inn is a winner.
5 Artisan Gins from Hants

Gin, gin, wonderful gin and of course Hampshire has some of the best. Read on to find out the perfect botanic for your local life.
New spa & afternoon tea

A cosy new spa in an old seafront cellar and a show-stopping afternoon tea at the stylish Brighton Harbour Hotel
Sundays At The Star & Garter

An amazing slow-cooked Sunday roast and stunning waterside views await at this gastro pub on Falmouth's old high street.
Muddy Eats: Perfect pizzas at the Henry VI in Eton

Sharing your name with England’s youngest ever king (who, by the way, also founded Eton College) puts a ton of royal expectation on a pub. One doesn’t want to let the side down – or ‘orf with their heads’. The Henry VI is back after a full refurb, creating a warm, unpretentious, family-centric experience – and I […]
Chic sleeps and Sunday roasts at Rathfinny Wine Estate

Ever keeled over on a settee hugging a bottle of Pinot Noir? No, me neither <cough>. Anyway, here’s a much more sophisticated way to sleep with wine. Rathfinny vineyard perched in the South Downs has some gorgeous cosy-yet-stylish accommodation in the Flint Barns on site. It’s perfect for either a house party or a rejuvinating […]
Funky new Brighton cafe

I’m not saying I’m a jinx but my two favourite Brighton & Hove cafes have closed in the last year. Farm just down from Wagamama did the BEST carrot cake (and believe me I’ve done extensive research) while little Pic-nics up an alley off the Hove seafront was my go-to place for a big breakfast […]
Tea at Gran’s? Edith’s House, Rye

There’s no shortage of places to get tea and cake in achingly pretty Rye but when Edith’s House popped up as one of our Muddy Awards nominees this year I was much tickled by the concept and vowed to give it a try when I was next over. It doesn’t look like much of a theme cafe […]
Muddy eats: The Garibaldi – Northampton

Driving into a chilly Northampton today I was reminded of our first ever Pub review… In the Garibaldi blurb it says where the pub stands (on the corner of Ash Street and Bailiff Street) was a renowned meeting point for women of the night, blaggards and general wrongdoers of all persuasions. It seemed appropriate […]
Bistrot Pierre, Weston-super-Mare

Over the half term, the Muddies and I made a deal. We would all go to Weston-super-Mare and I would endure an hour of hell amongst the amusements on the pier if we all went for a bracing walk on the flat, flat sands. I didn’t know of any good places to eat round in […]
Eat here: The Milk Shed, nr Bicester Village

You probably don’t need another excuse to break for the border and head to Bicester (Bicester Village for a bit of early Christmas present shopping anyone?!) but I’m feeling generous so I’ll give you one anyway. I had a meeting at Bicester Village last week (by which I mean coffee with my friend Jude at Villandry) and […]
Let’s Ensemble in Wells

I chanced upon Ensemble in Wells last Saturday, when I was Googling something completely different (possibly killer clowns). The restaurant's only been open since June and as I always love trying out somewhere new, I quickly nabbed a friend and we popped ourselves over there to catch the tail end of lunch. Come and see what we found...
Sunday roast heaven at The Newbury

At long last! I finally made it to The Newbury a few weeks ago – the winner of Best Casual Dining in this year’s Muddy Stilettos Berkshire Awards. Pete Lumber the landlord and I had been trying to get a date sorted so I could come with the whole Muddy clan to enjoy the full family lunch […]
Muddy Eats: The Alford Arms rises from the ashes

The fire that closed The Alford Arms in Frithsden earlier this year left good food and beer lovers across this end of the county howling and bereft. And understandably so. But it's back -- and it's just as lovely, as welcoming, as comfortable, and as popular as it ever was...
Cole Manor Tea Rooms, nr Bruton

Do your bit to support National Afternoon Tea Week by stuffing yourself silly with tea and cake as often as possible from now until next Sunday. I started supporting our Great British institution early by taking the Muddy Ma for afternoon tea in the stunning gardens of the Cole Manor Tea Rooms at the weekend. […]
Salt & Malt, Chew Valley Lake

A former tearoom enjoys the golden (crisp, lightly battered) touch of Somerset’s Super Chef Josh Eggleton to become the Salt & Malt fish cafe, restaurant and tearoom. It’s in a fab location overlooking the Chew Valley Lake – actually the largest artificial reservoir in the west country – in north Somerset. Josh Eggleton (of Michelin-starred […]
Take me to church

I’ve driven past The Church loads of times. I see it, nod and say to Mr M, we really must try it there, it’s meant to be very good. Well it must be pretty special, because it won the Muddy Stilettos Awards for best restaurant, and of course, I had to go and see what […]
The Firehouse, Curry Rivel

Just checked out the new kid on the rural block: the newly opened The Firehouse, a pub and restaurant in the village of Curry Rivel, just a few miles to the west of Langport. Located off the main drag, in what was previously the Old Forge Inn, the old village pub has had a complete […]
The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham

Popped in for lunch with some friends last week to the The Queen’s Arms in Corton Denham, a gastropub with eight en suite rooms, nestled in the hills on the Somerset/Dorset border, just three miles from Sherborne. It’s won loads of awards for its food, drink and accommodation: 5 star AA inn, 2 AA rosettes, […]
Muddy meets: Devine Betty’s & Rockabilly Rose

The greatest wonder of the them all is that the stars of your dinner party could ever align. Why would the melee of choosing the right (and impressive) menu, co-ordinating cooking times, giving good front of house, floral arrangements AND keeping certain guests off the cooking sherry before 8pm cause any consternation – after all […]
The Wellington Arms, Baughurst

If your understanding of ‘destination pub’ is – takes flippin’ ages to find down endless winding country lanes clogged with tractors – then The Wellington Arms on the Berks/Hants border can definitely be awarded the title. But by heck food lovers, it is so worth it. I took my sister along for the ride and promised her an amazing […]
Getting Hygge with it: Muddy Drinks

Look guys, it doesn’t matter how you choose to phrase the word Hygge, do what it takes to beat a path to a cosy candlelit table at Northampton’s smart new Scandinavian bar. And when there, treat yourself to an ice cold glass of wine, or challenge yourself (as Mr. Muddy has) to working through a […]