Things to do
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9 outdoor cinemas to book now
Nothing says summer like an alfresco night out watching fab movies under the stars. From gardens to amphitheatres, here's where to head, popcorn and blanket at the ready
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The Muddy insider guide to Essex
Close to London yet home to beautiful countryside and a stunning stretch of coastline with in-the-know islands and hidden estuaries, Essex is the underrated jewel of East Anglia and it’s time you paid a visit.
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Our insider guide to Southend & Leigh-on-Sea
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! Fancy visiting the UK's newest city this spring? Don't miss Muddy's insider guide to this picturesque stretch of Essex coast.
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Your bang-up-to-date insider guide to Oxford
Staycationing this spring? Then you'll be needing Muddy's amazing insider guide to the city of dreaming spires, including the tourist classics and hipster hangouts.
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The Muddy insider guide to Norwich
Headed to Norwich for a holiday, or a local going "up the city"? Either way, you'll want to check out our brand new insider guide to this irresistible city.
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Tickle your tastebuds! It’s a foodie newsflash
The UK's hottest new hotel opens, a snazzy new restaurant to spice up your life, a cool new deli and more tipples than you can shake a bottle opener at. It's all going on in Berks
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Let’s take a day trip to Chelmsford!
Looking for a top-notch day trip just outside of London? Discover 12 of the best things to do in Chelmsford in our carefully-curated Muddy guide. You’re welcome…
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The Muddy insider guide to Windsor
Thanks to a stream of Royal weddings, babies and family tensions, the spotlight's fixed on Windsor right now. Ditch the guide book, here's where to hang out during your visit.
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Culture’s calling! What to see in London in 2022
Thrilling theatre, exhilarating art, fantastic festivals - these are the tickets you need to book now. Settle in for a capital city culture hitlist, and a jam-packed 2022.
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Girls with guns: Ladies’ Day at Bisley Shooting Ground
We're going on a clay shoot. Clay shooting is great fun, but it's even better when you're surrounded by a gaggle of great girls and it includes breakfast, elevenses and lunch.
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Five festive reasons to visit Newbury’s Victorian Fayre
Christmas is back with a bang in Berkshire – and a brand new Victorian Christmas Fayre. Here are five reasons why you should there with (jingle) bells on.
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49 lovely light trails across the Muddy counties
You glow, girl! At least, you will at one of these fabulously festive light trails to visit up and down the Muddy counties. Scarf on, boots strapped: let's admire some twinkling.
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28 best Christmas markets across the Muddy counties
Is it even Christmas if you haven't eaten scalding chestnuts from a chalet hut? Do your festive shopping right this year with these 28 merry markets worth a visit across the Muddy counties.
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Your festive guide to the big smoke this Christmas
Eat, drink, and be merry in the capital this festive season with our holly jolly hitlist. From glam pop-ups and glittering fairgrounds to cocktails and carols, here's the best of the best.
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Skates on! 33 best ice rinks across the Muddy counties
We're heading into the season of slip-sliding, wall-grabbing, and pirouetting. Skate queen or just here for the mulled wine, check out these festive ice rinks across the Muddy counties and beyond.
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City slickin’: what’s on in London this autumn
London's heading into the cooler months with a host of unmissable cultural highlights. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's worth seeing in the big smoke.
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Muddy goes back to school. Gin school!
Forget gin tasting, REAL lovers of gin are learning how to make their own. So naturally Muddy heads into the lab at Wessex Distillery in Surrey to get to the bottom of a bottle, I mean, all those botanicals.
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How to get your kids off screens and into gardens
You know the struggle. Chilling with the laptop/TV/tablet for company is always tempting — but getting a kid outdoors can be that bit easier, thanks to these five expert tips.
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My Favourite Places: Grace Regan
Introducing the awesomely cool, gorgeous and talented chef Grace Regan - owner of critically acclaimed London curry house, Spicebox, who lives in Margate. To celebrate her delicious vegan cookbook we got Grace to tell us her fave places to hang out locally.
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Ready, aim, fire? Let’s go shooting
More women and children than ever are taking up shooting, so Muddy takes her teenager along to Bisley Shooting Ground and gives it two smoking barrels. Boom!
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Iford Manor Estate – It’s your passport to Italy – bella bella!
Discover this Italianate garden that's a little slice of heaven on the Wiltshire-Somerset border. The recent addition of a gorgeous cafe equals hard-to-beat day out, and they now have their own holiday cottage so you don't have to leave!
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47 adult courses to book this summer
Fancy learning a new skill? From mastering mixology to crafting jewellery to keeping bees, Muddy has the lowdown of all the best and brightest adult courses to book this summer.
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The best of outdoor art in Bucks and Oxon 2021
From Ai Wei Wei to street art and Henry Moore, we've rounded up the best temporary and permanent art you can enjoy en plein air (beret optional)
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27 of the best beaches in East Anglia
Summer's here so we've got the inside scoop on the best East Anglian beaches for all tastes. Buckets at the ready, sandwiches packed, bring on the sun!
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Shazia Mirza is back in town
She’s an ex-science teacher - “I hated them, they hated me” - yet former student Dizzee Rascal still calls her Miss. This fierce comedian pulls no punches - we catch up with Shazia Mirza as she heads to Norwich.
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Royal Ascot 2021: It’ll be a vintage year
And we're off… to the charity shop for a stylish and sustainable Royal Ascot. This year's all about second-hand style, so here's where to buy and rent the chicest outfits.
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Man the forts! The best castles within 90 minutes
Ready for a right royal day out? We've rounded up 9 of the coolest castles in Bucks, Oxon and beyond that are open for business. Tiara at the ready, let's go!
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96 ultimate outdoor meet-ups
Walking is sooo Lockdown 3. Come March 29, we’re ready for some new outdoors activities with friends or family. Try one of these fresh ideas from the Muddy counties.
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The best local delis (and nearby picnic spots)
From 8 March picnics on benches are THE hottest social event. Dig out your hamper and waterproof blanket, and order your sausage rolls from these divine Bucks & Oxon delis.
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Bring the bar to you: how to have a virtual night out
Counting down the days until that chilly pub garden come April? God, us too. Here's the next best thing: bar-quality cocktails, perfect ambience, and a whole lot of glam.
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Staying in saviour – what to stream this week
If the sofa is your No.1 destination this week (rain, rain go away!) then you'll be needing my guide to the best telly, theatre, film and online festivals.
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Superflashy Newsflash
Hollywood in our 'hood, the end of an era for Parky's pub, openings, closures and a gorgeous swirl of gossip around Berkshire!
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Tom Gates on stage
Part play, part living cartoon, part gig, Tom Gates live - in Brighton Wed 2 - Sat 5 Oct - stays pleasingly close to Liz Pichon's best-selling books.
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Art’s rising rock stars
Blank walls but your budget doesn't stretch to an Emin or Hirst? Here are 12 cool, collectable artists who won't require you to sell a loved one. Plus FREE Fresh:Art Fair tickets for Muddy readers.
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Stratford Lit Fest 2019: What’s on for children?
Looking for a cultural family-friendly jaunt this spring? There's a brilliant line-up of best-selling and much-loved children's authors and illustrators at the 12th annual festival. Before you book, check out our top picks..
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Lee Mead Q&A
The Joseph and Holby City star talks career, pinch yourself moments and wardrobe malfunctions to Muddy ahead of his My Story shows coming to Sussex
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South Downs stargazing festival
Find an event near you for a spot of guided stargazing or a family-friendly workshop over the 2019 Dark Skies Festival
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Inside The Haunted Castle
Muddy intrepidly goes in search of the scariest thrills for Halloween at Warwick Castle on a family day out.
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What’s On in Sussex in October
30+ things to do in Sussex in October including bargain feasting, touring musicals, performance poetry, comedy, a David Walliams story on stage, Halloween highlights & more
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What’s On in February in Sussex
Feb 2018
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South Downs stargazing festival
Catch astronomy events throughout Sussex during the South Downs Dark Skies Festival this February
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The secret gardens
Head to the stunning gardens at Ramster Hall near Chiddingfold this half term - kids are free and there's a lovely teahouse.
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OMG braaaaake!
For new drivers or those of us who *sniff* may have had a prang or two, go pass the Silverstone driving test.
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Further Afield
MON 29 MAY - SUN 4 JUNE 2017
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Don’t Miss Sussex Modernism
You’ve just a couple of weeks to catch the free London exhibition Sussex Modernism: Retreat and Rebellion on at Two Temple Place until 23 April. I visited a few weeks ago and found it really tied together various bits and pieces I knew about the county’s cultural heritage. There were several items that were familiar to me […]
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Muddy reviews: The Glass Menagerie, London
If you’ve ever had a relative nag you about settling down, or a friend who is an unsubtle matchmaker, you’ll get an extra layer of cringe from Tenneesse Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. There’s a great production of the play on at The Duke of York’s Theatre in London until April 29, directed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning John Tiffany and I […]