Spotlight

Raise a glass: it's the Muddy Awards drinksYou did it, they did it, we all did it! The Muddy Awards are over for 2021 - and what a year it's been! See what happened when our amazing local winners came together to celebrate at the fabulous Ashridge House. Pop the cork and let the celebrations commence!
Wedding special: 18 stunning venues in Herts & BedsPlanning a wedding? Don't book anything until you've checked out our guide to the most stunning venues across Herts & Beds. [Photo: Rothamsted Enterprises]
What's on: Sept 2021Live comedy, concerts, fairs and festivals are back - it finally feels like we're getting our social mojo back. Wanna know what to book for the month ahead?
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.
Superflashy news flash - hot Herts gossip!Hollywood's new Herts outpost, a restaurant opening, a floral concept store and big theatre news... it's all happening in Herts - read on for the latest news in food, culture and good times

Well, hello!

I'm Katrina, editor of Muddy Herts & Beds, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

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.

Gotta have it

The results are in! Meet your Muddy Awards 2021 winners

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

View Our Winners

Eat

The ultimate guide to afternoon tea in Herts & Beds

Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week, (9-15 Aug), by making your way through Muddy’s definitive guide to the best afternoon teas in our counties. Don’t mind if we do!
- Three recipes to reboot your midweek meals
  
  Stuck in the dinner doldrums? Shake up your routine with these easy and colourful dishes from Delicious & Real that will have everyone asking for seconds
- 10 Brilliant Beer Gardens in Herts & Beds
  
  Fancy an al fresco lunch? Here’s where to head in our counties to quaff rosé and wolf down some great grub that you haven’t cooked yourself

Culture

Feet up! What to watch on TV this week

Don’t miss our weekly round-up of the best things on the box. Iconic panel show reboots, big-budget sci-fi, and a cheeky little baking competition… here’s what to watch this week.
- 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.

Little Black Book

Want to support local? Our curated pick of the most creative, unique and brilliant businesses near you.

Image Bliss Photography

The Little Berko Bakery

Shimmering Ivory

Perch & Co.

Hotel Cromwell, Stevenage

Debenhams Ottaway Solicitors

Cooking and Carafes

Ashridge House, Berkhamsted

Home Farm Glamping

Alpine Rose Interiors

Brilliant Brazilian

Bowles & Wyer

Travel

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.
- 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.
- The Muddy insider guide to Norfolk
  
  Stunning beaches, beautiful broads and bijou boltholes plus a vibrant capital city – Norfolk is one of our favourite year-round staycation destinations. Ready to ‘Do Different’?

Home

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).
- Buffalo Mozzarella with Clementine Salad
  
  Need a new speedy lunch? Try this 15 minute fab mozzarella salad from Tart London – the super-cool caterers of choice for the fashion set (plus Naked Wines at 63% off).
- Glug! New wines to buy and try
  
  Naked Wine sommelier and Gordon Ramsay alumnus Ray O’Connor spills the grapes on why he won’t pay thousands for wine, what’s in his cellar – and how to dodge hangovers
- 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
- 10 ways to take the drama out of divorce
  
  We know the ‘D’ word isn’t a pleasant one but it doesn’t have to become a drama-fuelled slanging match if you follow this expert advice.

Life

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.
- How to future-proof your kids
  
  You don’t need us to tell you it’s been a challenging 18 months for everyone, but no more so than for schools. We asked Kathryn Gorman, Head of Abbot’s Hill School what she’s learnt and how the school is preparing pupils for the new normal.
- Does the world need another online school?
  
  Pearson Online Academy UK Global thinks so! With the launch of the educational behemoth’s founding school in September, Muddy gets the lowdown from Principal Jo Vigneron

Instamuddy

Fashion

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.
- 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

What it’s like to be ‘Tina Turner’ (and own 150 pairs of shoes)

It’s all about the voice, the strut, the heels and the fans, says Tina tribute Justine, one of the line up of epic acts at St Albans’ upcoming Legends Festival
- My favourite places: Emma John, author
  
  Local Muddy gal, Emma John is an award-winning author, journalist and podcaster. She lets us in on her top spots to spend time in Herts and Beds
- Muddy talks parenting with Lorraine Candy
  
  “All teenage girls think their mums are a bit rubbish”. Journalist and mother of four Lorraine Candy talks parenting, moody teens and motherhood with Muddy.