The urban guide to the countryside -

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

Wonderful weddingsPlanning a wedding? Don't do anything until you've consulted our comprehensive wedding guide for all 21 Muddy counties.
Muddy goes wild in LondonEd-in-chief Hero Brown nailed 9 hours in London with her kids last week and it was epic! See how she did it, AND win yourself a family trip to the city with a meal for four on us.
12 of the best bluebell walksLook out, look out, the bluebells are about! We've got the lowdown on the best local woods and walks to find them, but shhh... don't tell everyone!
6 of the best luxury afternoon teasGather your girls, block out the diary and pass the bubbly and cucumber sandwiches - it's the Muddy guide to the best luxury afternoon teas.

Fri 24 - Sun 26 May

Mon 20 - Sun 26 May

May 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

6 of the best luxury afternoon teas

Gather your girls, block out the diary and pass the bubbly and cucumber sandwiches – it’s the Muddy guide to the best luxury afternoon teas.
- Shall I be mum?
  
  The Centurion Club in St Albans has extended its afternoon teas by popular demand - but is it worth the fuss? Pass the elasticated pants, I'm finding out!
- A cocktail, and make it snappy!
  
  Dry January is over, and to celebrate, we've collated the best bars across the Muddy counties in which to whet your whistle with your favourite tipple. Ibuprofen at the ready? Then we'll begin!
- Lussmanns, Tring
  
  Tring’s modern brasserie is bringing sophisticated meat-free dining to the table. Muddy Herts’ resident veggie gives it her verdict…
- Muddy Eats: 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.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

For the best things happening in Herts & Beds

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

The dreamiest new hotels to book now

In need of an indulgent weekend away? Er, ALWAYS. Here’s our pick of the best brand new – and downright desirable – hotels to book pronto. Breakfast in bed and late check-outs all round!
- Day at the beach anyone?
  
  Fancy feeling the sand between your toes and the waves lapping at your feet? You don't have to jump on a plane just yet. Here's out pick of the top UK beaches for a sunny day trip.
- Is your neighbourhood one of the best in Britain?
  
  A new survey of the UK's loveliest places to live sees Berkhamsted and Bedford amongst the top spots. Hooray! What a good excuse for us to go snooping around and find out what all the fuss is about...

New season fashion – a bluffer’s guide

Spring is coming but what to wear? Here are the key six trends that’ll give your wardrobe an easy-peasy update.
- Say my name
  
  Fashion gets personal with the trend for emblazoning your name across your T shirt, handbag or phone case. Think school uniform name tags but cooler!
- Hey sexy pants!
  
  New season, new reason to look foxy! We've hunted down the sexiest, slinkiest new lingerie around. Bridget Jones enormo-pants, be gone!

Well, hello you!

How has Keanu Reeves not aged in 30 years?! The laconic Hollywood star is back in a fashion campaign that’s got social media a-swooning. Shall we examine the evidence?
- April’s best new books
  
  Quick, spring-clean your bedside table or Kindle to make room for Muddy books editor's Kerry Potter's awesome April picks.
- Need a new book?
  
  You're in the right place - Muddy's pro-bookworm Kerry Potter has picked this month's seven sexiest reads. And you can win the lot!
- 20 music festivals in Herts, Beds and beyond to book now!
  
  'Tis the season for drinking too much cider and getting sunburnt in a field under the guise of being a live music fan. Here's our pick of the best summer fests, both local and further afield. See you down the front!
- Your unmissable 2019 culture planner
  
  Want to make the most of 2019? Muddy's culture vulture Kerry Potter has curated the best new TV, music, theatre, film, books and art of the year. Get yer diary out!

Sexy stationary

Stationery is one of my specialist subjects. And – whoop! – it’s National Stationery Week. Check out this sexy lot.
- Who do you think you are?
  
  Do you ever get the feeling that you're going to be found out, that people will realise you're a bit of a fraud? Life coach Jessica Wall on how to deal with Imposter Syndrome.
- How to be a workplace warrior
  
  With a third of our lives taken up by work, figuring out how to enjoy the ride has never been more important. Here's how to do it.
Kids
- Bishop’s Stortford College, East Herts
  
  Muddy says: This vast and impressive co-ed day and boarding school has a dazzling array of facilities and a strong community vibe.
- Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood
  
  285 acres of fresh air and art deco heritage at this high-achieving all-rounder boys school on the Herts/Bucks borders, a mere 30 minutes from central London.

Everyone’s talking about… The Guilty Feminist

Love the podcast? Good news – its creator is coming to a theatre near you this spring. We grabbed super-talented comedian Deborah Francis-White for a chinwag.
- Muddy meets Tom Kerridge…
  
  ... and talks Marlow's Pub in the Park (Kaiser Chiefs, people), his favourite local eateries, and work life balance issues - yup, he has them too!
- Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery
  
  Muddy talks to Harriet Kelsall about 20 years in the jewellery business, making Hertfordshire sparkle
- Muddy meets… Craig Revel-Horwood
  
  Want the hot goss from the BBC ballroom? Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood dishes the dirt on this year's show.
- Muddy meets… Horrible Histories!
  
  The family favourite tour reaches Wycombe on 6-7 Nov. Muddy spoke to co-director Neal Foster about what grisly goings-on are in store (clue: severed heads involved).