Spotlight

13 Christmas wreath making workshops to book nowDeck your door with boughs of holly! These local festive craft classes are hugely popular so be sure to book now.
Tip-top takeaways to see you through lockdownRestaurants, cafes and bars may be closing, but you can still support our brilliant local businesses by ordering a takeaway. Oh go on, if we must...
7 stress-busting beauty hacks from top local salonsThe toppest of tips from local hair and beauty whizzes on how to calm the chaos and stay gorgeous until December.
7 of the best places to eat veganWith World Vegan Day on the horizon, we've rounded up the best places across the counties to try plant-based eating for size.
The great half term escape: 10 top day tripsBook a ticket, bundle the kids in the car and hit the road with our top picks for a family-friendly day out.

Well, hello!

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

Gyms are closed, so we're getting our fix with some long winter walks. Here's all the gear you'll need to stretch those legs.

The UK’s most creative and unique independent shops, makers and producers local to you.

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

Eat View more
Tip-top takeaways to see you through lockdown

Restaurants, cafes and bars may be closing, but you can still support our brilliant local businesses by ordering a takeaway. Oh go on, if we must…
- 40 of the best indie coffee roasters
  
  Can't function without your morning brew? Try one of these delicious artisan blends from indie coffee roasters to kickstart your day.
- 7 of the best places to eat vegan
  
  With World Vegan Day on the horizon, we've rounded up the best places across the counties to try plant-based eating for size.
- Review: New Al Fresco Menu at Paris House
  
  Ready for a post lockdown lunch in the most sublime setting in Bedfordshire? Head over to the historic Paris House Terrace, sample the excellent new Al Fresco menu from top chef Phil Fanning, and, of course, take in the grandeur of the deer park.
- Launch review: The Pig, Harlyn Bay, Cornwall
  
  On its opening day, Muddy's ed-in-chief Hero Brown was the first to eat lunch at the brand new Pig hotel in Harlyn Bay (what a trooper!). So what was the verdict?

Arts & Culture View more
Muddy’s TV guide: 9 new watches this week

Bored? Not any more! Here are our top picks for new TV shows and films hitting the small screen this week. Popcorn at the ready…
- What’s on the box? 11 new TV shows and films
  
  Nowhere to go and nothing to see? Au contraire - snuggle down on the sofa and transport yourself with the best new watches of the week.
- Where’s the remote? 14 must-watch shows
  
  Already running out of things to do as the darkness draws in? Well, put away the chess board and engage with these 14 new televisual delights instead.
- Settle into the sofa: 9 shows to watch
  
  It looks like November is going to be spent on the sofa, so make an extra-big bucket of popcorn, get into your comfiest PJs and pop one of the these on the box.
- Boo! 14 Halloween films for kids
  
  Halloween films that will scare not scar your kids for life, including brand new release The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway – available to stream right now.

Home View more
- 13 Christmas wreath making workshops to book now
  
  Deck your door with boughs of holly! These local festive craft classes are hugely popular so be sure to book now.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep in lockdown
  
  So you've downed a chamomile tea and ignored your phone but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Read on for our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.
- Lockdown anxiety: 7 ways to keep it in check
  
  Lockdown is back and with it, hours and hours to listen to the rising panic in our heads. Don’t fancy that much? Nor us, so read on for seven ways to tackle the tension.

Travel View more
12 Muddy-approved attractions in Herts

This is 00Muddy reporting for duty with all the best visitor attractions in Hertfordshire, complete with tons of in-the-know intel so you can staycay like a local. Nice.
- 12 Muddy-approved attractions in Bedfordshire
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 12 unmissable attractions in the county
- Book now: 10 European-style staycations
  
  Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel - can you guess where this is?

Work View more
Ready, steady… SHOP INDIE!

You want to ‘shop small’ but lockdown is making it tricky. Not on my watch! Our latest launch, The Indie Store, is all about supporting brilliant local retail, and here’s how you can help too.
Kids
- How to help your kids get the careers they want
  
  It’s never been tougher for young people to find a foothold on the labour market so how, as parents, can we help them get ahead?
- 10 of the best subscription boxes for kids
  
  Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.

Fashion View more
8 stylish pyjamas for a luxe lie-in

It’s dark, cold and wet outside, so let’s hunker down with some new pyjamas that are chic enough to wear to your morning Zoom meeting (we won’t tell!).
- 9 cosy buys to pick up this November
  
  It's cold, drizzly and dark at 5pm. Up the comfort factor with these must-have items for days indoors, including plenty of opportunities to #supportlocal.
- New season fashion trends: A/W 2020
  
  The fashion mavens spoken and, yes please, we'll take that excuse for new clothes and run with it! Here are the five top trends to help you nail autumn/ winter style this year.

People View more
What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room

Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.
- Yes, people, this is Meg Mathews!
  
  Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, self-care and, er, vagina facials.
- What’s Cooking – Luke Garnsworthy, Crockers
  
  Crockers (Tring & Henley) are some of our fav high-end local restaurants. We chat to founder, Luke Garnsworthy, about Marcus Wareing, kitchen gadgets and cooking for Bruce Willis.
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  Record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with UK theatres. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five women juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.