Spotlight

Meet The Muddy Awards 2021 winnersYour votes have been counted and - drumroll please - the results are in! Here are your Muddy Awards 2021 winners. Go say hi, they're local you know.
What's on: August 2021Diary need a bit of oomph? Look no further than our Muddy curated guide to what not to miss in Herts and Beds this month.
Feeling hot, hot, hot? 25 places to cool down in Herts & BedsHey hot stuff! Bit sweaty? Secure those bikini straps and dive in to one of these watery oases. Just add sunscreen!
10 places to pick your own in Herts & BedsGrab your straw hat and wicker basket: it's summer in England, which means it's time to PYO. From sumptuous strawberries to green veg and even blooming bouquets, here's where to pick 'em.
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

Well, hello!

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

Make these stylish pots yourself with an at-home craft kit from cool indie Beds-based biz, Creators Cabinet

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

Eat View more
Anyone for Afternoon Tea?

With eating out back ON, team Muddy Herts and Beds dutifully stepped up to the plate to try the al fresco Afternoon Tea at Sopwell House…
- 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
  
  The pubs are OPEN! (Well, just the gardens... but who cares) Woo hoo! Here's where to head in our counties to quaff rosé and wolf down some great grub that you haven't cooked yourself

Arts & Culture View more
Top TV: what to watch this week

Looks like we’re back to nonstop rain — but with telly this good, who cares? Catch a star-studded who-dunnit, a big-budget adventure film, and more out this week.
- Escape the heat: this week’s best TV
  
  Sometimes, when the mercury is pushing 30 degrees, the only thing to do is open all the windows, shut the curtains, draw yourself a long, cool drink and shelter in-living room. Here’s what to watch while you do it.
- No sport here! What’s on telly this week
  
  The football is over so - finally - you can push your menfolk off the sofa and reclaim the television. Set them to work on the garden, pour yourself a glass and settle down for the evening.

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

Travel View more
Best beaches in the South & South West

Heading south for the summer? Then you’ll be needing our guide to the 18 best beaches including the inside line on the best activities, foodie joints and sundowner spots.
- The Muddy insider guide to The Cotswolds
  
  Plotting a UK staycay this year? Head to the Cotswolds - the honey-tinged heart of England. Curate your summer holiday in this glorious AONB with our bang-up-to-date, in-the-know guide on where to head.
- 27 of the best beaches in East Anglia
  
  Summer's coming (no, really, it is!) 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!

Home View more
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).
- New wines to try this summer
  
  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.
- Pan-fried sea trout with chilli and saffron broth
  
  Simple to make, yet a showstopper on the plate, this fragrant fish dish is a winner for impressing dinner party guests - especially when served with Naked Wines (at 63% off, natch).
Wellbeing
- 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 View more
The kids are alright: 5 ways to protect their financial future

Life admin can be a drag (we’ve got allll the excuses!) but it can pay dividends if you do the right things – ticking these off your list will be the best thing you can do for your kids, trust us!
Kids
- 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
- The summer camp that isn’t all about sport
  
  Spoiler alert: not every kid loves sport. And that's where the holiday camp with glitter make up, giant bubbles, yoga and drama comes in (alongside the archery and football)

Fashion View more
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.
- Sunglasses to suit your face shape
  
  The weather's perked up - time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don't sit on them.

People View more
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.