Spotlight

City slickin': what's on in London this summerLondon's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
What's on: May 2021Going out is BACK and so are our What's On guides - packed with brilliant things to see and do. Fill your diaries with these little beauties this month.
14 of the best bluebell walks in Herts and BedsBlooming 'eck! Bluebells are popping up in their thousands across Herts and Beds. Here's where to find the best of them on your sprightly springtime walk.
10 Brilliant Beer Gardens in Herts & BedsThe 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
42 of the best things to do within 2 hours of homeAre you ready to (gasp) leave your local area? From safari parks to Europe’s tallest high ropes, here are 42 of the best day trips, all within two hours of Herts & Beds.

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

15 must-have accessories for outdoor dining in style

Out with the scratched melamine, in with stylish cups, cocktail shakers, candelabra, and cutlery. Here's our guide to the wow accessories that will make your alfresco meal sparkle

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

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Home View more
TV’s Georgina Burnett on decor do’s and don’ts

Why she’ll never hang CDs from the ceiling again, plus how to get it right with colour and where to start if you’ve just bought a new property
- THE PIG’s sizzling BBQ burger
  
  BBQ season is upon us and we have just the recipe (with up to 63% off perfectly paired wines) to get the party started, courtesy of Muddy favourites THE PIG and Naked Wines.
- How to sell your house
  
  Thinking about making a move but not sure if it's the right time? According to the experts there is no better time to sell, so get that house on the market, but not without reading these tips first
Wellbeing
- 10 ways to feel fabulous for summer
  
  Waistbands on your summer threads feeling a little tighter than they used to? Give yourself a break - ditch the post-lockdown diet and follow these feel-good tips from Registered Nutritionist, Charlotte Radcliffe, instead
- Easy! Buy these, and sleep better
  
  Having trouble sleeping? Us and half the world right now! Here's what the Muddy team have in their shopping baskets to help with some much-needed shut-eye.

Arts & Culture View more
Tom Cruise touches down in town

This is not a drill ladies… the real Mr Cruise has touched down in Beds. Be still our beating hearts. Find out where and why, plus more celeb goss right here.
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
- It’s TV time! What to watch this week
  
  Still waiting for your second jab? Dismayed at the weather and the jungle effect it’s having on the weeds in your garden? Well, don’t worry: there’s loads of good stuff on this week so settle down and tune in.

Little Black Book

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

Home Farm Glamping

Alpine Rose Interiors

Sopwell House, St Albans

Hide & Seek

Black Bridge Distillery

Kings Road Fashions

Zozimus activewear

Eat View more
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
- Try this light but warming spring supper
  
  Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's healthy take on this Scottish fish soup makes for a quick and hearty but healthy supper that's perfect for cool spring evenings.

Work View more
Ideas to get your finances into shape for 2021

The beginning of the year is always about renewal, resolutions and healthy regimes. But the fallout from Covid has shown how financial wellbeing is also vital – and too often overlooked. Muddy limbers up for a money MOT.
Kids
- The 7 questions everyone asks about online schools
  
  Where does the social side, sport and extra-curricular come in to virtual education, and what about a timetable and exams? We tackle the big questions about online schools
- St Margaret’s School, Bushey
  
  Muddy says: A history-rich independent co-ed day and boarding school for pupils aged two to 18. Excels in the arts, empathy, diversity and sport, in addition to its strong academic results.

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Green age kicks! eco-cool trainers

There’s nothing like box fresh white trainers to put a spring in your step. The good news for the planet is that this lot tick the stylish and sustainable box too.
- Word up! Slogan sweats to buy now
  
  Can't find the words to say it yourself? Say it with a sweater! Here are eight cool slogan jumpers we're coveting right now, all from indie shops and brands.
- 2021 fashion collabs you need to know
  
  When high fashion met high street. Here are the new season fashion collabs we're lusting after this month (with surprisingly affordable price tags).

Beauty View more
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.
- Skincare SOS – your winter essentials
  
  Zoom close-ups making you wince? Cold winter days and dry central heating are playing havoc with our skin. Try these hero products for a dose of much-needed hydration.

People View more
See-through suits and Marvin Gaye: Leee John talks.

The Imagination front man and 1980’s all-round soul funk hero is here to answer our rather silly questions ahead of his performance at Chilfest this summer.
- Six lockdown heroines to celebrate IWD
  
  It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up six women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.
- Your local Indie Store heroes: Part Two
  
  As lockdown slowly lifts, it’s more important than ever to support local. Here, some of our Indie Store businesses in Beds recount their journey and show what makes them special.

Travel View more
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!
- Top places to stop on your way to Cornwall and the South West
  
  Driving down to your staycation and need somewhere to have lunch, walk the dog, let the kids run or even take a nap? We've sniffed out the best places to stop near the south-west's major routes.
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.