Spotlight

Is your sex life suffering in lockdown?Is lockdown 3.0 wrecking your sex life and pushing your relationship to the limits? We hear you. Read on for our expert guide on how to Covid-proof your love life.
Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameosIn need of some light-hearted fun? Er, hell yeah! Here, check out Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge dancing around in sparkly suits (plus five more brilliant music video cameos).
Ideas to get your finances into shape for 2021The 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.
Ultimate dream properties for 2021We’ve been staring at our walls, like, forever and we’ve completed every last bit of DIY imaginable. So you know what that means? That’s right: time to move. See if any of these incredible properties take your fancy.
Top local tipples: Say cheers!Drinks cabinet dry? Here's our pick of the best locally produced boozy beverages to fill your boots with this Christmas and beyond.

Well, hello!

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

Gotta Have It

Prints that’ll add pizzazz to your walls (and maybe your life)

We’re working from home. Again. Staring at the same ol’ dreary walls. Again. Ah, ah, ah, say we! These lush prints will brighten up your home and your spirits.

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

Shop Now

Little Black Book

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

Kings Road Fashions

Black Bridge Distillery

Make a Bottle

Another Epic Day

Autumn Bella Designs

Whistlebrook Clothing

Lucky Lobster Art, Herts

Bethnal&Bec, Cottered

The Cooking Academy, Rickmansworth

Jo Falcon-Cross, Smart PA

Eilleen's, Ampthill

Herrings Green Farm, Wilstead

Eat View more
Fast and filling recipes for an easier January

No time/energy to cook (let alone make it healthy)? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here are two low-effort, speedy suppers under 500 calories to feel good about.
- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s winter warmers
  
  Spent all of December scoffing crisps and mince pies? Whip up a veg-packed soup or hot pot from Hugh's new cookbook, 'Eat Better Forever: 7 Ways to Transform Your Diet'
- Comforting classics from The Pie Room
  
  Ooh, is there anything more satisfying than good flaky pastry? These two warming recipes from Calum Franklin's new cookbook The Pie Room are just the ticket.
- Speedy Supper: Prawn Laksa
  
  Healthy, hearty and faster than Dina Asher Smith with jet propellers, welcome to 2021's first Speedy Supper. Prawn Laksa, anyone?
- No guns at the table, please
  
  Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds is loved by field sports fans and locals alike, but even some of them didn’t know about the newly reopened Dining Lounge. Clevercloggs Muddy did.

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
TV Saviours! What to watch this week

Another week, another seven days to roll around the house, eat crisps, pretend to homeschool and daydream about the return of double-figure temperatures. Here’s some fun TV to make it *slightly* more interesting.
- Creation Theatre wants your drama kings and queens (yes, really)
  
  If your idea of a digital lesson involves the kids glazing over in front of a laptop, think again. This active and engaging online drama club is a brilliant way for them to explore classic literature while channelling their penchant for dramatics. Praise be!
- Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameos
  
  In need of some light-hearted fun? Er, hell yeah! Here, check out Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge dancing around in sparkly suits (plus five more brilliant music video cameos).
- Hello TV! 11 shows you need to watch this week
  
  It’s a new year but nothing much is new. No matter: we know how this lockdown lark goes. Grab a cuppa, a nice cosy blanket, load up on the carbs and settle in for the night.
- The very best of Christmas 2020 TV
  
  Tier 4, Tier schmore. With this much amazing stuff on the tellybox, who needs to go out anyway? Here are 22 brilliant things to watch over the holidays.

Home View more
- The Simple Life: pared-back properties in nature
  
  Looking to get away from it all? Try one of these dreamy pared-back properties for a taste of pastoral living. From projects crying out for TLC to sprawling listed mansions, we’ve got it all.
Wellbeing
- Fast and filling recipes for an easier January
  
  No time/energy to cook (let alone make it healthy)? Don't worry, we've got you. Here are two low-effort, speedy suppers under 500 calories to feel good about.
- Best new fitness tech for 2021
  
  Need something to help those workouts along? Itching for some new tech in the new year? Read on for the Muddy edit of the best flashy fitness buys of 2021.

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
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
- Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons
  
  Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.
- Queenswood Girls’ School, Hatfield
  
  Muddy says: Looking for a super-sporty boarding school in a bucolic setting? I have just the thing...

Fashion View more
Best fitness gear for 2021

New year, new fitness routine? We’re with you! Here’s the Muddy edit of stylish sportswear and accessories that’ll have you in tip-top form in no time.
- Sustainable fashion gets sexy
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with the likes of Selfridges now pushing a new sustainable outlook, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your wardrobe in style.
- Fur baby! Cosy coats for winter
  
  'Tis the season for wrapping up warm and a new fur coat is on our wish list. Here are six cosy options to buy now from the brilliant shops on The Indie Store.

Beauty View more
- The essential no make-up make-up kit
  
  It’s a trend that’s not going away anytime soon; make-up so subtle that it just makes you look like a brighter and better version of yourself. Here’s the Muddy guide.
- How to give yourself a DIY facial at home
  
  With salons closed until December, we're retreating to our own bathrooms for a stress-busting DIY facial treatment. Fluffy white robe and cucumber slices optional.

People View more
How to run well by a pro marathon runner

Need some work-out motivation? You’re in the right place. Muddy talks to endurance athlete Nick Butter about how to motivate yourself out the door and onto an exerciser regime.
- 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.