Spotlight

Smokin'! Best barbecue restaurantsBored of your bog standard burgers and bangers burnt to a crisp? It's time to elevate your barbecue experience, sister, and we know where to get your fix in Herts & Beds.
5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone nowYee-ha! Kevin Costner's ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here's why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
60 amazing afternoon teas to book nowIt's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
Muddy Insider Guide to the West MidlandsThe Commonwealth Games has shone a spotlight on Birmingham but there's far more to the West Midlands than its prime city. Read on for everything you need for a stay in the beating heart of England.
Have you tried the grazing craze?Forget three courses, the hot (or should we say cold?!) foodie trend right now is grazing - rustic boards, platters and tables laden with sweet and savoury treats designed to share over a glass of something chilled. Here's where to give it a go in 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

Biggest fan! 8 funky hand fans to buy now

Phew it's been a scorcher, but we have just the thing! Beat the heat in style with one of these pretty yet practical fans, including lovely local buys.

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

See What's On

Eat

Smokin’! Best barbecue restaurants

Bored of your bog standard burgers and bangers burnt to a crisp? It’s time to elevate your barbecue experience, sister, and we know where to get your fix in Herts & Beds.
- 60 amazing afternoon teas to book now
  
  It’s Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we’ve found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
- Local stars in the Great Taste Awards
  
  Award-winning local food and drink, you say? Hot off the press, the latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the line-up of Herts & Beds producers

Culture

5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone now

Yee-ha! Kevin Costner’s ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here’s why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
- Tune in! 6 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Struggling to fill that Succession-shaped void? We’ve got you covered with Kevin Costner’s epic Yellowstone (AKA your new TV obsession) and more.
- TV Time! 6 best new things to watch this week
  
  Remotes at the ready! From the latest unmissable BBC drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, to a gripping Netflix true crime documentary here’s Muddy’s weekly rundown.
- Watch these! 6 hot new shows out this week
  
  Get set for a week of great telly from the latest fantasy DC comic adaptation to Disney Pixar’s Lightyear and the latest remake of Father of the Bride.
- Awesome August: Muddy’s guide to the month
  
  From festivals and food to al fresco performance and family days out, Herts & Beds has got everyone covered this month for a summer of fun.

Little Black Book

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

Becky Kerr Photography, Ampthill

Lorna Newman Wedding Photography, Biggleswade

The Farmhouse at Redcoats, Hitchin

Mazzicle Cupcakes, Stevenage

The Kitchen Depot, Hertfordshire

The Alford Arms, Frithsden

Paris House, Woburn

Pip's Barn, near Berkhamsted

South Mill Arts

Carpenter's Nursery and Farm Shop

Chilled Mama

Marquees of Woburn

Travel

Review: Luxe holiday rental at ARC Padstow

Looking for a Cornish escape for the whole crew with serious wow-factor? It doesn’t come much more stylish or slick than this reimagined country house in St Issey.
- Muddy Insider Guide to the West Midlands
  
  The Commonwealth Games has shone a spotlight on Birmingham but there’s far more to the West Midlands than its prime city. Read on for everything you need for a stay in the beating heart of England.
- Dive in! 16 incredible swimming pools world-wide
  
  Make a splash on Instagram in one of these amazing swimming pools, from infinity-edged stunners to private plunge pools with a view.

Home

6 of the best summer wines

If you’re often found staring at the wine shelves bamboozled by choice, read this expert guide to what to drink in the sun with food, friends and just for fun.
- 12 blooming gorgeous local flower farms
  
  With sustainability on all our minds, buying locally grown, seasonal flowers is a no-brainer! Herts and Beds have an abundance of flower farms and PYOs that not only sell beautiful blooms, but offer workshops, coffee and cake, too. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
- How to fill your home with summer scents
  
  You don’t need to step into a garden to enjoy summer’s heady fragrances – here are 15 ways to enjoy your favourite flower and herb aromas in your living spaces. Breathe it in!
Wellbeing
- Spa of the Month: Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
  
  Fancy being buffed, massaged, tweaked and primped? Welcome to the first in our new monthly tried-and-tested guides to the world’s best spas. See you pool side, sister!
- 8 easy ways to protect yourself against sun ageing
  
  Brace yourselves, heatwave incoming! (yes, again). Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about staying safe in the sun, with a little help from the experts at Healthily.

Life

Pop the corks – it’s the Muddy Awards drinks!

You did it, they did it, we all did it! The Muddy Awards are over for 2022. See what happened when our local winners came together to celebrate at The Farmhouse at Redcoats. Let the celebrations commence!
Kids
- 8 free things to do with the kids this fortnight
  
  Dragging your way through the summer hols? Here’s a helping hand from Muddy to keep the kids busy and give you a breather, plus they won’t cost you a penny!
- Summer holidays – 68 ways to keep all ages entertained
  
  Schooool’s out for summer (nearly!)… and for six weeks at that. Yikes! Don’t worry, your trusty Muddy guide is packed with ideas for all ages, from antsy tots to monosyllabic teens, to help it go by in the blink of an eye.

Instamuddy

Fashion

Biggest fan! 8 funky hand fans to buy now

Phew it’s been a scorcher, but we have just the thing! Beat the heat in style with one of these pretty yet practical fans, including lovely local buys.
- Road trip: From Bicester Village with love
  
  Muddy’s teamed up with luxury open-air shopping destination Bicester Village to explore Oxfordshire’s most gorgeous fashion, eating and shopping destinations. Let’s go!
- 12 sizzling sustainable swimwear brands
  
  Want your bikini with full eco credibility but also 100% watertight on style? Make a splash with these brilliant swimwear brands. Just add SPF and a cold drink.
Beauty
- Freshen up! 40 best ‘tweakment’ salons
  
  Fancy glowing skin, a sculpted jawline or a tighter bum? No need to go under the knife – we’ve scoured the Muddy counties for the best non-invasive treatments in top-rated salons.
- Pretty pop-ups! New beauty to shop this summer
  
  Fancy a new lippie, liner or luxe shampoo? Ready your makeup bags (and your credit card) – we’ve scoured the country for the best new beauty shops and pop-ups this summer

People

My favourite places: Gemma Crawley-Roberts

We asked Gemma, owner of quirky local art and gift shop, The Arc, to share some of her favourite places to eat, drink and shop in her hometown of Bedford.
- Can these 7 celebs pull off a moustache?
  
  It takes a certain kind of man to pull off a moustache, and Miles Teller’s Rooster in the new Top Gun has got our surprised seal of approval. Time for a game: TO ‘TACHE, OR NOT TO ‘TACHE? Let us know if you agree in the comments!
- Muddy meets Rogue Otherworld
  
  It’s outdoor theatre as you’ve never seen it before – wild, magical and at one with nature. We caught up with the Muddy Cornwall Award winning theatre co coming to Herts this month, to find out more.