The urban guide to the countryside -

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

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

7 perfect days of summer - just add gin!Ableforth's Bathtub gin looks cool, tastes even better and will rev you up for a summer of fun. Here, win a case (yup, six bottles of it!) and find out for yourself.
The best water parks and lidosFeeling the heat? Dive in to one of these pools and watery oases this summer. No heavy petting or dive bombing, mind, and don't forget the sunscreen!
In all your FineryNeed a summer party frock? We can help with that! Cool London brand Finery majors in chic dresses and jumpsuits, and - guess what? - we have 10 x £500 worth of its goodies up for grabs.
46 stunning summer pubsFancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub setting with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across all the Muddy counties. Cheers!
Muddy Awards Winners Drinks!The best local businesses in Herts and Beds raised a glass (or three...!) to celebrate their very well-deserved wins, at the gorgeous Copper House bar in Berkhamsted.

Fri 19 - Sun 21 Jul

Mon 15 - Sun 21 Jul

July 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The 20 best beachside eats

Make the most of the British summer at one of our Muddy-recommended coastal eateries. Napkin at the ready? Let’s do this!
- 46 stunning summer pubs
  
  Fancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across the Muddy counties.
- Muddy eats: The Glasshouse at The Grove
  
  The Glasshouse restaurant at The Grove Hotel has had a swanky new makeover, so, quick out of the blocks as ever, Muddy rocked up to report back on the buzzing new-look hotspot for five-star foodies.
- 6 of the best luxury afternoon teas
  
  Gather your girls, block out the diary and pass the bubbly and cucumber sandwiches - it's the Muddy guide to the best luxury afternoon teas
- Shall I be mum?
  
  The Centurion Club in St Albans has extended its afternoon teas by popular demand - but is it worth the fuss? Pass the elasticated pants, I'm finding out!

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

40 Quirky Stays for Summer

Fancy an escape that’s a leetle bit different? From yurts to lodges, shepherd’s huts to helicopters (not even joking!), the Muddy editors have pulled together the most charming, unusual escapes across 21 counties. Book in once you’ve taken your jaw off the floor.
- St Ives – the dreamiest staycation in the UK
  
  As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. OK, not really. What I did meet with though was a whole lot of FUN! Here's six reasons why you should take a trip to the Cornish coast this summer.
- A cool Cornish hotel – without the crowds
  
  The Polurrian on the Lizard has had a style makeover - and then some. Fancy winning a 3 night £1800 stay at Cornwall's best kept secret?

J’adore/ J’abhor

So, what’s the hot topic currently creating emotional fracking by the office water cooler? This week – velcro sandals!
- In all your Finery
  
  Need a summer party frock? This under-the-radar label majors in cool dresses and jumpsuits. We've got £500 worth of Finery goodies up for grabs for 10 lucky Muddy readers - that's £5k worth of foxy fashion! Here's how to enter.
- J’adore/ J’abhor
  
  In a new Muddy regular, we look at both sides of a hot topic that’s currently dividing office opinion. This week: the return of bucket hats.

The top 10 books of the summer

Don’t pack your suitcase or load up your Kindle until you’ve read this! Muddy’s books editor Kerry has picked the 10 best books to get stuck into on holiday.
- The books you MUST read this summer
  
  June's best new books are a corking bunch, including Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert's breathtaking new novel. Check out Kerry Potter's reviews.
- Need a brilliant new read?
  
  A stunning debut novel, a futuristic thriller and an exquisite memoir are among books editor Kerry Potter's marvellous May picks.
- Well, hello you!
  
  How has Keanu Reeves not aged in 30 years?! The laconic Hollywood star is back in a fashion campaign that's got social media a-swooning. Shall we examine the evidence?
- April’s best new books
  
  Quick, spring-clean your bedside table or Kindle to make room for Muddy books editor's Kerry Potter's awesome April picks.

Need a speedy supper?

I declare salad season officially open! This hearty chicken one is easy-peasy to make but packed with flavour.
- Groovy garden accessories
  
  Finally we can start planning barbecues and al fresco gatherings, so here's the coolest cooking and homeware kit you need to jazz up your garden.
- Burn baby burn!
  
  Muddy HQ is even more fragrant than usual right now - thanks to the coolest new indie candle brand on the block.
Wellbeing
- How to be a better you!
  
  I shed my self-help cynicism and tried out an NLP life coaching taster session at Edge in Tring and (*spoiler alert*) came away feeling strangely empowered.
- Run for the hills!
  
  Actually don't just yet - let me tell about these brilliantly inspiring running books first.

Flexi-time – are you working it out?

Flexible working is a buzzy phrase, but seriously – how many of us actually live the dream? Muddy’s Editor-in-Chief Hero Brown explains how it could work for you.
- Sexy stationary
  
  Stationery is one of my specialist subjects. And - whoop! - it's National Stationery Week. Check out this sexy lot.
- Who do you think you are?
  
  Do you ever get the feeling that you're going to be found out, that people will realise you're a bit of a fraud? Life coach Jessica Wall on how to deal with Imposter Syndrome.
Kids
- Sweetest summer fashion
  
  There's no shortage of gorgeous children's companies, but high street brand Joules is our pick for the best-dressed kids on the beach.
- 8 top tips for stress-free childcare
  
  With the school holidays fast approaching, Mel Yershon, founder of The Perfect Childcare Company, shares her top tips on taking the stress out of childcare.

When Muddy met Shappi

Comedian Shappi Khorsandi discusses new tour, her tips on how NOT to be funny and why you should do things that scare you (hell yeah!)
- Muddy meets Nik Kershaw
  
  Nik Kershaw is laconic, laid-back, and *very very* funny - read on for his views on Live Aid, embarrassing his kids, the Let's Rock the Moor pecking order and (OMG) being a grandfather!
- Everyone’s talking about… The Guilty Feminist
  
  Love the podcast? Good news - its creator is coming to a theatre near you this spring. We grabbed super-talented comedian Deborah Francis-White for a chinwag.
- Muddy meets Tom Kerridge…
  
  ... and talks Marlow's Pub in the Park (Kaiser Chiefs, people), his favourite local eateries, and work life balance issues - yup, he has them too!
- Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery
  
  Muddy talks to Harriet Kelsall about 20 years in the jewellery business, making Hertfordshire sparkle