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

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

Natural skincare + bio-active science = RESULTSTwo sisters, one multi-award winning beauty brand and - oh hello - 10 Balance Me bundles worth a total of £1200 to give away!
Snowdrops everywhere!They're coming out! The loveliest places to catch winter snowdrops across Herts and beyond over the next few weeks.
How to be happy in 2019New Year, new chance to give yourself a great big shot of positive energy with one of these 28 inspirational ideas.
Out-of-Season Scilly with KidsCornwall meets the Caribbean on this unspoilt archipelago just 28 miles from Land's End.
The UK's Top 8 super spasI'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... a massage, mani and Jacuzzi please, and make it snappy. I'll put on the fluffy white robe and assume the position.

Fri 15 – Sun 17 Feb 2019

Mon 18 – Sun 24 Feb 2019

February 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Lussmanns, Tring

Tring’s modern brasserie is bringing sophisticated meat-free dining to the table. Muddy Herts’ resident veggie gives it her verdict…
- Muddy Eats: Paris House, Woburn
  
  Elegance, class, sophistication...no, we're not talking about ourselves! The Michelin recommended Paris House across the border in Woburn, Bedfordshire aces fine dining.
- Muddy’s best winter walks
  
  Wrap up warm, grab your walking boots and go in search of your own winter wonderland! Here's where the Muddy team will be striding out over the coming months.
- The Royal Standard of England
  
  Want to impress the rellies? Take them to the oldest freehouse in England - at 900 years old, The Royal Standard has character in spades.
- Time for drinkies! What are you having?
  
  Usually face-down in a vat of Baileys throughout December? You can do better than that! Here's our guide to nailing your Christmas drink choices like a pro. Bottoms up!

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Hampshire hotel hotty

Shall we count the ways we love you Chewton Glen? Nah, we’ll be here for days.. Instead, here’s what you need to know about this coastal classic spa and hotel destination.
- Out-of-Season Scilly with Kids
  
  Cornwall meets the Caribbean on this unspoilt archipelago just 28 miles from Land's End. Here are my top tips for visiting with the family in 2019.
- Going anywhere nice on your holiday?
  
  How about one of these gorgeous self-catering properties in the South West? Not only do they look pretty, they all come with the option for learning something new or getting a wellbeing fix. Bonus!

Hey sexy pants!

With Valentine’s Day imminent, we hunted down the sexiest, slinkiest new lingerie around. Bridget Jones enormo-pants, be gone!
- Big softy
  
  It's expensive, it bobbles and you can't machine wash it. But cashmere, I just can't quit you. Snuggle up and let me spin you a yarn about my new favourite label.
- Witness the fitness!
  
  Finding it hard to kickstart that hardcore new exercise regime? Buy some slinky new kit and you'll be sprinting around the park faster than Mo Farah (possibly).

Your unmissable 2019 culture planner

Want to make the most of 2019? Muddy’s culture vulture Kerry Potter has curated the best new TV, music, theatre, film, books and art of the year. Get yer diary out!
- Have you seen the ad that everyone’s talking about?
  
  Gillette's new ad campaign is ruffling a few feathers. What do you think?
- Review: Pinocchio at Hertford Theatre
  
  Panto season is go-go-go and we've been to the first biggie in Hertfordshire to test it out. Is Pinocchio worth the money? Oh yes it is!

Who do you think you are?

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re going to be found out? I talk to life coach Jessica Wall about Imposter Syndrome.
Kids
- What’s on: February Half Term
  
  Banish boredom from their vocabulary (and keep yourself sane!) with our top to-dos for little and big kids alike this Half Term
- The Top 10 kids books for Christmas
  
  Check out our Top 10 kids tomes for Christmas, covering everything from fiction and poetry to story books and novelty.

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
- Muddy meets… Craig Revel-Horwood
  
  Want the hot goss from the BBC ballroom? Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood dishes the dirt on this year's show.