Your summer reading list – sorted!

Need a new read to bring to the beach (or, y'know, to keep on the bedside table)? The literary brains at Muddy have rounded up the best new and upcoming novels to add to your TBR pile.
10 local places to eat vegetarian

It's National Vegetarian Week (16-22 May) so we've rounded up the local restaurants and cafés that really deliver on colourful and flavour-packed veggie food that could convert even the most devoted meat eater.
23 of the best places to holiday in the UK

Staycationing this summer? Then you're going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.
8 Hot summer tickets to book now!

Summer's coming and with that comes the return of fun, frolics and festivals! Here's our pick of the must-have local tickets to get your mitts on.
Sunshine escape: 48 hours in Lisbon!

Stop the city break search! Portugal’s hilly capital’s bursting with colour, culture and great places to eat, drink and stay (not to mention custard tarts at every turn...).
50 gorgeous glamping stays to book now

Pitching a tent? No thanks! These 50 luxurious stays across the Muddy counties put the 'glam' in glamping, from stunning yurts to chic lodges and charming shepherd's huts.
Hotels we heart! 53 stylish staycations to book now

Fancy cool interiors, facilities to die for and plenty of space at the inn? Your wish is our command! Feast your eyes on the chicest large hotels the Muddy counties have to offer
12 reasons to take a day trip to Hitchin

Historic buildings, cobbled streets, tonnes of indies, from vintage treasure troves to quirky boutiques, plus a café culture to rival even the capital’s coffee scene... it's got to be Hitchin. Here's our insider guide.
Fresh air, fresh fashion!

Seven compelling reasons to head to Bicester Village including up to 20 per cent off prices in April's renowned Private Sale and the Do-Good pop up boutique. Trust us, no-show is not an option.
Hey, Kids! Politics can be fun(ny)!

Politics is a minefield for young minds, but it certainly isn’t boring, and it can actually be pretty funny if you ask Tatton Spiller, Founder of kids' stage show. Simple Politics. We caught up with him to find out more…
25 stunning coastal stays to book now

Ready to book that spring/summer seaside staycation? Then you'll want to book into one of these super-luxe coastal stays - and pronto - before they're all booked up!
Bridgerton filming locations you can visit IRL

Remember being obsessed with Bridgerton? Well, Netflix’s hit show (82 million viewers and counting) is back for a second series on 25 March, and Muddy’s already buying in the popcorn and keen to visit all the key locations!
House swap! What does £1m get you?

Upping sticks to pastures new? Let's see what a cool million will get you on the property market across the Muddy counties - quite a lot, as it happens! Going once, twice, SOLD to the lady with the big grin on her face.
52 roasts with the most across the Muddy counties

Why bother basting potatoes with goose fat when this lot do it so much better? Grab your gang and head to one of these gorgeous gastropubs across the Muddy counties.
10 insta-worthy cafés in Herts & Beds

Vintage teacups, hanging plants, neon signs and almost too pretty to eat pastries (hey, we said almost!): these stunning cafés are guaranteed a double tap on your feed.
Lorraine Candy: “Put your oxygen mask on first.”

Ex Elle editor, parenting author and mum of four Lorraine Candy talks hormones (yours!), pot-plant parenting, and how adults need to look after their own mental health
How to nail the perfect Sunday Roast

Wanna add some oomph to your Sunday lunch? We pinned down (not literally!) Olly Varney, Head Chef at Kite at the Red Hart in Hitchin, for his pro tips and tricks to help you elevate your roast to gastro levels.
Top 100 gastropubs 2022 revealed!

… and one stellar Herts' hotspot made the top 100. Find out which one, and read all about oushortlisted faves from our neighbouring counties... Ready to tuck in?
10 places to get active (if you hate the gym…)

Not a fan of the treadmill or pumping iron in a sweaty gym? Get your adrenalinehit and get fit without noticing (you’ll be having too much fun!) at one of these high-energy activity centres... and they're all local, too!
Your 2022 local culture planner

Listen up culture vultures! The 2022 calendar is looking hot, with music, theatre, art, dance and more coming to Herts & Beds. So grab your diaries and read on to find out what you need to have on your radar this year!
Witness the fitness! Best sportswear to buy now

There's loads of gorgeous new sportswear in the shops and online at the moment. Hop, skip and jump this way for the Muddy edit.
Period drama hotties coming in 2022

Ladies, loosen that corset lest you faint dead away! Here's a sneak peak at the upcoming period drama men getting us hot under the collar in 2022, plus 11 more historical hotties to drool over.
7 ways to re-think your New Year’s resolutions

We're only one week in and those positive intentions for 2022 are already looking a liiiittle shaky, but panic not, it's time to rip up the rule book on resolutions, with this advice from Edge NLP - who's with us?
6 reasons to watch The Colour Room

This Autumn’s hottest new film release comes courtesy of Sky Cinema and it's a corker! A period drama with real punch and passion, here's why you need to make time in your diary or on your sofa to watch it.
Muddy meets: Phoebe Dynevor & Kerry Fox

The hottest new UK actress and the queen of indie film star in the new Sky Original biopic The Colour Room. They talk kissing protocol, brave film choices and 1920s girl power.
Christmas gift guide: For Her

Aunts, mums, grandmas, sisters and your girl posse all covered for Crimbo, plus some spot-on suggestions for gifts to self. Ho ho ho!
Where to rent, repair and sell gorgeous designer clothes

Madonna's cone bra is now available to rent! It's ethical, eco and everywhere... here's where you can rent, repair and sell-on stylish clothes, from Christmas party outfits to eye-catching clutch bags
Your health questions answered!

Don’t understand why the weight won’t shift? Have a back that’s reminiscent of Quasimodo? Muddy puts your questions to Healthily’s chief medical officer, Professor Maureen Baker
Muddy talks parenting with Lorraine Candy

“All teenage girls think their mums are a bit rubbish”. Journalist and mother of four Lorraine Candy talks parenting, moody teens and motherhood with Muddy.
Can Haringtons tame the Muddy mane?

Fly-away hair with lots of grey? Not just me then... The challenge for award-winning hairdresser and colourist Barry was to create a style that will still look good a week later
Affordable French skincare for va-va-voom glow

We've unearthed eight French pharmacy brands with that certain je ne sais quoi. Here's your passport to a natural glow a la Marion Cotillard... and the best bit? It won't break the bank
Nine divine holiday rentals to book now for an autumn break

If you didn't have sharp enough elbows to get your summer holiday staycation nailed, fear not. Here are the holiday rentals to book now for an autumn weekend escape
58 things to glam up your garden

Garden parties are go, people! But, oh God — is that really the state of the patio? Glam up the garden and impress your guests with these 58 must-have garden objects.
Letterbox cheer: best gifts by post

Share the love in lockdown (we’re almost there!) with one of these fun letterbox gift ideas, from book bundles and candles, to beauty boxes and wine.
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, the menopause and, er, vagina facials.
Light it up! 42 cool indie candle brands

The arrival of autumn means darker evenings snuggled indoors by candlelight. Looking for a new scent? Try one of these gorgeous indie candle brands from across the Muddy counties.

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