Spotlight

Moving house? Sell fast and bank more £££Home staging is one of the hottest property trends right now, and a few tweaks can seriously boost your asking price. A new Berkshire estate agent is leading the way.
Book now! Plot your 2021 social comebackThere's light at the end of tunnel, so we've found 32 ways to give your social life CPR in 2021. Here's this year's hottest tickets in Berkshire.
Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameosEnough bad news! We can't get enough of Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. So here's five favourite other times a celebrity appeared in a music video...
Outdoor fitness! Brrrrr-ing it onGyms are closed and PE with Joe Wicks raises the heart rate in the wrong way. Embrace outdoor exercise to escape the family and witness the fitness.
22 of the best Muddy winter walksClimbing the walls already? Wrap up warm and go in search of a winter wonderland! Here's 22 Berkshire walks to enjoy over during lockdown.

Well, hello!

I'm Rachel, editor of Muddy Berkshire, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

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

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

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.
- Tonight’s healthy dinner, sorted!
  
  Overindulged? Try this cod one-pot from hot healthy eating guru, Dr Rupy Aujla, plus top tips on eating clean in 2021. The doctor will see you now…
- 8 healthy takeaways to kickstart 2021
  
  On a January health kick? No need to flog yourself in the kitchen to keep that halo shining. Order in from these brilliant foodie joints and stay on track.
- Vegan curious? Cook this tasty Broccoli Bowl
  
  Eat your greens! It's Veganuary, so if you're full throttle plant-based, or fancy a meat-free moment, try this delicious and speedy recipe by chef Brett Cobley.
- One celeb chef, two winter-warming recipes
  
  Spent all of lockdown 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'

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-digit temperatures. Here’s some fun TV to make it *slightly* more interesting.
- Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameos
  
  Enough bad news! We can't get enough of Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. So here's five favourite other times a celebrity appeared in a music video...
- Hello TV! This week’s 12 must-watch shows
  
  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.

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
- Best wellbeing podcasts for 2021
  
  January is wellness month and while we can’t go to the gym and drink protein smoothies with our friends, we can go on long solo walks with inspirational podcasts. Here’s Muddy’s pick.
- 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.

Travel View more
Is this the ultimate family escape?

A five star hotel so fab you and your kids will never want to leave. Pack your bags, Coworth Park is calling for fresh air, great food and post-lockdown fun on tap.
- 20 Muddy approved attractions in Berks
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in Berkshire
- Muddy reviews One Aldwych: London
  
  Overnighter in the Big Smoke or planning a post-pandemic theatre jaunt? Treat yourself with a stay at this stunning, super-luxe hotel, just a stone's throw from the West End.

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.
- Pangbourne College, Berkshire
  
  A co-ed day/boarding school with naval traditions nr Reading, Pangbourne College's emphasis is on courage, community and creative thinking. Tick, tick, TICK

Fashion View more
Best Fitness Gear 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.
- Walkies! Cool cold weather gear
  
  Gyms are closed (as is practically everything else), so we're getting our exercise fix with some long winter walks. Here's all the gear you'll need to stretch those legs this season.
- Cosy treats for dark days
  
  It’s cold, drizzly and dark at 5pm so it’s time to up the comfort factor with these must-have items for days indoors, including plenty of opportunities to #supportlocal.

Beauty View more
- Veganuary: The Beauty Edit
- Natural selection: The essential no-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.

People View more
Chefs Jack and Scott get a roasting

Both their dads are chefs (one just happens to be Heston Blumenthal), they’re Michelin trained and they’ve just launched at home dining with a difference. Let’s meet the chefs…
- 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.