Spotlight

Weekly watchlist: the 10 best things on TVComfies on! We've compiled 10 of the best things on TV this week, ripe and ready for you to binge. From monster-packed rom-coms to Oscar-buzz dramas, it's your pick...
Best bluebell walks in BerksBlooming 'eck! The bluebells are breaking cover in Berkshire. Here's where to find the best of them on your sprightly springtime walk.
Man the forts! Royal castles in under 2hrsReady for a right royal day out? We've rounded up the coolest castles in Berkshire and beyond that are open for business. Tiara at the ready, let's go!
TV worth tuning into this weekSo... last week it was 24 degrees and now it's baltic, but that does mean you can hunker down in front of the box without feeling too guilty. Get something carby and put those feet up.
58 things to glam up your gardenGarden 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.

Well, hello!

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

Gotta Have It

If you want to nail alfresco entertaining, you need lights that can move with the party, whatever the weather. Here's our pick of the best solar, battery and rechargeable lights including some beauties from brilliant local stores

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

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Home View more
Waffles for breakfast? Yes please!

What do you get when you cross a chocolate brownie, a waffle maker and a handful of strawberries? Heaven on a plate! Sate your sweet tooth with this delicious recipe.
- Muddy-approved hangover cures
  
  Socialising is back (and so are the hangovers). From from gravy granules to cold lager, we asked some Muddy hell-raisers for their emergency remedies.
- 16 must-have accessories for outdoor dining in style
  
  Out with the scratched melamine, in with stylish cups, cocktail shakers, candelabra, and cutlery. Here's our guide to the wow accessories that will make your alfresco meal sparkle
Wellbeing
- Fitness niggles and injuries, begone!
  
  From knee strains to pelvic floor dysfunction. There are a host of injuries that affect sporty women more than men. Here are the culprits and how best to tackle them
- 8 mood-boosting Spring walks
  
  There's nothing like fresh air and a shot of Vitamin D to boost your mood. Call it medicine...

Arts & Culture View more
Best new books out this April

What better way to embrace a new season that with a new slew of books? Our friends at The Book House, have offered up their favourites of the month.
- Weekly watchlist: the 10 best things on TV
  
  Comfies on! We've compiled 10 of the best things on TV this week, ripe and ready for you to binge. From monster-packed rom-coms to Oscar-buzz dramas, it's your pick...
- TV worth tuning into this week
  
  So... last week it was 24 degrees and now it's baltic, but that does mean you can hunker down in front of the box without feeling too guilty. Get something carby and put those feet up.

Little Black Book

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

RicherFit Studio

Humos Natural Perfumer, Caversham

Restaurant Coworth Park, Ascot

The Royal Oak, Yattendon

Rosebourne, Aldermaston

Field & Hawken, Reading

CA Belcher & Son, Reading

Tigermoth Lighting

Another Epic Day

The Crown at Bray, Maidenhead

Little Labels Store

LOLA – Lot's of Lovely Art

Eat View more
All hail The Crown at Bray

Hallelujah! Outdoor dining is go and we’ve found a pub menu full of classics with a wow at The Crown at Bray in Berkshire. Read the Muddy review.
- A sunny warm salad for Spring
  
  This peach and lentil salad with warm pork tenderloin is easy peasy to make, looks amazing and will impress even fussy young palates.
- 15 gorgeous garden terraces and rooftop bars
  
  Put your glad-rags and heels on standby, we’ve collated the best garden terraces and rooftop bars in 'hood. Ibuprofen at the ready? Then we’ll begin!

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
- Moulsford School, Moulsford
  
  A long term Muddy favourite, Moulsford boys' prep school on the Berks/Oxon border has an idyllic riverside setting and a reputation for sporting excellence. Read our review here.
- Tumblestone Hollow: the kids’ verdict
  
  We asked a rabble of 4-10 year olds to road test the towers, treehouse, slides, swings and more at Stonor Park's brand new Tumblestone Hollow. This is what they thought.

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Super-stylish specs (and you’ll love the price)

Cool specs that cost £129, all in? We’ll take two pairs. Muddy eyes up a new collection of fun, fashionable and affordable frames from a brilliant Berkshire opticians
- Word up! Slogan sweats to buy now
  
  Can't find the words to say it yourself? Say it with a sweater! Here are eight cool slogan jumpers we're coveting right now, all from indie shops and brands.
- Mother’s Day gifts from your local indies
  
  Forgo the bunch of tulips for something a more chic, from glossy scented candles, glossy books to chic jewellery, here's a curated selection from our local Indie Store sellers

Beauty View more
- Tweakment curious? Read this first
  
  The Zoom boom has seen a rise in cosmetic surgery and aesthetics enquiries. In a largely unregulated industry these are the questions you need to ask first.
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.

People View more
Nine inspirational heroines to celebrate IWD

It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up nine women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.
- The talented locals behind The Indie Store
  
  As we gingerly step back into the real world, it's more important than ever to support local. Here some of our Indie Store businesses recount their journey and show what makes them special.
- My favourite places: Sarah Burns MBE of Smart Works
  
  When Smart Works Reading's charity chief Sarah Burns isn't riding a bike to raise £20k to support local women, where will we find her? These hangouts, of course!

Travel View more
This way to the beach – in under two hours

The sun’s making an appearance this weekend (at long last) so we’re thinking impromptu, socially-distanced day trip to the coast. Who’s in?
- 51 best things to do within 2 hours of home
  
  Are you ready to (gasp) leave your local area? From safari parks and city skylines to Europe's tallest high ropes, here are the 51 best outdoors things to do within 2 hours of Berks
- Grab the sunnies: our 2021 travel bucket list
  
  It's been so long, holidays have taken on a rather emotional hue. So we asked our editors how they really want to spend their annual leave. Expect cocktails, cities, and plenty of fun in the sun.