The urban guide to the countryside -

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

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.
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.
Psst! We've got hot gossNewsflash! Check out the new fine dining pop up, Berkshire's first plastic free shop, Ed Sheeran on a pub crawl and a pub's TV debut.
Best of Reading FringeNo need to schlep to Edinburgh for a fab Fringe, we've got one on our doorstep. Breathe in the cool culture, here's Muddy's pick of the programme
Dermot O'Leary: It's personalLove ogling O'Leary? He's DJing at Ascot Races and Muddy's got all the goss on his *coughs* tooooit trousers, love of cats and mojitos with Madonna.

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!
- A Berkshire gin crawl
  
  Have paracetamol on standby and sample local gins within staggering distance – we may even sway over the borders *hic*. Ready for your first double?
- 46 stunning pubs for summer
  
  Everyone knows that one of summer's great pleasures is sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub setting. So here's the best of the bunch across all the Muddy counties. Cheers!
- Ooh la la L’Ortolan
  
  A French fancy in Reading? You betcha! L'Ortolan has held onto its Michelin twinkler for 17 years, and Chef Tom Clarke's pud almost made Mr M cry…
- First past The Winning Post
  
  Bounding around Berkshire in search of pubby perfection? I saddled up for a 3-course nosebag and a comfy sleepover at The Winning Post, Winkfield.

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.
- The Langley is …. OPEN!
  
  Superluxe The Langley in South Buckinghamshire opens its doors for the first time today! Here are 6 reasons why you should put it to the top of your hotel wish list.

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!
- J’adore/ J’abhor
  
  So, what's the hot topic currently creating emotional fracking by the office water cooler? This week - velcro sandals!
- J’adore /J’abhor
  
  In our 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.
- Pass me a vodka, it’s tense.
  
  This ain't no sugar-coated Disney adaptation, The Anastasia File at the Theatre Royal Windsor, is so tense you could hear a pin drop (or a mobile phone in this case).
- Summer’s MUST reads
  
  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 - and then win the whole lot!
- Matisse: Drawing With Scissors
  
  In need of culture fix? No need to schlep into the big smoke. Newbury's cool, new art gallery The Base has brought a piece of the London art scene to Berks.
- Who the chuff is Earnest?
  
  Who needs Love Island when you can have Oscar Wilde's 24-hr (Victorian) party people – a group with loose morals, bad manners and a low opinion of marriage.

Flexi-time – are you working it out?

Flexible working is a buzzy phrase, but seriously – how many of us actually live the dream? Read on to find out how it could work for you.
Kids
- Dive in… the water’s lovely
  
  Feeling hot hot hot? No need to become a sweaty mess, here's our pick of the best pools, river spots and watery fun to cool down this summer. Just add sun lotion.
- May half term sorted!
  
  But Easter was only yesterday I hear you cry! Don't worry, Muddy has you covered with the best family-friendly things to do over May half term in Berks and beyond.

Dermot O’Leary: It’s personal

Love ogling O’Leary? He’s DJing at Ascot Races and Muddy’s got all the goss on his *coughs* tooooit trousers, love of cats and mojitos with Madonna.
- Muddy meets L’Ortolan’s chef Tom Clarke
  
  Sacre bleu! L'Ortolan's creative Head Chef Tom Clarke spills the beans on cooking for the Royal family, his love of French cuisine, famous diners and his food trend regrets.
- The toughest woman in sport
  
  She's lost teeth and blacked out, but nothing will stop jockey Hollie Doyle getting back in the saddle. Muddy talks to racing's pocket rocket in the run up Ladies Night at Windsor Racecourse.