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

A very British affairRace you to the Pimms bus… Wellington Country Fair & Horse Trials is putting on a very British affair, with local food, furry friends and free range kids.
Art's rising rock starsBudget doesn't stretch to an Emin or Hirst? Here's 12 cool, collectable artists who won't require you to sell a loved one (and may prove to be a good investment).
The magic of 'me time'Frazzled mothers rejoice! Come and hide out with us and let someone look after you for a change. Fitness, fashion, food, wine and unwind. Ahhhh, that's better.
18 summer day tripsExhausted all your local entertainment options already this summer hols? We've scoured far and wide for some great day trip ideas.
46 stunning summer pubsFancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub setting with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across all the Muddy counties. Cheers!

FRI 23 – SUN 25 AUG

MON 19 – SUN 25 AUG

AUGUST 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

10 waterside hangouts

Water, water everywhere and there’s more than a drop to drink (thank god!). Watch the world float by at Muddy’s fave waterside spots to eat and drink.
- Pinkies poised? Let’s eat cake
  
  Rejoice, it's National Afternoon Tea Week - but where can you get your fix of diddy sandwiches and scones? I know, I know!
- The best brunch in town
  
  The most lipsmackingly indulgent meal of the day and we have 47 of the best ones to tempt you with, from vegan to full English, flat white to green detox. Just add friends and a hangover.
- The Dolphin, Newbury
  
  Shoreditch House meets Miami Beach, this fashion-led Newbury pub is cool, casual and your flexible foodie friend. Big pants on, let's dive in.
- 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!

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.

London calling!

Love the idea of going into London but find it all just a leetle bit daunting? Make life easy on yourself with our Top 10 tips on how to have a cracking time in the city this Summer.
- Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of Wight
  
  This sunny little Island may be small in stature but it's packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We've got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.
- 40 Quirky Stays for Summer
  
  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. Enjoy!

Word up!

Too busy to say it yourself? Lacking the vocab to express your feelings after a long day battling spreadsheets or sprogs? Let a classic slogan T do it for you.
- 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! (Sorry! This competition has closed.)
- J’adore/ J’abhor
  
  So, what's the hot topic currently creating emotional fracking by the office water cooler? This week - velcro sandals!

Art’s rising rock stars

Blank walls but your budget doesn’t stretch to an Emin or Hirst? Here’s 12 cool, collectable artists who won’t require you to sell a loved one (and may prove to be a good investment).
- 10 free things to do this summer
  
  It may be looking distinctly changeable outside and the summer funds might be running low but there is still plenty to squeeze out of summer in Berkshire and further afield.
- Review: The 39 Steps, Theatre Royal Windsor
  
  Femme fatales will be clutching their pearls in this slim-line parody of the 1935 Hitchcock film, The 39 Steps. It's fast, funny and has a Downton Abbey film star.
- Party like a pin up
  
  OMG! We can't wait. Retro Festival (Fri 9 – Sun 11 Aug) is like stepping into the final scene of Grease. Grab you skintight trousers and Letterman sweater, here's the best bits.
- Best kids’ movies this summer
  
  With the weather a bit unpredictable, it's a good week for a cinema trip. It'll keep 'em quiet for a couple of hours while you have a sneaky snooze, right?

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
- Fancy a bear hug?
  
  A super-sweet exhibition 'Bears!' from Henley's River & Rowing museum definitely has the cuddle factor for the under 10s. Grab a teddy and go!
- Dinosaurs – always a winner!
  
  Shopping with kids is a Jurassic pain in the bum. But we discovered that A 8m high T Rex and a hunt for her pre-historic pals was a roarsome hit for us all.

Dermot: 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.
- Food fit for a queen
  
  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.
- Miley goes mental
  
  Hello, who's speaking please? This fruity promo for her new album be Miley Cyrus' naughtiest stunt yet. Creative juices flowing or cynical marketing ploy - you decide!
- Muddy meets Shappi
  
  Comedian Shappi Khorsandi discusses new tour, her tips on how NOT to be funny and why you should do things that scare you (hell yeah!)