The urban guide to the countryside -

Berkshire

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

Anyone else's kids shot up a few inches during lockdown? We've got you covered with our pick of the coolest, colourful childrenswear to style out the summer.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

5 reasons we’re loving Stonor this summerOne of our favourite family haunts, Stonor Park near Henley may not be opening its historic house for a little while, but there’s a raft of cool stuff going on in the grounds we think you'll love.
Live from your sofa this weekYour weekly boredom buster is here with all the best and brand spanking new TV, film, music and theatre to keep you entertained from the sofa.
Super Saturday starts hereLockdown lift off is go go go. Wanna know which Muddy fave pubs, restaurants, hair salons and family attractions are opening in Berkshire? Step this laydee.
The Muddy insider guide to NorfolkSumer holidays incoming! Read our brand new and brilliant curated guide to Norfolk, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!).
What’s on outdoors (yes, really!)The time has finally come to put on some real clothes (joggers don't count, sorry) and have some fun in the fresh air – at a social distance, of course.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Fabulous Drinks Co

Victoria Willson Interiors

The Copse

Sit & Sip, Wokingham

FLEX Pilates

Caldesi In Campagna, Bray

The Little Welly

Hurley House Hotel

Rosebourne, Aldermaston

Bridge Street Skin Clinic

The Beauty Box Pangbourne

The Real Macaron Company

Eat View more
The pub roast is coming home

Release the Yorkies! No need to slave over a roast or wrangle with the new socially distant dining. We’ve found 10 of the best Sunday lunches all available to takeaway. Eat, drink, stay in your PJs
- A pimped up chicken salad
  
  I declare salad season officially open! This hearty chicken one is easy-peasy to make but packed with flavour.
- Freedom! 22 pubs with fab gardens
  
  Praise be, the pubs are opening - and just in time for summer weather! Here are the best pub gardens to enjoy a socially-distanced sip in across Berkshire. Cheers!
- Recipe inspiration, courtesy of Giffords Circus (yes, really!)
  
  Roll up, roll up! ... Put some razzle-dazzle back into mealtime monotony with a double whammy of scrumptious, summery dishes from Giffords Circus' new cookbook.
- 7 of the best posh takeaways
  
  Gagging to sink your teeth into some chefy posh nosh? Don't wait until lockdown lift off, your training starts now with Berkshire's fanciest takeaways.

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Arts & Culture View more
Grab yourself a mini masterpiece from £50

Virtual paddle at the ready. Here’s your chance to buy small pieces of art by big names. Art On A Postcard 2020’s gone online. Here’s the artists to watch.
- Culture vulture: my July hit list
  
  Missing the theatre and live venues? OMG, me too. Until normal service resumes for the arts world (your guess is as good as mine), here's my personal culture planner for July - podcasts, books, music and theatre. I'll budge up on the sofa, come and join me.
- 9 cool drive-in cinemas in Berks and beyond
  
  With social distancing de rigeur the summer, the local arts industry has had to find new ways to keep cinema alive. Cue the drive-in cinema - we've cherry picked 10 of the best in Berks and further afield. Tell me about it, stud!

Home View more
- 5 interior design secrets you need to know
  
  Interior design is more than slapping paint on the walls. No clue where to start? Apply the tricks of the design trade and you’ll have a room ready for its glossy mag close-up.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep
  
  You've downed a chamomile tea, ignored your phone and mentally shoved your 900th sheep over a gate - but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Time to pandemic-proof your Zs.
- Things I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Being confined at home has meant a mixture of soul-searching, recalibration and new skills learnt. After 8 weeks of lockdown, this much I know...

Work View more
J’adore/ J’abhor: video calls

Are you a FaceTime fanatic or a Skype cynic? After months of video call catch-ups, two Muddy editors battle it out over the digital face-to-face.
Kids
- Eton End Prep School
  
  Don't judge a book by its cover, Eton End School in Datchet, for ages 3-11, is traditional on the outside but leading the charge when its come to equality and growth mindset.
- 10 books for younger kids
  
  Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.

Fashion View more
Wear the rainbow (and find gold)

The weather’s been pants, but we’re giving Joseph and his technicolour dream coat a run for his money with the best rainbow brights. Prepare to be dazzled.
- The 9 most stylish face masks
  
  Well, who could have predicted THIS as the must-have summer 2020 accessory? If you've gotta wear one, it may as well look chic, right?
- Trend alert! Artisanal style
  
  Delicate embroidery, expert craftsmanship and dreamy fabrics - we're coveting artisanal chic for summer. Here are 14 items to add to your (handwoven) basket.

Beauty View more
- Nail it! 5 pretty press-ons
  
  Beauty salons are back, laydee! Jeez, where do we start? Gagging for a mani? I hear you. Why not fake it 'til you make it with 5 sets of pretty press-ons
- 5 of the best hair masks to buy now
  
  Split ends up to your ears? We've found five quick-fixes for treating neglected locks - and to stop your hair stylist from screaming when salons finally reopen!

People View more
Muddy meets: iconic photographer Nick Knight

He’s worked with everyone from Alexander McQueen and John Galliano to Lady Gaga and Kanye West – so it’s a surprise to find photography genius Nick Knight’s newest exhibition is of flowers shot from his garden and showing at Waddesdon Manor! Blooming heck Nick, what’s going on?
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  Record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with UK theatres. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Read the reviews

Fun Finder

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

Travel View more
The Muddy insider guide to Norfolk

Summer holidays incoming! Read our brand new and brilliant curated guide to Norfolk, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!).
- Muddy’s insider guide to Devon
  
  If Devon's on your holiday hit list this year you'll be needing our totally brilliant insider guide to the county. PLUS we have £2,888 of summer goodies up for grabs!
- The Muddy insider guide to The Cotswolds
  
  Prepping for a staycay this summer? Our curated guide to The Cotswolds is packed with our-in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add sandals and sunshine. PLUS read on for £2,888 of sultry summer goodies to give away).