Spotlight

Muddy’s 2021 Festival Guide: Berks & beyondAre you ready to make some noise?! From opera weekends to 80s throwbacks to thumping chart-toppers, these are the festivals you need to know about this summer.
Royal Ascot 2021: It'll be a vintage yearAnd we're off… to the charity shop for a stylish and sustainable Royal Ascot. This year's all about second-hand style, so here's where to buy and rent the chicest outfits.
Stonor’s jousting weekend leads the chargeStonor's medieval event on May 22 and 23 includes access to the stonking new adventure playground and the gardens, as well as street food and theatre - family day out sorted.
Clear the schedule! TV worth watching this weekStill not quite warm enough to hang around outside all evening without a sheepskin coat, is it? So, get yourself indoors, sneakily hitch up the heating and watch one of these fab shows instead.
Hello social life! What's on in MayYes, you read that right: real life is bloody well back on. We've got exhibitions, comedy nights, movie screenings, garden snoopings, and so much more happing in Berks this May.

Well, hello!

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

That 17 May date is on its way, but we're still eating outdoors for now which is the perfect excuse to purchase one of these gorgeous spring jackets.

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

Home View more
TV’s Georgina Burnett on decor do’s and don’ts

Why she’ll never hang CDs from the ceiling again, plus how to get it right with colour and where to start if you’ve just bought a new property
- THE PIG’s sizzling BBQ burger
  
  BBQ season is upon us and we have just the recipe (with up to 63% off perfectly paired wines) to get the party started, courtesy of Muddy favourites THE PIG and Naked Wines.
- Tom Kitchin’s Salmon and Spinach Lasagne
  
  Need a new mid-week meal? This Scandi salmon take on a lasagne (with 63% off Muddy recommended wine pairings) can be prepared in advance and is totally delicious.
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
Clear the schedule! TV worth watching this week

Still not quite warm enough to hang around outside all evening without a sheepskin coat, is it? So, get yourself indoors, sneakily hitch up the heating and watch one of these fab shows instead.
- What’s on the box? 8 shows to watch this week
  
  Feeling exhausted from too much actual face-to-face interaction? Yeah, us too. So grab yourself a cuppa, a packet of chocolate digestives, and have a bit of one-to-one time with the television.
- Unearth the remote: 9 shows to watch this week
  
  If you haven’t managed to book yourself a table at the local gastropub but are in the market for some entertainment, look no further: here’s Muddy’s pick of the best telly this week

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

Eat View more
A cocktail, garçon, and make it snappy

We love the cosy vibes of a country pub, but sometimes we need heels, sequins and the pizzazz of a bar where only a Porn Star martini will do. End of lockdown? World Cocktail Day? We’ll celebrate it all.
- Private dining rooms for a glittering reunion
  
  Get someone else to do the cooking, but have the place to yourselves... it's the best of both worlds. These Berkshire pubs and restaurants have the ideal room for a special meal with family, friends or work mates
- Ooh la la! Friday takeaway just got fancy
  
  Desperate to sink your teeth into something french and fancy? Berkshire-based The Funghi Club's at home dining at your service! Check out my review and prepare to salivate.

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
- Pangbourne College, Pangbourne
  
  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
- What is it an IB education? And is it better?
  
  Progressive heads are shaking things up – and a Berkshire school is set to become the UK's first Prep to offer an IB education for ages 3-13. Intrigued?

Fashion View more
Royal Ascot 2021: It’ll be a vintage year

And we’re off… to the charity shop for a stylish and sustainable Royal Ascot. This year’s all about second-hand style, so here’s where to buy and rent the chicest outfits.
- 11 chic spring jackets to buy now
  
  That 17 May date is on its way, but we're still eating outdoors for now which is the perfect excuse to purchase one of these gorgeous spring jackets.
- Green age kicks! 8 eco-cool trainers
  
  There's nothing like box fresh white trainers to put a spring in your step. The good news for the planet, is that this lot tick the stylish and sustainable box too – just in time for Earth Day.

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
Nine divine holiday rentals to book now for an autumn break

If you didn’t have sharp enough elbows to get your summer holiday staycation nailed, fear not. Here are the holiday rentals to book now for an autumn weekend escape
- 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