Spotlight

Fun things to do this DecemberLockdown has lifted but life is not normal yet. Still, it’s Christmas and there’s lights to see, bells to jingle and mulled wine to quaff. Here’s where to do it.
8 of the best Christmas escapesFestive, fun and stress free. A Christmas mini break where you rock up to eat, drink, sleep and be merry could be just the antidote to a rubbish 2020.
Festive FOMO? Find home comforts and Xmas joy!No parties (fewer hangovers), but more time to jingle your bells and nail Christmas at home. Go wild with decs, create new traditions and sashay up to the 25th in style.
Get sprucing! Where to buy your treeIt's December and that means it's time to drag a 7ft tree into the house and cover it with sparkly plastic! Here's where to go to make it happen.
Newsflash! The latest local gossNothing happens during lockdown, right? Erm… not quite. Berkshire still has some life in it yet. Here are the latest whispers on the grapevine.

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

Let’s shop! Budget-friendly stocking fillers for her

It's time to start ticking off your list! Luckily, Muddy's done the hard work for you - here are the best stocking fillers for under £30, all available from The Indie Store.

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

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Little Black Book

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

Roast Lab Coffee Roasters

Yessica Diez Creative, Maidenhead

minifili

Cricketers Gin

The Base, Greenham Common

Dr Valarie Jerome Optometrist

Rococo Jewellery, Wokingham

Aspire Clinic, Reading

Balance Pro Reformer Pilates

Strong & Together Design, Newbury

Thameside Rum Company

Five Bells, Wickham

Eat View more
The best cookbooks for 2020

Got a foodie in your life? Sick of making the same seven meals? Just a sucker for pictures of food? If any of the above apply, we’ve got you covered.
- The lazy cooks answer to Christmas lunch
  
  Can’t be bothered to get up at 5am to start bronzing your bird? We've found seven posh Christmas...
- Best wines to buys for Christmas
  
  From the perfect red to pair with mince pies to the best bubbles for your NYE celebrations, these are the bottles to pick up for the festive season.
- Tip-top takeaways to see you through lockdown
  
  Restaurants, cafes and bars may be closed right now, but you can still support our brilliant local businesses by ordering a takeaway. Oh go on, if we must...
- Best ever fish and chips from The Hand & Flowers
  
  Fancy whipping up a double Michelin-starred chippie tea? Let Tom Kerridge show you how, courtesy of the brand new The Hand & Flowers Cookbook.

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
Sofa day! 13 new TV shows and films to watch this week

With a new month comes new TV shows and films to sink your teeth into! From documentaries to festive flicks, here’s what Muddy is watching this week.
- Best coffee table books for Christmas
  
  Ahh, the coffee table book - the perfect blend of form and function. Here are some of the best releases of the year to add to your Christmas list...
- Cheese-free Xmas films? It can be done (just)
  
  'Tis the season to hit the Baileys and get on a Christmas movie marathon. If you're strictly dairy-free, here's 17 alternative festive films for your viewing pleasure.

Home View more
- Festive FOMO? Find home comforts and Xmas joy!
  
  No parties (fewer hangovers), but more time to jingle your bells and nail Christmas at home. Go wild with decs, create new traditions and sashay up to the 25th in style.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep in lockdown
  
  So you've downed a chamomile tea and ignored your phone but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Read on for our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.
- Lockdown anxiety: 7 smart ways to keep it in check
  
  Lockdown is back and with it, hours and hours to listen to the rising panic in our heads. Don’t fancy that much? Nor us, so read on for seven ways to tackle the tension.

Travel View more
8 of the best Christmas escapes

Festive, fun and stress free. A Christmas mini break where you rock up to eat, drink, sleep and be merry could be just the antidote to a rubbish 2020.
- Is this the ultimate family escape?
  
  A five star hotel so fab you and your kids will never want to leave. Pack your bags, Coworth Park is calling for fresh air, great food and post-lockdown fun on tap.
- Muddy reviews One Aldwych: London
  
  Overnighter in the Big Smoke or planning a post-pandemic theatre jaunt? Treat yourself with a stay at this stunning, super-luxe hotel, just a stone's throw from the West End.

Work View more
Ready, steady… SHOP INDIE!

You want to ‘shop small’ but lockdown is making it tricky. Not on my watch! Our latest launch, The Indie Store, is all about supporting brilliant local retail, and here’s how you can help too.
Kids
- Pangbourne College, Berkshire
  
  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
- 6 reasons to consider InterHigh
  
  If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.

Fashion View more
Walkies! Cool cold weather gear

Gyms are closed (as is practically everything else), so we’re getting our exercise fix with some long winter walks. Here’s all the gear you’ll need to stretch those legs this season.
- Cosy treats for dark days
  
  It’s cold, drizzly and dark at 5pm so it’s time to up the comfort factor with these must-have items for days indoors, including plenty of opportunities to #supportlocal.
- Designer vs dead ringer: the leather edit
  
  Leather is top of the trends this season but the real deal can be a *leetle* unfriendly when it comes to your credit card. Cue our edit of the best dupes for the hottest designer pieces.

Beauty View more
- How to give yourself a DIY facial at home
  
  With salons closed until December, we're retreating to our own bathrooms for a stress-busting DIY facial treatment. Fluffy white robe and cucumber slices optional.
- Go Tache! Don’t forget Movember
  
  We won’t see many people apart from the bin men this month, but we can still support our favourite causes. November is men’s health month and Muddy's here for it.

People View more
What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room

Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.
- Yes, people, this is Meg Mathews
  
  Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, self-care and, er, vagina facials.
- 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?