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

Don’t leave it to chance! Choose from our handpicked selection of the best businesses near you.

And the winners are…The battle was fierce in the Muddy Awards this year, but now we have 24 victors.Wanna meet them?
Win a £1000 luxe stay & celeb tennis day!My best giveaway ever. A super-duper 5* stay at Stoke Park with VIP tickets to Boodles Tennis Tournament. More balls please.
New to Henley Festival 2018Is this the poshest festival ever? Top music, food, fizz and black tie. Newsflash! Reading’s London Street Brasserie is opening a pop up.
Where to watch the Royal WeddingIf you're NFI to the Harry and Meghan's Big Fat Royal Wedding *sniff*, head this way, the real fun's here on May 19
Ready to party?Disappeared down a Pinterest party planning rabbit hole? Read on. Discover the secret to throwing the best bash.

FRI 25 – SUN 27 MAY

MON 21 – SUN 27 MAY

MAY 2018

Mess about by the river

Right on the river, huge garden, good pub food and a huuuuge gin list *hic*. The Rowbarge in Woolhampton is buzzy traditional pub perfect spot to eat, drink and escape to the country.
- Caw caw blimey! The Blackbird
  
  Tom Aiken's former head chef has opened his own place at The Blackbird Bagnor – expect the unexpected.
- The Boatman, Windsor
  
  It's the perfect spot for sun seekers and royal watchers – Windsor's only riverside pub.
- The Eton Mess, Eton
  
  A stylish, buzzy Eton inn offering good quality pub food and a cocktail list to die.
- Flaming good burgers
  
  To Eton, for posh burgers, craft beers and thick oozy milkshakes at urban micro-chain, Flaming Cow.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Happy campers

As the Pet Shop Boys said: Go West – especially when it comes to camping and glamping! Here’s your Muddy guide to the perfect spot to pitch in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
- Bluebell wood hotspots
  
  Our woodlands are a sea of blooms, so here’s where to catch them while they last – with nearby pit stops!
- The insider guide to Windsor
  
  Spotlight's on Windsor thanks to a little Royal Wedding. Ditch the guide book, here's where to hang out.

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

A day at the races

Love a day at the races? Think your outfit will get you into the winners’ enclosure? Newbury Racecourse is looking for the Most Stylish Racegoer and we thought we’d try and help you win.
- Mellow for yellow
  
  If you like your eggs and your wardrobe sunny side up, then you'll love this season’s hottest trend… YELLOW. Cling to the summer vibes like a limpet.
- Did you win the bling?
  
  It was a hard fought battle to get your digits on this Limezest Jewellery ring, but we have a winner…

Lights, camera, outdoor cinema action

Pass the popcorn, top up the Pimms and pitch up for an al fresco film night. Follow the usher this way, for the best pop up cinemas in Berks…
- Need a hot new read?
  
  Well, you’re in the right place. Muddy’s pro bookworm Kerry Potter has a bumper selection of May’s rave reads.
- Books to read in the sunshine
  
  Muddy bookworm Kerry Potter picks this month's best books. Ignore your family and friends, and get stuck in!
- Royal best in show
  
  Saddle up, we're diving into the Royal Windsor Horse Show archives to take a peek at the Queen and fam.
- A Google Doodle masterpiece
  
  This Google Doodle honouring Maya Angelou on her 90th birthday is a masterpiece. What a woman!

The future’s Allbright

Want to start your own business? Need funding to get to the next stage? Female entrepreneurs, breathe deep, smile wide and meet your new best friends.
Kids
- The Abbey School, Reading
  
  Muddy says: Top girls’ day school, The Abbey School is producing well-rounded, street-savvy women.
- Give your kids a happiness MOT
  
  Think kids don't have a care in the world? It's a jungle out there and young people are struggling. Muddy takes a wellbeing crash course.

Muddy meets Clara Amfo

Winning TV quiz Pointless, playing basketball with Justin Bieber, crying over Oprah Winfrey – it’s all in a day’s work for Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo. Muddy is enamoured with its new BFF.
- Meghan’s favourite place
  
  Cliveden House is one of Meghan Markle’s favourite places (she spent her pre-wedding night here) but where does the historic hotel’s owner Natalie Livingstone favour?
- Sex and the sisterhood
  
  Grab a Cosmo, Sex And The City is making a comeback… in Berkshire! Meet New Yorker Kerry Ipema who plays 24 characters from 6 series in her one woman show.