The urban guide to the countryside -
Little Black Book
Fun Finder
Rosebourne, Aldermaston
Muddy says: This garden centre packs in a lot more than flowers and ferns. With an extensive food hall and restaurant, it’s an unexpected day out.
The Globe, Newbury
Muddy says: A super dog-friendly, hip hangout that boasts a cool culinary collaboration with a Muddy Award winner. Who's up for yappy hour?
Church House Berkshire
A party pad that's cool, quirky and appeared on TV. Church House Berkshire is the answer to your prayers – a state-of-the-art glam home, packed with ecclesiastical features.
Thames Lido
Muddy says: An urban retreat with cool, Scandi vibes. Dive in and enjoy the infinity pool, restaurant and bar – it's like no other spa you've been to.
Wellington Farm Shop & Cafe
Wellington Farm Shop & Cafe is a food lover's haven. Expect high quality produce, with low food miles, and a cafe that'll bust the waistband. The homemade dishes are to die for.
The Waterside Inn, Bray
Muddy says: The Roux’s Berkshire institution needs no introduction. Thirty five years of three Michelin stars, beautiful riverside location and top-tier gastronomie.
Braywood House, Winkfield
Muddy says: Cool, quirky and totally luxurious, Braywood House is the holiday home of dreams, offering flexible stays with loads to do. You won’t want to leave.
Old Butcher’s Wine Cellar, Cookham
Muddy says: A 15th century wine shop and bar with a modern rustic apartment for rent, The Old Butcher's Wine Cellar is proof food, drink and quality zzz go hand in hand.
Malmaison Reading
We love this boutique hotel in Reading for its central location and its grande dame exterior that segues into cool, Insta-fabulous interiors.
Hurley House Hotel
Muddy says: An elegant country bolthole, this boutique Berkshire hotel offers 10 super-stylish rooms, a stonking restaurant that's a foodie destination in its own right and a laidback vibe.
The White Oak, Cookham
Muddy says: 7 Michelin Bib Gourmands don't lie, The White Oak in Cookham is a fab destination pub, with serious foodie credentials.
Bel and the Dragon Reading
Muddy says: The Bel & the Dragon Reading takes industrial style to the next level. Enjoy the cool, urban vibes on the canal, great food and a unique spot to sleepover.
The Cliveden Dining Room, Taplow
Muddy says: Fine dining, beautifully presented, and with the historic surroundings of Cliveden estate you’ll feel like an Astor.
The Hinds Head, Bray
Muddy says: Swap poncey for a cool, quirky dining experience that works for all the family. It can only be the HInd's Head in Bray.
The Crown, Bray
Muddy says: Take a celebrity chef, a 16th century pub and what do you get? Gastropub heaven. It can only be Heston Blumenthal's award-winning Crown at Bray.
The Royal Oak, Yattendon
Muddy says: This stylish country pub has a rep for good food. Plus it's the Muddy Award winner for Best Boutique Stay 2017, so why not sleepover.
Giggling Squid Windsor
Muddy says: Spice up your life and tuck into mixy matchy Thai tapas at the Giggling Squid. Fast, fabulous and fragrant. Yum.
The Old Boot, Stanford Dingley
Muddy says: A cosy 18th century pub in West Berkshire that has a new lease of life after a stylish refurb. Good pub food, fab garden and a friendly vibe.
The Dolphin, Newbury
Muddy says: Shoreditch House meets Miami Beach in Newbury town centre, this pub with stylish mid-century rooms is grown-up, glamorous and fun.
The Blackbird, Bagnor
Muddy says: A 17th century inn and foodie destination in the stunning riverside hamlet of Bagnor, run by Tom Aiken's former head chef.
Taproom & Kitchen, Yattendon
Muddy says: You don't have to love beer to visit The Taproom, this is in fact a family-friendly casual restaurant on a farm in West Berkshire.
The Jolly Woodman, Burnham
Muddy says: Chop chop to this 19th century family friendly pitstop serving cracking pub food with plenty of space for kids (and dogs).
The Flaming Cow, Eton
Fun and funky, Flaming Cow is a cool urban diner in traditional Eton, serving banging burgers, craft beers and thick oozy milkshakes.
The Bunk, Curridge
Fancy an afternoon skive, weekend escape or a pretty spot to ponder? You'll find it all at The Bunk Inn. You don't even have to stagger home, it's got rooms.
The Boatman, Windsor
Muddy says: The only riverside pub in Windsor and in the shadow of the Queen's des res. It's the perfect spot for sun seekers and royal watchers.
The Newbury Pub, Newbury
Muddy says: This Muddy Award winner doesn't disappoint, with stylish interiors and foodie credentials – the Michelin inspectors were impressed, and so are we.
The Jelly Lounge, Windsor
Muddy says: If Sex And the City did soft play, The Jelly Lounge Windsor would be it. It's a cool kids play centre, with great food, damn good coffee and gin.
The Little Angel, Henley
Muddy says: The perfect spot to explore Henley and ogle a rowers' six pack. The Little Angel's a regatta fave with good food cred, where kids and dogs are welcome.
The Dog & Duck, Emmbrook
Muddy says: A stylish new refurb of this Wokingham pub takes it into must-try territory for interior nuts and pub grub lovers.
The Swan at Streatley
Muddy says: A riverside boutique hotel in Streatley with a grown-up vibe, fab gym and cracking coffee – respect! Dog-friendly rooms available too.
The Bladebone, Chapel Row
Muddy says: The Muddy Award winner for Best Destination Pub 2017 (Berks) doesn't disappoint, with stylish interiors and seriously good pub grub.
Caldesi In Campagna, Bray
Muddy says: If Gucci did restaurants, it would look like this. Caldesi in Campagna is a stylish Italian restaurant serving sunshine on a plate.
Bel & The Dragon, Windsor
Muddy says: A friendly pub offering quality, unpretentious food close to Windsor Castle. The perfect spot for Meghan and Harry's pre-wedding shindig.
Bray Cottages, Bray
Muddy says: Crisply decorated and within walking distance of Bray's foodie haunts. This collection of boutique cottages in Berkshire with luxe hotel-style service, ticks all the boxes.
The Vineyard Hotel, Stockcross
Muddy says: This exquisite 5-star hotel is the last word in luxury. Fine dining, a luxury overnighter or superlative spa? Please don't make us go home. Ever.
Bar Fifty Six, Wokingham
Muddy says: There are 56 reasons to love Bar Fifty Six in Wokingham and they start and finish with great wine. No Sade, no snobs, just a cool place to hang out.
L’Ortolan, Reading
Muddy says: Reading’s only Michelin starred restaurant, this French-inspired eatery offers a la carte to the chef’s 10-course surprise.
Astor Grill at Cliveden, Taplow
Muddy says: The more relaxed little sister to the refined André Garrett, The Astor Grill offers delicious American and British classics in Lord Astor's old stable block.
The Oxford Blue, Old Windsor
Muddy says: Chef Proprietor Stephen Ellis and his brilliant team run a restaurant much-loved for its great service, sensational food and cool hunting lodge vibes.
