Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-and-coming-soon">NEW AND COMING SOON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1.jpg" alt="Chef Simon Bonwick THE DEW DROP INN HURLEY" class="wp-image-49537" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/2-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It’s a gastronomic homecoming! <strong>Chef Simon Bonwick</strong> and his wife Deborah have announced they’re returning to Berkshire to start a new culinary chapter at <strong>The Dew Drop Inn</strong> in Hurley.</p>



<p>We were crying into out consommé when they closed the doors of their Michelin Star pub The Crown at Burchett’s Green in December 2021. It was later sold to Chef Dominic Chapman last year.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1.jpg" alt="THE DEW DROP INN HURLEY" class="wp-image-49536" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Dew Drop Inn is a proper destination pub (ranked in the Estrella Damm Top 100 Gastropubs in 2021), tucked away in pretty woodland with views across the Chilterns. The dining room has 20 covers and Deborah promises Simon’s cooking is ‘better than ever’. Expect a seasonal menu, using quality ingredients and the Bonwick family’s notorious hospitality. The Dew Drop opens in mid January. We&#8217;re salivating already.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9.jpg" alt="NEW THE CLIMBING HANGAR READING" class="wp-image-49544" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/9-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Climbing the walls in January? Why not do it literally. A brand new climbing centre is opening in Reading which will offer climbing and bouldering for all ages and abilities. <strong><a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/locations/reading" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Climbing Hangar</a></strong> is a vertical playground that has been created in a unit in the Stadium Way Industrial Estate. Whether you&#8217;re looking to work out or hang out, there&#8217;s a real emphasis on community, having a go and, for those who want to get competitive, quality coaching. The Hangar will have a coffee shop (it&#8217;s thirsty work), a fully equipped gym, kids age 4+ can get involved, dogs are welcome and there are women only sessions. It opens at the end of Jan.  </p>



<p>Wanna have a go? Muddy readers are invited to the <a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/reading-launch-muddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VIP opening weekend</a>! Spaces are limited so make sure you book a ticket <a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/reading-launch-muddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> by 27 Jan. Plus get one month of unlimited&nbsp;climbing&nbsp;at TCH Reading for as little as £14.99. That&#8217;s your first month&#8217;s membership for the cost of one entry. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10.jpg" alt="Calico Reading" class="wp-image-49546" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/10-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Remember the old Great Expectations in Reading? Much like the Dickens classic it was of a particular vintage, But it&#8217;s had a makeover of Kim Kardashian proportions. The building has been lavished with interior love and cash, to reopen with a new name and a new look – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/calicoreading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel 1843 x Calico Bar and Eatery</a>. The main bar and restaurant is now open and we&#8217;re enjoying the floral clouds and banquette booths for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and cocktails. it&#8217;s so chichi we may never leave. The hotels 29 rooms are next on the list for a facelift.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693.jpg" alt="THE BERKSHIRE ARMS MIDGHAM" class="wp-image-49548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-11T122720.693-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Time to check out <a href="https://www.chefandbrewer.com/pubs/berkshire/berkshire-arms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Berkshire Arms in Midgham</strong></a>. After a whopping £7 million refurb, the Chef &amp; Brewer inn has reopened. This old barn is showing plenty of country pub leg with squishy velvet sofas, tweedy wing=backed chairs, wood burning stoves and a cohesive palette of Farrow &amp; Ball shades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BERKSHIRE HEADLINERS </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7.jpg" alt="Pixie Lott Flackstock" class="wp-image-49542" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/7-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re already planning your summer of al fresco fun, then get your laughing gear round this lot. Flackstock will return to Englefield House in July 2023. The festival is hosted in memory of Caroline Flack and raises a hefty wedge of cash for mental health charities &#8211; Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans and Charlie Waller Trust. This year, the first event raised £325,000 and saw Ronan Keating, Tom Grennan, Olly Murs, Fleur East, Pixie Lott and Natalie Imbruglia among the line-up.  No news on line up, but pop Mon 24 Jul in your dairy. It was a cracking night last year.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6.jpg" alt="U Bakery Crowthorne" class="wp-image-49541" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/6-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Reading Festival has started to announce its 2023 line-up – and it&#8217;s shaping up to be a corker. Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, Becky Hill, The Killers, Foals and Wetleg are all confirmed, with more artists to be announced. If you or your teens are keen grab a ticket, stat. It&#8217;s always a sell out.<br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">STARRY SLEEPOVERS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8.jpg" alt="Clodagh McKenna lifestyle store The Retreat Elcot Park Newbury berkshire" class="wp-image-49543" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/8-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Retreat Elcot Park hasn&#8217;t even been open a year and it&#8217;s already been crowned <em>The Times</em> Best Place to Stay in the UK. Not only that, Irish Chef and <em>This Morning</em> star Clodagh McKenna has also just opened her lifestyle store and farm shop at the hotel. Clodagh sells a collection of sustainable hand-made table linens, beeswax candles, hand-blown glassware, cookware and seasonal flowers. The Broadspear farm shop, features produce from the celebrity chef&#8217;s sustainable farm including beef, honey, eggs, pickles, chutneys, vegetables and juices. Basically, The Retreat Elcot Park is fast becoming the the hottest hangout in Berks. So eat, sleep, shop… repeat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BRACKNELL BLOCKBUSTER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3.jpg" alt="Swinley Forest Bracknell Forest" class="wp-image-49538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>We’re no strangers to film crews and A listers here in Berks. So we are totally casual about gossipy Hollywood moles who have revealed a big a US production company is set to commence filming in February in Bracknell&#8217;s Swinley Forest. We can’t tell you the name of the studios right now, but in a few weeks get your binoculars at the ready for a bit of celeb-spotting and set-building! Filming is scheduled to last until next August… And just down the road at Bray Studios, they’re filming <em>Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power</em>. *Wink wink*.</p>


Kicking off 2023 with new openings, hot goss and festival headliners

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