The urban guide to the countryside -

Well, hello!

I'm Sue, editor of Muddy Dorset & Somerset, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

Gotta Have It

Hands never been cleaner - and more in need of a decent moisturiser? Treat yourself to a small dollop of comfort with these beautiful handcreams.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Where’s the best place to live in Somerset & Dorset?The Sunday Times has revealed its top spots to live in 2020 - but did your hometown make the cut?
12 Top Tips to Home SchoolingWhere to start? Here are our top tips from creating the right environment to useful resources for home schooling. Good luck!
A Muddy call to armsThe escalation of COVID 19 means our local businesses are battling to survive - but we have some ideas to help. Ready, steady, support!
Worried about CV Lockdown?We've chatted to experts at Age Space to get some practical advice if your parents are over 70 and in self-isolation.
Staying in? Meet your new boxset addictionsWe're not going to mention the C-word but if you're staying in more right now, isolate yourself with the TV remote and watch these boxset corkers pronto.

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Eat Out View more
Muddy eats: Nosh-stalgia, Wells

Enjoy eclectic dishes inspired by ingredients from around the world in this laid back, retro-themed cafe-bar-bistro
- Muddy eats: The New Inn, Cerne Abbas
  
  Eat and drink very well every day of the week, or enjoy a weekend away with wonderful walks in the Dorset countryside – with or without your dog
- Muddy eats: The Pig-near Bath
  
  Pig out in a good way! Smart but super relaxed, fine dining – and nights away – at the lusciously laid back hotel and restaurant The Pig-near Bath
- Muddy eats: The Cotley Inn, Wambrook, nr Chard
  
  A big juicy burger, full three-courser or just a pint at this super friendly pub with plenty of walks around its idyllic valley setting on the Somerset/Devon border
- Muddy eats: The Old Dairy cafe, Bower Hinton
  
  Oh goodie! A brand new farm-based cafe in Somerset with great coffee and laid back nosh, all homemade using (very) locally produced ingredients.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

Travel View more
Restaurants with rooms

Dreaming of a foodie getaway? We’ve scoured the Muddy counties for hotel stays with serious culinary credentials for when lock-down lifts. Tuck in.
- The Eastbury Hotel & Spa, Sherborne
  
  This classic English hotel has a 2 AA rosette restaurant and luxury rooms, with a quirky spherical dining pod and a woodland spa in its pretty walled gardens
- Holiday planning? 10 European-style staycations
  
  Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel.

Fashion View more
5 of the best… trench coats

It’s a style classic for a reason – the trench is probably the most chic, useful piece you can buy (banish all thoughts of Inspector Clouseau). Here are our new season favourites.
- 5 of the best… French slogan jumpers
  
  Bonjour, sexy new knitwear! These chic slogan jumpers are guaranteed to add a little je ne sais quoi to any ensemble - we adore.
- 4 new season trends to try (and one to avoid)
  
  The high street is awash with new spring/summer goodies. Overwhelmed? Here's our pick of the new trends worth exploring - and how to wear them.

Arts & Culture View more
Lockdown literary list

50 books we’ve been meaning to read forever – and some old favourites – now we’ve all got the time.
- Read THESE this month
  
  Reasons to be cheerful: spring has sprung and a brilliant new batch of March books has arrived. Gather around, and let Muddy's pro-bookworm Kerry Potter tell you a story.
- Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
  
  A gifted ballerina is torn between lurve and her passion for the dance in this exhilarating production now on at the Bristol Hippodrome
- Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
  
  Like a rainbow on a rainy day, Beautiful – now on at the Bristol Hippodrome – delights with the music of extraordinary songwriting talent Carole King.
- The 5 best books out in February
  
  Muddy's pro bookworm Kerry Potter has got five Feb fancies for your delectation. Read all about 'em here!

Work View more
WFH – working from home – how to nail it

Suddenly working from home? Read Muddy’s top tips to make it a little bit easier
Kids
- Get creative! 5 fun at-home classes for kids
  
  Stuck indoors? Internet to the rescue! We've rounded up some of the best digital classes to boost your kids' creativity and keep them engaged.
- 12 Top Tips to Home Schooling
  
  Where to start? Here are our top tips from creating the right environment to useful resources for home schooling. Good luck!

People View more
How to be ambitious (without being a bitch)

It’s International Women’s Day on Sunday so we had a chat with one of our favourite women – author and comedian Viv Groskop (who grew up in Bruton, Somerset) – about redefining female ambition for 2020. Need a life reboot? Viv can help with that.
- The 4 funniest people on social media
  
  Fancy a giggle? These Instagram and Twitter accounts are happy to oblige.
- Muddy meets Josie Long
  
  We caught up with (we reckon) the most positive comedian in the business about motherhood, MasterChef, making people laugh and her new tour, Tender, coming to Bath in February.
- GBBO contestant: Rosie Brandreth-Poynter
  
  Five things you may not know about the Somerset baker as she whisks into Week Seven of the Great British Bake Off
- Everyone’s talking about…
  
  Jude Law, baby! Or should that be his itty bitty very pretty papal white budgie smugglers? Banish your other half for five minutes and ogle the trailer in peace