Spotlight

And the Best Place to Live in Dorset is...The pretty seaside town on the Jurassic Coast has Georgian streets, independent shops and eateries, an ancient harbour (and even more ancient fossils). Know where we mean?
Your local Indie Store stars, part 2Five more of our favourite Indie Store entrepreneurs spill the beans on how they got started and have kept going through the pandemic.
And the Best Place to Live in Somerset is...The community-minded town’s packed with arty, artisan indy businesses and cafes, hosts the best street market in the West and is a worthy winner.
48 Mother's Day afternoon teas that deliverCan't give mum a hug? This is a close second: tiny sandwiches, a lot of clotted cream, and an optional bottle of fizz. Here are the 48 best afternoon teas for delivery and takeaway around the country.
The talented locals behind The Indie StoreAs we gingerly step back into the real world, it's more important than ever to support local. In the first of a two-parter, five of our local Indie Store businesses recount their journey and show what makes them special

Well, hello!

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

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Gotta Have It

Enough with cosy interiors and soft greys - here’s our edit of the fabrics, paints and tiles to lift your spirits and inject some spring into your step, hallway, walls, sofas...

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

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Home View more
And the Best Place to Live in Dorset is…

The pretty seaside town on the Jurassic Coast has Georgian streets, independent shops and eateries, an ancient harbour (and even more ancient fossils). Know where we mean?
- And the Best Place to Live in Somerset is…
  
  The community-minded town’s packed with arty, artisan indy businesses and cafes, hosts the best street market in the West and is a worthy winner.
- Bring the bar to you: how to have a virtual night out
  
  Counting down the days until that chilly pub garden come April? God, us too. Here's the next best thing: bar-quality cocktails, perfect ambience, and a whole lot of glam.
Wellbeing
- Consider a raisin… and four other ways to be more Zen
  
  Whether it's social anxiety about lockdown ending, or panic that it's not coming soon enough, a new book claims the ancient art of Zen will see us through. Ready to try it?
- Low mood > depression > and how to tackle it
  
  One in five people reading this feature will be suffering from some form of depression. Here's how to spot the signs and help yourself and those you love.

Arts & Culture View more
Pass the remote! 5 things to watch this week

From guilty pleasure TV and true-crime documentaries to cult comedy and feminist flicks – there’s something for everyone in our curated pick of new releases this week.
- Look who’s in The Picture of Dorian Gray – streaming this March
  
  Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Russell Tovey head up a starry cast for a new online production of Oscar Wilde's novel, streaming via the Bristol Old Vic
- Feet up: 7 things to watch this week
  
  A week's worth of great telly content, picked out across the channels and streaming sites. Put your feet up and settle in with one of these great things to watch.

Little Black Book

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

Kilver Court Designer Village, Shepton Mallet

The King's Arms, Dorchester

The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Evershot

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth

The Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock

RockReef & Pier Zip, Bournemouth

Eat View more
48 Mother’s Day afternoon teas that deliver

Can’t give mum a hug? This is a close second: tiny sandwiches, a lot of clotted cream, and an optional bottle of fizz. Here are the 48 best afternoon teas for delivery and takeaway around the country.
- Comforting classics from The Pie Room
  
  Ooh, is there anything more satisfying than good flaky pastry? These two tasty recipes from Calum Franklin's new cookbook The Pie Room are just the ticket.
- The best takeaway Sunday roasts in Somerset & Dorset
  
  Can't be faffed to juggle seven pots at once? Chillax! Just order in one of these Somerset and Dorset Sunday roasts for a crackingly easy end to the week.

Work View more
Ideas to get your finances into shape for 2021

The beginning of the year is always about renewal, resolutions and healthy regimes. But the fallout from Covid has shown how financial wellbeing is also vital – and too often overlooked. Muddy limbers up for a money MOT.
Kids
- Wells Cathedral School, Wells
  
  Wells has been educating cathedral choristers for over 1000 years. Today it does that and much more: excelling in sport, the arts and academics as well as giving career musicians one of the best musical educations in the world.
- Downside School
  
  This Catholic day and boarding school with Benedictine values may be steeped in history and tradition but is keeping ahead of the game

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
2021 fashion collabs you need to know

When high fashion met high street. Here are the new season fashion collabs we’re lusting after this month (with surprisingly affordable price tags).
- The trouser brigade: stylish alternatives to jeans
  
  It's time to cast off the joggers and emerge from your style hibernation. We've found some comfortable but chic alternatives for those days when denim isn't doing it for you
- Wear the rainbow! Bright knits for a lockdown lift
  
  Lockdown monotony getting you down? Here's a fun idea: brighten up your Zoom calls (and your mood) with a different rainbow knit for every day of the week.

Beauty View more
- Skincare SOS – your winter essentials
  
  Zoom close-ups making you wince? Cold winter days and dry central heating are playing havoc with our skin. Try these hero products for a dose of much-needed hydration.
- 7 divine bath oils for a long soak
  
  We've put Blue Monday behind us. I think that calls for a relaxing bath, don't you? Here's how to make your evening soak more luxurious than ever.

People View more
Your local Indie Store stars, part 2

Five more of our favourite Indie Store entrepreneurs spill the beans on how they got started and have kept going through the pandemic.
- The talented locals behind The Indie Store
  
  As we gingerly step back into the real world, it's more important than ever to support local. Here, some of our local Indie Store businesses recount their journey and show what makes them special
- How to run well by a pro marathon runner
  
  Need some work-out motivation? You’re in the right place. Muddy talks to endurance athlete Nick Butter about how to motivate yourself out the door and onto an exercise regime.

Travel View more
Grab the sunnies: our 2021 travel bucket list

It’s been so long, holidays have taken on a rather emotional hue. So we asked our editors how they really want to spend their annual leave. Expect cocktails, cities, and plenty of sun.
- 20 Muddy approved attractions in Somerset
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in Somerset
- 20 Muddy approved attractions in Dorset
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in Dorset