Spotlight

The ultimate Father's Day gift guideInstead of panicking and ordering a weird novelty t-shirt (we've all been there), take our advice and purchase something he won't try to hide at the back of a drawer.
What's On in JuneGet out there with the Muddy pick of the best real world theatre, drive-ins, music, comedy, festivals and more in Somerset, Dorset and beyond.
Super flashy newsflashNew in Somerset and Dorset: an affordable boutique hotel, a low intervention wine bar, a Michelin star run gourmet grocery/deli/cafe – and Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein (eek).
Somerstock 2021So full-on Glastonbury is off but Somerstock, Somerton's one day, family friendly music festival, is ON, headlined by The Christians – and with a discount for Muddy readers.
Ready, steady, spa! Where to get that pamper, prontoHallelujah, spas are re-opening at last! Here's our pick of the best West Country coast, city and countryside places to book in and bliss out.

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

Yahoo! It's time to party! Down tools and dive head first into the bubbles with a Princess Prosecco gift subscription and you'll have a bottle of Italian Prosecco delivered to your door every month. You're welcome.

The most coveted awards for indie businesses across 25 counties. Nominate your plucky local Indies now.

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Home View more
Wild mushroom and artichoke tagliatelle

Veggies, pasta, wine: all the food groups represented. Rustle up this earthy, vegan dish in under an hour and enjoy in the sunshine with a glass of wine (at 63% off from Naked Wines).
- Cook this speedy summery recipe tonight!
  
  From River Cottage king HFW, this Moroccan spiced lamb and tabbouleh dish is fragrant, herby and perfect for summer scoffing PLUS pair with Naked Wines at 63% off.
- Vivek Singh’s lentil and basmati kichri
  
  Desperately seeking dinner inspiration? We've got a delicious modern-Indian dish for you from celeb chef Vivek Singh, plus 63% off perfectly paired wines.
Wellbeing
- 10 tips to kickstart your fitness
  
  Lost your exercise mojo during lockdown? We asked three local experts their tips on how get to back in the swing of gym and weekly classes.
- Ready, steady, spa! Where to get that pamper, pronto
  
  Hallelujah, spas are re-opening at last! Here's our pick of the best West Country coast, city and countryside places to book in and bliss out.

Arts & Culture View more
It’s TV time! What to watch this week

Roll up! Roll up! We’ve got true crime documentaries, international football tournaments, fab Netflix films and the Norse God of Mischief for you this week. Pop open the popcorn and settle in.
- TV you need in your life: what’s on this week
  
  Finally have an evening in the house by yourself after 15 months of waiting? Crack open the vino and Pringles and enjoy lying flat out on the sofa.
- The TV keeping us indoors this week
  
  The last minute trip to Portugal didn’t come off but let’s focus on the positives: namely that there’s loads of good stuff on TV. Here's what Muddy is watching.

Little Black Book

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

No. 15 Great Pulteney, Bath

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton

MAKE Skincare

Lindsay Punch Styling

Annie Webb Interiors

Swim, Lyme Regis

The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle

Railway Carriage Cafe, near South Petherton

Eat View more
Brilliant brunches and breakfasts

Bag brunch or breakfast out – pancake stacks, avo on toast, flat whites, maybe a Bloody Mary – at one of these Somerset & Dorset gems.
- Top 50 gastropubs 2021 revealed
  
  What better week for the reveal of the country's best gastropubs than the start of lockdown easing? Here are the 15 West Country winners - phones at the ready to bag your table.
- 20+ places to eat out(side)
  
  The Muddy pick of the pubs, restaurants and other eateries around Somerset and Dorset with cool outside spaces.

Work View more
Revealed! The winner of our £1,000 Tide competition

Last year wasn’t all a disaster! Meet Joanne Cuckson, founder of an innovative job search website, and find out how she plans to use her winnings to increase gender diversity in her sector.
Kids
- Kids: the best thing about summer camp
  
  Parents and kids are going mad for Ultimate Activity Camps this summer. Could they be the perfect cocktail of outdoor fun and affordable childcare? Take a look for yourself...
- Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Bristol
  
  Muddy says: This historic city centre school for boys (and girls in the 6th form), with a modern outlook and strong community, makes for well-rounded, high achieving students

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Sunglasses to suit your face shape

The weather’s perked up – time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don’t sit on them.
- 48 summer must-haves for that stylish staycation
  
  Be it Blackpool or Barbados, make this summer holiday your most stylish yet. From handwoven kaftans to beach speakers, these are the holiday must-haves in Muddy's basket.
- Green age kicks! eco-cool trainers
  
  There's nothing like box fresh white trainers to put a spring in your step. The good news for the planet is that this lot tick the stylish and sustainable box too.

Beauty View more
- Affordable French skincare for va-va-voom glow
  
  We've unearthed eight French pharmacy brands with that certain je ne sais quoi. Here's your passport to a natural glow a la Marion Cotillard... and the best bit? It won't break the bank
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.

People View more
Meet Daniel Musselwhite

The Frome-based jeweller is one of the sparkliest stars on BBC’s new series All That Glitters
- Six lockdown heroines to celebrate IWD
  
  It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up six women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.
- 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.

Travel View more
27 of the best beaches in East Anglia

Summer’s coming (no, really, it is!) so we’ve got the inside scoop on the best East Anglian beaches for all tastes. Buckets at the ready, sandwiches packed, bring on the sun!
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
- Nine divine holiday rentals to book now for an autumn break
  
  If you didn't have sharp enough elbows to get your summer holiday staycation nailed, fear not. Here are the holiday rentals to book now for an autumn weekend escape