The urban guide to the countryside -

Dorset & Somerset

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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

Quit fighting over the last bottle of hand sanitiser in the supermarket and opt for one of these trendy, in-stock options instead (oh yeah, and we have a bunch to give away!)

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Get beach smart: Top tips for beach safetyWith the relaxation of lockdown the beach is back as a place to exercise but with no lifeguards present, make sure you don't end up in distress with our round-up of the RNLI's safety tips.
What’s in – your guide to fun at homeCultural delights galore this week – from world-class theatre and film to virtual exhibition tours and concerts - and all in your own living room.
What’s in – the ultimate guide to fun at homeSticking to your sofa this week? Step this way for our curated guide to the best streams, theatre, shows, festivals and kids activities to ramp up the fun.
20 of the best spring walks near youWalks by the sea, walks by rivers and walks in the countryside in beautiful Somerset and Dorset
What’s in – the best bits online this weekGive me a B. Give me an O. Give me an R. Give me a E... you get the picture. Put an end to boredom with our new Muddy guide to all the fun stuff to do and stream at home.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Nosh-stalgia, Wells

Little Barwick House

The Bird, Bath

The Marlborough Tavern, Bath

The New Inn, Cerne Abbas

Kitchen at Jordans Courtyard

Moonfleet Manor Hotel, nr Weymouth

The Pig on the beach

The Eastbury Hotel and Spa, Sherborne

The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

The Swan, Wedmore

The Queensberry Hotel, Bath

Eat View more
Nettle recipes from The Pig

Why hit the supermarket queue when you can forage in the hedgerows? We consulted kitchen garden experts The Pig for two simple nettle recipes you can make at home.
- Speedy supper, anyone? Make THIS tonight
  
  Looking for healthy dinner ideas - take inspiration from Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock for a meal that's quick, tasty and packed with protein.
- 10 idiot-proof veg to grow now
  
  (Or how not to get scurvy during lockdown). Here's how to go self-sufficient with 10 veg you don't need a greenhouse and two acres to grow, with TV gardener Toby Buckland.
- Ready, set, cook! 8 new cookbooks for spring
  
  Looking to up your cooking creds whilst in quarantine? Then you'll be needing our curated guide to the most useful and inspiring cookbooks for spring. Yes, chef!
- Cook THIS for dinner tonight
  
  Running out of ideas for midweek meals? Yup, us too. Take inspiration from the hottest new cookbook on the block by pop star Jessie Ware. Yum!

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Arts & Culture View more
24 throwback films to watch with your kids

Time to stage an intervention! Sick of hearing your kids’ shows on repeat? Free the remote from their clutches and settle in for a fabulously retro family film night.
- What’s in – our curated guide to fun at home
  
  Bored with a capital B? You'll be needing our brilliant guide to what's happening this week from virtual tours, local live streamed workshops, online concerts and more.
- Literary lockdown: 50 books to read now
  
  50 books we've been meaning to read forever – and some old favourites to add to the list – now we've all suddenly got the time.
- Read THESE brilliant books 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 by Matthew Bourne's New Adventures dance company

Home View more
House swap: what does £250k get you?

£250k for a house? You betcha! If that mortgage is feeling like a millstone, take a peek at these properties across the Muddy counties and start mentally moving in ASAP.
- Sézane’s sexy homeware (and hot interior deals)
  
  We're lusting after the chic French brand's new homeware range, plus we've rooted out the best interior and home bargains online to add to your shopping basket pronto.
- Pimp your patio with these 18 outdoor buys
  
  We’re swapping holidays abroad for le jardín this summer, so best make it the ultimate destination. Cue the Muddy shopping edit of the coolest accessories to deck out your outdoor space.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep
  
  Downed a chamomile tea, mentally shoved 900 sheep over a gate but still can't get to sleep? Pandemic-proof your slumber, with our guide to getting some zzzs during lockdown.
- 20 of the best spring walks near you
  
  Walks by the sea, walks by rivers and walks in the countryside in beautiful Somerset and Dorset

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
- Making work, work for you
  
  Back at your desk after summer fun and not really feeling it? We hear you. Here's some food for thought from the autumn's hottest self-help book by ex Elle journalist turned author Lotte Jeffs.
- Win £2000 to kickstart your business dreams
  
  Have a brilliant business that needs a helping hand? We’ve teamed up with business banking alternative, Tide, to offer two grand to give you the boost you need. Competition now closed.
Kids
- Get beach smart: Top tips for beach safety
  
  With the relaxation of lockdown the beach is back as a place to exercise but with no lifeguards present, make sure you don't end up in distress with our round-up of the RNLI's safety tips.
- Sherborne Prep School
  
  Muddy says: Non-pushy yet achieves academically, strong on music and art and with an innovative approach to sport and fitness.

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.
- The Devil wears joggers!
  
  Sofa style! Joggers are firmly in vogue - just ask Anna Wintour. Here's our edit of the best to buy now for ultimate cool comfort at home.
- 6 of the best: the classic white shirt
  
  A style classic, we all need at least one crisp white shirt in our wardrobe. Here are six local and high street beauties to buy online right now.

Beauty View more
- 5 chic hand sanitisers (that aren’t sold out)
  
  Quit fighting over the last bottle of hand sanitiser in the supermarket and opt for one of these trendy, in-stock options instead (oh yeah, and we have a bunch to give away!)
- Greys, begone! 5 root touch-ups
  
  Step away from the home dye and try one of these fast, effective and affordable root touch up kits to get rid of your greys (and stay in your hairdresser's good books).

People View more
Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer

He’s worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands – raising money for the NHS in association with theatres like The North Wall. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.
- Muddy meets… Olivia Burt
  
  We catch up with the 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist to find out her backstage goss, favourite dishes and top spots to eat in London.
- How to be ambitious (without being a bitch)
  
  Need a life reboot? Author and comedian Viv Groskop – who grew up in Bruton, Somerset – can help with that.
- The 4 funniest people on social media
  
  Social media can be a depressing place at times but these Instagram and Twitter accounts never fail to make us smile – go funny up your feed with these guys.

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Read the reviews

Fun Finder

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
- 10 European-style staycations
  
  Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel - can you guess where this is?