Spotlight

Summer newsflash!We've got the goss on five new places to eat, stay and shop in Somerset and Dorset
5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone nowYee-ha! Kevin Costner's ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here's why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
A whole galaxy of local stars in the Great Taste Awards 2022Award-winning local food and drink, you say? The latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the sparkling array of Dorset & Somerset producers
60 amazing afternoon teas to book nowIt's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
10 things to do in the gardenHow to keep your garden in tip top condition – whether you're staying at home or going away – from keeping flowers blooming and adding instant colour to looking after your lawn

Well, hello!

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

Find out more

Gotta Have It

Clean up your act! Luxe hand soaps we love

Feel like upgrading your hand soap? Foam up and step this way! From luxurious formulas and gorgeous bottles to fresh summer scents, here are 12 of the loveliest to buy now.

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

See What's On

Eat

Hello sweetie!

Indulge your sweet tooth with these truly scrumptious desserts, cakes, ice creams and other sweet treats in Dorset, Somerset and Bristol.
- A whole galaxy of local stars in the Great Taste Awards 2022
  
  Award-winning local food and drink, you say? The latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the sparkling array of Dorset & Somerset producers
- 60 amazing afternoon teas to book now
  
  It’s Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we’ve found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.

Culture

5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone now

Yee-ha! Kevin Costner’s ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here’s why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
- Tune in! 6 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Struggling to fill that Succession-shaped void? We’ve got you covered with Kevin Costner’s epic Yellowstone (AKA your new TV obsession) and more.
- TV Time! 6 best new things to watch this week
  
  Remotes at the ready! From the latest unmissable BBC drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, to a gripping Netflix true crime documentary here’s Muddy’s weekly rundown.
- Watch these! 6 hot new shows out this week
  
  Get set for a week of great telly from the latest fantasy DC comic adaptation to Disney Pixar’s Lightyear and the latest remake of Father of the Bride.
- Tune in! 6 of the best things to watch this week
  
  Stream your way through tears with Olivia Colman, a gritty true crime drama with Daisy Edgar Jones and the latest Apple TV miniseries from the director of I May Destroy You

Little Black Book

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

DiaryZapp

The Retreat New Forest

DKO Independent Opticians, Somerton

The Circus restaurant, Bath

Marston Park, near Frome

The Horton Inn, Wimborne

The Cotley Inn, Wambrook

Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Dorset

Bistro Lotte, Frome

Thornbury Castle, near Bristol

Peter Betteridge, Your Bed Expert

Platinum Healing, Glastonbury

Travel

12 things to do in Bournemouth

From indie and vintage shopping, via brilliant beaches and nature reserves, to Michelin star food, cocktails with views and one of the UK’s smallest cinemas.
- Review: Luxe holiday rental at ARC Padstow
  
  Looking for a Cornish escape for the whole crew with serious wow-factor? It doesn’t come much more stylish or slick than this reimagined country house in St Issey.
- Muddy Insider Guide to the West Midlands
  
  The Commonwealth Games has shone a spotlight on Birmingham but there’s far more to the West Midlands than its prime city. Read on for everything you need for a stay in the beating heart of England.

Home

10 things to do in the garden

How to keep your garden in tip top condition – whether you’re staying at home or going away – from keeping flowers blooming and adding instant colour to looking after your lawn
- How to fill your home with summer scents
  
  You don’t need to step into a garden to enjoy summer’s heady fragrances – here are 15 ways to enjoy your favourite flower and herb aromas in your living spaces. Breathe it in!
- 7 of the best bistro sets to buy now
  
  The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, sunnies on and chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
Wellbeing
- Spa of the Month: Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
  
  Fancy being buffed, massaged, tweaked and primped? Welcome to the first in our new monthly tried-and-tested guides to the world’s best spas. See you pool side, sister!
- 8 easy ways to protect yourself against sun ageing
  
  Brace yourselves, heatwave incoming! (yes, again). Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about staying safe in the sun, with a little help from the experts at Healthily.

Life

Time to split? How to do it, from the break-up queen

She’s got a podcast, comedy show, award-winning books and celeb following – Rosie Wilby is the one to listen to if you’re breaking up
Kids
- Bryanston School, near Blandford Forum
  
  This impressive co-educational full boarding school, with some day pupils, has a reputation for innovation, individualism and creativity – not to mention its glorious Dorset countryside setting
- 15 family-friendly things to do in Somerset
  
  Stuck for what to do over six whole weeks of summer? No sweat: here’s the Muddy guide to family fun stuff in Somerset

Instamuddy

Fashion

Road trip: From Bicester Village with love

Muddy’s teamed up with luxury open-air shopping destination Bicester Village to explore Oxfordshire’s most gorgeous fashion, eating and shopping destinations. Let’s go!
- 12 sizzling sustainable swimwear brands
  
  Want your bikini with full eco credibility but also 100% watertight on style? Make a splash with these brilliant swimwear brands. Just add SPF and a cold drink.
- The Muddy edit: 30 hottest summer pieces from Next
  
  Whether you’re heading to the beach, on a chic city break or sipping Pimm’s at a garden party – here’s how to do it in style with Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown’s picks, all new-in at Next.
Beauty
- Freshen up! 40 best ‘tweakment’ salons
  
  Fancy glowing skin, a sculpted jawline or a tighter bum? No need to go under the knife – we’ve scoured the Muddy counties for the best non-invasive treatments in top-rated salons.
- Pretty pop-ups! New beauty to shop this summer
  
  Fancy a new lippie, liner or luxe shampoo? Ready your makeup bags (and your credit card) – we’ve scoured the country for the best new beauty shops and pop-ups this summer

People

Can these 7 celebs pull off a moustache?

It takes a certain kind of man to pull off a moustache, and Miles Teller’s Rooster in the new Top Gun has got our surprised seal of approval. Time for a game: TO ‘TACHE, OR NOT TO ‘TACHE? Let us know if you agree in the comments!
- My favourite places: Libby Page
  
  The Somerset author of The Sunday Times bestselling ‘The Lido’ shares her favourite places – including locations that have inspired her novels – in Somerset and beyond. Spoiler: several involve swimming.
- Muddy meets: 19 wonder(ful)women
  
  On International Women’s Day, meet 19 awesome female entrepreneurs close to home.
- Muddy meets: The Guilty Feminist
  
  Love the podcast? Good news – its creator is coming to Bath this month. We grabbed the super-talented Deborah Francis-White for a Muddy chinwag.
- Muddy meets: Ray Mears
  
  He’s the guy you’d want by your side if you ever, erm, got lost in the wilderness. The Father of British Bushcraft is coming our way with his new show, We Are Nature. We caught up with him to find out more.