Spotlight

Stroll and scoffIs there anything better than a beautiful Autumnal walk that ends in a stonking good lunch? (spoiler alert: NO). Here's my starter for 10 walks – with pitstops – across Somerset & Dorset
Wells Cathedral School, WellsWells 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
20 fun things to do over October Half Term in Somerset & DorsetEscape from zombies, put on a play-in-a-day, zoom down zip wires, carve rocks – or pumpkins – lots of spooky Halloween stuff, and more.
Fancy a Weekend Escape?Well, you're in the right place! Check out brand new, brilliant guide to help you find the perfect break - from a relaxed family hotel to countryside self-catering, easy day trip or a special occasion space. Now go forth and staycay!
October: What's OnStargazing, a foodie fest and pumpkins – just a few things coming your way this month across Somerset and Dorset

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

It's beginning to look a lot like advent calendar season! We've rounded up the top makeup, skincare and fragrance picks to get your hands on before they sell out.

It’s all about the staycay! Our handpicked selection of the hippest hotels, pubs, restaurants and cottages to help you book that well-deserved break

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

Anna Bucknall, Barrecorre and Cardio Barre

Level8ight, The Sky Bar, Bournemouth

Greenwood Grange, Higher Bockhampton

The Cotley Inn, Wambrook

The Bear of Burton, near Christchurch

Eat View more
The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

Come for the location but stay for the food: Tom Blake’s locally-sourced, changing seasonal menus bring an inventive, fresh spirit to brasserie classics.
- Launch review: The Pig, Harlyn Bay, Cornwall
  
  On its opening day, Muddy's ed-in-chief Hero Brown was the first to eat lunch at the brand new Pig hotel in Harlyn Bay (what a trooper!). So what was the verdict?
- The Devonshire Arms Hotel, Long Sutton, near Langport
  
  Eat, drink and stay in a fab former hunting lodge on the village green in Long Sutton, Somerset –an ideal London/Cornwall stopover
- The best local afternoon teas
  
  More scones, madam? Nibble your way through petit fours and finger sandwiches with 10 of the best afternoon teas in Somerset and Dorset - a glass of fizz with ours, please.
- Eat Out to Help Out – in Somerset and Dorset
  
  Sick of cooking? Good news - throughout August, you can get a 50% discount on your dinner and drinks when you eat in. Here are the pubs and restaurants to call to make your reservation.

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
Read these! Best new books for Autumn

After a new read for your bedside table? Here’s the Muddy pick of the titles to sink your teeth into this month.
- And now, something to cheer us all up…
  
  Need a little light relief? Don't we all? Here are three IG accounts that have been making us laugh this week.
- 10 new films and TV shows landing this week
  
  Bored? Us too! Drop the box set re-runs and settle down with this week's Muddy-curated guide to the best of the small screen.

Home View more
- Light it up! 42 cool indie candle brands
  
  The arrival of autumn means darker evenings snuggled indoors by candlelight. Looking for a new scent? Try one of these gorgeous indie candle brands from across the Muddy counties.
Wellbeing
- 6 steps to better wellbeing this October
  
  Lockdown, curfews, general panic - the last few months have been stressful to say the least, so we're pegging October to focus on our wellbeing, starting with these six simple steps.
- #PREPARETOCARE
  
  Five conversations you need to have with your parents sooner rather than later.

Travel View more
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
- Book now: 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?

Work View more
Back-to-school for grown-ups

The kids may be going back to school but why should they get all the new gear? We all deserve shiny winter boots and bags too. Here’s our pick for back-to-school style.
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
- 20 fun things to do over October Half Term in Somerset & Dorset
  
  Escape from zombies, put on a play-in-a-day, zoom down zip wires, carve rocks – or pumpkins – lots of spooky Halloween stuff, and more.

Fashion View more
Trend alert! White-hot boots to buy now

Forget your usual black and brown, there’s a new colour on the block when it comes to winter boots and we’re loving it. Here are eight white pairs to add to basket.
- Sustainable fashion gets sexy
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with the likes of Selfridges now pushing a new sustainable outlook, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your wardrobe in style.
- Autumn’s comfiest fashion trend
  
  With luxe fabrics, funky designs and cool silhouettes, cardigans have never been cooler. Here are eight of our favourites to add to your autumn wardrobe.

Beauty View more
- Best beauty advent calendars for 2020
  
  It's beginning to look a lot like advent calendar season! We've rounded up the top makeup, skincare and fragrance picks to get your hands on before they sell out.
- The essential no make-up make-up kit
  
  It’s a trend that’s not going away anytime soon; make-up so subtle that it just makes you look like a brighter and better version of yourself. Here’s the Muddy guide.

People View more
Yes, people, this is Meg Mathews!

Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, the menopause and, er, vagina facials.
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  Record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with UK theatres. 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 women juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.