Spotlight

Want to play property flirt?Remember the drill? We all have a nose around a spectacular local property – in this case a luxury modern mansion near Bruton – and you guess the price. Hint: it's a pretty penny.
Is your sex life suffering in lockdown?Is lockdown 3.0 wrecking your sex life and pushing your relationship to the limits? We hear you. Read on for our expert guide on how to Covid-proof your love life.
Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameosIn need of some light-hearted fun? Er, hell yeah! Here, check out Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge dancing around in sparkly suits (plus five more brilliant music video cameos).
Ideas to get your finances into shape for 2021The 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.
Ultimate dream properties for 2021We’ve been staring at our walls, like, forever and we’ve completed every last bit of DIY imaginable. So you know what that means? That’s right: time to move. See if any of these incredible properties take your fancy.

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

Want to do Veganuary without giving up cheese and chocolate? Here's your loophole: go vegan with your beauty routine instead with these eight kind-to-animals brands.

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

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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

Eat View more
Fast and filling recipes for an easier January

No time/energy to cook (let alone make it healthy)? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here are two low-effort, speedy suppers under 500 calories to feel good about.
- Veganuary – let’s do it!
  
  Do your bit for Veganuary – and support local businesses - by tucking into vegan choc and cakes, knocking back vegan wine and having a vegan bubble bath.
- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s winter warmers
  
  Spent all of December scoffing crisps and mince pies? Whip up a veg-packed soup or hot pot from Hugh's new cookbook, 'Eat Better Forever: 7 Ways to Transform Your Diet'
- The best cookbooks to buy now
  
  Sick of making the same seven dinners, week in, week out? Or just a sucker for tempting pictures of food? If any of the above apply, we’ve got you covered.
- Eat out! The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis
  
  It's all about that bass – Lyme Bay sea bass that is – and plaice, oysters, prawns, haddock, sole, crab (and a juicy steak). Wonderful sea views too.

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Arts & Culture View more
TV Saviours! What to watch this week

Another week, another seven days to roll around the house, eat crisps, pretend to homeschool and daydream about the return of double-figure temperatures. Here’s some fun TV to make it *slightly* more interesting.
- Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameos
  
  In need of some light-hearted fun? Er, hell yeah! Here, check out Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge dancing around in sparkly suits (plus five more brilliant music video cameos).
- Hello TV! 11 shows you need to watch this week
  
  It’s a new year but nothing much is new. No matter: we know how this lockdown lark goes. Grab a cuppa, a nice cosy blanket, load up on the carbs and settle in for the night.

Home View more
- The Simple Life: pared-back properties in nature
  
  Looking to get away from it all? Try one of these dreamy pared-back properties for a taste of pastoral living. From projects crying out for TLC to sprawling listed mansions, we’ve got it all.
Wellbeing
- Fast and filling recipes for an easier January
  
  No time/energy to cook (let alone make it healthy)? Don't worry, we've got you. Here are two low-effort, speedy suppers under 500 calories to feel good about.
- Best new fitness tech for 2021
  
  Need something to help those workouts along? Itching for some new tech in the new year? Read on for the Muddy edit of the best flashy fitness buys of 2021.

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
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
- Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons
  
  Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.
- How to help your child in 2021
  
  Where do we begin when seeking to help our children cope with lockdown and everything this brings? Headteachers at three top Somerset and Dorset schools give their advice.

Fashion View more
Best fitness gear for 2021

New year, new fitness routine? We’re with you! Here’s the Muddy edit of stylish sportswear and accessories that’ll have you in tip-top form in no time.
- 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.
- Fur baby! Cosy coats for winter
  
  'Tis the season for wrapping up warm and a new fur coat is on our wish list. Here are six cosy options to buy now from the brilliant shops on The Indie Store.

Beauty View more
- Veganuary: The beauty edit
  
  Want to do Veganuary without giving up cheese and chocolate? Here's your loophole: go vegan with your beauty routine instead with these eight kind-to-animals brands.
- 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
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 exerciser regime.
- What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room
  
  Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.
- 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, self-care and, er, vagina facials.