Spotlight

Make a splash!Where to cool off when the heat is on: 30 of the best lidos, freshwater and marine lakes, water parks and wild swimming in Somerset, Dorset, Bristol and beyond.
Meet your Muddy Awards 2022 winnersYour votes have been counted and - drumroll please - the results are in. Here are your Muddy Awards 2022 winners. Go say hi, they're local you know!
Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into EuropeThought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 - and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you're in port.
How to nail the perfect picnicThe sun's out - quick, grab the wicker basket! If you're partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn't?) here's some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast - including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
Better than socks! 8 local Father’s Day experiencesCan't bear to buy the man in your life yet another aftershave? Pick up one of these Father's Days (and a night) out in Dorset & Somerset instead for mega brownie points – and all available at a touch of a button.

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

Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

MEET THE MUDDY STILETTOS AWARDS 2022 WINNERS!

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Eat

10 pretty picnic spots in Dorset & Somerset

Pack your scotch eggs and lashings of ginger beer – we’re heading to these 10 outdoor beauty spots across Somerset & Dorset to enjoy lunch al fresco.
- Veggie and vegan eats
  
  Get your local plant-based fix at one of these fabulous foodie joints – from a cafe in a field to a Michelin star experience!
- Muddy eats: The Circus, Bath
  
  Situated between Bath’s iconic Circus and Royal Crescent, the location of this buzzy independent restaurant is pretty perfect. Can the same be said about the food? Read on and find out.

Culture

TV time! 7 of the best things to watch this week

From Channel 4’s dark and twisty vision of Britain in 2024 to the next dose of Stranger Things and a new series of Only Murders in the Building, you won’t want to miss these seven new shows.
- Six shiny new things to watch on TV this week
  
  A new series of The Umbrella Academy, how to make the most of Glastonbury from your sofa, feel-good comedy… Here’s this week’s ultimate guide to staying in.
- Where to see outside theatre in Somerset & Dorset
  
  Picnic hampers and fold-up chairs at the ready: it’s outdoor theatre season! Here’s where to see the best open-air shows, from kid-pleasing comedy to family classics.
- Pass the remote! 7 great things to watch this week
  
  Fancy something to settle down with? Hey, we all need a bit of me-time. From a sultry new Tudor drama to quirky Netflix comedies, don’t miss Muddy’s pick of the week.
- The 7 most unmissable shows on TV this week
  
  Love Island’s returning with a sunscreen-slicked vengeance, Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love finally makes it to the screen, and more unmissable picks this week.

Little Black Book

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

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

Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford

The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis

Morrish & Banham, Dorchester & Bridport

Sugar Mango, Bournemouth

Travel

Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into Europe

Thought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 – and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you’re in port.
- Driving us wild! The world’s best road trips
  
  There’s nothing like hitting the open road to give you a sense of freedom and adventure on holiday, whether it’s a 24-hour jaunt or a week-long epic escape.
- Review: The Eastbury Hotel & Spa, Sherborne
  
  The Georgian townhouse hotel’s self-contained 17th century cottage offers the best of both worlds: all the facilities of the hotel – 2 AA rosette restaurant, walled gardens, spa – and the flexibility of being in your own pad.

Home

7 of the best bistro sets to buy now

The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
- How to nail the perfect picnic
  
  The sun’s out – quick, grab the wicker basket! If you’re partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn’t?) here’s some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast – including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
- 8 beautiful barn conversions on the market right now
  
  Ooh, what is it about the combo of an exposed beam and an open-plan room that sets our hearts aflutter? If you’re in the market for a barn conversion, here are eight stunners currently up for grabs
Wellbeing
- 6 ways to get the best sleep you’ve ever had
  
  Do you struggle to snooze? We’ve nobbled the pros at Healthily for the latest scientific thinking on how to conquer insomnia. Cue, walnuts, pink noise – and orgasms.
- WIN £3,000 cash for your business!
  
  To celebrate this year’s Muddy Awards, our national sponsor Healthily is giving away a life-changing £3k cash injection to boost one company’s health & wellbeing. Click to enter now!

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
- Best new kid’s reads, from picture books to YA
  
  From Olaf Falafel’s Blob Fish to the pre-teen adventure novel snapped up by Netflix and Julia Walton’s latest YA romance, we’ve got your family summer reads covered.
- Kingswood Prep School and Nursery, Bath
  
  Children can be children at this co-ed prep and nursery with Scandi-style facilities and more, set in 100-acres of parklands overlooking the city

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Fashion

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.
- Win a designer beach bundle worth £400!
  
  Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle
- 5 stylish sleepwear sets for him
  
  Threadbare boxers begone! The style gods have spoken (aka Gucci and Harry Styles) and pyjamas for men are in – here are five sets that hit the spot.
Beauty
- 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.
- REVIEW: new skincare that’s gorgeous – and works!
  
  Let us introduce you to WOAH – your favourite new vegan skincare line, tried and tested by Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown. See our edit, then win the entire collection, worth over £200.

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.