Spotlight

Summer 2023 Ahoy!Struggling to nail the perfect family holiday for next year? Drop anchor and relax, Disney Cruise Line and its new European voyages, including departures from Southampton, could be the answer to all your problems.
Lady of the manor! 7 stately homes you can stay inThe new Downton film is here, and we fancy channelling Lady Mary. For a stately staycay, here are seven manors you can overnight in (butlers sadly not included).
Superflashy spring newsflash!Feast your eyes on our latest round-up of the hottest happenings – awards, new openings and a fantastical immersive experience – in Somerset, Dorset and Bristol.
Hotels we heart! 53 stylish staycations to book nowFancy cool interiors, facilities to die for and plenty of space at the inn? Your wish is our command! Feast your eyes on the chicest large hotels the Muddy counties have to offer
Bluebell bonanzaNature's rolling out the blue carpet! The bluebells are breaking cover and here's where to see the best of them in Somerset, Dorset and Bristol

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

When one destination isn't enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF - the cruise.

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

The Muddy Awards are GO! Show your plucky local indie businesses some love by nominating them now - nominations close 20 May

Nominate now

Eat

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.
- Review: No 15 by GuestHouse, Bath
  
  Looking for a getaway with bodice-ripping Bridgerton vibes, design-fabulous rooms and a pleasure palace of a spa? We checked into Bath’s period pulse racer for the night – see what we thought here.

Culture

Go potty during Dorset Art Weeks!

Join us on a trip around the Dorset countryside to see what some of the county’s finest potters are making – and selling – during Dorset Art Weeks
- Feet up! 6 things to watch on TV this week
  
  Need something new to watch this week? You’ve come to the right place! From a freshly funny new talk show to an indulgent crime thriller, this is the best of the best.
- David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy
  
  The comedian, writer – and cross-channel swimmer – talks about the stage adaptation of his best-selling book, coming to Bristol in June
- The 7 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Sure, the sun might be shining, but the calibre of TV this week is even brighter. From Tom Hiddleston in The Essex Serpent to BBC3’s new Sally Rooney adaptation, here’s what to stay in for.
- 10 outdoor cinemas in Dorset, Somerset and Bristol
  
  Feelgood flicks under the stars – with picnics, street food, popcorn and booze – in some of the South West’s prettiest locations

Little Black Book

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

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

Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester

The Blue Zebra, Sherborne

Travel

Food for thought: the best gourmet getaways

Eat, sleep, repeat! Food and travel go together like, err, gin and tonic (cheers!) and if you find top nosh plays a key part in making your holiday a success, perhaps it’s time to take things a step further and make it the central focus?
- The best cruise holidays for 2023
  
  When one destination isn’t enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF – the cruise.
- 23 of the best places to holiday in the UK
  
  Staycationing this summer? Then you’re going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.

Home

45+ cool kitchen design companies we trust

Thinking of a redesign? From classic Shaker styles to sleek contemporary cabinets, these kitchen design companies across the Muddy counties know just what they’re doing.
- A quick veggie supper dish from Georgina Hayden
  
  This Mediterranean twist on roast potatoes, with coriander and olives, makes a perfect side dish, or the main event for lunch alongside a crisp green salad.
- 8 gorgeous new gardening books
  
  Bountiful borders, striped lawn and artfully placed sculptures here we come, but first, sit down, grab a coffee and get lost in the sublime pages of these beauties (those weeds can wait another hour or so)
Wellbeing
- 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!
- Ready for bed? 7 top buys for a restful sleep
  
  In celebration of World Sleep Day, here are our top shopping picks, from pillows and candles to sheets to sliders. If these don’t help you reach the land of nod, nothing will!!

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
- David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy
  
  The comedian, writer – and cross-channel swimmer – talks about the stage adaptation of his best-selling book, coming to Bristol in June
- Bryanston Knighton House, Durweston, near Blandford Forum
  
  All the advantages of a small rural prep – nurturing family feel, individualised learning in an idyllic countryside environment (ponies, orchards, woodlands) – and access to the superb facilities and opportunities at one of the top senior schools in the UK.

Instamuddy

Fashion

10 buys for World Bee Day

Hey, if it’s for the little black and yellow fellas, then who are we to argue with a shopping spree to celebrate World Bee Day (20 May)? Here are 10 on-trend buys we’re totally buzzing about
- Fresh air, fresh fashion!
  
  Seven compelling reasons to head to Bicester Village including up to 20 per cent off prices in April’s renowned Private Sale and the Do-Good pop up boutique. Trust us, no-show is not an option.
- Your 2022 social calendar – the ultimate Guide
  
  Diaries out? Read on for our insider guide on where to go, what to do, and – of course – how to nail the dress code with perfect prints and dazzling dresses from Ted Baker.
Beauty
- 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.
- Hair transformation: mumsy mane, begone!
  
  Stuck in a hair rut? See Muddy Berkshire editor Rachel’s chic style update here – the third video in our series with the fabulous Haringtons salons

People

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.
- Lorraine Candy: “Put your oxygen mask on first.”
  
  Ex Elle editor, parenting author and mum of four Lorraine Candy talks hormones (yours!), pot-plant parenting, and how adults need to look after their own mental health