Spotlight

Meet the Muddy Awards 2021 winners!Your votes have been counted and - drumroll please - the results are in! Here are your Somerset & Dorset Muddy Awards 2021 winners. Go say hi, they're local you know.
What's on in AugustSea shanties, shows, screenings, art, fireworks, food fests and funny women – it's all happening across Somerset and Dorset this month
Put your money where your values areEthical investing isn't just about making money - you may also help change the way companies behave.
Where to pick your own in Somerset & DorsetGrab your straw hat and wicker basket: it's summer, which means it's time to PYO. From sumptuous strawberries to verdant veg to blooming bouquets, here's where to pick 'em.
Summer holidays are GO!Summer's here, school's out and right on time, here's our bumper summer holiday guide to what to do with kids of all ages in 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

Going camping? These are your (ever so chic) must-haves

Booked a campsite slot, but have no idea what you’re doing? Don’t worry, we've found the kit that will see you through, from enamelware for Pimms to the ultimate mattress.

Thanks to everyone who took part this year, and helped celebrate the most awesome indie businesses across 25 counties.

View Our Winners

Eat View more
Brilliant brunches and breakfasts

Bag brunch or breakfast out – pancake stacks, avo on toast, flat whites, maybe a Bloody Mary – at one of these Somerset & Dorset gems.
- Top 50 gastropubs 2021 revealed
  
  What better week for the reveal of the country's best gastropubs than the start of lockdown easing? Here are the 15 West Country winners - phones at the ready to bag your table.
- 20+ places to eat out(side)
  
  The Muddy pick of the pubs, restaurants and other eateries around Somerset and Dorset with cool outside spaces.

Arts & Culture View more
Pop that corn! What’s on TV this week?

What have the TV gods got for us this week? A big batch of goodies, that’s what. From indie dramedys to twisty teen mysteries to a BAFTA-nominated anthology, here’s what to watch this week.
- Top TV: what to watch this week
  
  Looks like we're back to nonstop rain — but with telly this good, who cares? Catch a star-studded who-dunnit, a big-budget adventure film, and more out this week.
- Escape the heat: this week’s best TV
  
  Sometimes, when the mercury is pushing 30 degrees, the only thing to do is open all the windows, shut the curtains, draw yourself a long, cool drink and shelter in-living room. Here’s what to watch while you do it.

Little Black Book

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

Haynes International Motor Museum, Sparkford

Jordans Courtyard, nr Ilminster

Nesta Camping, near Frome

No.15 Great Pulteney, Bath

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton

MAKE Skincare

Lindsay Punch Styling

Annie Webb Interiors

Travel View more
The Muddy insider guide to The Cotswolds

Plotting a UK staycay this year? Head to the Cotswolds – the honey-tinged heart of England. Curate your summer holiday in this glorious AONB with our bang-up-to-date, in-the-know guide on where to head.
- 27 of the best beaches in East Anglia
  
  Summer's coming (no, really, it is!) so we've got the inside scoop on the best East Anglian beaches for all tastes. Buckets at the ready, sandwiches packed, bring on the sun!
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.

Home View more
Barbecue lemongrass and coconut white sauce chicken

Conjour up the flavours and aromas of the American Deep South in your back garden, with this easy and super delicious Alabama-inspired recipe
- Ready to play property flirt?
  
  It's big, beautiful and on the market for the first time in a generation but aha my little snoops: can you guess the price of this rather special Somerset property?
- Buffalo Mozzarella with Clementine Salad
  
  Need a new speedy lunch? Try this 15 minute fab mozzarella salad from Tart London - the super-cool caterers of choice for the fashion set (plus Naked Wines at 63% off).
Wellbeing
- Your health questions answered!
  
  Don’t understand why the weight won’t shift? Have a back that’s reminiscent of Quasimodo? Muddy puts your questions to Healthily’s chief medical officer, Professor Maureen Baker
- 10 tips to kickstart your fitness
  
  Lost your exercise mojo during lockdown? We asked three local experts their tips on how get to back in the swing of gym and weekly classes.

Life View more
Back in the office? We’re here to help!

Feeling unprepared to head back to the office after a year WFH? Muddy to the rescue with eight essential Do’s and Don’ts (and yes, you will have to change out of sweatpants).
Kids
- Canford School, Canford Magna, Wimborne
  
  A day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 13-18, leading the way academically in the region.
- Does the world need another online school?
  
  Pearson Online Academy UK Global thinks so! With the launch of the educational behemoth's founding school in September, Muddy gets the lowdown from Principal Jo Vigneron

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Rent your clothes like Carrie!

Ethical, eco and everywhere – with Carrie Symonds showing us how to work a sustainable wardrobe, here’s where you can rewear, repair and renew your clothes in style.
- Best swimwear for 2021
  
  Nothing says summer like new swimwear. Who cares if it's the Med or the back garden, it's time to splash out. Whether it's eco, floral, striped, shaping, nautical or sporty, we've found your perfect bikini or swimsuit.
- Sunglasses to suit your face shape
  
  The weather's perked up - time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don't sit on them.

Beauty View more
- Can Haringtons tame the Muddy mane?
  
  Fly-away hair with lots of grey? Not just me then... The challenge for award-winning hairdresser and colourist Barry was to create a style that will still look good a week later
- How to get that perfect sun-kissed glow
  
  Forget pale and interesting... we're channelling the St Tropez vibe, minus the orange tint. Here are some lotions and potions for a natural-looking tan without the UV damage

People View more
Muddy talks parenting with Lorraine Candy

“All teenage girls think their mums are a bit rubbish”. Journalist and mother of four Lorraine Candy talks parenting, moody teens and motherhood with Muddy.
- Meet Daniel Musselwhite
  
  The Frome-based jeweller is one of the sparkliest stars on BBC's new series All That Glitters
- Six lockdown heroines to celebrate IWD
  
  It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up six women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.