Spotlight
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Summer newsflash!We've got the goss on five new places to eat, stay and shop in Somerset and Dorset
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5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone nowYee-ha! Kevin Costner's ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here's why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
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A whole galaxy of local stars in the Great Taste Awards 2022Award-winning local food and drink, you say? The latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the sparkling array of Dorset & Somerset producers
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60 amazing afternoon teas to book nowIt's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
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10 things to do in the gardenHow to keep your garden in tip top condition – whether you're staying at home or going away – from keeping flowers blooming and adding instant colour to looking after your lawn
Well, hello!
I'm Sue, editor of Muddy Dorset & Somerset, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.
Find out moreGotta Have It
Feel like upgrading your hand soap? Foam up and step this way! From luxurious formulas and gorgeous bottles to fresh summer scents, here are 12 of the loveliest to buy now.
What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now
See What's OnEat
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Hello sweetie!
Indulge your sweet tooth with these truly scrumptious desserts, cakes, ice creams and other sweet treats in Dorset, Somerset and Bristol.
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A whole galaxy of local stars in the Great Taste Awards 2022
Award-winning local food and drink, you say? The latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the sparkling array of Dorset & Somerset producers
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60 amazing afternoon teas to book now
It’s Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we’ve found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
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Culture
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5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone now
Yee-ha! Kevin Costner’s ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here’s why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
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Tune in! 6 best things to watch on TV this week
Struggling to fill that Succession-shaped void? We’ve got you covered with Kevin Costner’s epic Yellowstone (AKA your new TV obsession) and more.
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TV Time! 6 best new things to watch this week
Remotes at the ready! From the latest unmissable BBC drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, to a gripping Netflix true crime documentary here’s Muddy’s weekly rundown.
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Watch these! 6 hot new shows out this week
Get set for a week of great telly from the latest fantasy DC comic adaptation to Disney Pixar’s Lightyear and the latest remake of Father of the Bride.
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Tune in! 6 of the best things to watch this week
Stream your way through tears with Olivia Colman, a gritty true crime drama with Daisy Edgar Jones and the latest Apple TV miniseries from the director of I May Destroy 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.
Travel
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12 things to do in Bournemouth
From indie and vintage shopping, via brilliant beaches and nature reserves, to Michelin star food, cocktails with views and one of the UK’s smallest cinemas.
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Review: Luxe holiday rental at ARC Padstow
Looking for a Cornish escape for the whole crew with serious wow-factor? It doesn’t come much more stylish or slick than this reimagined country house in St Issey.
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Muddy Insider Guide to the West Midlands
The Commonwealth Games has shone a spotlight on Birmingham but there’s far more to the West Midlands than its prime city. Read on for everything you need for a stay in the beating heart of England.
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Home
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10 things to do in the garden
How to keep your garden in tip top condition – whether you’re staying at home or going away – from keeping flowers blooming and adding instant colour to looking after your lawn
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How to fill your home with summer scents
You don’t need to step into a garden to enjoy summer’s heady fragrances – here are 15 ways to enjoy your favourite flower and herb aromas in your living spaces. Breathe it in!
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7 of the best bistro sets to buy now
The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, sunnies on and chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
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Wellbeing
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Spa of the Month: Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
Fancy being buffed, massaged, tweaked and primped? Welcome to the first in our new monthly tried-and-tested guides to the world’s best spas. See you pool side, sister!
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8 easy ways to protect yourself against sun ageing
Brace yourselves, heatwave incoming! (yes, again). Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about staying safe in the sun, with a little help from the experts at Healthily.
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Most Read
Where to pick your own in Somerset & Dorset
We may be wilting in the heat but the fruit, veg and flowers on Somerset & Dorset’s PYO farms are loving it! Here’s where to pick sumptuous strawberries, verdant veg and blooming bouquets.
Muddy Award Winners’ Drinks 2022
You did it, they did it, we all did it! The Muddy Awards are over for 2022. Time to pop the cork and raise a glass to the Winners!
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.
Think you know your local gems? Try our hit list…
Culture, eating out, shopping, things to do, beauty, fitness… here’s your super-local guide to the Muddy Awards 2022 finalists in your area.
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.
Let’s go to Bath
The insider’s guide to scoffing, quaffing, shopping and just hanging out. Plus a light sprinkling of sightseeing and culture.
Life
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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
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Kids
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Bryanston School, near Blandford Forum
This impressive co-educational full boarding school, with some day pupils, has a reputation for innovation, individualism and creativity – not to mention its glorious Dorset countryside setting
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15 family-friendly things to do in Somerset
Stuck for what to do over six whole weeks of summer? No sweat: here’s the Muddy guide to family fun stuff in Somerset
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Fashion
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Road trip: From Bicester Village with love
Muddy’s teamed up with luxury open-air shopping destination Bicester Village to explore Oxfordshire’s most gorgeous fashion, eating and shopping destinations. Let’s go!
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12 sizzling sustainable swimwear brands
Want your bikini with full eco credibility but also 100% watertight on style? Make a splash with these brilliant swimwear brands. Just add SPF and a cold drink.
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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.
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Beauty
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Freshen up! 40 best ‘tweakment’ salons
Fancy glowing skin, a sculpted jawline or a tighter bum? No need to go under the knife – we’ve scoured the Muddy counties for the best non-invasive treatments in top-rated salons.
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Pretty pop-ups! New beauty to shop this summer
Fancy a new lippie, liner or luxe shampoo? Ready your makeup bags (and your credit card) – we’ve scoured the country for the best new beauty shops and pop-ups this summer
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People
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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!
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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.
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Muddy meets: 19 wonder(ful)women
On International Women’s Day, meet 19 awesome female entrepreneurs close to home.
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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.
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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.
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Weekend Escapes
Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.
Find your escape
Be part of the UK’s most prestigious local lifestyle Awards in 2022
Little Black Book
Our A-Z of the grooviest local businesses to help make your life easier
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