Keep in the loop with the Muddy round up of what’s new in the ‘hood.

Book now to see one of the UK’s top stars in Bath

Don’t miss out on a live, multi-award-winning performance by Killing Eve star Jodie Comer in Prima Facie, Suzie Miller’s one-hander about sexual assault and the legal system, at the Theatre Royal Bath on Tues 24 – Sat 28 Feb 2026. Theatre Royal Friends can book from 27 March; the rest of us from Thurs 3 April. Elsewhere on the limited tour, tickets have literally sold out in minutes – so fingers ready on the button to get your seat.

Cake with views in Lyme Regis

We’re drooling over the drizzle (the lemon not the weather) at the new seafront café in Lyme Regis. Set above the National Trust shop, with lovely views out across the bay, the Lyme Terrace serves all sorts of homemade cakes, savouries – halloumi and avo bagels, roast beef and horse radish sarnies and the like – and their hot choc and coffee is said to be great. Perfect for a beachside stroll-scoff combo (or just the scoff).

Born to be wilde

Eighties icon Kim Wilde is a headliner at Bristol Pride, one of the largest Pride events in the UK and one of the biggest of all the festivals in Bristol, with over 200 performers and five stages. Acts announced so far include europop and dance legends Cascada, 90s anthem provider Ultra Naté, dark dance music performer Tom Rasmussen, and RuPaul Drag Race USA and Canada’s Brooke Lynn Hytes. Bristol Pride is on The Downs, Sat 28 June – Sun 13 July, with Pride Day Sat 12 July.

New custodians – and café – at The Walled Gardens at Mells

There’s been a garden on this site in the village of Mells, just outside Frome, since the 15th century, and it’s long been one of our favourite places to come for lunch, coffee or just while away a peaceful hour or two. Now entrepreneur Cosmo Fry and singer-songwriter Diane Birch have restored and re-planted key elements of The Walled Garden – including some beautiful old English roses – creating a haven of tranquillity for visitors and wildlife alike. In the café, Somerset chef Jesse Gilchrist cooks dishes like slow-cooked local beer-steeped pork with Walled Garden Salsa Verde, wood-fired pizzas, and amazing cakes and pastries. Diane will be organising fabulous evenings of food and music in the summer. You can buy plants and other local stuff in the shed shop. The garden is free to enter and open Weds – Sun, 11-5pm, from Weds 2 April – Fri 31 October.

Best bookshop in the South West revealed

The British Book Awards 2025 has just crowned Storysmith in Bristol the South West’s Independent Bookshop of the Year. The shop, in North Street in Bedminster, stocks a curated selection of fiction, poetry, non-fiction and kids’ books, runs a programme of events throughout the year and serves delicious locally roasted coffee to keep you going while you’re there.

High teas and ice cream floats – retro style – on the Jurassic Coast

Sit back and enjoy ice cream sundaes, soda floats, sumptuous shakes, all kinds of cream teas, coffee, cakes and fancies in the retro pink and green The Soda Fountain café on Coombe Street in Lyme Regis. We love the look of their Mother’s Day high tea, with finger sarnies, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, fancies and a pot of tea £25 (or a glass of fizz for an extra £8).

Iconic store to return to Bath

Jolly’s department store – dating back to 1823 in Bath and said to be one of the oldest of its kind in Europe – is to reopen in Milsom Street after closing last month. New owners Morleys will be giving the place a massive makeover before relaunching next year. Watch this space.

One of the UK’s top wine merchants moves to Somerset

Sure, we’re famous for our cider but now Somerset is the place to come to buy the best – but not necessarily the most expensive – wine from small independent wine makers in France and from around the world. Say bonjour to Yapp Brothers, the UK’s leading importer of French regional wines, who’re now in new big and shiny premises in Sparkford, just off the A303. Come to taste, buy or just chat wine from Mon to Fri, 9am–5pm or buy online – very handily, they offer a speedy next day delivery.

Something fishy in Lyme Regis

Seafood surpremo Mitch Tonks is opening a new Rockfish restaurant in Lyme Regis on Tues 1 April, in a prime location overlooking Lyme Bay. You might recognise the place, it’s where Mark Hix’s The Oyster & Fish House used to be. Conceived to plug the gap between exclusive eateries and bucket-and-spade fish and chips, Rockfish are huuuugely popular, serving fresh, sustainable fish and seafood that changes with the season. See you there?