Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<p>Keep in the loop with our monthly round up of what&#8217;s happening near you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-south-west-city-is-one-of-the-world-s-top-destinations">A South West city is one of the world&#8217;s top destinations</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1109" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit.jpg" alt="Banksy 'Girl With The Pierced Eardrum' Bristol" class="wp-image-113324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit-800x591.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit-1000x739.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit-400x296.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Banksy-Girl-With-The-Pierced-Eardrum-Visit-Bristol-Credit-768x568.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Banksy &#8216;Girl With The Pierced Eardrum&#8217; Photo Visit Bristol Credit</figcaption></figure>



<p>Just one UK city appears in Lonely Planet&#8217;s list of top 50 destinations in the world to visit in 2026.  Singled out because of its incredible street art, which is amongst the best in Europe, it can only be Bristol, can&#8217;t it? Remind yourself how mindblowing it is on a <a href="https://www.bristol-street-art-tours.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol Street Art Tour</a> or this <a href="https://www.bristol-street-art-tours.co.uk/self-guided-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">self-guided Banksy walking tour.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nice-and-natural">Nice and natural</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley.jpg" alt="bramley shop bath somerset" class="wp-image-113317" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-bramley-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>When <a href="https://www.bramleyproducts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bramley</a> founder Chloë couldn&#8217;t find bath products without synthetic ingredients or single use plastic for the family business The Beckford Arms (now grown to include The Talbot Inn, The Bath Arms, The Beckford Canteen&#8230; the list goes on), she decided to develop her own. Now the very first Bramley shop opens in Shire&#8217;s Yard (formerly Milsom Place, where <a href="https://www.rootrestaurants.co.uk/bath" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Root</a> has just opened) in Bath this November. It will be selling their full range of natural, sustainable fragrant toiletries – bath and body, home, skincare, for children – inspired by plants in the British countryside. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-like-it-hot-and-cold-in-bruton">Some like it hot (and cold) in Bruton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor.jpg" alt="Wild Shed Sauna Bruton Somerset" class="wp-image-113498" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-09272025_Wild_Sauna1963-1_Fotor-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The new wood-fired <a href="https://www.wildshedsauna.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Shed Sauna</a>, opposite Hauser &amp; Wirth, is not just a place to alternately sweat,&nbsp;shudder under a cold shower and torture yourself in an ice bath, but a &#8216;social hub, a ritual and a sacred place to connect with yourself, others and nature&#8217;, they say. <a href="https://www.wildshedsauna.co.uk/memberships-gifting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book</a> an hour-long community or quiet sesh shared with up to 10 others for £16, or a private one from £80 for five peeps (£15pp for up to five more).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stylish-menswear-in-sherborne">Stylish menswear in Sherborne </h2>



<p>Chaps! Sherborne&#8217;s fabulous lifestyle and womenswear shop <a href="https://www.thecircusboutique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Circus</a> have opened a place just for you, right opposite their original store on Cheap Street. Visit for essential menswear like shirts, knitwear, trousers, jackets, undercrackers and swimming trunks, or they&#8217;ll post stuff to you (they&#8217;re not online).  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-favourite-pub-returns">A favourite pub returns</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn-.jpg" alt="candlelight inn somerset" class="wp-image-113320" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn--800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn--1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn--400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-candlelight-inn--768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The popular Candlelight Inn near Chard, which closed its doors back in April, will soon be back in business – hurrah! Under the magic touch of Maddie and Ben from the multi-award winning <a href="https://www.cotleyinnwambrook.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cotley Inn</a> in Wambrook, we can look forward to pop-ups in December and a full re-opening in January 2026.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designer-fashion-in-bath">Designer fashion in Bath</h2>



<p>Flattering, functional, wear-it-forever luxury fashion brand <a href="https://www.meandem.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Me+Em</a> is opening in Milsom Street (of course) in Bath very soon.  We&#8217;re saving up already. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valley-fest-is-back">Valley Fest is back</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor.jpg" alt="Bull with valley fest banner somerset photo Laurie Broughton " class="wp-image-113293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/DSCF1259-credit-Laurie-Broughton_Fotor-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Laurie Broughton</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.valleyfest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valley Fest</a>, we missed you! After a year away, the weekend celebration of music, food and connection to the land itself, returns to Chew Valley Lake in Somerset from Thurs 31 July – Sun 2 August 2026. See you there?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-aa-inn-of-the-year-is-in-somerset">The AA Inn of the Year is in Somerset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1.jpg" alt="The george inn somerset aa inn of the year 2025" class="wp-image-113340" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/the_george_inn_NSP235368-1-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo AA Hospitality Awards 2025</figcaption></figure>



<p>One the UK&#8217;s oldest taverns, <a href="https://butcombe.com/the-george-inn-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The George Inn</a> in Norton St Philip near Bath, has been named the AA&#8217;s Inn of the Year for the second year running. Part of the Butcombe pub group, the Tudor inn serves up classic pub food, award-winning Butcombe beer (natch), and oodles of atmosphere. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wet-your-whistle-in-bath">Wet your whistle in Bath</h2>



<p>Stop off for a beer in Electric Bear Brewing&#8217;s new taproom <a href="https://electricbearbrewing.com/pages/the-cub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cub</a> in Shire&#8217;s Yard (formerly Milsom Place). Then sup a craft beer made from barley grown on Somer Valley Farm with water from their own borehole, and nibble on small plates at Somer Valley Brewing&#8217;s new taproom <a href="https://www.somervalleyfarms.com/the-welly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Welly</a> on Green Street. Or the other way round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happy-birthday">Happy birthday!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3.jpg" alt="Kite clothing " class="wp-image-113306" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-kite-3-T276-ABN-3-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Poole-based organic, sustainable childrenswear and womenswear brand – and winner of Best Children&#8217;s Business in Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol in the Muddy Awards 2025 – <a href="https://kite-clothing.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kite </a>celebrates its 18th anniversary this year. Founder Jo Spragg started by selling at school fairs and organic markets; now she&#8217;s supplies hundreds of stockists and thousands of customers around the world. Go Jo!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pssst-the-foodie-rumour-mill-has-it">Pssst! The foodie rumour mill has it&#8230;</h2>



<p>Japanese noodle and sushi bar Taro and the Middle Eastern/Mediterranean eclectic Ottolenghi may both be opening soon in Bath. We&#8217;ll keep you posted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-star">Rising star</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1.jpg" alt="Nathan Slate London Fashion Week 2025" class="wp-image-113338" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/10/00-Nathan_Slate_002-1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>London Fashion Week showcased six emerging talents whose innovative voices are set to define the future of fashion they say, including Somerset&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nathanslate.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nathan Slate</a>, who&#8217;s into sustainability, ceramics and unconventional dyeing. All I ask is, does it come in a 14?</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/superflashy-newsflash-the-latest-foodie-news-and-other-goss-somerset-dorset-bath/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New places to eat, drink, play and stay –&nbsp;and the best Thai cuisine in the West Country</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/michelin-key-hotels-somerset-bristol-dorset-south-west/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nine of the best hotels – in the world – are in Somerset &amp; Bristol, according to the Michelin Guide</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/newsflash-whats-new-somerset-dorset-bristol-bath-august-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New local restaurants, a chocolate boutique, juice and coffee bar – and a menswear shop for dapper dressers</a></li>
</ul>


Newsflash! The latest goss from around the ‘hood

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