Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-veggie-stars-take-root-in-bath">Veggie stars take root in Bath</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/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n.jpg" alt="Root Wells Somerset" class="wp-image-112373" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-root-wells-547741308_18009893342792561_5987139903238804994_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Root, Wells</figcaption></figure>



<p>Not wholly vegan or veggie but veg-<em>led</em>, the third iteration of <a href="https://www.rootrestaurants.co.uk/bath" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Root,</a> the fabulous sharing plates restaurant, is due to open in Bath&#8217;s Milsom Place in mid-October. The collaboration between Josh and Holly Eggleton&#8217;s Pony Restaurant Group and Rob Howell and his wife and manager Meg Oakley follows the first Root in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf and the second in Wells,&nbsp;both of which hold Michelin Bib Gourmands. The menu will include some locally produced meat and fish dishes but deliciously inventive veggie dishes will be the main attraction. While you&#8217;re in Shires Yard, check out the new Magari for homemade pasta, Coret Coffee &amp; Wine, and The Cookery Studio classes.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-pub-with-rooms-in-dorset">New pub with rooms in Dorset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004.jpg" alt="fleur de lys cranborne dorset chickpea group" class="wp-image-112390" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/fleur-de-lys-chickpea-group-humbnail_image004-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hot on the hooves of the award-winning Chickpea Group&#8217;s new Somerset pub, The Manor House Inn in Ditcheat (<a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-the-manor-house-inn-ditcheat-somerset-pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our review</a>), comes their first pub with rooms in Dorset. Located in the village of Cranborne, within the gorgeous Cranborne Chase National Landscape (AKA Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Dark Skies Reserve), <a href="https://www.fleurdelyscranborne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fleur de Lys</a> is your classic Chickpea country boozer. Dating back to the 17th century, it&#8217;s all characterful beams, open fires and hanging hops, with bar, dining, private dining, sheltered garden out back and nine charming rooms above, and Chickpea&#8217;s trademark inventive main menu, &#8216;pub bangers&#8217;, cask ales, good wine and wood-fired pizzas. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-the-shoe-fits">If the shoe fits&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n.jpg" alt="shoemakers museum street somerset" class="wp-image-112487" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-shoemakers-519678619_122214638978252248_9197767207865506633_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Be one of the first through the doors of the brand new <a href="https://shoemakersmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shoemakers Museum</a>. Set within Clarks Village in Street and showcasing 200 years of shoemaking, design and personal stories – from high street staples to fashion revolutions – the doors open on Thurs 18 Sept</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bruton-favourite-to-re-open">Bruton favourite to re-open</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1838" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-112379" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2-653x800.jpg 653w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2-816x1000.jpg 816w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2-326x400.jpg 326w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2-768x941.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-prickly-pear-Screenshot-2025-09-15-at-14-49-33-Wells-Food-Festival-@wells_food_festival-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos_Fotor-2-1254x1536.jpg 1254w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Amigos: the fabulous hand-painted sign is up – it can only be a matter of time before the Mexican-inspired pub <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pricklypearbruton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Prickly Pear</a> on Bruton&#8217;s high street is back in in business. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anyone-for-padel">Anyone for padel ?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash.jpg" alt="padel-pickleball dorset somerset bristol" class="wp-image-109634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/padel-pickle-free-sidespin-padel-ZsHEJEznWyw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>David Lloyd Leisure are planning a swish new health and racquets club in Yeovil, with a pool, gym, exercise studios, spa, sports hall and lounge inside; another pool, three tennis courts, six padel courts, multi-use court and a battle box – whatever that is – outside. With the club still to be built, there&#8217;s time to save up for membership.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thai-like-it">Thai like it</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1867" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n.jpg" alt="Nusara Thai restaurant Dorset" class="wp-image-112386" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n-643x800.jpg 643w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n-803x1000.jpg 803w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n-321x400.jpg 321w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n-768x956.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-nusara-537562433_18084670147863792_2243419311879180381_n-1234x1536.jpg 1234w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Looking for<em> </em>the real taste of Thailand in the West Country? Take a seat – or a takeaway – at <a href="https://www.nusarathai.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nusara</a>, one of six restaurants in the UK recently awarded a Thai SELECT, the official mark of authentic Thai food by the Royal Thai Government. The family-fun business, which has been going since 2020 has branches in Bournemouth, Poole, Westbourne, Christchurch and Wimborne.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-new-favourite-hangout">Your new favourite hangout?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35.jpg" alt="mad Swans somerset" class="wp-image-112489" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-25_Apr_Wild_Swans_2_HR-35-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Midway between Bath and Bristol, <a href="https://www.madswans.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mad Swans</a> in the Mendips offers a winning combo of sports and games – from 12-hole golf (where Sir Nick Faldo just played), pickleball and padel courts to augmented reality darts and shuffleboard – with cocktails, pizzas in the The Hangout, posher nosh in The Potting Shed restaurant, and sleepovers in cosy eco cabins (some with outdoor baths). See you there?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skincare-in-sherborne">Skincare in Sherborne</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1793" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n.jpg" alt="Loving to b skincare sherborne dorset" class="wp-image-112409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n-669x800.jpg 669w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n-837x1000.jpg 837w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n-335x400.jpg 335w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n-768x918.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/love-to-b-539101762_24243920115288731_2608444361984883336_n-1285x1536.jpg 1285w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Who doesn&#8217;t love a luxurious – natural – bath and body range? Luckily for those living in south Somerset and North Dorset, family-run <a href="https://lovetob.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love to b</a> based in Ringwood has opened a second shop in Sherborne, selling hand-made, natural skincare for face and body, scented soy candles and melts, and gifts.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />



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



<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/whats-on/wells-food-festival-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wells Food Fest is back</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/best-burgers-somerset-dorset-bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The juiciest burgers near you</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/review-willy-russells-blood-brothers-dorset-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers</a></li>
</ul>


Superflashy newsflash: the latest foodie goss and other news

You may also like