Muddy Awards 2026 drinks party Hall & Woodhouse Bath

It’s a genuine privilege to help the worthy winners celebrate their success at the Dorset, Somerset & Bristol Muddy Awards winners’ drinks party. This year we were lucky enough to hold the event at Hall & Woodhouse Bath, one of the top spots in the city (and not only because of its rooftop terrace!).

Once an auction house, Hall & Woodhouse Bath is a three-storey pub, with spacious, vintage-inspired interiors, located in the heart of the city in between leafy Queen Square and Milsom Street (so very handy for pre-, mid- and post-shopping refuelling as well as after work quaffing and scoffing).

On the ground floor, it’s super relaxed yet impressive, with stunning copper pillars and a long copper bar, parquet flooring and all kinds of seating – leather armchairs, tables for two and for larger groups, cosy corners – including a coffee zone with their own Rocket Espresso and a dog-friendly pantry area. The staircase and roof light are spectacular.

Head up to the mezzanine floor (where we held the Muddy party), for table service dining with banquettes, huge glass chandeliers – that incredible silver ceiling – and an open kitchen, and a wood-panelled private room, both of which can be hired for your own celebration.

More stairs take you up to the fabulous unique rooftop terrace – perfect for lazy cocktails on a summer evening (psst! check out their Sunshine Serves, two cocktails for £20), or even your own private party.

Hall & Woodhouse Bath is open every day of the week from 10am, for breakfast, coffee, drinks and all-day dining. They always have lots of brilliant offers, like the 2-course lunch from Mon to Thurs for £19.95.

Now, it’s no mean feat to win a Muddy Award – these are the most highly contested small business lifestyle awards in the UK after all. This year there were over 20,000 businesses nominated and half a million votes cast, reaching 11 million people (gulp!) across 37 Muddy counties. The competition in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol was unprecedented, so it’s a massive achievement to win a Muddy Award here.

This year we’ve been thrilled to work with our brilliant sponsor Hall & Woodhouse. It’s mind-blowing to think that the company was founded in 1777 – just one year after the American Declaration of Independence – so they’re celebrating their 250th birthday next year. It’s still family-owned, still brewing amazing beer (their award-winning Badger Beers are renowned), and they now have around 150 beautiful pubs in the south of England, including this pub in the centre of Bath. Hall & Woodhouse Chairman Anthony Woodhouse (the eighth generation of the family) made inspiring speech about the importance – and power – of independent businesses.

Hall & Woodhouse Chairman Anthony Woodhouse — Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman

Hall & Woodhouse Bath did us proud, with endless glasses of delicious Mirabeau Vin de France Rosé, Fever-Tree Raspberry & Orange Blossom Soda and fresh raspberrries.

Super friendly staff served delicious canapés (this is the sort of thing they do for weddings and parties).

Alice was on hand with some fans!

Want to see our reel of the event? For some live action, click here.

Here are the stars of the show, our wonderful winners!

The place to go for tiers of joy AKA the Best Best Afternoon Tea – Montagu’s Mews at The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath.

Want a great cup of joe? It needs to be made with beans ethically sourced and lovingly roasted by Best Artisan Food & Drink Producer Bean Shot Coffee, who have a coffee shop in Sherborne.

Landmark venue for the arts, culture with cut above dining (and the swankiest loos in Dorset), The Sherborne in – guess where – was named Best Arts, Culture & Theatre winner.

Here are the stars of the show, our wonderful winners!

The first gin distilled in Bath for over 250 years, is Best Bar, The Bath Distillery Gin Bar.

Helping Bath’s ladies – and gents – look luscious, is Best Beauty Salon/Clinic, The Townhouse Clinic.

Bath’s gorgeous Georgian townhouse hotel, The Queensberry was named Best Boutique Stay.

For the second year running – The Cowshed Dorset in the Courtyard Craft Centre in Minster Lytchett, was voted Best Café.

Say konnichiwa to the Ki-cchin Sushi Bar in Bournemouth, Best Casual Dining.

Best Children’s Business is the brilliantly named Be Weird. Be Wild. Be Wonderful children’s play hub in Bristol.

With two floating obstacale courses, splash castle, mud trail and axe throwing, no wonder Dorset Adventure Park in Corfe Castle, was voted Best Family Experience.

Best Farmshop/Deli is always a hotly contested category, this year won by Farmshop, deli and kitchen Brockley Stores, near Bristol.

Stylish gals head for Cleverly Wrapped in Sherborne, voted Best Fashion & Interiors.

Voted Best Florist, Sweetpea Florist in Blandford Forum specialises in creating unique and bespoke floral designs, especially for beautiful weddings and events.

The Industry, winner of Best Hair Salon, is keeping everyone in Christchurch perfectly coiffed.

Raise a glass to Best-loved Local Pub, The Wheatsheaf in Combe Hay, near Bath.

It’s sustainable sea-to-plate dining at Best Restaurant, Catch at the Old Fishmarket in Weymouth.

Sophie Heath, supporting women to keep active and eating at all ages in Clevedon was named Best Sports & Fitness Instructor.

Get married, throw a party at Best Event Venue, No 4 Clifton Village in Bristol.

For the ultimate in relaxation, book yourselves in to the Windmill Retreat, Middlezoy, who were named Best Wellness Break.

Holistic antenatal educator, yoga teacher and author Aimee Strongman (on the left) is The Maternal Alchemist in Blandford Forumm, Best Wellbeing Specialist.

Sìdà Yoga, who’s keeping everyone Zen in Portland on the Jurassic Coast, is Best Yoga/Pilates Studio – for the second year running.

Courtesy of Hall & Woodhouse, all the winners had goodie bags to take home with miniatures – Black Cow Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Tanqueray Gin, Pinkster Gin and Johnny Walker Whisky – and a Badger Beer (natch) bottle opener.

See all the worthy champions and finalists across Dorset, Somerset & Bristol for 2025

Print off the list, work your way through them, and enjoy. Love Sue, Annie and Nell.

Many thanks to Helen Miscioscia of Helena M Photography, for taking such wonderful photos, and to Sarah Moon of creative marketing agency Frank & Moon for creating the brilliant reel, which you can see over on Instagram.

IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?

Behind the scenes at the Dorset, Somerset & Bristol Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 winners’ party

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