Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-boutique-hotel-in-the-uk-is-in-somerset">The top boutique hotel in the UK is in Somerset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="999" height="1133" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797.jpg" alt="newt in somerset hotel" class="wp-image-38289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797.jpg 999w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797-132x150.jpg 132w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797-265x300.jpg 265w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797-768x871.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/IMG_6408-e1575403529797-441x500.jpg 441w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></figure>



<p>&#8216;Course it is! <a href="https://thenewtinsomerset.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Newt in Somerset</a>, just outside Bruton, is No 1 in the <a href="https://www.top50boutiquehotels.com/list/1-50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 50 Boutique Hotels</a>, a list put together by a panel of 100 hospitality experts. Sitting on an estate celebrating all things Somerset with stunning gardens, woodlands, &#8216;cyder&#8217; orchards – and reconstructed Roman villa, The Newt is luxurious but understated with a restaurant and spa. You might have to save up though, prices start around £800 a night.  A couple of other cool local places also made it onto the list. <a href="https://atthechapel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At the Chapel</a>, in Bruton, came in at No 23; <a href="https://www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pig-on the beach</a>, near Swanage, at No 29. Both are lovely (and a lot cheaper).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pelican-re-hatched-in-chew-magna">The Pelican re-hatched in Chew Magna</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1074" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos.png" alt="the pelican chew magna somerset" class="wp-image-103614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos-800x573.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos-1000x716.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos-400x286.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/pelican-Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-16-31-39-The-Pelican-@thepelicanchewmagna-•-Instagram-photos-and-videos-768x550.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Foodie brother and sister Josh and Holly Eggleton have just relaunched the 400-year-old The Pelican as <a href="https://thepelicanchewmagna.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pelican Chew Valley</a>. It&#8217;s a sort of extension of <a href="https://theponychewvalley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pony at Chew Valley</a>, the former Michelin-starred Pony &amp; Trap re-imagined as restaurant and cookery school with events. For now, come to The Pelly for beers and ales from Bristol Beer Factory, local Wilding Cider, wines, coffee and cake, assorted pop-up dining and the Sour Dough pizza-truck. They&#8217;ll be launching 10 rooms come May 2025. Watch this space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rural-vogue-in-shaftesbury">Rural vogue in Shaftesbury </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/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n.jpg" alt="fairfax and favor  shaftesbury dorset" class="wp-image-103590" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/fairfax-and-favor-469264440_612618498101154_2741360445670178488_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Upmarket brand <a href="https://www.fairfaxandfavor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fairfax &amp; Favor</a> makes countryside style fashionable with a range of &#8216;rural vogue&#8217; boots, shoes, clothing, bags and accessories. Think a day out at Cheltenham (though you&#8217;d not look out of place in the city). Rural royal Zara Tindall is a fan. Their new shop is in the old bank opposite <a href="https://grosvenorarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grosvenor Arms</a> (very handy for a post-shopping pick me up). <em>Fairfax &amp; Favor, 10 The Commons, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JU.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taken-any-good-pix-of-the-south-west-coast-path-this-year">Taken any good pix of the South West Coast Path this year? </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor.jpg" alt=" lyme regis cobb james loveridge South west photographer of the year" class="wp-image-103621" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor-601x800.jpg 601w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor-751x1000.jpg 751w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor-768x1023.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-lyme-regis-cobb-james-loveridge-South-west-photographer-of-the-year_Fotor-1153x1536.jpg 1153w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: James Loveridge South West Photographer of the Year 2023</figcaption></figure>



<p>The 2023 winner of the <a href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/Get-involved/take-part/photographer-of-the-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year </a>was James Loveridge with this magnificent shot of The Cobb in Lyme Regis. Could you be in with a chance for 2024? The annual competition is open for entries from professionals and amateurs alike. There are five categories: People and Path; Urban Lines; Nature; Climate Change; and Sky Shot. There&#8217;s a Young Photographer of the Year Award (under 18) too.&nbsp;Entries close midnight on 31 Jan 2025. As well as the kudos, the winner to stay 2-nights at The Pier House Hotel in Cornwall, courtesy of the St Austell Brewery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-s-the-uk-s-best-seaside-hotel">Where&#8217;s the UK&#8217;s best seaside hotel ?</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/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n.jpg" alt="seaside boarding house dorset jurassic coast
" class="wp-image-103606" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/seaside-boarding-house-461326571_18462794212042485_5428322651540028257_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Perched on a cliff top overlooking Lyme Bay and Chesil Beach in Burton Bradstock, it turns out, according to <em>The Good Hotel Guide</em>. They&#8217;ve awarded one of their 20 annual César awards (after Swiss hotelier César Ritz) to <a href="https://theseasideboardinghouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Seaside Boarding House</a>. Named the best seaside hotel in the UK, the hotel, bar and restaurant boasts one of the best locations on the Jurassic Coast. Eclectic interiors evoke seaside holidays of yesteryear and New England. You can nosh on fresh seafood, walk down to the beach, watch the sun set from the terrace, then drift off to sleep with the sound of the sea in your ears. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wanted-wicked-stars-of-the-future">Wanted: wicked stars of the future</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson.jpg" alt="national youth musical theatre " class="wp-image-103585" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/00-NYMT-Into-the-Woods-Dress-credit-Harry-Elletson-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Harry Elletson</figcaption></figure>



<p>Know a budding Idris Elba, Matt Lucas or Amara Okereke? They were all part of the <a href="https://nymt.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Youth Musical Theatre</a>. Now the NYMT are looking for new talent aged 10-23 to audition for 2025 shows like <em>Fame: the Musical </em>and <em>Carousel</em>. Book a place on their <a href="https://rolecall.nymt.org.uk/?type=actor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acting &amp; Music Theatre Workshop</a> audition day on Sat 4 Jan or the <a href="https://rolecall.nymt.org.uk/?type=musician" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Musician Workshop</a> audition day on Sat 1 Feb. Central auditions will be announced in the New Year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-salcombe-trading-company-s-back-in-bath">The Salcombe Trading Company&#8217;s back in Bath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n.jpg" alt="salcombe trading bath somerset" class="wp-image-103630" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n-686x800.jpg 686w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n-857x1000.jpg 857w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n-343x400.jpg 343w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n-768x896.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/12/salcombe-trading-469599265_17978502053789051_4085589508350145121_n-1317x1536.jpg 1317w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hurrah! After a sojourn out in the sticks, <a href="https://www.salcombetrading.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Salcombe Trading Company</a> have opened a new shop in Margaret&#8217;s Buildings. Lying between the Royal Crescent and The Circus, it&#8217;s one of our favourite little shopping spots. Renowned for their beautifully designed stuff for the house and garden – including Scandinavian designers and West country artisans – they also stock British-made Chalk clothing. Nice. While you&#8217;re in the vicinity, <a href="https://www.greenbirdcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Green Bird </a>café is great for coffee and veggie grub.</p>


Stay in the know with your December newsflash!

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