Spotlight

Create your own cutting gardenAfter decades of decline, recent years have seen a colourful upsurge in British-grown blooms, with plenty of Northamptonshire growers ready to meet your flowery needs.
The best bluebell walksBlooming 'eck! Bluebells are popping up in their billions across Northamptonshire. Here's where to find the best of them on your daily dose of exercise.
TV worth tuning into: what to watch this weekSo... last week it was 24 degrees and now it's baltic, but that does mean you can hunker down in front of the box without feeling too guilty. Get something carby and put those feet up.
Top 50 gastropubs 2021 revealedWhat better week for the reveal of the country's best gastropubs than the start of lockdown easing? Here are our pick of those a stone's throw from Northants - phones at the ready to bag your table.
Top ten family friendly pub gardens in NorthantsUnlock! We have never been more ready for good food in a pub garden. Here's our pick of some of the best in Northants for al fresco gatherings.

Well, hello!

I'm Emma, editor of Muddy Northamptonshire, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

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Gotta Have It

15 must-have accessories for outdoor dining in style

Out with the scratched melamine, in with stylish cups, cocktail shakers, candelabra, and cutlery. Here's our guide to the wow accessories that will make your alfresco meal sparkle

The UK’s most creative and unique independent shops, makers and producers local to you.

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Home View more
Create your own cutting garden

After decades of decline, recent years have seen a colourful upsurge in British-grown blooms, with plenty of Northamptonshire growers ready to meet your flowery needs. .
- Easy slow-cooked lamb for a spring feast
  
  Looking for a low-effort crowd pleaser for a post lockdown get-together? This melt-in-the-mouth lamb recipe with polenta chips is just the ticket, slow-cooked for five hours.
- 58 things to glam up your garden
  
  Garden parties are go, people! But, oh God — is that really the state of the patio? Glam up the garden and impress your guests with these 58 must-have garden objects.
Wellbeing
- The best bluebell walks
  
  Blooming 'eck! Bluebells are popping up in their billions across Northamptonshire. Here's where to find the best of them on your daily dose of exercise.
- Easy! Buy these, and sleep better
  
  Having trouble sleeping? Us and half the world right now! Here's what the Muddy team have in their shopping baskets to help with some much-needed shut-eye.

Arts & Culture View more
TV worth tuning into: what to watch this week

So… last week it was 24 degrees and now it’s baltic, but that does mean you can hunker down in front of the box without feeling too guilty. Get something carby and put those feet up.
- The TV is calling you: 10 shows to watch this week
  
  OK, so we get it: that garden needs weeding, but you can’t scrabble about in the dirt forever. Give yourself a break and instead watch the best TV this week has to offer.
- What to watch on TV this week
  
  Stacey Dooley reinvents Through The Keyhole, plus rock and roll comebacks, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan on the small screen and more in our round up of the best TV this week

Little Black Book

Want to support local? Our curated pick of the most creative, unique and brilliant businesses near you.

Nutrition with Harry

The Red Lion, Yardley Hastings

The Granary at Fawsley

The Cooking Academy, Rickmansworth

Ironstone Wellbeing Centre, Kettering

Silverstone Distillery

WEA (Workers' Education Association)

Eat View more
Top 50 gastropubs 2021 revealed

What better week for the reveal of the country’s best gastropubs than the start of lockdown easing? Here are our pick of those a stone’s throw from Northants – phones at the ready to bag your table.
- Top ten family friendly pub gardens in Northants
  
  Unlock! We have never been more ready for good food in a pub garden. Here's our pick of some of the best in Northants for al fresco gatherings.
- Get social! 7 perfect picnic spots (plus food)
  
  It's official, picnics are THE hottest social event of the season. Dig out your hamper and waterproof blanket, and order a bite before you find a bench with your bestie.

Work View more
Ideas to get your finances into shape for 2021

The beginning of the year is always about renewal, resolutions and healthy regimes. But the fallout from Covid has shown how financial wellbeing is also vital – and too often overlooked. Muddy limbers up for a money MOT.
Kids
- How to fix your family’s sleep habits
  
  If you’re finding it harder to nod off lately, you’re not alone. We caught up with sleep expert Kerry Davies to find out how to get a good night’s sleep.
- Stamford Endowed Schools, Stamford (Lincs)
  
  Muddy says: Wellbeing and creative thinking are at the heart of this progressive, mixed co-ed and single-sex boarding school, where children are taught to stretch their horizons while nurturing community spirit.

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Word up! Slogan sweats to buy now

Can’t find the words to say it yourself? Say it with a sweater! Here are eight cool slogan jumpers we’re coveting right now, all from indie shops and brands.
- 2021 fashion collabs you need to know
  
  When high fashion met high street. Here are the new season fashion collabs we're lusting after this month (with surprisingly affordable price tags).
- Trouser brigade: stylish alternatives to jeans
  
  It's time to cast off the joggers and emerge from your style hibernation. We've found some comfortable but chic alternatives for those days when denim isn't doing it for you

Beauty View more
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.
- Skincare SOS – your winter essentials
  
  Zoom close-ups making you wince? Cold winter days and dry central heating are playing havoc with our skin. Try these hero products for a dose of much-needed hydration.

People View more
Six lockdown heroines to celebrate IWD

It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up six women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.
- The talented locals behind The Indie Store
  
  As we gingerly step back into the real world, it's more important than ever to support local. Here, we tell the unique stories behind some of our Indie Store businesses.
- How to run well by a pro marathon runner
  
  Need some work-out motivation? You’re in the right place. Muddy talks to endurance athlete Nick Butter about how to motivate yourself out the door and onto an exercise regime.

Travel View more
Grab the sunnies: our 2021 travel bucket list

It’s been so long, holidays have taken on a rather emotional hue. So we asked our editors how they really want to spend their annual leave. Expect cocktails, cities, and plenty of sun.
- 21 fab things to do in 2021
  
  As we bid good riddance the year we'd all prefer to forget, it's time to start planning for our freedom. Here's our pick of all the best things to do in Northants in 2021.
- 20 Muddy-approved attractions in Northamptonshire
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable attractions in the county.