Spotlight

Meet your Muddy Awards 2022 winnersYour votes have been counted and - drumroll please - the results are in. Here are your Muddy Awards 2022 winners. Go say hi, they're local you know!
The best places to park your picnicAin't no picnic like a Muddy picnic and with lashings of whipped cream on our strawbs all we need is the softest grass and the prettiest view. Here's our pick of the top spots in Northants. Did somebody say cocktail sausage?
Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into EuropeThought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 - and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you're in port.
How to nail the perfect picnicThe sun's out - quick, grab the wicker basket! If you're partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn't?) here's some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast - including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
Better than socks! 10 Father’s Day experiencesCan't bear to buy the man in your life yet another aftershave? Pick up one of these days out in Northants instead - you'll get mega brownie points (and hopefully an invite...).

Well, hello!

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

Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle

MEET THE MUDDY STILETTOS AWARDS 2022 WINNERS!

10 of the best pub gardens in Northants to enjoy this summer

Heat wave alert! Grab those sunnies and head out to one of these gorgeous pub gardens for a fabulous meal alfresco in Northants.
- 51 brilliant afternoon teas to book now
  
  Celebrate spring with clotted cream and dainty sarnies! We’ve found 51 of the best afternoon teas across the Muddy counties. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
- Review: The Hare & Hounds, nr Newbury
  
  A little bit of country, a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll. The Hare and Hounds is a boutique inn with 30 stylish rooms, fuss-free food and a focus on fun – Muddy Berkshire editor Rachel checks in.

TV time! 7 of the best things to watch this week

From Channel 4’s dark and twisty vision of Britain in 2024 to the next dose of Stranger Things and a new series of Only Murders in the Building, you won’t want to miss these seven new shows.
- Six shiny new things to watch on TV this week
  
  A new series of The Umbrella Academy, how to make the most of Glastonbury from your sofa, feel-good comedy… Here’s this week’s ultimate guide to staying in.
- Pass the remote! 7 great things to watch this week
  
  Fancy something to settle down with? Hey, we all need a bit of me-time. From a sultry new Tudor drama to quirky Netflix comedies, don’t miss Muddy’s pick of the week.

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

Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into Europe

Thought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 – and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you’re in port.
- Driving us wild! The world’s best road trips
  
  There’s nothing like hitting the open road to give you a sense of freedom and adventure on holiday, whether it’s a 24-hour jaunt or a week-long epic escape.
- Muddy’s 2022 Festival Guide: Northants and beyond
  
  Are you ready to make some noise?! From world music extravaganzas to thumping chart-toppers, spiritual happenings and literary affairs, these are the festivals you need to know about this summer.

7 of the best bistro sets to buy now

The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
- How to nail the perfect picnic
  
  The sun’s out – quick, grab the wicker basket! If you’re partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn’t?) here’s some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast – including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
- 10 of the prettiest gin bottles to add to your shelf
  
  It’s World Gin Day on 11 June, so what better way to celebrate than by picking up a bottle of the good stuff? Here are some that’ll look as good on your shelf as they taste in your G&T…
Wellbeing
- 6 ways to get the best sleep you’ve ever had
  
  Do you struggle to snooze? We’ve nobbled the pros at Healthily for the latest scientific thinking on how to conquer insomnia. Cue, walnuts, pink noise – and orgasms.
- WIN £3,000 cash for your business!
  
  To celebrate this year’s Muddy Awards, our national sponsor Healthily is giving away a life-changing £3k cash injection to boost one company’s health & wellbeing. Click to enter now!

Time to split? How to do it, from the break-up queen

She’s got a podcast, comedy show, award-winning books and celeb following – Rosie Wilby is the one to listen to if you’re breaking up
Kids
- Stamford Endowed Schools, Stamford (Lincs)
  
  Muddy says: Wellbeing and creative thinking are at the heart of this progressive day and boarding school, where children are taught to stretch their horizons while nurturing community spirit.
- Has the IB finally overtaken A levels as the smart choice for kids?
  
  The International Baccalaureate is admired by universities, respected by companies and gaining traction in the UK with online school Kings InterHigh offering the first ever fully-virtual IB from Sept 22. What’s the fuss about? We ask Head of Sixth Form Alessandro Capozzi

The Muddy edit: 30 hottest summer pieces from Next

Whether you’re heading to the beach, on a chic city break or sipping Pimm’s at a garden party – here’s how to do it in style with Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown’s picks, all new-in at Next.
- Win a designer beach bundle worth £400!
  
  Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle
- 5 stylish sleepwear sets for him
  
  Threadbare boxers begone! The style gods have spoken (aka Gucci and Harry Styles) and pyjamas for men are in – here are five sets that hit the spot.
Beauty
- The Muddy edit: 30 hottest summer pieces from Next
  
  Whether you’re heading to the beach, on a chic city break or sipping Pimm’s at a garden party – here’s how to do it in style with Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown’s picks, all new-in at Next.
- Review: Manor Farm Spa and Clinic
  
  We escaped to this secluded spot nestled beside Lamport Hall for some indulgent and well-earned pampering. Aaand relax.

Can these 7 celebs pull off a moustache?

It takes a certain kind of man to pull off a moustache, and Miles Teller’s Rooster in the new Top Gun has got our surprised seal of approval. Time for a game: TO ‘TACHE, OR NOT TO ‘TACHE? Let us know if you agree in the comments!
- Gotta Have It: 90s legends in Lego
  
  Can you guess which girl band is being immortalised in Lego 25 years after their iconic album release?
- Muddy meets Sleeper frontwoman Louise Wener
  
  Zillions of us were copying her gamine hairdo and boyish indie style back in the ’90s and now Sleeper singer and guitarist Louise Wener is back on stage with the band, cooler and more confident than ever.