Spotlight

How to buy a property when you're flying soloNewly single? Get those stilettos on lady and make house hunting a doddle with the help of expert buying agent Rachel Johnston of Stacks Property Search.
Top 100 gastropubs 2022 revealedFind out which of Northants' nearest gourmet pubs have made the cut.
Property flirt! A detached 5-bed family pile.Come take a tour of this spacious, modern property with incredible views, plenty of outdoor space and tons of potential. Then guess the price!
8 of the best cheap eats in NorthantsFeeling the January pinch but desperate to get out of the house and sack off being a slave to the stove? We've cherry picked 8 of the most bargainatious local eateries to keep you smiling.
Fast forward to fun! Fab things to do in Northants in 2022If you haven't already crammed your diary full of fun for the year ahead then now's the time to nab the best tickets in town, from festivals to sports, and theatre to the circus, it's time to get planning.

Well, hello!

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

Ooooh, something smells lovely! These clever candle subscriptions make a thoughtful winter gift (even if it's for yourself - shhhhh, we won't tell).

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

Top 100 gastropubs 2022 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.
- 8 of the best cheap eats in Northants
  
  Feeling the January pinch but desperate to get out of the house and sack off being a slave to the stove? We’ve cherry picked 8 of the most bargainatious local eateries to keep you smiling.
- 6 of the best places to drink when you’re not drinking
  
  Whether you’re still plugging away at dry Jan or pulled the designated driver short straw, here’s our pick of some of the best hangouts in Northants for a booze-free tipple.

Feet up! 7 sizzling new releases to watch this week

Banish the January blues with Muddy’s master list of what to watch and stream this week, from comic murder mysteries to Julian Fellowes’ new big-budget period drama. We feel better already.
- Culture’s calling! What to see in London in 2022
  
  Thrilling theatre, exhilarating art, fantastic festivals – these are the tickets you need to book now. Settle in for a capital city culture hitlist, and a jam-packed 2022.
- The 7 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  From the winner of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival to Stanley Tucci’s new series about the legal fallout of sunken gold, we’ve got a stonking good line-up of shiny TV to watch this week.

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

Vive la France! Where to book for any occasion

To celebrate French borders reopening to Brits, we’ve curated a list of our favourite escapes across the channel from ski holidays to under the radar city breaks and multi-generational getaways.
- Hotting up! Best new hotels for 2022
  
  Introducing the hottest new hotel openings around the world. Warning: contains images of sexy bedrooms, turquoise seas and infinity pools.
- Green for go! 10 sustainable holidays
  
  Want to do your bit for the environment while enjoying your hols? Check out these eco-friendly hot spots which are clean, green and keen on a bit of luxury too.

How to buy a property when you’re flying solo

Newly single? Get those stilettos on lady and make house hunting a doddle with the help of expert buying agent Rachel Johnston of Stacks Property Search.
- Property flirt! A detached 5-bed family pile.
  
  Come take a tour of this spacious, modern property with incredible views, plenty of outdoor space and tons of potential. Then guess the price!
- Speedy supper: vegan Thai red curry
  
  Looking for a spot of Veganuary inspo to keep you on the straight and narrow? Try this super healthy, simple Thai red curry using Banhoek chilli oil for some extra spice.
Wellbeing
- 6 of the best… candle subscriptions
  
  Ooooh, something smells lovely! These clever candle subscriptions make a thoughtful winter gift (even if it’s for yourself – shhhhh, we won’t tell).
- Megan Rossi’s Prebiotic Rocky Road
  
  A traybake that’s actually good for your gut and tastes like a treat? Look no further than this clever recipe from the gut health expert’s new book

Time to split? Here’s how to do it, from the queen of breakups

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
- Winchester House School, Brackley, Northants
  
  An excellent non-selective co-ed day and boarding school (3-13 yrs) on the Bucks/Oxon/Northants borders with a strong all-rounder reputation and an impressive head.
- Northampton High School, Northampton
  
  Muddy says: a friendly and vibrant all girls school. Northampton High School is an academic titan that also nurtures the individual and creative interests of each pupil.

Witness the fitness! Best sportswear to buy now

There’s loads of gorgeous new sportswear in the shops and online at the moment. Hop, skip and jump this way for the Muddy edit.
- Where to rent, repair and sell gorgeous designer clothes
  
  Madonna’s cone bra is now available to rent! It’s ethical, eco and everywhere… here’s where you can rent, repair and sell-on stylish clothes, from Christmas party outfits to eye-catching clutch bags
- Pyjama party! 9 chic sets to buy now
  
  With autumn being peak PJs-on-the-sofa season – hey, it’s raining again, let’s stay in!- it’s the ideal time to round up our favourites to buy now. Just add slippers.
Beauty
- Hair transformation: mumsy mane, begone!
  
  Stuck in a hair rut? See Muddy Berkshire editor Rachel’s chic style update here – the third video in our series with the fabulous Haringtons salons
- Hair trends 2022: the new styles to try this year
  
  Is this the year to shake up your style? From the French bob to buttermilk balayage, awesome award-winning salon group Haringtons give the lowdown on 22’s most coveted looks

Muddy talks parenting with Lorraine Candy

“All teenage girls think their mums are a bit rubbish”. Journalist and mother of four Lorraine Candy talks parenting, moody teens and motherhood with Muddy.
- 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.
- 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 exerciser regime.