Spotlight

Property search: what to look for in your dream home.Reality can be a cruel mistress when you're house-hunting but, if you've got a clear idea about what you want, you're half way there. Here's what you need to consider to nail it down.
Christmas gift guide: food & drinkFor fine foodies, greedy gobblers, gin-drinkers and sugar-heads alike, this is the ultimate 2021 food and drink gift guide. The turkey isn't the only thing that'll be stuffed this Christmas...
What's on in Northants this DecemberAnd just like that... here we are in December and, oh boy, it's a good one. There are loads of brilliant events happening so scroll on to find the festive fun.
Review: The Willow and Brook, ApethorpeThis picturesque former pub has gone full gastro and is bursting with warmth and soul. We settled in for the evening to taste test the new winter menu.
Muddy reviews: Ice Trak and Lap of Lights at Silverstone CircuitRev your engines and don your leg warmers for a feel-good journey around the world with all the cosy ski-lodge vibes at this fabulous feista of Christmassy joy at Silverstone Circuit.

Well, hello!

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

Find out more

Gotta Have It

Party season essentials to add to your beauty bag

It's Christmaaaaas! Treat yourself to some festive glam, and pick up some some gorgeous stocking fillers in one fell swoop at Next Beauty & Home's shopping event (11-12 Dec).

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

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

See What's On

Eat

Review: The Willow and Brook, Apethorpe

This picturesque former pub has gone full gastro and is bursting with warmth and soul. We settled in for the evening to taste test the new winter menu.
- 6 Autumn roasts with the most in Northants
  
  Can’t be bothered to baste potatoes with goose fat? I hear you. Instead grab your gang and head to one of these local gastropubs and let the experts do the hard work.
- 6 of the best wine bars in Northants
  
  Whether it’s a festive gathering, night out with the girls or a mid-week quickie, the wine bar is back. Put the world to rights over a sharing board and a bottle of some fabulous vintage.

Culture

Pass that remote! Six things to watch this week

It’s freezing! Definitely the only excuse you need to catch up on some sofa time. On our watchlist this week: Benedict Cumberbatch’s cowboy “career-best”, on-demand opera, award-winning BBC comedy, and more.
- 8 things to watch this week on the big and small screen
  
  What to watch this week, you cry? From Lady Gaga serving looks in her murderously glam new movie to tension in the tent with the Bake Off 2021 final, here are your eight must-watches.
- 7 new releases to watch on TV this week
  
  Sweeping fantasy, bouncy musicals, the second series of Tiger King…it’s all happening on the box this week. Get into something comfy, pop open the Pringles and settle in for a watch.

Little Black Book

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

Silverstone Circuit

Silverstone Distillery

The Bean Hive, Kettering

Toybox, Kettering

Delapré Abbey, Northampton

Ironstone Wellbeing Centre, Kettering

Flore House, Flore

Xachoh Spirits

Audax Rum, Towcester

Lyss and Vay Candle Co., Northampton

The Copper Kitchen, Roade

Muddled Lime Fine Cocktails, Long Buckby

Travel

Cool yule! Muddy guide to Christmas in Edinburgh

Ice rinks, Santa Land, fireworks and castles…For cracking Christmas celebrations and a helluva Hogmanay, head north of the border this winter.
- The best Black Friday travel deals!
  
  Staying in a gorgeous hotel or lying on a tropical beach never fails to make us happy, which is why we’re excited to bring you all the best discounts around the world. Just think of us as your BFF when it comes to BF!
- Escape by rail to these 7 heavenly new hotels
  
  No flight, no faff… hop on the train to these gorgeous new hotels from the newest Pig Hotel to a Peaks treehouse and a cheeky little number in Paris

Home

Anja Dunk’s Advent bake: the perfect Christmas biscuit

The Insta-star chef has brought out a gorgeous festive book of baking. Not only has she shared a delish (and pretty) recipe with us, but she’s offered three copies of her latest cookbook to Muddy readers!
- Property search: what to look for in your dream home.
  
  Reality can be a cruel mistress when you’re house-hunting but, if you’ve got a clear idea about what you want, you’re half way there. Here’s what you need to consider to nail it down.
- Ten bulbs to plant now for a dreamy spring garden
  
  Want to know how the Wormsley Estate in Bucks looks so fabulous come spring? Head gardener Charlotte Tremlin reveals her secret for glorious beds and baskets.
Wellbeing
- 5 ways to think smart about your business
  
  Have you been thinking about starting your own business? From setting the direction of travel to shouting about your best bits, these top tips will help get your business off to a great start.
- Wing Chun! Muddy learns the art of self-defence
  
  Having the knowledge to protect yourself can boost your confidence and help you to calmly navigate tricky situations. We spoke to Soo Yoga’s Kristina Rihanoff about why she and partner Ben Cohen think we should all learn the art of self-defence.

Life

Five gripping reads to give your working life a boost

What better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We’ve found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit…
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.

Instamuddy

Fashion

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.
- A new leaf: your 10 autumn wardrobe essentials
  
  Bright knits, checks, big handbags, even bigger boots. We’ve got your autumn/winter 2021 fashion fix sorted.
Beauty
- Hair transformation! Muddy goes ‘petrol’
  
  Time for a new ‘do? From subtle styling to bold design (read on!) Haringtons has you covered with slick service and skill. See what happened when Muddy sat in the salon chair…
- Party season essentials to add to your beauty bag
  
  It’s Christmaaaaas! Treat yourself to some festive glam, and pick up some some gorgeous stocking fillers in one fell swoop at Next Beauty & Home’s shopping event (11-12 Dec).

People

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.