The urban guide to the countryside -

Northamptonshire

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

Anyone else's kids shot up a few inches during lockdown? We've got you covered with our pick of the coolest, colourful childrenswear to style out the summer.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

In Love With Local: the best farm shops near youIf you’ve vowed never to go back to piling your supermarket trolley sky high and ignoring your local shops, let us help you keep your promise with our pick of the best farm shops in Northants.
What to watch online this weekYour weekly boredom buster is here with all the best and brand spanking new TV, film, music and theatre to keep you entertained from the sofa.
5 steps to self care in anxious timesLockdown dragging you down? According to a recent survey by the Office for National Statistics, over half of adults in the UK feel anxious as a result of Covid-19. No surprises there. Restrictions might be starting to lift but things are certainly no less worrying for many. Wellness pro Jane Singleton gives us her expert tips for feeling fab.
10 of the best pub gardens in Northants to enjoy this summerWe're finally going out out and it's going to be an absolute corker. Bring on the sunshine so we can soak it up with our fave tipple in one of these gorgeous Northants pub gardens.
Splash! 8 of the best wild swimming spotsIt's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes! Now dive into our guide to the best open water swimming locations in Northants and beyond. Just kindly refrain from bombing, running or petting please.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Lemon & Bark

Style My Kid

The Granary at Fawsley

Michelle Riches (CDH RSHom) Registered Homeopath

MS Campbell

Towcester Racecourse

Sheaf Street Health Store

Bread & Circus

Eat View more
In Love With Local: the best farm shops near you

If you’ve vowed never to go back to piling your supermarket trolley sky high and ignoring your local shops, let us help you keep your promise with our pick of the best farm shops in Northants.
- 10 of the best pub gardens in Northants to enjoy this summer
  
  We're finally going out out and it's going to be an absolute corker. Bring on the sunshine so we can soak it up with our fave tipple in one of these gorgeous Northants pub gardens.
- Super Flashy Newsflash
  
  Summer is here and finally the places we love are starting to get going. Here's our pick of new openings, launches and things to do this month near you.
- Smokin’! The perfect summer burger recipe
  
  The weather's pulling a blinder this week, so fire up the BBQ and rustle up this bad boy with homemade ketchup (fancy!) from Muddy favourite The Pig group.
- Quarantini time! Heston’s Gold Rush
  
  Looking to up your cocktail creds during lockdown? We've rifled through Heston Blumenthal’s cocktail bible, so perk yourself up with a Gold Rush.

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Arts & Culture View more
We’re all going on a big-screen holiday

Choose your destination, fasten your seats and get ready for take off. Here’s 21 films, set in exotic locations that are almost as good travelling abroad.
- Staying indoors? Here’s what to watch this week
  
  Bored of boxsets? I hear ya loud and clear lady! Here's our latest round up of what's new for TV, film, theatre and music to keep you entertained this week.
- Read these new releases this month
  
  After a little escapism? With flights grounded, we're reaching for the next best thing - a good book! Here are seven sizzlers to add to your reading list.
- Read THESE this month
  
  Reasons to be cheerful: spring has sprung and a brilliant new batch of March books has arrived. Gather around, and let Muddy's pro-bookworm Kerry Potter tell you a story.
- 5 things I’ve learned about motherhood
  
  Acclaimed author (and Muddy favourite) Clover Stroud is in the midst of raising her 5 children. Miraculously she's found time to write a book about it all. Here's a taster.

Home View more
- Muddy ‘Lockdown Gardens in Bloom’ is GO!
  
  Calling all green fingered goddesses! We want to see your lockdown gardening handiwork. Snap your space and post it on Instagram for the chance to win vouchers (there’s £1000 up for grabs) to spend online at gorgeous garden and homewares boutique Olive & Sage.
Wellbeing
- 5 steps to self care in anxious times
  
  Lockdown dragging you down? According to a recent survey by the Office for National Statistics, over half of adults in the UK feel anxious as a result of Covid-19. No surprises there. Restrictions might be starting to lift but things are certainly no less worrying for many. Wellness pro Jane Singleton gives us her expert tips for feeling fab.
- Splash! 8 of the best wild swimming spots
  
  It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes! Now dive into our guide to the best open water swimming locations in Northants and beyond. Just kindly refrain from bombing, running or petting please.

Work View more
How to work from home (without going stir-crazy)

Working from your home office (or, er, the sofa) for the foreseeable? Don’t panic! These top tips will help you stay calm, collected and productive – or at the very least, sane.
Kids
- Is it time to try an online school?
  
  With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, ‘virtual’ schools are gaining traction - but what do they offer that’s different?
- Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results
  
  We asked and you talked! Read the results of our exclusive parent survey into how lockdown learning is affecting our children, and what we can do to help them.

Fashion View more
The 9 most stylish face masks

Well, who could have predicted THIS as the must-have summer 2020 accessory? If you’ve gotta wear one, it may as well look chic, right?
- 6 of the best face coverings from local indie brands
  
  It's official: face masks are the new Chanel lippy. We've found 6 local brands who are bringing it with the latest must-have accessory so you can look good whilst still keeping those germs under control.
- Trend alert! Artisanal style
  
  Delicate embroidery, expert craftsmanship and dreamy fabrics - we're coveting artisanal chic for summer. Here are 14 items to add to your (handwoven) basket.

Beauty View more
- 5 of the best hair masks to buy now
  
  Split ends up to your ears? We've found five quick-fixes for treating neglected locks - and to stop your hair stylist from screaming when salons finally reopen
- Staying in? Here’s what’s on
  
  A virtual arts festival, hot new Netflix releases, high brow theatre (and low brow Love Island!) - it's all going on online this week. Stream if you wanna go faster!

People View more
Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer

He’s worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands – raising money for the NHS in association with theatres like The North Wall. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.
- Muddy gets chefy with Olivia Burt
  
  We catch up with the 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist to find out her backstage goss, favourite dishes and top spots to eat in London.
- Muddy Meets Kristina Rihanoff
  
  We chatted to the former Strictly pro turned yogini and entrepreneur about her passion for helping others to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
- The 4 funniest people on social media
  
  Social media can be a depressing place at times but these Instagram and Twitter accounts never fail to make us smile – go funny up your feed with these guys.

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Read the reviews

Fun Finder

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

Travel View more
Super Flashy Newsflash

Summer is here and finally the places we love are starting to get going. Here’s our pick of new openings, launches and things to do this month near you.
- The Muddy insider guide to Norfolk
  
  Summer holidays incoming! Read our brand new and brilliant curated guide to Norfolk, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!).
- Muddy’s insider guide to Devon
  
  If Devon's on your holiday hit list this year you'll be needing our totally brilliant insider guide to the county. PLUS we have £2,888 of summer goodies up for grabs!