My Favourites

My Favourites

Save your favourites with a single click and you’ll never forget a brilliant Muddy recommendation.

THINGS TO DO. ARTS. EAT. TRAVEL. FASHION. BEAUTY. KIDS. HOME

Get the inside line on what’s unique, special and new near you, straight to your inbox across 28 counties

Kids

  • attractive old stone school building with green lawns to the front

    Winchester House School, Brackley

    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.

  • Stressed or unhappy child? Here’s how to help

    Have a kid that's struggling with their feelings? Take five and read these five nuggets of advice from author Poppy O'Neill before you tear your hair out.

  • Kids & eco anxiety: how to tackle it

    Getting past the doom and gloom to focus on positive action isn't always easy - but here's how from Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, who's written books for Sir David Attenborough's TV series

  • Feb half term fun

    How can it be February half term already? Don't panic, there's still time to spring into action and find the fun with Muddy's guide to what's on locally, from forest schools to comedy club, animal antics, fashion, theatre and more.

  • Beachborough School, Nr Brackley

    Muddy says: Hard to find fault with this lovely co-ed prep school on the Bucks/Northants borders - a family vibe, pretty rural setting and great results.

  • Skates on! The best ice rinks in Northants and beyond

    We're heading into the season of slip-sliding, wall-grabbing, and pirouetting. Skate queen or just here for the mulled wine, check out these festive ice rinks near you

  • Junior-School-Music

    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.

  • Christmas gift guide: for tweens & teens

    Wondering what to get those mopey teens? From TikTok gadgets to trendy fashion to the all-important skincare, here are 28 hand-picked gift ideas they'll love (even if they won't admit it).

  • Muddy pulls into the pit lane at Silverstone Interactive Museum

    This cutting-edge, interactive museum takes pole position for petrol heads, history geeks, budding engineers and designers alike.

  • Half term thrillers

    Halloween's around the corner and soon your little ghouls will be off school for endless days. But fear not, Northants is bursting with fun activities and things to do to keep the kids happy this half term. It'll be a scream. Mwahahahaha!

  • Pitsford School, Pitsford

    A hidden gem in a bucolic village setting. Strong academic results are supported by outstanding pastoral care at this small and nurturing school.

  • Rockingham Castle Outdoor Cinema Greatest Showman Grease Northants Muddy Stilettos

    Man the forts! The best castles within 90 minutes

    Ready for a right royal day out? We've rounded up 12 of the coolest castles in Northants and beyond. Tiara at the ready, let's go!

  • 6 of the best museums and galleries in Northants

    Fancy a culture injection? Whether you're flying solo or desperate to keep the kids entertained this summer, check out these brilliant Northants museums for some highbrow entertainment.

  • Does the world need another online school?

    Pearson Online Academy UK Global thinks so! With the launch of the educational behemoth's founding school in September, Muddy gets the lowdown from Principal Jo Vigneron

  • Their words: what kids really think of online school

    What if you're too scared to put your hand up in class, too exhausted to get out of bed, struggle with SEN, or too busy playing golf? Four kids explain why they made the switch and what they think of life at InterHigh, an online school.

  • May’s top releases for Children’s Book Week

    It's Children's Book Week! Need some new reading material for your little bookbugs? These seven new releases should have them captivated (and quiet).

  • The 7 questions everyone asks about online schools

    Where does the social side, sport and extra-curricular come in to virtual education, and what about a timetable and exams? We tackle the big questions about online schools

  • Half-term hack: the best online courses for kids

    Run out of ways to entertain the kiddos? Check out Muddy's list of the best online classes and workshops that you can do from anywhere across the country, just in time for half-term.

  • Harrow School online – your prayers answered?

    Combining Harrow's heritage with leading online tech, Harrow School Online offers co-ed learning for ages 16-18. We spoke to the new head for the full lowdown.

  • FREE specialist fitness class for tweens and teens

    The brilliant online FitLife Academy focuses on fun classes for 10-15 year olds. Try for free and, if they like it, use our Muddy exclusive deal to keep them active (and out of your hair) all month!

  • Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons

    Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.

  • How to help your kids get the careers they want

    It’s never been tougher for young people to find a foothold on the labour market so how, as parents, can we help them get ahead?

  • 6 reasons to consider InterHigh

    If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.

  • 10 of the best subscription boxes for kids

    Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.

  • How to manage back-to-school anxiety

    With the nation’s schoolchildren poised to go back to school, it’s a tense time for everyone. So, how, as parents, should we control our fears? Muddy finds out.

  • Children's books

    10 books for younger kids

    Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.

  • Is it time to try an online school?

    With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, specialist ‘virtual’ schools are gaining huge traction - but what do they offer that’s different?

  • Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results

    Earlier this month we commissioned our own comprehensive survey amongst Muddy readers into Lockdown Learning – and we’ve been blown away by the response! Thank you to the 1200 of you who expressed how you felt about virtual-schooling, the difficulties you and your children were facing, as well as revealing surprise success stories and offering […]

  • Kids driving you nuts? The best parenting books

    And we all thought parenting was hard BEFORE lockdown. Jeez! We've got five brilliant new books that promise to help.

  • Living in lockdown with teens – eek!

    Here are 20 things to do that might encourage your teenagers to get out of bed by midday – or at the very least by least by nightfall (fingers crossed).

  • 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.

  • Easter activities SORTED!

    Are you in Half-Term recovery mode? Now the kids are back at school (praise be), plan for an easier Easter with Barracudas Activity Day Camps – I reckon your ankle-biters will love it.

  • J’adore/ J’abhor

    Parlez-vous teen slang? The language barrier has always been a problem when it comes to parent/child communications. Do you find the way your little darlings speak totally basic or, like, lit?

  • Your ultimate Autumn Walks guide

    Grab your kids, your besties, your dog and anyone else who is free to join you on our first Autumn Walks initiative with Joules - and win coats and wellies for the whole family!

Reader Treats Just For You!