The urban guide to the countryside -

Well, hello!

I'm Keya, editor of Muddy Leics & Rutland, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

Gotta Have It

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

SUPERFLASHY NEWSFLASH!Hip new happenings in Leicester's gorgeous Stoneygate area - here's why you need to head there now! You heard it here first...
46 stunning summer pubsFancy sipping a cold one in a pretty al fresco pub setting with friends or fam? Here are the best of the bunch across all the Muddy counties. Cheers!

FRI 23 AUG - SUN 25 AUG

MON 19 AUG - FRI 23 AUG

AUGUST 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Book now: Best autumn pudding and supper clubs

Fancy something a little different than your local pub? Then take a peek at these awesome foodie joints popping up over Leicestershire and Rutland this autumn.
- Muddy refuels at Hercules Revived
  
  This independently run, relaxed, grown-up pub/restaurant close to Market Bosworth is well worth making the journey for.
- The best brunch in town
  
  The most lipsmackingly indulgent meal of the day and we have 47 of the best ones to tempt you with, from vegan to full English, flat white to green detox. Just add friends and a hangover.
- Muddy Eats: Tamatanga
  
  Like your Indian food, fresh, flavoursome and fast? Tamatanga is the perfect place for you.
- Indian Summer
  
  Looks like Leicester is set to have an Indian summer and we don't mean the weather! We're talking about the Indian food invasion that's hitting our shores and coming faster than your freshly baked chapati.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

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

UP UP AND AWAY

A chic, sexy, stylish… suitcase? Yep, really. Meet the cult luggage brand that’s flying high this summer. Check it out before you check it in.
- Glamping at Ettie’s Field
  
  Our first over-nighter glamping experience in an Airstream or should I say 'glamper-vanning'. Find out if it was as fun as it sounds.
- 40 Quirky Stays for Summer
  
  From yurts to lodges, shepherd's huts to helicopters (not even joking!), the Muddy editors have pulled together the most charming, unusual escapes across 21 counties. Enjoy!

In all your Finery

Need a summer party frock? This under-the-radar label majors in cool dresses and jumpsuits. We’ve got £500 worth of Finery goodies up for grabs for 10 lucky Muddy readers – that’s £5k worth of foxy fashion! (Sorry! This competition has closed.)
- Green is the new black: Sustainable and stylish summer essentials
  
  Ethical fashion; sustainable fashion; slow fashion, whatever you want to call it, rock the...
- Dingle dangle delights
  
  When the high street can't cut it for gorgeous, glam jewellery, just head to Just Jules. Take these beauties for example...

AUTUMN CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

Say so long to summer and get ready for an exciting new season. Here’s the start of our Autumn round-up to wet your whistle…
- The top 10 books of the summer
  
  Don’t pack your suitcase or load up your Kindle until you’ve read this! We’ve picked...
- A review of Belvoir Castle
  
  Muddy makes like Queen Vic and spends a day living like royalty in Belvoir Castle - well sort of...
- The books you MUST read this summer
  
  June's best new books are a corking bunch, including Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert's breathtaking new novel.
- Eat and drink your way through these foodie festivals
  
  Consider yourself a foodie? Partial to a glass of gin? Then check out this year's top-notch local food and drink festivals. There's plenty to choose from over the next few months.

Lush living

Corrr blimey – how can I get my living room to look like that? Walnut shelving, herringbone oak parquet floor, a bespoke sofa…
- Waitrose gin tasting? We’re in!
  
  Brand new, this service from Waitrose combines our favourite things - gin, friends and hanging out at home. See how Muddy's Ed-in-Chief, Hero Brown, got on and book up pronto this summer, it's a blast!
- Love interiors and art?
  
  I've got my eye on this gorgeous graphic cushion, part of Habitat's new collaboration with...
Wellbeing
- Hypnotise your way to happiness
  
  Ever heard of hypnosis? And I don't mean the kind that makes you do whacky things like on telly. I recently had a few sessions to help reduce my stress levels, working-mum anxiety (the struggle is real) and more. Check out if it worked...
- Run for the hills!
  
  Actually don't just yet - let me tell about these brilliantly inspiring running books first.

5 killer tips for better work/life balance

The juggle is real – and not going anywhere – so how the hell can we get it right?! Let’s ask the work/life balance experts for some help.
- Wanna work for Muddy?
  
  Muddy Leicestershire and Rutland is looking for a brilliant intern! Could this be you or someone...
- Worklife need a reboot?
  
  Job doing your head in? Or maybe it's lack of job that's the problem? Our careers agony aunt...
Kids
- FREE summer fun for the kids
  
  Did someone say FREE? Yes indeed! I've done the hard work for you - a whole load of free activities for the kids to get involved in this month.
- COOL DOWN IN THE BEST LIDOS, SPLASH PARKS AND MORE
  
  Hey hot stuff. Feeling a bit sweaty? Do the kids need to cool down too? No probs, here's our pick of the best spots to cool down in. Just don't forget the sun lotion.

Creative and talented

Full-time sign writer and hand lettering enthusiast, Lorna Dunn has worked with tonnes of fab indie businesses which means she knows some of the best places locally so it was a no-brainer to ask her all about them…
- Meet Tamsin Winter
  
  Local author Tamsin Winter discusses her new book, why it's not a good idea to run in 40 degree heat and how she's survives without a TV!
- Meet fab florist, Amanda Steele
  
  Amanda Steele has been frolicking with flowers for as long as she can remember it's no wonder that her amazing handiwork work has been featured all over the world. Here we find out where she likes to hang out locally in Rutland.
- Where does a Michelin trained chef like to eat?
  
  Born and raised in Leicestershire, Bee Patel's worked her way through some of the UK's best...
- Where does interior designer Nicky Keen like to unwind?
  
  Design and decor guru, Nicky Keen loves transforming houses in to unique homes. She's lived...