Spotlight

What's on DECEMBERNot all Christmas events are cancelled. Here's my curated guide on what to do during the festive month of December including where to see Santa.
Christmas pop-up cinema nights to book nowLove a good festive film but fed up of being stuck indoors? Good news then that you can book tickets to one of these Christmas drive-in cinemas events.
Christmas SORTED! The best farm shops for festive food and moreFrom turkeys to trees, the best farm and food shops across Leicestershire and Rutland to help get your Christmas sorted. #supportsmalllocal
5 cracking Christmas DIY wreath kits to order nowThese local florists are offering DIY Christmas wreath-making kits to order so you can still dress your door with as much festive fabulousness as you want.
Things to do during the November lockdownThe calendar for November is looking a little bare but there's there's still plenty to keep us entertained from comedy to culture, Diwali and macaron cookery classes and where to order your locktails.

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

Forget subtle sparkle and colour co-ordination - this year we're embracing kitsch and dressing our Christmas trees with the most bonkers baubles we can find! Which is your favourite?

The UK’s most creative and unique independent shops, makers and producers local to you.

Shop Now

Little Black Book

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

John's House Restaurant

Let's Get Lost Leicester

The Jam Garden, Loughborough

The Stag and Hounds, Burrough on the Hill

Simon Cawthorne

The Dog House, Leicester

Nada, Zero Waste Leicester

Restore Therapies

Manor Farm Cookery School

Just Jules

LolaWood

Brentingby Gin

Eat View more
Christmas SORTED! The best farm shops for festive food and more

From turkeys to trees, hampers, festive cheese and more, here’s my pick of the best farm and food shops across Leicestershire and Rutland to help get your Christmas sorted. #supportsmalllocal
- Best ever fish and chips from The Hand & Flowers
  
  Fancy whipping up a double Michelin-starred chippie tea? Let Tom Kerridge show you how, courtesy of the brand new The Hand & Flowers Cookbook.
- Tasty takeaways to tuck into
  
  Just like that my birthday plans go out the window. Instead, I'll be staying home and tucking into one of these tasty takeaways. Can I tempt you too?
- 40 of the best indie coffee roasters
  
  Can't function without your morning brew? Try one of these delicious artisan blends from indie coffee roasters to kickstart your day.
- 4 cosy outdoor dining spots
  
  Cosy doesn’t have to mean hiding away indoors. Here are some brilliantly snug places to spend chilly but beautiful autumn/winter nights outdoors.

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
What’s on TV: this week’s home entertainment

With a new month comes new TV shows and films to sink your teeth into! From documentaries to festive flicks, here’s what Muddy is watching this week.
- What’s on DECEMBER
  
  Not all Christmas events are cancelled. Here's my curated guide on what to do during the festive month of December including where to see Santa.
- Christmas pop-up cinema nights to book now
  
  Love a good festive film but fed up of being stuck indoors? Good news then that you can book tickets to one of these Christmas drive-in cinemas events.
- 6 things to try this weekend
  
  Need to fill the void since the end of Bake Off? Try this festive baking show plus, lots more to try and do in my curated weekly guide including Leicester's first virtual Print Festival.
- 5 cracking Christmas DIY wreath kits to order now
  
  These local florists are offering DIY Christmas wreath-making kits to order so you can still dress your door with as much festive fabulousness as you want.

Home View more
- Bonkers baubles for your Christmas tree
  
  Forget subtle sparkle and colour co-ordination – this year we’re embracing kitsch and dressing our Christmas trees with the most bonkers baubles we can find! Which is your favourite?
Wellbeing
- Worried about CV Lockdown?
  
  We've chatted to experts at Age Space to get some practical advice if your parents are over...
- Working (out) from home: 5 on-demand exercise classes
  
  Tear your eyes away from Netflix and get moving with these streaming fitness classes. No excuses now!

Travel View more
Muddy-approved attractions in Leicestershire

From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of must-sees in the county.
- Muddy approved attractions in Rutland
  
  From the must-see hot spots in England's smallest county to cool insider alternatives, here's the most unmissable attractions in Rutland.
- Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of Wight
  
  This sunny little Island may be small in stature but it's packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We've got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.

Work View more
Ready, steady… SHOP INDIE!

You want to ‘shop small’ but lockdown is making it tricky. Not on my watch! Our latest launch, The Indie Store, is all about supporting brilliant local retail, and here’s how you can help too.
- Is it time to start your own business?
  
  2020 has forced us to radically rethink our careers, goals and dreams. Muddy meets four women who made the leap and started their own businesses during Covid.
- Which entrepreneur won Tide’s £2000 helping hand?
  
  Thanks for asking! Say hello to Jade and her delicious bakery business and find out how the money has helped her boost her business to the next level.
Kids
- 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.
- Boo! 14 Halloween films for kids
  
  Halloween films that will scare not scar your kids for life, including brand new release The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway – available to stream right now.

Fashion View more
Cosy treats for dark days

It’s cold, drizzly and dark at 5pm so it’s time to up the comfort factor with these must-have items for days indoors, including plenty of opportunities to #supportlocal.
- Autumn’s comfiest fashion trendg
  
  With luxe fabrics, funky designs and cool silhouettes, cardigans have never been cooler. Here are seven of our favourite online buys to add to your autumn wardrobe.
- New season jumpsuits to buy now
  
  Chic, comfy and transitional - the jumpsuit is a must-have staple in your summer/autumn wardrobe. Shall we go shopping?

Beauty View more
- How to give yourself a DIY facial at home
  
  With salons closed until December, we're retreating to our own bathrooms for a stress-busting DIY facial treatment. Fluffy white robe and cucumber slices optional.
- New nail polish colours for Autumn
  
  Ditch the neon brights and pretty pastels and get dark and daring for the change in season. Here are the brand new nail polishes we'll be picking up for our at-home mani.

People View more
Muddy meets… Melissa Hemsley

It turns out the healthy cooking queen has culinary disasters too! Melissa spills the beans (then whips them up into a tasty frittata) on burnt pans, how to waste less food and keeping an endless supply of cookie dough in the freezer.
- WONDER WOMEN
  
  To celebrate International Women's Day on Sun 8 March, Muddy is shining the spotlight on some of our favourite trail-blazing, commotion-causing women from the creative industries.
- Muddy has a laugh with comedian Sarah Johnson
  
  Muddy chats to the funny lady about why she turned down the chance to act, how she gets her kids involved in comedy and her new show.
- GBBO contestant, Priya O’Shea
  
  We're chuffed that she's repping Leicester on this year's series of The Great British Bake Off. Here's everything you need to know about the amateur baker.
- 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...