The urban guide to the countryside -

Leics & Rutland

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

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 you finally manage to get that much-needed hair appt.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

10 brilliant post-lockdown pub gardensPubs are open and just in time for the sun this weekend! Here are the best pub gardens to enjoy a socially-distanced meal and drinks across Leicestershire, Rutland and those who live beyond the city's lockdown area. Cheers!
Culture vulture: My July hitlistMissing the theatre and live venues? OMG, me too. Until normal service resumes for the arts world (your guess is as good as mine), here's my personal culture planner for July - podcasts, books, music and theatre. I'll budge up on the sofa, come and join me.
Cool drive-in cinemasWe've cherry picked 8 of the best near Leicestershire and Rutland which you can still visit after the city's lockdown ends. Tell me about it, stud!
The Muddy insider guide to NorfolkSumer 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!).
Get up and get out - where to go post lockdown!

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The Stag and Hounds

Simon Cawthorne

The Dog House, Leicester

Nada, Zero Waste Leicester

Restore Therapies

Manor Farm Cookery School

Just Jules

LolaWood

Brentingby Gin

Made Gallery, Uppingham

Goldmark Gallery

Don Paddy's

Eat View more
10 brilliant post-lockdown pub gardens

Pubs are open and just in time for the sun this weekend! Here are the best pub gardens to enjoy a socially-distanced meal and drinks across Leicestershire, Rutland and those who live beyond the city’s lockdown area. Cheers!
- Recipe inspiration, courtesy of Giffords Circus (yes, really!)
  
  Roll up, roll up! ... Put some razzle-dazzle back into mealtime monotony with a double whammy...
- Orton’s Brasserie brunch
  
  Ahhh brunch! That delicious time of day when you can eat a meal between breakfast and lunch and not feel guilty about it. But just because you can't go out to eat, doesn't mean you can't enjoy a perfectly presented, piping hot meal delivered straight to you door. We review brunch from this new restaurant.
- Provençal fougasse with green and black olives
  
  Lockdown is the perfect time to get to grips with our favourite chewy loaf: sourdough. Ready, set, bake with this savoury share-and-tear number (you can skip the sharing bit if you like).
- Ready, set, cook! 8 new cookbooks for spring
  
  Looking to up your cooking creds whilst in quarantine? Then you'll be needing our curated guide...

Instamuddy

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Arts & Culture View more
What to watch online this week

Your 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.
- Culture vulture: My July hitlist
  
  Missing the theatre and live venues? OMG, me too. Until normal service resumes for the arts world (your guess is as good as mine), here's my personal culture planner for July - podcasts, books, music and theatre. I'll budge up on the sofa, come and join me.
- Staying in saviour – what to stream and what’s on
  
  If the sofa is your No.1 destination this week (rain, rain go away!) then you'll be needing...
- Cool drive-in cinemas
  
  We've cherry picked 8 of the best near Leicestershire and Rutland. Tell me about it, stud!
- Staying in? Here’s what’s on
  
  FOOD Soft Touch Arts are running a week of virtual cookery classes celebrating world cuisine....

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.
- House swap: what does £600k get you?
  
  Lockdown living giving you the itch to up sticks and move? Here's what £600k can get you around...
- Speedy supper, anyone? Make THIS tonight
  
  Looking for healthy dinner ideas - take inspiration from Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock for a...
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!

Work View more
Win £2000 to kickstart your business dreams

Have a brilliant business that needs a helping hand? We’ve teamed up with business banking alternative, Tide, to offer two grand to give you the boost you need. Competition now closed.
- We’re hiring!
  
  Based in Leicestershire, proud to be a local and want to work for fantabulous lifestyle platform Muddy Stilettos? You’re in the right place if you're a cool, confident and experienced commercial bod.
- 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...
Kids
- Get up and get out – where to go post lockdown!
  
  As lockdown is slowly easing, it’s the best time to soak up the summer and explore your...
- 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?

Fashion View more
6 pairs of trainers for racking up miles

Whether you’ve rediscovered your love of running during lockdown, or just wanted an excuse to escape the house (guilty!), it’s essential to have right kit. Try on these for size.
- Sunglasses to suit your face shape
  
  The weather's perked up - time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don't sit on them.
- Lockdown loungewear
  
  PJs that give you a better night's sleep, help save the planet, support a local business, and...

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 you finally manage to get that much-needed hair appt.
- 5 chic hand sanitisers (that aren’t sold out)
  
  Quit fighting over the last bottle of hand sanitiser in the supermarket and opt for one of these trendy, in-stock options instead (oh yeah, and we have a bunch to give away!)

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...

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
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!
- The Muddy insider guide to The Cotswolds
  
  Prepping for a staycay this summer? Our curated guide to The Cotswolds is packed with our-in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add sandals and sunshine. PLUS read on for £2,888 of sultry summer goodies to give away).