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

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

A cocktail, and make it snappy!
Snowdrops everywhere!They're coming out! The loveliest places to catch winter snowdrops across Leicestershire and Rutland and beyond over the next few weeks.
Bloomin' gorgeous, The Loquacious BakerPretty as a picture - this little coffee shop in Burbage is all style and plenty of substance.

FRI 22 FEB - SUN 24 FEB 2019

MON 18 FEB - FRI 22 FEB 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Bloomin’ gorgeous, The Loquacious Baker

Pretty as a picture – this gorgeous little coffee shop in Burbage is all style and plenty of substance.
- 31 Below, Marylebone
  
  You can keep Oxford, Bond and Kensington - it's Marylebone High Street and its new watering hole, 31 Below, all the way for me!
- Muddy Eats: Paris House, Woburn
  
  Elegance, class, sophistication...no, we're not talking about ourselves! The Michelin recommended Paris House across the border in Woburn, Bedfordshire aces fine dining.
- On the Waterfront
  
  The Encore overlooking the River Avon in historic Stratford-upon-Avon has just reopened after...
- The cosiest pubs with fires
  
  Come in from the cold, snuggle up and enjoy a pub lunch or pint in one of these delightful...

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Hampshire hotel hotty

Shall we count the ways we love you Chewton Glen? Nah, we’ll be here for days.. Instead, here’s what you need to know about this coastal classic spa and hotel destination.
- Hot travel destinations for 2019
  
  From once-in-a-lifetime dream destinations to cultural hotspots - the best places to visit this year.
- Muddy’s guide to skiing essentials
  
  Considering heading out on your first-ever ski holiday? Well before you slalom and schuss, you may want to consider packing these clothing essentials.

The best sports gear for 2019

Finding it hard to kickstart that hardcore new exercise regime? Buy some slinky new kit and you’ll be sprinting around the park faster than Mo Farah (possibly).
- Something for the little ones
  
  Our fashion favourite Cos is launching babywear this week - and we've gone gaga for it. Behold the cuteness!
- The really wild show
  
  On the prowl for this season's hottest print? Leopard is a cult classic given an AW18 reboot. Enter the fashion jungle for Muddy purrrfect picks.

Alternative Valentine’s Day ideas you will lurrrrve!

Not the romantic type? Here’s Muddy’s top 10 offbeat picks for Valentine’s Day fun that won’t make you cringe.
- Read these! February’s best new books
  
  Dust off your Kindle and let's hunker down with a compelling new book. Cue February's must-read tomes.
- Your 2019 culture planner
  
  Get yer diary out for Muddys curated guide to the best TV, music, theatre, film, books and art of the year.
- Painting and prosecco
  
  Want to try something different this new year? Fancy yourself as a bit of a Picasso and have a penchant for prosecco? This could be the class that kicks off your new year.
- Leicester’s new, stylish hotspot
  
  Blink and you may miss it, but the Queen Victoria Arts Club is definitely worth a second look. We take a tour of this gorgeous new venue slap bang in the heart of the city's Cultural Quarter.

Race you to the stove

A speedy supper with excellent health credentials? Bring out this easy-peasy spinach and chickpea curry pronto, garçon.
- MIXED VEGGIE BUDDHA’S DELIGHT
  
  This tasty veggie bowl is chock-full of fresh, tasty ingredients so expect a flavour explosion with every single bite.
- Speedy Supper: Prawn Laska
  
  Healthy, hearty and faster than Dina Asher Smith with jet propellers, what's not to love about this Prawn Laksa. Ready to try it at home?
Wellbeing
- The best sports gear for 2019
  
  Finding it hard to kickstart that hardcore new exercise regime? Buy some slinky new kit and...
- Are you sober curious?
  
  Doing Dry January or merely cutting down? We're all re-examining our relationship with alcohol. Could "sober curious" be for you?

Wanna work for Muddy?

Muddy Leicestershire and Rutland is looking for a brilliant intern! Could this be you or someone you know?
- Worklife need a reboot?
  
  Job doing your head in? Or maybe it's lack of job that's the problem? Our careers agony aunt...
- Find your ideal job
  
  There's more to life than a college education, doncha know. Muddy investigates some excellent...
Kids
- Half term saviours!
  
  Grab your mixing bowl and stirring spoon and let's have some fun fun fun this half term!
- Grace Dieu Manor School
  
  Muddy says: A friendly but forward-thinking co-ed independent day school taking kids from 12 weeks - 11 yrs, set in 120 acres of lush Leicestershire greenery.

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 in Leicestershire for 12 years now and reveals her fave places to shop, drink, eat and enjoy with the family.
- Muddy makes the Daily Mail!
  
  The 50 most inspirational women in the UK - Keeley Hawes, Dina Asher-Smith, Thomasina Miers,...
- Artist Kirsteen Thomson
  
  Wild card on Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year 2018, artist Kirsteen Thomson tells us about some fabulous places she's stumbled on locally and during her painting travels.
- Muddy makes the glossies!
  
  Our ed-in-chief Hero Brown on being a centre-fold pin-up in Psychologies magazine - alongside...
- Meet Leicester’s most stylish lady
  
  When it comes to fashion, Sukhina Garcia has got it nailed. She runs ladies boutique, Betty Brown which grabbed the gong for Best Women's Store in the Muddy Stiletto Awards 2018.