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

Winner's Drinks, Muddy Awards 2019
John's House RestaurantA few phone calls and a six month waiting list later, I finally made it to Leicestershire's only Michelin-starred restaurant...but was it worth the wait?
Unmissable outdoor cinema and theatre

FRI 28 JUNE - SUN 30 JUNE 2019

MON 24 JUNE - FRI 28 JUNE

JUNE 2019.

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

John’s House Restaurant

A few phone calls and a six month waiting list later, I finally made it to Leicestershire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant…but was it worth the wait?
- No 44 on the Waterside, The Arden
  
  Muddy heads for a working lunch of sharing small plates at the recently refurbished brasserie of this boutique hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon with river views.
- The 30 best local artisan gins
  
  The 30 best artisan gins across the Muddy counties - rack them up, throw in some Juniper berries...
- Sanctua, Leicester’s first-ever fully vegan restaurant
  
  A plant based menu, clean eating, wonky veg - are you serious? Yes we are and it totally rocks!
- The Pear Tree Inn
  
  This lively restaurant in the posh village of Woodhouse Eaves had a complete facelift and re-hauled its entire menu last year. We finally made it down to see if it still has Muddy's seal of approval.

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.

40 Quirky Stays for Summer

Fancy an escape that’s a leetle bit different? 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. Book in once you’ve taken your jaw off the floor.
- St Ives – the dreamiest staycation in the UK
  
  As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. OK, not really. What I did meet with though was a whole lot of FUN! Here's six reasons why you should take a trip to the Cornish coast this summer.
- A cool Cornish hotel – without the crowds
  
  The Polurrian on the Lizard has had a style makeover - and then some. Fancy winning a 3 night £1800 stay at Cornwall's best kept secret?

Green is the new black: Sustainable and stylish summer essentials

Ethical fashion; sustainable fashion; slow fashion, whatever you want to call it, rock the best summer wardrobe without feeling guilty this season.
- 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...
- First time fashion
  
  Ready for an adventure? Us too! At Muddy we’ve committed to new experiences this summer (both cultural and clothes related, natch).

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.
- Unmissable outdoor cinema and theatre
  
  From magnificent castles, gorgeous gardens and historical ruins, the best spots to enjoy some...
- Need a brilliant new read?
  
  A stunning debut novel, a futuristic thriller and an exquisite memoir are among the books we've picked out for marvellous May!
- Everyone’s talking about… The Guilty Feminist
  
  Love the podcast? Good news - its creator is coming to De Montfort Hall this month. We grabbed super-talented comedian Deborah Francis-White for a chinwag.

Sexy stationery

Stationery is one of my specialist subjects. And – whoop! – it’s National Stationery Week. Check out this sexy lot. Hubba bubba!
- Speedy prawn paella
  
  Fancy a fuss free but flavoursome dinner tonight? Ding ding ding! You have yourself a winner right here. Try this ridiculously easy paella recipe and you may even impress yourself.
- READY TO GET CRAFTY?
  
  Forget its naff '70s connotations, macramé is a big news in interiors and fashion this summer....
Wellbeing
- It’s all about URimage
  
  Botox and fillers not your bag? Then make a beeline for this new treatment centre that offers bespoke monthly, beauty, skin and health packages. Form an orderly queue ladies (and gents), for one of the best beauty offerings in town.
- Get your glow back with the Facial Fairy
  
  Get your skin looking its best. Muddy's found the perfect facial to put a spring in your step.

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
- Gotta Have It
  
  Is there a new little prince or princess in your family too? Click this way for the cutest...
- How Food Shapes Your Child
  
  What you feed your kids shapes how they'll eat for the rest of their lives so get them into good eating habits.

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...
- 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.