Muddy Stilettos Hampshire

The urban guide to the countryside -

Well, hello!

I'm Danielle, editor of Muddy Hampshire & Isle of Wight, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Property FlirtOff to the Island we go with this gorgeous Regency period home in Bembridge. It's got plenty of chocolate box charm AND Oscar connections but, the big question is, how much does it cost?
Cheap EatsHungry but don't want to pay the earth for a good meal? We've rounded up ten of the best places to grab some food on the cheap, cheap, cheap!
Retro CuriousWe're going old school with 10 top spots in Hants & IoW to find retro trinkets, nostalgic treasures and...err, cups of tea.
Property FlirtHellooooo, Property Flirt! It's time to check out another des-res from the local area and guess the price.
Is it getting hot in here?Apply a cold compress and loosen that corset! It's historical hunk time in film and telly (well, hello, Rufus Sewell!), with three new sizzling period dramas to look forward to.

Fri 21 - Sun 23 Feb

Mon 17 - Sun 23 Feb

February 2020

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

12 Places to Eat Yourself Slim

Still managing to stick to your healthy eating? Bravo! Let us assist your success with these top Hants & IoW ‘skinny’ places for guilt-free piggery.
- What’s all the Hubbub?
  
  Cornish indie burger joint, Hubbox, has broken rank and plonked its latest location right here in Hampshire.
- Cambium, Brockenhurst
  
  Cambium is the New Forest inspired eatery located at Careys Manor Hotel. Muddy's Robyn whizzed off to Brockenhurst to eat her way through the menu.
- Winter Walks
  
  Need to stretch your legs and work off any indulgence? Then boot up and head out with six glorious strolls around the counties.
- Well, this is Havenly….
  
  Attention all you relaxed dining fans! It's all about spectacular seafood, marvellous marina views and family-friendly vibes at The Haven, Lymington.

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.

Holiday planning? 10 European-style staycations

Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel.
- Planning a Cornwall escape?
  
  Then head for these five stunning parts of this corker of a county, all with gorgeous rental properties nearby.
- Call me Cupid! 46 romantic stays across the Muddy counties
  
  In the mood for love? Of course you are, pussy cat! Here, allow us to assist with the rumpy pumpy with 46 romantic boltholes across the Muddy counties.

4 new season trends to try (and one to avoid)

The high street is awash with new spring/summer goodies. Overwhelmed? Here’s our pick of the new trends worth exploring – and how to wear them.
- 3 new online bridal collections
  
  Here comes the bride... and she's got next-day delivery! First time collections from the likes of Matches, Kitri and even the recently revitalised Warehouse.
- Dotty about polka dots
  
  We're going dotty over the return of an old favourite print - welcome back, polka dot!

The 5 best books out February

Muddy’s pro bookworm Kerry Potter has got five Feb fancies for your delectation. Read all about ’em!
- This month’s best new reads
  
  What kind of insaniac leaves the house in January? Retire to the sofa pronto and get stuck into one of pro bookworm Kerry Potter's enthralling new literary picks.
- Book now! The 2020 cultural picks you must not miss
  
  There's a ridiculous amount of amazing art, books, film, TV, music and theatre landing this year. Muddy's culture vulture Kerry Potter picks out the best of the bunch.

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 a whopping two grand (yes, you read it right) to give you the boost you need. Win it here.
Kids
- Castle Court Prep, Wimborne
  
  This Dorset co-ed day school, located right on the Hampshire border, caters for 2-13-year-olds in its beautiful 60-acre setting.
- Bedales Nursery & Pre-Prep, Dunannie and Bedales Prep, Dunhurst
  
  Muddy says: A pre-prep and prep unlike any other. Part of the famous Bedales, Dunannie and Dunhurst both encourage students to be free-thinkers, strong team players, all while bolstered with incredibly strong academics.

Muddy meets… Josie Long

We caught up with (we reckon) the most positive comedian in the business about motherhood, MasterChef, making people laugh and her new tour, Tender.
- Muddy meets… Caroline French
  
  Being in charge of a two-century-old shoe shop, W.J.French & Son, has got to come with some major footwear perks. We caught up with the toe-tapping Caroline French to talk perfect shoes, broken bones and , of course, gin.
- Where Annabelle goes….
  
  Top solicitor, charity advocate and a bit of a cake fan, Muddy catches up with the incredibly glam and altruistic, Annabelle Vaughan of Coffin Mew.