The urban guide to the countryside -

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Well, hello!

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

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Gotta Have It

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!)

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

12 self-catering stays in Hants and the Isle of WightWho needs to go abroad with stays like this on our doorstep? If you're looking for a stylish self-catering escape close to home for when lockdown lifts, read on.
Top tips on love in a Corona climateThe confinement we're experiencing right now can make even the most rock-solid of relationships creak. Read on for our expert guide on how to keep love (and lust) going.
How to support the businesses you 💕 love 💕My round up of who's open for business and how you can help - let me know if I've missed off anyone!
House swap - what will £500,000 get you?Nothing like a lockdown to make you appreciate your home - or make you want to move when it gets lifted. So what will £500,000 buy you across the Muddy counties?
6 of the best local ginsIn times of need - yep, like right now! - we turn to gin. These delicious local tipples should take the edge off your night in.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The Crown at Arford

Fawn Interiors

aBar Bistro

The Sleepy Teepee Party

Richmond House Beauty

The Watership Down Inn, Freefolk

New Park Manor, Brockenhurst

The Pig on the beach

The Pig, Brockenhurst

The Pig in the wall

Amelfi Cushions

Hattingley Valley Wines

Eat View more
Provençal fougasse with green and black olives

Lockdown is the perfect time to get to grips with everyone’s favourite chewy loaf: sourdough. Put your baking skills to the test with this savoury share-and-tear number (you can skip the sharing bit if you like).
- Speedy supper, anyone? Make THIS tonight
  
  Looking for healthy dinner ideas - take inspiration from Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock for a meal that's quick, tasty and packed with protein.
- 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 to the most useful and inspiring cookbooks for spring. Yes, chef!
- Recipe: Easy peasy midweek meal
  
  Stuck for a midweek meal that you can sling in the oven while you enjoy a glass of vino? Your wish is our command. Sausage and veg bake coming right up.
- Cook THIS for dinner tonight
  
  Running out of ideas for midweek meals? Yup, us too. Take inspiration from the hottest new cookbook on the block by pop star Jessie Ware. Yum!

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Arts & Culture View more
20 rom-com classics blokes will love!

Looking for a date night movie? Suggesting a rom com to a man is like offering garlic bread to a vampire. But we’ve found 20 will-watch films to cosy up to.
- What’s in – the best bits online this week
  
  Give me a B. Give me an O. Give me an R. Give me a E... you get the picture. Put an end to boredom with my new Muddy guide to all the fun stuff to do and stream at home.
- 24 throwback films to watch with your kids
  
  Time to stage an intervention! Sick of hearing your kids' shows on repeat? Free the remote from their clutches and settle in for a fabulously retro family film night.

Home View more
- House swap: what does £250k get you?
  
  £250k for a house? You betcha! If that mortgage is feeling like a millstone, take a peek at these properties across the Muddy counties and start mentally moving in ASAP.
Wellbeing
- Review: Facial reflexology in Lymington
  
  You've heard about reflexology for your feet - so what wonders could it work on your face?...
- 8 of the best… bras for running
  
  Running the one thing keeping you sane? Just for you we've rounded up (er, excuse the pun) the best high support running bras - all perfect for your daily exercise hit.

Work View more
How to support the businesses you 💕 love 💕

My round up of who’s open for business and how you can help – let me know if I’ve missed off anyone!
Kids
- How to keep kids learning in lockdown
  
  It’s tricky enough for adults to stay motivated right now, but how on earth do you keep your kids positive, bright and ready to learn? The Headmaster of Embley in Romsey gives some great advice.
- Durlston Court Preparatory School
  
  This small co-ed prep school near the Dorset border has a real family feel, excellent academic results and even has its very own ceramics studio.

Fashion View more
Hot new swimwear for summer

Sunbathing is my specialist subject and the weather’s hotting up. Check out the Muddy edit of must have swimwear to suit every shape and 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.
- The Devil wears joggers!
  
  Sofa style! Joggers are firmly in vogue - just ask Anna Wintour. Here's our edit of the best to buy now for ultimate cool comfort at home.

Beauty View more
- 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!)
- Greys, begone! 5 root touch-ups
  
  Step away from the home dye and try one of these fast, effective and affordable root touch up kits to get rid of your greys (and stay in your hairdresser's good books).

People View more
Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer

He’s worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands – raising money for the NHS in association with theatres like The North Wall. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.
- Muddy meets… Olivia Burt
  
  We catch up with the 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist to find out her backstage goss, favourite dishes and top spots to eat in London.

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
12 self-catering stays in Hants and the Isle of Wight

Who needs to go abroad with stays like this on our doorstep? If you’re looking for a stylish self-catering escape close to home for when lockdown lifts, read on.
- Restaurants with rooms
  
  Dreaming of a foodie getaway? We've scoured the Muddy counties for hotel stays with serious culinary credentials for when lock-down lifts. Tuck in.
- 10 European-style staycations
  
  Love a continental jaunt but staying in Blighty this year? These 10 UK holiday spots have a distinctly European feel - can you guess where this is?