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.

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!Dry January is over, and to celebrate, we've collated the best bars across the Muddy counties. Drink up!
Your Cheeky Weekend ChecklistLove is in the air and with our Muddy curated checklist, you'll be feeling amorous in no time.
Half-Term Survival GuideHere's your Muddy guide to surviving the February half-term with activities, clubs and events to see you through the week.
Best Roast Round-UpNothing beats a good roast dinner so we've rounded up spots with fab food and great views to spend your Sunday lunchtime.
Natural skincare + bio-active science = RESULTSTwo sisters, one multi-award winning beauty brand and - oh hello - 10 Balance Me bundles worth a total of £1200 to give away!
Cosy toes getawayThis old coach house serves up excellent gastropub food with a super snuggly vibe - perfect for a weekend retreat.
Highfield and Brookham Schools, LiphookMuddy says: This pre-prep and prep school offers a whopping 175 acres of space for kids to run around in while they excel academically.

Fri 15 - Sun 17 Feb

Mon 11 - Sun 17 Feb

February 2019

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Super perfecto

Is it the New Forest or Little Italy? Ray’s Italian Kitchen in Milford-on-Sea is bringing a bit of Med living to the south coast.
- 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!
- Family-friendly pub ahoy!
  
  If you're looking for a family-friendly pub that doesn't skimp on grown-up perks, then check...
- Cheap Eats
  
  Hungry but don't want to pay the earth for a good meal? Then take a look at these eight spots.
- Winter Walks
  
  Need to stretch your legs and work off that Christmas indulgence? Then boot up and head out with six glorious strolls around the counties.

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Out-of-Season Scilly with Kids

Cornwall meets the Caribbean on this unspoilt archipelago just 28 miles from Land’s End. Here are my top tips for visiting with the family in 2019.
- 2019 holiday inspo
  
  Muddy's guide to the coolest travel trends for the year ahead.
- ‘Superspa’ breaks
  
  I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... a massage, mani and Jacuzzi please,...

Hey Sexy Pants!

With Valentine’s Day imminent, we hunted down the sexiest, slinkiest new lingerie around. Bridget Jones enormo-pants, be gone!
- Witness the fitness! The best new sports gear for 2019
  
  Finding it hard to kickstart that hardcore new exercise regime? Buy some slinky new kit and...
- Fashion fun with Victoria Hamilton
  
  We caught up with Hampshire-based stylist, Victoria Hamilton, about her top trends for 2019 and her funniest fashion fails.

Feb’s best new books

It was still the dog days of winter last time I checked so there’s only one thing for it – let’s hunker down with a compelling new book.
- Your unmissable 2019 culture planner
  
  Want to make the most of 2019? Muddy's culture vulture Kerry Potter has curated the best new TV, music, theatre, film, books and art of the year. Get yer diary out!
- Close Shave
  
  Gillette's new ad campaign is ruffling a few feathers. What do you think?
- Top 10 books for young adults
  
  Get your teens away from their phones and nose into a book with these recommendations of fantastic novels for young adults.
- Coffee Table Tomes
  
  From fashion to flora to fragrant Frida, we've found the Top 10 most gorgeous new coffee table tomes for you.

New Year, New Biz

Thinking about starting your own business but don’t know where to begin? We’ve put together top tips and tricks to become a budding entrepreneur.
Kids
- Meoncross School, Stubbington
  
  Muddy says: This independent co-ed for ages 2.5 - 16, is situated just outside of Fareham and...
- West Hill Park School, Fareham
  
  A happy, romping countryside prep, where the carrot very much overrides the stick and the focus is on letting children develop in a kind, secure environment.

Muddy meets… Tom Kerridge

… and talks Marlow’s Pub in the Park (Kaiser Chiefs, people), his favourite local eateries, and work life balance issues – yup, he has them too!
- Muddy meets Greg Emmerson
  
  Greg wowed us in the Masterchef kitchen earlier this year by getting all the way to the semi-finals...
- Muddy meets… Craig Revel-Horwood
  
  Want the hot goss from the BBC ballroom? Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood dishes the dirt on this year's show.