Spotlight

Is it time to start your own business?2020 has forced many of us to radically rethink our careers, goals and dreams. Muddy meets four inspiring women who took control and started their own businesses during Covid. Are you ready to take the leap, too?
The Great Half-Term Escape: 10 top day tripsHit the road with our top picks for 10 family-friendly autumn half term days out around the Muddy counties
October half term savioursHalf term's looming but don't be afraid - we've sorted the fun with 16 brilliant things to do in Hants and the Isle of Wight to keep the little people entertained.
8 cafés for hygge vibes this AutumnNeed a cosy bolthole to shelter from the outside world in? Head off the beaten track and order a flat white the size of your head in one of these local cafes...
Fancy a Weekend Escape?Well, you're in the right place! Check out brand new, brilliant guide to help you find the perfect break - from a relaxed family hotel to countryside self-catering, easy day trip or a special occasion space. Now go forth and staycay!

Well, hello!

I'm Heidi, 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

Think pink! 11 buys to support Breast Cancer Awareness

Add these feel-good limited edition buys to your basket ASAP to look gorgeous and support breast cancer charities this October. Two birds, one stone - yes please.

It’s all about the staycay! Our handpicked selection of the hippest hotels, pubs, restaurants and cottages to help you book that well-deserved break

Little Black Book

Want to support local? Our curated pick of the most creative, unique and brilliant businesses near you.

Strong & Together Design, Newbury

Bembridge Coast Hotel, Bembridge

Chessell Pottery Café, Yarmouth

The Taverners, Godshill

Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth

Bel & The Dragon, Odiham

The Elvetham, Hook

The Crown at Arford, Headley

Fawn Interiors, Alresford

aBar Bistro, Portsmouth

The Sleepy Teepee Party, Basingstoke

Richmond House Beauty, Winchester

Eat View more
Caffeine boost! 40 of the best indie coffee roasters

Can’t function without your morning brew? Try one of these delicious artisan blends, from indie coffee roasters across the Muddy counties, to kickstart your day with a caffeine boost.
- Muddy reviews: Bel & The Dragon Odiham
  
  You know those all-rounder types that are good at pretty much everything? Yep, that's the Bel and The Dragon at The George - a stylishly appointed restaurant and inn on historic Odiham High Street.
- 8 cafés for hygge vibes this Autumn
  
  Need a cosy bolthole to shelter from the outside world in? Head off the beaten track and order a flat white the size of your head in one of our handpicked locals.
- It’s GBBO biscuit week! On your marks, get set, BAKE!
  
  Ditch the HobNobs and get your bake on making these gluten-free Italian almond biscuits by Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi. They're made for dunking.
- Launch review: The Pig, Harlyn Bay, Cornwall
  
  On its opening day, Muddy's ed-in-chief Hero Brown was the first to eat lunch at the brand new Pig hotel in Harlyn Bay (what a trooper!). So what was the verdict?

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
Boo! 14 Halloween films for kids

Halloween films that will scare not scar your kids for life, including brand new release The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway – available to stream right now.
- Sofa surfer! 7 new TV shows and films
  
  Anyone up for movie night? Here are six new feature-length flicks landing on the box this week, as well as a brand new Netflix mini-series you'll love.
- And now, something to cheer us all up…
  
  In need of a little light relief? Lordy, aren't we all? Here are three 'celebrity' Instagram accounts that have been making us laugh this week that we think might tickle your fancy too.

Home View more
- The Big Breakfast house is for sale!!
  
  Talk about a piece of iconic pop culture! The chaotic, flirty, naughty Nineties home of breakfast telly can be yours for a cool £5.75m. Shall we have a nose around?
Wellbeing
- 8 autumn bike rides with pub pit-stops
  
  Fancy freewheelin’ down a country lane in the sunshine before a well-deserved pub lunch? Dust off that cycling helmet, don your trainers and hit the trails this autumn.
- 7 steps to better sleep in lockdown
  
  So you've downed a chamomile tea and ignored your phone but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Read on for our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.

Travel View more
Muddy reviews: Bel & The Dragon Odiham

You know those all-rounder types that are good at pretty much everything? Yep, that’s the Bel and The Dragon at The George – a stylishly appointed restaurant and inn on historic Odiham High Street.
- 18 Muddy-approved attractions in Hants and IoW
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 18 unmissable attractions in the area.
- Book now: 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?

Work View more
Is it time to start your own business?

2020 has forced many of us to radically rethink our careers, goals and dreams. Muddy meets four inspiring women who took control and started their own businesses during Covid. Is it time we joined them?
Kids
- 10 of the best subscription boxes for kids
  
  Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.
- Churcher’s College Junior School and Nursery, Liphook
  
  Muddy says: The gateway to the famous co-ed senior school, Churcher’s Junior School has nurturing staff, a good all-round curriculum and popular extra-curricular activities, with bags of space to play and learn

Fashion View more
Designer vs dead ringer: the leather edit

Leather is top of the trends this season but the real deal can be a *leetle* unfriendly when it comes to your credit card. Cue our edit of the best dupes for the hottest designer pieces.
- Sustainable fashion gets sexy
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with the likes of Selfridges now pushing a new sustainable outlook, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your wardrobe in style.
- It’s in the jeans – new season denim we love
  
  We're staging a fashion intervention. Step away from the loungewear, it is time to get back into jeans. We've scoured the high street and local indies for the best of the bunch.

Beauty View more
- The essential no make-up make-up kit
  
  It’s a trend that’s not going away anytime soon; make-up so subtle that it just makes you look like a brighter and better version of yourself. Here’s the Muddy guide.
- Hello tootsies! The best at-home pedi kits
  
  It's starting to feel a lot like peak summer and with the mercury knocking 25 degrees on a regular basis, it means it's also time to expose The Feet. Ready, set, attack!

People View more
What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room at Holborn Dining Room

Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.
- Yes, people, this is Meg Mathews!
  
  Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, self-care and, er, vagina facials.
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  Record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with UK theatres. Tell us about it, Shlo!