Spotlight

Ding, dong! What's on this DecemberIt's Chriiiistmas! Grab a santa hat and get involved. Here's what's on this December around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
The great local Christmas gift guideStuck for pressie inspo? Support local with these great gifts for him, her, kids and foodies from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's brilliant boutiques
Christmas gift guide: for himWhat to buy the bloke who has everything (or 'wants nothing')? We've sorted his Christmas list with 25 cool gifting ideas from independent brands and businesses across the Muddy counties
Five gripping reads to give your working life a boostWhat better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We've found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit...
Fab festive light trailsTrip the light fantastic! Brighten up winter nights with these 15 fabulously festive light trails around Hampshire, Isle of Wight and a bit beyond

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

Party season essentials to add to your beauty bag

It's Christmaaaaas! Treat yourself to some festive glam, and pick up some some gorgeous stocking fillers in one fell swoop at Next Beauty & Home's shopping event (11-12 Dec).

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

See What's On

Eat

15 of the best local Sunday roasts

Slap-up lunch with all the cheffy trimmings? Treat the family to a rated Sunday roast at these top Hampshire and Isle of Wight pubs and restaurants
- AA Guide 2022 – local restaurants ranked
  
  Planning a posh meal? Hot off the press, the AA Rosettes have been dished out to 47 brilliant local restaurants around Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- Review: The Red Lion, Odiham
  
  A family-friendly pub with old world charm and plenty of grown-up perks? Sounds right up our street! Make way, Muddy’s checking in at The Red Lion, Odiham.

Culture

Pass that remote! Six things to watch this week

It’s freezing! Definitely the only excuse you need to catch up on some sofa time. On our watchlist this week: Benedict Cumberbatch’s cowboy “career-best”, on-demand opera, award-winning BBC comedy, and more.
- 8 things to watch this week on the big and small screen
  
  What to watch this week, you cry? From Lady Gaga serving looks in her murderously glam new movie to tension in the tent with the Bake Off 2021 final, here are your eight must-watches.
- Fab-u-lous festive family pantos
  
  Celebs, slapstick, dames, unicorns and gunge. Look out for these Hampshire and Isle of Wight pantos at a theatre near you…

Little Black Book

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

The Briny, Portsmouth

aBar Bistro, Portsmouth

Bambino Baby, Petersfield

Camber Wines, Old Portsmouth

Starboard Home Interiors, Lymington

The Bell Inn, Lyndhurst

Morse Toad, Lymington

Porcupine Rocks, Petworth

Osme Candles

ezHACH home organisation

Isle of Wight Distillery & Mermaid Bar

Borneo Pantry, Cowes

Travel

Cool yule! Muddy guide to Christmas in Edinburgh

Ice rinks, Santa Land, fireworks and castles…For cracking Christmas celebrations and a helluva Hogmanay, head north of the border this winter.
- The best Black Friday travel deals!
  
  Staying in a gorgeous hotel or lying on a tropical beach never fails to make us happy, which is why we’re excited to bring you all the best discounts around the world. Just think of us as your BFF when it comes to BF!
- Escape by rail to these 7 heavenly new hotels
  
  No flight, no faff… hop on the train to these gorgeous new hotels from the newest Pig Hotel to a Peaks treehouse and a cheeky little number in Paris

Home

The great local Christmas gift guide

Stuck for pressie inspo? Support local with these great gifts for him, her, kids and foodies from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s brilliant boutiques and makers
- Ten bulbs to plant now for a dreamy spring garden
  
  Want to know how the Wormsley Estate in Bucks looks so fabulous come spring? Head gardener Charlotte Tremlin reveals her secret for glorious beds and baskets.
- Letterbox love: 47 gifts to send to their door
  
  Choose from these gorgeous artisan present boxes, sent nationwide, from bespoke biscuits to gin and chocolate, and pamper packs to paperbacks. That’s Christmas sorted.
Wellbeing
- The Muddy guide to Hampshire and Isle of Wight weddings
  
  Bijou or bumper – weddings are on! Grab a notebook and take inspiration from these brilliant local wedding venues and businesses.
- Your health questions answered!
  
  Don’t understand why the weight won’t shift? Have a back that’s reminiscent of Quasimodo? Muddy puts your questions to Healthily’s chief medical officer, Professor Maureen Baker

Life

Five gripping reads to give your working life a boost

What better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We’ve found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit…
Kids
- The Pilgrims’ School, Winchester
  
  This musical day and boarding prep choir school in central Winchester is proudly traditional with a 21st-Century outlook
- Family SOS – How to decide who gets the kids this Christmas
  
  Not sure how to carve up a festive timetable? Top local solicitors Paris Smith share their tips on agreeing who gets the kids this Christmas and beyond

Instamuddy

Fashion

Where to rent, repair and sell gorgeous designer clothes

Madonna’s cone bra is now available to rent! It’s ethical, eco and everywhere… here’s where you can rent, repair and sell-on stylish clothes, from Christmas party outfits to eye-catching clutch bags
- Stylish sustainable fashion
  
  Eco-conscious clothes and accessories that don’t cost the earth? Here’s our pick of Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s most sustainable fashion makers and sellers
- A new leaf: your 10 autumn wardrobe essentials
  
  Bright knits, checks, big handbags, even bigger boots. We’ve got your autumn/winter 2021 fashion fix sorted.
Beauty
- Hair transformation! Muddy goes ‘petrol’
  
  Time for a new ‘do? From subtle styling to bold design (read on!) Haringtons has you covered with slick service and skill. See what happened when Muddy sat in the salon chair…
- 5 nail polish shades we’ve fallen for this autumn
  
  Here’s how to update your autumn look for under £10, and be bang on trend to boot. Our five fave nail polish shades, from sparkles to berry to mustard.

People

Foodie green queen, Romilla Arber

Deliciously sustainable: food writer and Honesty Group founder Romilla Arber tells us all about her mission to be green.
- My Favourite Places – Gyles Brandreth
  
  The author and TV personality takes us on a literary tour of his favourite Hampshire places and reminisces about childhood holidays on the Isle of Wight
- Muddy meets: Ed Byrne
  
  Muddy caught up with the Essex-based Irish funnyman to chat jokes, family, famous friendships and not being a d**k.