The urban guide to the countryside -

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.

Gotta Have It

Hands never been cleaner - and more in need of a decent moisturiser? Treat yourself to a small dollop of comfort with these beautiful handcreams.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

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.
Home schooling: The Muddy insider's guideFew of us have had any experience of home-schooling our kids, but we know a woman who has - Muddy's very own Muddy Sussex editor Cathy. Here are her tips for the uninitiated.
How to work from home (without going stir-crazy)Working from your home office (or, er, the sofa) for the foreseeable? Don't panic! These top tips will help you stay calm, collected and productive - or at the very least, sane.
What's IN this weekend?What's on has had a makeover - here's what's in this weekend.
Property FlirtFancy a snoop around a house, a very big house in the country? Have I got a corker for you. Shall we?

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Eat Out View more
Pinkies poised?

If you’re on the hunt for a gift voucher or just after inspiration for a later date, then we’re here to help – feast your eyes on these brilliant afternoon tea spots in Hants & IoW.
- 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.

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.

Travel View more
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.
- Little PIG, little PIG, let me come in!
  
  Twelve decadent bedrooms, a deeply inviting bar-stroke-deli and THE PIG’s unmatched country-house-meets-cool vibe make this dinkiest of PIGs (The PIGlet?) the perfect overnight hideout.
- 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.

Fashion View more
5 of the best… trench coats

It’s a style classic for a reason – the trench is probably the most chic, useful piece you can buy (banish all thoughts of Inspector Clouseau). Here are our new season favourites.
- French Fancy – sneakers to fall for
  
  The vagaries of spring (read: floods’n’mud) have nuked our white sneaker addiction - seriously, how do you get the laces clean?
- 5 of the best… French slogan jumpers
  
  Bonjour, sexy new knitwear! These chic slogan jumpers are guaranteed to add a little je ne sais quoi to any ensemble - we adore.

Arts & Culture View more
Read THESE this month

Hunkering down for the foreseeable? Gather around, and let Muddy’s pro-bookworm Kerry Potter tell you a story.
- 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.

Work View more
How to work from home (without going stir-crazy)

Working from your home office (or, er, the sofa) for the foreseeable? Don’t panic! These top tips will help you stay calm, collected and productive – or at the very least, sane.
Kids
- 5 things I’ve learned about motherhood
  
  Acclaimed author (and Muddy favourite) Clover Stroud is in the midst of raising her 5 children. Miraculously she's found time to write a book about it all. Here's a taster.
- Easter activities SORTED!
  
  Are you in Half-Term recovery mode? Now the kids are back at school (praise be), plan for an easier Easter with Barracudas Activity Day Camps – I reckon your ankle-biters will love it.

People View more
Kreme of the Crop (sorry not sorry!)

Muddy caught up with hairdressing extraordinaire Guy Kremer to chat celeb clients, the cardinal sins of haircare and where he hangs in Hants.
- The 4 funniest people on social media
  
  Fancy a giggle? These Instagram and Twitter accounts are happy to oblige.
- 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.