Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-turnout-for-danish-homewares-store-launch">RECORD TURNOUT FOR DANISH HOMEWARES STORE LAUNCH</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Sostrene-Grene-store.jpg" alt="Søstrene Grene store opening Winchester Hampshire UK" class="wp-image-38080" style="aspect-ratio:1.4985014985014986;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Sostrene-Grene-store.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Sostrene-Grene-store-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Sostrene-Grene-store-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Sostrene-Grene-store-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <a href="https://sostrenegrene.com/en-gb/stores/high-street-winchester-s-8041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Søstrene Grene</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Move over, IKEA – a new Scandi retail queen has landed in Winchester – and the locals are loving it. The eagerly-awaited <a href="https://sostrenegrene.com/en-gb/stores/high-street-winchester-s-8041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Søstrene Grene</a>, a Danish darling of hygge homeware, quirky craft supplies and oh-so-cute seasonal bits, just threw open its doors on the High Street with a ribbon-cutting bash. By the crack of dawn, the queue was already buzzing and by opening time, hundreds of lucky hopefuls waited in line for a chance to snap up free goodie bags and a rug.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-laksa-legend-winchester-s-lucky-lychee-declared-uk-s-best-local-in-good-food-awards">LAKSA LEGEND &#8211; WINCHESTER&#8217;S LUCKY LYCHEE DECLARED UK&#8217;S BEST LOCAL IN GOOD FOOD AWARDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1440" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry.jpg" alt="Nyonya pineapple king prawn curry at Lucky Lychee Winchester Hampshire Best Neighbourhood restaurant Good Food Guide news Muddy Stilettos" class="wp-image-38070" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Lucky-Lychee-prawn-curry-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Nyonya pineapple king prawn curry at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/luckylycheeuk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@luckylycheeuk</a>, Winchester <em>(Facebook)</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Winchester&#8217;s <a href="https://www.luckylychee.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucky Lychee</a> has certainly lived up to its name this summer – and established itself beyond doubt as a true local gem. The Malaysian eatery started out as a stall on Winchester market run by dream team Nicole Yeoh and James Harris. Now based inside the Green Man Pub on Southgate Street, it has clinched the coveted title of Best Local Restaurant in the <em><a href="https://www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/best-local-restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Good Food Guide 2025</a></em> and has been lauded for its vibrant buzz, warm service and plates of heritage-infused deliciousness – all backed up with rave reviews from customers. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hartley-wintney-locals-to-wake-up-and-smell-the-freshly-ground-italian-coffee">HARTLEY WINTNEY LOCALS TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE (FRESHLY-GROUND ITALIAN) COFFEE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1106" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Valentino-Cafe-Hartley-Wintney.jpg" alt="Valentino’s Salumeria cafe Hartley Wintney Hampshire new opening" class="wp-image-38074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Valentino-Cafe-Hartley-Wintney.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Valentino-Cafe-Hartley-Wintney-800x590.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Valentino-Cafe-Hartley-Wintney-1000x737.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Valentino-Cafe-Hartley-Wintney-768x566.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/valentinossalummeria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> @valentinossalummeria</a>, Instagram</figcaption></figure>



<p>Staying with hospitality and Oh My Gaggia – is that a new Italian café we spy in Hartley Wintney? Cue plenty of local excitement. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/valentinossalummeria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valentino’s Salumeria</a>, we&#8217;ll be seeing you soon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southsea-s-great-teaspoon-return-83-years-in-the-making">SOUTHSEA&#8217;S GREAT TEASPOON RETURN &#8211; 83 YEARS IN THE MAKING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min.jpg" alt="Restaurant-1865-The-Queens-Hotel Southsea Portsmouth Hampshire" class="wp-image-32834" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/12/Queens-Hotel-dining-room-min-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Restaurant 1865 at The Queens Hotel, Southsea</figcaption></figure>



<p>Here’s one for the “you couldn’t make it up” files – The Queens Hotel in Southsea has just been reunited with a very well-travelled piece of cutlery after more than <em>eight decades</em>. “Borrowed” in the 1940s, the silver teaspoon has finally found its way home from (checks notes) Australia!</p>



<p>The story? Absolute wartime romance. In the middle of WWII, Naval Officer Dudley White and Wren Pamela White enjoyed a precious bit of leave at the grand old Queens. At some point, (whether by accident or with a cheeky wink), a monogrammed teaspoon made its way into their possession. Fast-forward 83 years, and their son John, now living Down Under, decided it was high time to send it back.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1591" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-38073" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon-754x800.jpg 754w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon-943x1000.jpg 943w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon-768x815.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Queens-hotel-spoon-1448x1536.jpg 1448w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Cue a padded envelope arriving at the hotel, containing the prodigal spoon and a note reading: “We hope you have not missed the spoon too much and will forgive a young couple taking a memento.&#8221;</p>



<p>John shared snippets of his parents’ war stories. Pamela, a Signals Distribution Officer on Portsdown Hill during the D-Day landings; Dudley, looking every inch the dashing officer aboard HMS Victorious in tropical kit. The teaspoon, John reckons, was pocketed around 1944, a tiny silver reminder of their time together.</p>



<p>Now proudly displayed in the hotel’s cabinet of curiosities – alongside stories of Winston Churchill, Eisenhower and a terrace-gazing Charles de Gaulle – this teaspoon has earned its place in Portsmouth legend. Hotel GM Paul Playford summed it up: “Of course we would never condone ‘borrowing’ items… but this story is so lovely we had to share it.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blind-ambition-bill-bailey-s-100-mile-south-downs-walk">BLIND AMBITION: BILL BAILEY&#8217;S 100-MILE SOUTH DOWNS WALK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2550" height="1752" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre-.jpg" alt="Comedian Bill Bailey at The Sustainability Centre Hampshire South Downs Walk Macmillian charity celebrity news " class="wp-image-38072" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre-.jpg 2550w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre--800x550.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre--1000x687.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre--768x528.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre--1536x1055.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Bill-Bailey-Sustainability-Centre--2048x1407.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2550px) 100vw, 2550px" /></figure>



<p>Congratulations <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BillBailey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Bailey</a> (yes, THAT Bill Bailey, the <em>Strictly</em> glitterball-wielding, wild-haired comedian), who just hoofed it 100 miles along the South Downs Way for Macmillan Cancer Support. </p>



<p>The whopper walk took him from <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/your-insider-guide-to-the-perfect-24hrs-in-winchester-hampshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester</a> to Eastbourne via our very own Mid &amp; East Hampshire, the Meon Valley and West Sussex, <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/page/bills-city-to-sea-walk?fbclid=IwY2xjawMIL89leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpbmZtUWxOY3c2QWRlYTQ4AR7QWjAT3nz7NUS1-d1s-HBewSxgO43VphVvanogNVQWj3aTOC8O5CiKZq1S-w_aem_5bnum5VAFKDimtwxN9qdtQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raising a whopping £38k</a> (and counting!) for a charity close to his heart. But there was drama on day four: a suspected mega-allergic reaction meant Bill couldn’t open his eyes, so who stepped up? None other than Kate Lock – sister of the late comedy legend Sean Lock – who literally became Bill’s eyes on the Sussex Downs until the antihistamines did their thing. Talk about friendship goals. </p>



<p>En route he fed tame ducks and had a paddling moment in the River Meon outside the Shoe Inn, Exton. He camped at Holden Farm near Cheriton, popped into the Sustainability Centre at East Meon, climbed Old Winchester Hill and posed for snaps at Harting Down like a man who’s never been temporarily blind in his life. Oh, and there was the end-of-the-day moment he rewarded himself with tiramisu at La Piazzetta in Petersfield. We understand Bill is now putting his feet up. Frankly, after 100 miles, <em>fair play, sir</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reverend-richard-takes-to-the-water-in-cowes">REVEREND RICHARD TAKES TO THE WATER IN COWES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/richard-coles.jpg" alt="Reverend Richard Coles" class="wp-image-31813" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/richard-coles.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/richard-coles-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/richard-coles-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/08/richard-coles-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Reverend Richard Coles</figcaption></figure>



<p>Spotted! <em>The Communards </em>legend, writer and all-round good egg <a href="https://www.instagram.com/revrichardcoles/">Reverend Richard Coles</a> swapping the pulpit for the pontoon as he breezed into Cowes for the Isle of Wight’s most glamorous regatta, Cowes Week. Chasing the sailing action and getting out on the water with the RNLI, our man Coles <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DM4sbrcMK3h/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posted a picture of himself on Instagram</a> behind the wheel of a rib, captioned &#8220;So much fun&#8221;. No word yet on whether he’s bought himself a boat &#8211; but he certainly sounds tempted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-young-makes-star-appearence-at-winchester-girls-wellbeing-festival">WILL YOUNG MAKES STAR APPEARENCE AT WINCHESTER GIRLS&#8217; WELLBEING FESTIVAL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="968" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Will-Young-with-St-Swithuns-students-and-staff.jpg" alt="Will Young with students and staff at St Swithuns School WInchester Hampshire wellbeing festival Muddy Best Schools Guide" class="wp-image-38068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Will-Young-with-St-Swithuns-students-and-staff.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Will-Young-with-St-Swithuns-students-and-staff-800x516.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Will-Young-with-St-Swithuns-students-and-staff-1000x645.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/08/Will-Young-with-St-Swithuns-students-and-staff-768x496.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Will Young with staff and pupils at St Swithun&#8217;s School, Winchester</figcaption></figure>



<p>Pop royalty meets pastoral in a different setting. This time, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-swithuns-winchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Swithun’s</a> in Winchester, which ended the school year with a powerhouse of positivity before the summer break – complete with alpacas, drumming, circus tricks and oh yes, a star turn from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/willyoungofficial/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Young</a>. The pop icon and wellbeing author charmed the all-girls’ school with an uplifting talk on individuality, before fielding questions from a student-led panel. </p>



<p>The event also featured feel-good workouts, petting zoos, perfume-making and powerful stories of resilience, all wrapped in the school’s trademark award-winning pastoral sparkle. Girls left with flowers for local care homes, cookies for night shelters and – thanks to Will – a reminder that being yourself is the best gig in town.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-name-and-mission-for-local-celeb-duo-s-successful-charity">NEW NAME AND MISSION FOR LOCAL CELEB DUO&#8217;S SUCCESSFUL CHARITY </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="660" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1-660x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-20664" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1-660x500.jpg 660w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1-300x227.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1-768x582.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1-693x525.jpg 693w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Murray-Parish-Trust-1-1.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Sarah Parish and Jim Murray, Murray Parish Trust/Imagine This.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Recently awarded an MBE each in the New Year&#8217;s Honours list, the ever-inspirational local actors <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/life-2/people/sarah-parishs-favourite-places/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah Parish</a> and Jim Murray have just unveiled a striking new chapter for their beloved local charity. The Murray Parish Trust has rebranded as <a href="https://imaginethis.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imagine This</a>. Much more than a name swap, the Hampshire-based duo intend to extend their fundraising efforts and offer creative, emotionally nurturing projects to seriously ill children and families across the UK. Good on them.</p>


Superflash! Stars, openings and more around Hampshire and Isle of Wight

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