Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-table-for-two-this-new-freshwater-hotel-has-quite-the-view">Table for two? This new Freshwater hotel has quite the view</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1413" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Albion-Freshwater-table-with-view.jpg" alt="Table overlooking the sea at The Albion Hotel Freshwater Bay Isle of Wight" class="wp-image-34265" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Albion-Freshwater-table-with-view.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Albion-Freshwater-table-with-view-800x754.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Albion-Freshwater-table-with-view-1000x942.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Albion-Freshwater-table-with-view-768x723.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Nowhere does sea views quite like the Isle of Wight. Now open in the beautiful Freshwater Bay, <a href="https://www.albionhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Albion</a> has pulled out all the stops with a 100-seater restaurant with panoramic views. Worth noting, they&#8217;ve also recruited a Head Chef trained under Marco Pierre White and Tom Kerridge and a created a very cool cocktail bar. That table has Muddy&#8217;s name all over it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-aboard-celebs-sail-into-town-for-the-isle-of-wight-festival">All aboard! Celebs sail into town for the Isle of Wight Festival </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1483" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Peter-Crouch-Red-Funnel.jpg" alt="Peter Crouch Footballer on board Red Funnel Isle of Wight Festival 2024" class="wp-image-34263" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Peter-Crouch-Red-Funnel.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Peter-Crouch-Red-Funnel-647x800.jpg 647w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Peter-Crouch-Red-Funnel-809x1000.jpg 809w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Peter-Crouch-Red-Funnel-768x949.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: @<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedFunnelIsleofWightFerry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RedFunnelIsleofWightFerry</a>, Facebook</figcaption></figure>



<p>Speaking of the Island. We might not have had Liam Gallagher falling out of a helicopter this year but there were certainly plenty of celebrity goings on as the Isle of Wight Festival kicked off the summer music season.</p>



<p>Joining the party on the Red Funnel, Peter Crouch got to &#8216;captain&#8217; the ship while apparently doing his best pirate impression. Later, he entertained the Big Top crowd with some football banter before the England game started (no doubt a lot more entertaining than the match itself turned out to be).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1281" height="1356" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Kuti-Green-Day.jpg" alt="Tre Cool Green Day drummer at Kuti's Indian Restaurant Southampton Hampshire Superflashy news" class="wp-image-34264" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Kuti-Green-Day.jpg 1281w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Kuti-Green-Day-756x800.jpg 756w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Kuti-Green-Day-945x1000.jpg 945w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Kuti-Green-Day-768x813.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1281px) 100vw, 1281px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kutisroyalpier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@kutisroyalpier</a>, Instagram</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s not every day you get a Green Day legend in your restaurant, so when drummer Tré Cool&nbsp;popped in for a curry at Southampton stalwart <a href="https://www.kutis.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuti&#8217;s</a>, the #starstruck team were nonetheless quick to grab a snap for social.</p>



<p>And it was five-star all the way for synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys. They stayed at the boutique <a href="https://forestershall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foresters Hall</a> hotel in Cowes&nbsp;and took a sight-seeing stroll around Osborne House. Very civilised.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-cafes-for-hayling-petersfield-and-havant">New cafés for Hayling, Petersfield and Havant</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1453" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Gails-Bakery-Petersfield-min.jpg" alt="Gail's Cafe Petersfield" class="wp-image-34269" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Gails-Bakery-Petersfield-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Gails-Bakery-Petersfield-min-800x775.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Gails-Bakery-Petersfield-min-1000x969.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Gails-Bakery-Petersfield-min-768x744.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Locals are loving the new branch of upscale <a href="https://gailsbread.co.uk/bakeries/petersfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gail&#8217;s Bakery in Petersfield</a>. They&#8217;ve given it a clever interiors makeover that looks fresh and contemporary while keeping the heritage former bank&#8217;s character features. Muddy&#8217;s happy to report the cappuccino and almond croissants here are pretty well done too. All in the name of research, of course.</p>



<p>Down the A3, it&#8217;s all Greek in Havant with the opening of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Ilfoxo-61558605980557/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Il Foxo</a>. Locals are quickly being won over by the pastries, hospitality and delicious cold and hot drinks served up by coffee addict café co-owners Loizo Kola and Berenice Marie.</p>



<p>Keep on down to the coast and you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559660022140" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Café Boho</a> within walking distance of the beach on Hayling Island which has a real Sydney vibe. Fresh smoothies and juices, ciabattas and a stroll along the seafront. Bliss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-summer-shops-gunwharf">New summer shops Gunwharf</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-scaled.jpg" alt="Vilebrequin, Gunwharf Quays" class="wp-image-34270" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/Vilebrequin-Gunwharf-min-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Need a few wardrobe updates? Just opened at Portsmouth&#8217;s designer discount shopping outlet, Gunwharf Quays, there&#8217;s colourful Saint Tropez beach and holiday wear at French brand <a href="https://gunwharf-quays.com/shops/vilebrequin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vilebrequin</a>&#8216;s new summer pop-up store. Hiking gear and lifestyle products from American outdoor brand, <a href="https://gunwharf-quays.com/terms/unit-type/shops" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia</a>. And coming soon &#8211; fresh kicks from <a href="https://www.newbalance.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Balance</a>. Cool. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-holding-the-fort">Who&#8217;s holding the Fort?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1082" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/spitbank-fort.jpg" alt="Spit Bank Fort Solent Hampshire Isle of Wight Superflashy news" class="wp-image-34272" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/spitbank-fort.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/spitbank-fort-800x577.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/spitbank-fort-1000x721.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/spitbank-fort-768x554.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Remember the Solent Sea Forts? Built back in the 19th century to deter a French invasion, <a href="http://nomansfort.co.uk/">No Man&#8217;s Fort</a> and <a href="http://www.spitbankfort.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spitbank Fort</a> were converted into luxury hotels in 2012 and closed in the pandemic. Having previously failed to sell them on the open market, their businessman former owner Mike Clare offloaded them at auction in June for just over £1m each. Booking.com &#8211; or baddie&#8217;s secret layer? We&#8217;ll just have to wait and see what the new owner has in store for them.</p>


Superflashy! Hot summer news and openings

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