Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jess-glynne-smashes-it-at-the-isle-of-wight-festival-at-long-last">JESS GLYNNE SMASHES IT AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL (AT LONG LAST)</h2>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Hold My Hand - Jess Glynne | Live at Sky Presents the Isle Of Wight Festival 2025" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EF8Sz7KDxnM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p>This summer&#8217;s <a href="https://isleofwightfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Isle of Wight Festival</a> once again saw some big names cross the Solent &#8211; notably including <a href="https://jessglynne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jess Glynne</a>. Previously banned from the event after cancelled sets in 2015 and 2019, the festival organisers had a change of heart. Thankfully, this time, the <em>Rather Be</em> and <em>Hold My Hand</em> star kept the booking and showed up to deliver storming set &#8211; earning her an ecstatic reception from fans. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1553" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--scaled.jpg" alt="The Isle of Wight Festival" class="wp-image-37267" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--800x485.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--1000x606.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--768x466.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--1536x932.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Isle-of-Wight-Festival--2048x1242.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>Actress Jessica Biel was also seen at the sunny 2025 festival, watching on as husband <a href="https://www.justintimberlake.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Justin Timberlake</a> performed a career-spanning set list of hits including <em>Can&#8217;t Stop The Feeling!,</em> <em>SexyBack </em>and <em>Mirrors</em>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tom-hardy-turns-coach">TOM HARDY TURNS COACH </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/06/Tom-Hardy-This-is-Crawley-Facebook.jpg" alt="Tom Hardy spotted in Crawley." class="wp-image-60620" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066538236262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>This is Crawley</em></a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Speaking of celeb spots &#8211; and something of a surprise sighting in Southampton this summer. Hollywood hottie (and all-round nice guy) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomhardy/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Hardy</a>!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="813" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Tom-Hardy-jiu-jitsu-1000x813.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-37761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Tom-Hardy-jiu-jitsu-1000x813.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Tom-Hardy-jiu-jitsu-800x651.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Tom-Hardy-jiu-jitsu-768x625.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Tom-Hardy-jiu-jitsu.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enyograppling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@enyograpplong</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>A keen fan of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the star, who lives in a quiet village near Cranleigh, Surrey is no stranger to UK competitions in the sport. Spied at <a href="https://www.enyograppling.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enyo Grappling</a>, a Pro women’s event, he was clearly loving the competition, posing for a snap and even passing on tips to one of the top contenders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potters-heron-to-be-hampshire-s-next-raymond-blanc-inn">POTTERS HERON TO BE HAMPSHIRE&#8217;S NEXT RAYMOND BLANC INN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire.jpg" alt="The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire." class="wp-image-37750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/The-Potters-Heron-Hotel-Hampshire-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Potters Heron</figcaption></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s the end of an era for Hampshire&#8217;s idyllic, thatched Potters Heron hotel, located between Romsey, Chandler&#8217;s Ford and Winchester. The landmark, 53-bedroom hotel closed in May and the hotel has been confirmed as the next new Hampshire opening for the <a href="https://heartwoodcollection.com/our-brands/heartwood-inns/">Heartwood Inns</a> collection of pubs with rooms &#8211; with French chef supremo Raymond Blanc at it&#8217;s culinary helm. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1533" height="1395" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc.jpg" alt="Raymond Blanc Rope and Anchor Emsworth Hampshire" class="wp-image-32509" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc.jpg 1533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc-800x728.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc-1000x910.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc-768x699.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/11/Raymond-Blanc-577x525.jpg 577w" sizes="(max-width: 1533px) 100vw, 1533px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Heartwood Collection</figcaption></figure>



<p>Earmarked for a multi-million pound makeover, it&#8217;s set to reopen in early 2026. Heartwood&#8217;s first boutique pub and restaurant with rooms in Hampshire was the former Brookfield Hotel in Emsworth, now renamed the <a href="The Ropemaker, Emsworth - Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight | Muddy Stilettos"></a><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-the-ropemaker-emsworth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ropemaker</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-forest-hotel-gets-slick-spa-facelift">NEW FOREST HOTEL GETS SLICK SPA FACELIFT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1978" height="1366" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa.jpg" alt="The spa at Balmer Lawn" class="wp-image-37751" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa.jpg 1978w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa-800x552.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa-1000x691.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa-768x530.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Balmer-Lawn-spa-1536x1061.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1978px) 100vw, 1978px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Burley Manor&#8217;s New Forest Spa &amp; Wellness Centre</figcaption></figure>



<p>Muddy loves nothing better than luxuriating in a lovely spa. So it was glad tidings indeed when we heard the news that Balmer Lawn has completed its big update. The new-look <a href="https://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/the-new-forest-spa-wellness-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Forest Spa &amp; Wellness Centre </a>at the Brockenhurst hotel now comprises a steam room, Finnish sauna, rainforest and monsoon showers, ice room plus six treatment rooms for ESPA treatments. Ahhh- and relaxxx.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirky-boutique-hotel-opens-in-burley">&#8216;QUIRKY&#8217; BOUTIQUE HOTEL OPENS IN BURLEY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1449" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Moorhill-House-Hotel-New-Forest-bed.jpg" alt="Bedroom at Moorhill House Hotel New Forest Burley Hampshire" class="wp-image-37760" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Moorhill-House-Hotel-New-Forest-bed.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Moorhill-House-Hotel-New-Forest-bed-795x800.jpg 795w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Moorhill-House-Hotel-New-Forest-bed-994x1000.jpg 994w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Moorhill-House-Hotel-New-Forest-bed-768x773.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Moorhill House Hotel</figcaption></figure>



<p>Staying in the New Forest, is that a new boutique hotel we spy? Just opened on the outskirts of the village of Burley, news reaches Muddy that local hoteliers Brian Shone and Terry Taylor have cut the ribbon on&nbsp;<a href="https://moorhillhouse.co.uk/">Moorhill House Hotel</a> after a multi-million-pound makeover. The transformed former B&amp;B now features 35 individually-designed bedrooms, a bar and dining rooms.</p>



<p>They say: &#8220;Wander and wind down a forest track at Shappen Bottom into a sleepy forest Glen to find this unique retreat. Imagine a quirky New Forest theme combining style and charm with modern hotel keeping.&#8221; Muddy&#8217;s getting New Forest meets <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> vibes &#8211; and we like the sound of it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wightlink-offers-discounted-travel-to-see-island-s-newest-residents">WIGHTLINK OFFERS DISCOUNTED TRAVEL TO SEE ISLAND&#8217;S NEWEST RESIDENTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1135" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Bear-Isle-of-Wight-Sanctuary.jpg" alt="Benji and Balu rescue bears Isle of Wight Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Sandown" class="wp-image-37764" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Bear-Isle-of-Wight-Sanctuary.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Bear-Isle-of-Wight-Sanctuary-800x605.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Bear-Isle-of-Wight-Sanctuary-1000x757.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/07/Bear-Isle-of-Wight-Sanctuary-768x581.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Please look after these bears! Flown in from Azerbaijan, where they had a rather unhappy start to life, <a href="https://wildheartanimalsanctuary.org/project-bears/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benji and Balu</a> the rescue bears have been welcomed at the Isle of Wight&#8217;s Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown. Now at home in a specially-designed bear habitat, the last leg of their journey was on a Wightlink ferry, (who&#8217;re offering <a href="https://www.wightlink.co.uk/special-offers/20-off-your-ferry-travel-to-visit-benji-and-balu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20% off ferry travel</a> from the mainland to go visit them).</p>



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Superflashy newsflash! Hot news and celeb goss from around Hampshire and Isle of Wight

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