Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Discover your inner artist – take a creative art course in Hampshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio.jpg" alt="Hampshire Art Studio art courses" class="wp-image-20913" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Hampshire-Art-Studio-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Got creative ambitions but lack the time or confidence to take them to the next level? The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hampshireart.studio/" target="_blank">Hampshire Art Studio</a> in Bransbury, Winchester, runs termly workshops and masterclasses covering portraits, watercolours and more. Geared to beginners, Hampshire Libraries is also offering a new free (and pretty timely) online <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/library/events/libraryevents-eventsearch/lil-mindful-art-jan21" target="_blank">Mindful Art course</a>, beginning Thursday 7 January.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Learn to cook like a Masterchef (and make your best ever curry)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1002" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina.jpg" alt="Shelina" class="wp-image-13999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina-768x770.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Shelina-499x500.jpg 499w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Since winning the ultimate cook-off in 2012, Masterchef winner Shelina Permalloo <em>(above) </em>has written cookbooks and seen her dishes star on the menu at Michelin-starred restaurants. She also opened her own restaurant, Lakaz Maman (Mum’s House), in Southampton. Collaborating with Winchester kitchen design gurus <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/myers-touch/" target="_blank">The Myers Touch</a>, she’s hosting a virtual <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.themyerstouch.co.uk/events/virtual-cookery-class" target="_blank">cook along curry class via Zoom on 26 January</a>. On the two-course menu is Island Style Mauritian Chicken Coconut Curry and Yellow Rice and Pineapple with Cardamom Cream – delicious and definitely do-able…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Write a bestseller – take a creative writing virtual workshop</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="644" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House.jpg" alt="Chawton House Hampshire" class="wp-image-20915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House-300x193.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House-720x464.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House-768x495.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Chawton-House-815x525.jpg 815w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Referred to by Jane Austen as ‘the Great House’, home to her brother and an extraordinary curated collection of women’s writing, Chawton House near Alton <em>(above) </em>has more than a few literary links. Continuing the Chawton tradition, writer and editor Claire Thurlow is running a series of <a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/creative-writing-workshops-2021/">virtual creative writing workshops in 2021</a>. It kicks off in January with ideas on  transforming our own experiences into readable, relatable prose. As a bonus, once you’ve started that long-awaited novel and joined the creative ranks, gazing thoughtfully out of the window is officially classed as working…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Book ahead for dome dining – gorgeous bubbles to dine and unwind in</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="671" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-20921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod-300x201.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod-720x483.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod-768x515.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/New-Park-Manor-dome-bubble-dining-pod-782x525.jpg 782w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s the restaurant trend that’s been in hot demand since they first began popping-up in 2020 and we absolutely love them. Cosy, intimate and with a VIP feel, domes/igloos/bubbles/pods – whatever you call them, they’re set to stay for the foreseeable. On Muddy’s expanding wishlist for 2021 are the <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/hotels-inns/muddy-reviews-the-greyhound-on-the-test-stockbridge/">Greyhound at Stockbridge</a>, Burley Manor in Ringwood and <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/new-park-manor-brockenhurst/">New Park Manor in Brockenhurst</a> <em>(above)</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Find a secret garden – classic stories and hidden Hampshire places</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield.jpg" alt="Physic Garden Petersfield" class="wp-image-20918" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Physic-garden-Petersfield-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Part of the magic of The Secret Garden is the way it inspires kids to imagine their own hidden sanctuaries. Catch the latest adaptation of the classic children’s novel starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters at the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nightflix.co.uk/site/film/0/381" target="_blank">Night-Flix cinema in Longmoor, East Hants</a>. Have your own ‘secret garden’ adventure by wandering into the gorgeous walled <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.petersfieldphysicgarden.org.uk/" target="_blank">Physic Garden in Petersfield</a> <em>(above)</em>, the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/features/developing-mottisfonts-frameyard" target="_blank">kitchen garden at Mottisfont</a>, near Romsey, the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne/features/the-gardens-at-the-vyne" target="_blank">18<sup>th</sup> century walled garden at the Vyne</a>, near Basingstoke and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/" target="_blank">The Royal Gardens at Osborne House</a>, on the Isle of Wight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Run in the forest for fresh air and fantastic scenery</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="596" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest.jpg" alt="Running Forest Hampshire Alice Holt" class="wp-image-20923" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest-300x179.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest-720x429.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest-768x458.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/12/Alice-Holt-running-forest-881x525.jpg 881w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A run in the great outdoors is fantastic for mind, body and soul, especially after all the Christmas screen time. A royal forest known for its park runs and Gruffalos, Hampshire’s <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/alice-holt-forest/3km-running-route-alice-holt">Alice Holt, near Farnham, has three dedicated running trails</a>: a gentle 1km trail over gentle undulations, a winding 3km trail and a more and a challenging 5k trail passing a pond, meadows and taking in lung-burning hill climb. On the other side of the county, Alltrails has a fantastic <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/parks/england/hampshire/new-forest-national-park/trail-running">47 top trails around The New Forest</a> to choose from. No excuses then…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Become a
connoisseur – wonderful Hampshire wine tastings </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/11/glass-of-wine.jpg" alt="glass wine red hampshire wine tasting" class="wp-image-8950" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/11/glass-of-wine.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/11/glass-of-wine-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/11/glass-of-wine-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2018/11/glass-of-wine-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This one comes with a warning – once you go down the wine appreciation rabbit hole, there’s really no way back. When travel is back on the agenda, you’ll be planning your next holiday itinerary by wineries (starting, hopefully, with some of the amazing vineyards in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight). </p>



<p>Still up for it? Hampshire Wine School is the place to start. Top (virtual) picks for January are the seven-week <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.hampshirewineschool.com/product_info.php?id=335" target="_blank">old world versus new world comparison course, starting 12 January</a>, and the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.hampshirewineschool.com/product_info.php?id=490" target="_blank">best-of-the-non-alcoholic-bunch one-off tasting on 8 January</a>. Also new, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/wine-utopia-winchester-and-stockbridge/" target="_blank">Wine Utopia</a> has just launched a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://m2.wineutopia.co.uk/wu-club" target="_blank">members club</a>, with tasting notes, doorstep delivery, discounts and loads more to tempt. Dangerous.</p>


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