Spotlight

10 best veggie/vegan eats in EssexDiscover the earth-friendly eateries rewriting the rulebook - from cool plant-based cafés to pubs with top-notch veggie menus.
Superflashy newsflash! All the latest Essex newsA gorgeous new glamping spot, stylish store opening, chic new restaurant and more – we’ve rounded up the hottest happenings in the county right now.
The Muddy insider guide to EssexFrom top restaurants and hotels to secret islands, golden beaches and family fun, here's everything you need to know about East Anglia's coolest county.
Knead to know! Where to find the best pizzas in EssexFrom bottomless pizza in the city (Chelmsford, that is) to top takeaway nights in the countryside, here are some of my favourite places to grab a slice of the action.
Diaries out! What's on in Essex this MayCulture vultures, unite! We've got dog festivals, excellent exhibitions, thumping good theatre, gorgeous garden shows, and so much more happening across Essex this May.

Well, hello!

I'm Lianne, editor of Muddy Essex, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

Gotta Have It

When one destination isn't enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF - the cruise.

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

The nominations round is now closed. Finals start on 30 May 2022

10 best veggie/vegan eats in Essex

Discover the earth-friendly eateries rewriting the rulebook – from cool plant-based cafés to pubs with top-notch veggie menus.
- Knead to know! Where to find the best pizzas in Essex
  
  From bottomless pizza in the city (Chelmsford, that is) to top takeaway nights in the countryside, here are some of my favourite places to grab a slice of the action.
- 51 brilliant afternoon teas to book now
  
  Celebrate spring with clotted cream and dainty sarnies! We’ve found 51 of the best afternoon teas across the Muddy counties. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.

Culture

Worth your watch! 6 great things on TV this week

Pull up a chair and crack open the wine: from the new season of Stranger Things to a thrilling French boxset, we’ve got your weekly watchlist well and truly sorted.
- Feet up! 6 things to watch on TV this week
  
  Need something new to watch this week? You’ve come to the right place! From a freshly funny new talk show to an indulgent crime thriller, this is the best of the best.
- The 7 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Sure, the sun might be shining, but the calibre of TV this week is even brighter. From Tom Hiddleston in The Essex Serpent to BBC3’s new Sally Rooney adaptation, here’s what to stay in for.
- Hot Five: this week’s not-to-miss TV
  
  Colin Firth’s true crime gripper, Mike Myers witty return to screen and a shock-doc on a familiar high street fashion chain
- Diaries out! What’s on in Essex this May
  
  Culture vultures, unite! We’ve got dog festivals, excellent exhibitions, thumping good theatre, gorgeous garden shows, and so much more happening across Essex this May.

Little Black Book

Want to support local? Our curated pick of the most creative, unique and brilliant businesses near you.

Downham Hall, Downham

Sonia @ 48, Writtle

Karma Beauty & Boutique, West Mersea

The Old Farmhouse, Finchingfield

The Cricketers, Clavering

The Fox on the Green, Finchingfield

Florence Geary Photography

Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felsted

Amanda's Beautiful Ceremonies

Creeksea Place Barns, Burnham-on-Crouch

Frasers of Egerton, Ashford

OLIVETREEHOME

Travel

The best cruise holidays for 2023

When one destination isn’t enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF – the cruise.
- 23 of the best places to holiday in the UK
  
  Staycationing this summer? Then you’re going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.
- The Muddy insider guide to Essex
  
  Close to London yet home to beautiful countryside and a stunning stretch of coastline with in-the-know islands and hidden estuaries, Essex is the underrated jewel of East Anglia and it’s time you paid a visit.

Home

45+ cool kitchen design companies we trust

Thinking of a redesign? From classic Shaker styles to sleek contemporary cabinets, these kitchen design companies across the Muddy counties know just what they’re doing.
- A quick veggie supper dish from Georgina Hayden
  
  This Mediterranean twist on roast potatoes, with coriander and olives, makes a perfect side dish, or the main event for lunch alongside a crisp green salad.
- 8 gorgeous new gardening books
  
  Bountiful borders, striped lawn and artfully placed sculptures here we come, but first, sit down, grab a coffee and get lost in the sublime pages of these beauties (those weeds can wait another hour or so)
Wellbeing
- Ready for bed? 7 top buys for a restful sleep
  
  In celebration of World Sleep Day, here are our top shopping picks, from pillows and candles to sheets to sliders. If these don’t help you reach the land of nod, nothing will!!
- Morning routines of happy women: the fashion MD
  
  Disco workouts, outfit building, and the perfect creamy scrambled eggs – this is what a morning looks like for Fiona Lambert, Managing Director of Jaeger

Life

Back with a bang: how to relaunch your career

Ready to make a career comeback? Author and expert Lisa Unwin lays down the six commandments to obey if you want to kick-start your career after taking time out – whether you want to dive back in or start afresh.
Kids
- Brentwood School, Brentwood
  
  Striking an unusual balance between co-ed and single-sex learning, this successful independent delivers history and heart alongside its stellar academic record
- St Michael’s School, Leigh on Sea
  
  This little gem of a prep school in a charming seaside town is all about creating happy, confident kids who consistently achieve well above average in everything from academics to drama.

Instamuddy

Fashion

Fresh air, fresh fashion!

Seven compelling reasons to head to Bicester Village including up to 20 per cent off prices in April’s renowned Private Sale and the Do-Good pop up boutique. Trust us, no-show is not an option.
- Your 2022 social calendar – the ultimate Guide
  
  Diaries out? Read on for our insider guide on where to go, what to do, and – of course – how to nail the dress code with perfect prints and dazzling dresses from Ted Baker.
- Five Y2K trends we love & three we’re leaving behind
  
  The 90s are back, baby! Grab your frosted lippy and your Baby G watch – here are five trends we’ll all be giving a go this year (and three that’ll die quicker than our Tamagotchi).
Beauty
- REVIEW: new skincare that’s gorgeous – and works!
  
  Let us introduce you to WOAH – your favourite new vegan skincare line, tried and tested by Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown. See our edit, then win the entire collection, worth over £200.
- Hair transformation: mumsy mane, begone!
  
  Stuck in a hair rut? See Muddy Berkshire editor Rachel’s chic style update here – the third video in our series with the fabulous Haringtons salons

People

Gotta Have It: 90s legends in Lego

Can you guess which girl band is being immortalised in Lego 25 years after their iconic album release?
- Lorraine Candy: “Put your oxygen mask on first.”
  
  Ex Elle editor, parenting author and mum of four Lorraine Candy talks hormones (yours!), pot-plant parenting, and how adults need to look after their own mental health
- Meet the maker: Dantes Ceramics
  
  From potters and painters to stylists and chefs, Essex is awash with creative talent and in this new culture series, we meet the skilled artisans who deserve championing. First up: Isabelle Taylor-Jones of Dantes Ceramics in Wivenhoe
- Muddy meets celeb ventriloquist Paul Zerdin
  
  He won America’s Got Talent and is finally back on tour. Muddy talks to ventriloquist Paul Zerdin about weird fan mail, dressing up as Maggie Thatcher and his beef with Barney the Dinosaur.
- Naked weddings and tigers: stories from a celebrant
  
  Celebrants will do a wedding any way you want, which means they have all the best tales. Muddy sniffed out the juicy bits from local celebrant Amanda’s Beautiful Ceremonies.