Spotlight

5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone nowYee-ha! Kevin Costner's ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here's why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
Inside scoop! Best ice cream parlours in EssexHeatwave getting to you? Time to chill at a local ice cream parlour!
A constellation of local stars in the Great Taste AwardsAward-winning local food and drink, you say? Hot off the press, the latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the line-up of Essex producers
60 amazing afternoon teas to book nowIt's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
Superflashy newsflash! The latest Essex news and gossipPop-ups, openings, closings and cool new festivals – it’s all happening here in Essex this summer. Remember you heard it here first, people!

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

Clean up your act! Luxe hand soaps we love

Feel like upgrading your hand soap? Foam up and step this way! From luxurious formulas and gorgeous bottles to fresh summer scents, here are 12 of the loveliest to buy now.

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

See What's On

Eat

Inside scoop! Best ice cream parlours in Essex

Feeling the heat? Time to chill with a cone filled with gourmet local ice cream at a cool local parlour (just don’t forget to add a flake).
- A constellation of local stars in the Great Taste Awards
  
  Award-winning local food and drink, you say? Hot off the press, the latest Great Taste Award winners have just been crowned. Take a look at the line-up of Essex producers
- 60 amazing afternoon teas to book now
  
  It’s Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we’ve found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you’d better book ’em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.

Culture

5 reasons to binge-watch Yellowstone now

Yee-ha! Kevin Costner’s ranch drama is the most-watched U.S. TV show ever. Here’s why you should saddle up to stream Series 1-3 on Paramount+ ready for Series 4 dropping 17 Aug.
- Tune in! 6 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Struggling to fill that Succession-shaped void? We’ve got you covered with Kevin Costner’s epic Yellowstone (AKA your new TV obsession) and more.
- TV Time! 6 best new things to watch this week
  
  Remotes at the ready! From the latest unmissable BBC drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, to a gripping Netflix true crime documentary here’s Muddy’s weekly rundown.
- Culture vulture! Books & films set in Essex
  
  Lights, camera, action! For a dose of local culture this summer, look no further than these brilliant works of fiction and film all set in our characterful county.
- Watch these! 6 hot new shows out this week
  
  Get set for a week of great telly from the latest fantasy DC comic adaptation to Disney Pixar’s Lightyear and the latest remake of Father of the Bride.

Little Black Book

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

La Pomme, Ingatestone

Galvin Green Man, Chelmsford

Madsy P Sax, Musician

Claire Naylor Photography

New Day Originals, Brentwood

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

Travel

Review: Luxe holiday rental at ARC Padstow

Looking for a Cornish escape for the whole crew with serious wow-factor? It doesn’t come much more stylish or slick than this reimagined country house in St Issey.
- Muddy Insider Guide to the West Midlands
  
  The Commonwealth Games has shone a spotlight on Birmingham but there’s far more to the West Midlands than its prime city. Read on for everything you need for a stay in the beating heart of England.
- Dive in! 16 incredible swimming pools world-wide
  
  Make a splash on Instagram in one of these amazing swimming pools, from infinity-edged stunners to private plunge pools with a view.

Home

How to throw the perfect summer dinner party, Galvin style

Hosting an upcoming soiree? Two award-winning local chefs reveal their top tips on how to take the stress out of entertaining
- How to fill your home with summer scents
  
  You don’t need to step into a garden to enjoy summer’s heady fragrances – here are 15 ways to enjoy your favourite flower and herb aromas in your living spaces. Breathe it in!
- 7 of the best bistro sets to buy now
  
  The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, sunnies on and chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
Wellbeing
- Spa of the Month: Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
  
  Fancy being buffed, massaged, tweaked and primped? Welcome to the first in our new monthly tried-and-tested guides to the world’s best spas. See you pool side, sister!
- 8 easy ways to protect yourself against sun ageing
  
  Brace yourselves, heatwave incoming! (yes, again). Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about staying safe in the sun, with a little help from the experts at Healthily.

Life

Meet your Muddy Awards 2022 Finalists!

Your nominations have been totted up and the results are in! Here are your amazing Muddy Awards 2022 Finalists in Essex. Vote to crown your local champions now!
Kids
- Dive in! The best watersports to try locally this summer
  
  When the heat’s on, it’s time to hit the water. Keen to take the plunge and try something new? Here’s some of the county’s best waterways to dive straight into…
- Things to do with kids of all ages this summer
  
  Summer holidays starting to drag? Never fear as I’ve found festivals, gigs and loads of outdoor fun for teens and tots alike to help ease the pressure this August.

Instamuddy

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Fashion

Road trip: From Bicester Village with love

Muddy’s teamed up with luxury open-air shopping destination Bicester Village to explore Oxfordshire’s most gorgeous fashion, eating and shopping destinations. Let’s go!
- 12 sizzling sustainable swimwear brands
  
  Want your bikini with full eco credibility but also 100% watertight on style? Make a splash with these brilliant swimwear brands. Just add SPF and a cold drink.
- The Muddy edit: 30 hottest summer pieces from Next
  
  Whether you’re heading to the beach, on a chic city break or sipping Pimm’s at a garden party – here’s how to do it in style with Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown’s picks, all new-in at Next.
Beauty
- Freshen up! 40 best ‘tweakment’ salons
  
  Fancy glowing skin, a sculpted jawline or a tighter bum? No need to go under the knife – we’ve scoured the Muddy counties for the best non-invasive treatments in top-rated salons.
- Pretty pop-ups! New beauty to shop this summer
  
  Fancy a new lippie, liner or luxe shampoo? Ready your makeup bags (and your credit card) – we’ve scoured the country for the best new beauty shops and pop-ups this summer

People

Can these 7 celebs pull off a moustache?

It takes a certain kind of man to pull off a moustache, and Miles Teller’s Rooster in the new Top Gun has got our surprised seal of approval. Time for a game: TO ‘TACHE, OR NOT TO ‘TACHE? Let us know if you agree in the comments!
- Gotta Have It: 90s legends in Lego
  
  Can you guess which nineties girl band is being immortalised in a 578 piece Logo brick set 25 years after their iconic album release? Read on to find out!
- 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