Spotlight

The Muddy Insider Guide to CornwallPlanning a trip to Cornwall this summer? Our curated guide is packed with in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add flipflops and sunshine.
Meet The Muddy Awards 2021 winnersYour votes have been counted and – drrrrumroll please – the results are in! Here are your Muddy Awards 2021 winners. Go say hi – they’re local you know.
What’s on in Essex this August?The social calendar’s full and celebrating summer! From sunset theatre and street festivals to chilled vibes in the vines, here’s what’s on locally this month.
Novels set in Essex: titles to add to your reading listAhh, what better way to enjoy a lazy summer’s day than with a good book? Whether soaking up rays in your garden or sheltering from the rain snuggled up on your sofa, here are 9 brilliant titles, all set right here in Essex.
Best pick your own farms in EssexIt’s peak PYO season, so grab your straw hat and wicker basket, and take your pick from this bunch of fruity farmsteads.

Well, hello!

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

Gotta Have It

Going camping? These are your (ever so chic) must-haves

Booked a campsite, but no idea what you’re doing? Don’t worry, here’s the kit that will see you through – from enamelware for Pimms to the ultimate mattress.

Thanks to everyone who took part this year, and helped celebrate the most awesome indie businesses across 25 counties.

View Our Winners

Eat View more
Best pick your own farms in Essex

It’s peak PYO season, so grab your straw hat and wicker basket, and take your pick from this bunch of fruity farmsteads.
- Shh… Essex’s secret picnic spots
  
  Summer's here, so pack your Scotch eggs and lashings of ginger beer, and head to one of these beauty spots for lunch al fresco without the crowds.
- Artisan coffee houses
  
  Can’t function without your morning brew? Try one of these delicious artisan blends from this trio of local indie coffee roasters to kickstart your day in buzzin’ style

Arts & Culture View more
Pop that corn! What’s on TV this week?

What have the TV gods got for us this week? A big batch of goodies, that’s what. From indie dramedys to twisty teen mysteries to a BAFTA-nominated anthology, here’s what to watch this week.
- Novels set in Essex: titles to add to your reading list
  
  Ahh, what better way to enjoy a lazy summer’s day than with a good book? Whether soaking up rays in your garden or sheltering from the rain snuggled up on your sofa, here are 9 brilliant titles, all set right here in Essex.
- Top TV: what to watch this week
  
  Looks like we're back to nonstop rain — but with telly this good, who cares? Catch a star-studded who-dunnit, a big-budget adventure film, and more out this week.
- Escape the heat: this week’s best TV
  
  Sometimes, when the mercury is pushing 30 degrees, the only thing to do is open all the windows, shut the curtains, draw yourself a long, cool drink and shelter in-living room. Here’s what to watch while you do it.
- No sport here! What’s on telly this week
  
  The football is over so - finally - you can push your menfolk off the sofa and reclaim the television. Set them to work on the garden, pour yourself a glass and settle down for the evening.

Little Black Book

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

Creeksea Place Barns

Frasers of Egerton, Ashford

OLIVETREEHOME

WIVENHOE HOUSE, WIVENHOE

Alpine Rose Interiors

Chigborough Farm, near Maldon

Browning Bros Glamping, near Colchester

Jepcrack's Barns, near Maldon

Tiptree Tea Room, Osea Island

The Wine Cellar, Chelmsford

Stop The World Cafe, Leigh-on-Sea

Colchester Zoo, Colchester

Travel View more
The Muddy Insider Guide to Cornwall

Planning a trip to Cornwall this summer? Our curated guide is packed with in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add flipflops and sunshine.
- Muddy reviews: The Star Inn, Alfriston
  
  A triple treat of sleepy rural peace, local culture creds and stylish Tudor charm, The Star Inn in Alfriston, East Sussex opened in June to acclaim. Only thing is, does it pass the Muddy test?
- Best beaches in the South & South West
  
  Heading south for the summer? Then you'll be needing our guide to the 18 best beaches including the inside line on the best activities, foodie joints and sundowner spots.

Home View more
Buffalo Mozzarella with Clementine Salad

Need a new speedy lunch? Try this 15 minute fab mozzarella salad from Tart London – the super-cool caterers of choice for the fashion set (plus Naked Wines at 63% off).
- New wines to try this summer
  
  Naked Wine sommelier and Gordon Ramsay alumnus Ray O'Connor spills the grapes on why he won't pay thousands for wine, what's in his cellar - and how to dodge hangovers.
- Pan-fried sea trout with chilli and saffron broth
  
  Simple to make, yet a showstopper on the plate, this fragrant fish dish is a winner for impressing dinner party guests - especially when served with Naked Wines (at 63% off, natch).
Wellbeing
- Your health questions answered!
  
  Don’t understand why the weight won’t shift? Have a back that’s reminiscent of Quasimodo? Muddy puts your questions to Healthily’s chief medical officer, Professor Maureen Baker
- 8 amazing coastal walks across the county
  
  Fancy stretching your legs and filling your lungs with fresh sea air? Then stroll on over to Muddy’s definitive guide to the best coastal walks across Essex.

Life View more
Back in the office? We’re here to help!

Feeling unprepared to head back to the office after a year WFH? Muddy to the rescue with eight essential Do’s and Don’ts (and yes, you will have to change out of sweatpants).
Kids
- The parent’s guide to surviving exam results…
  
  ...because it's not just the kids who will be bricking it on the GCSE and A level results days this year, right?
- Does the world need another online school?
  
  Pearson Online Academy UK Global thinks so! With the launch of the educational behemoth's founding school in September, Muddy gets the lowdown from Principal Jo Vigneron

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
All that glitters! Bonkers sequin tote bags

Lockdown uniform of jogging bottoms and tatty T losing its appeal? Time to get some sparkle back. First step: this bag from Maldon native Anya Hindmarch.
- Rent your clothes like Carrie!
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with Carrie Symonds showing us how to work a sustainable wardrobe, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your clothes in style.
- Best swimwear for 2021
  
  Nothing says summer like new swimwear. Who cares if it's the Med or the back garden, it's time to splash out. Whether it's eco, floral, striped, shaping, nautical or sporty, we've found your perfect bikini or swimsuit.

Beauty View more
- Can Haringtons tame the Muddy mane?
  
  Fly-away hair with lots of grey? Not just me then... The challenge for award-winning hairdresser and colourist Barry was to create a style that will still look good a week later
- How to get that perfect sun-kissed glow
  
  Forget pale and interesting... we're channelling the St Tropez vibe, minus the orange tint. Here are some lotions and potions for a natural-looking tan without the UV damage

People View more
Muddy talks parenting with Lorraine Candy

“All teenage girls think their mums are a bit rubbish”. Journalist and mother of four Lorraine Candy talks parenting, moody teens and motherhood with Muddy.
- Shazia Mirza is back in town
  
  She's an ex-science teacher (“I hated them, they hated me”), yet former pupil Dizzee Rascal still calls her Miss. We chat with this fierce comedian as she takes her tour on the road
- See-through suits and Marvin Gaye: Leee John talks
  
  The Imagination front man and 1980s’ all-round soul funk hero is here to answer our rather silly questions ahead of his performance at Chilfest this summer