Muddy Stilettos Essex

Spotlight

What’s on locally this half term? We know!The holidays are looming yet again, but panic not. We’ve rounded up 20 of the most brilliant things going on in Essex this half term – just add kids
27 of the best beaches in East AngliaOh, we do like to be by the seaside! Looking ahead to the summer, get some trips in the diary with our bumper guide to the best beaches along the East Anglian coast.
City slickin': what's on in London this summerLondon's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
8 amazing coastal walks across the countyFancy 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.
What’s On MayGoing out is BACK and so is our indispensable What’s On guide! Check out the cracking events that are happening in Essex – from family festivals and vineyard tours to live music and much more.

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

One small store – 6 al fresco must-haves

Within the dinky-sized Sonia@48 you’ll find a treasure trove of cool, quirky and downright gorgeous must-haves. Here are six of our faves for al fresco living.

The UK’s most creative and unique independent shops, makers and producers local to you.

Shop Now

Home View more
BBQ monkfish tail with sauce bourguignonne

BBQ but make it fancy! This seafood take on a classic French dish is a dead-cert crowd pleaser (especially when you pair it with wines from £4.17 a bottle in our curated Naked Wines cases).
- TV’s Georgina Burnett on decor do’s and don’ts
  
  Why she'll never hang CDs from the ceiling again, plus how to get it right with colour and where to start if you've just bought a new property
- THE PIG’s sizzling BBQ burger
  
  BBQ season is upon us and we have just the recipe (with up to 63% off perfectly paired wines) to get the party started, courtesy of Muddy favourites THE PIG and Naked Wines.
Wellbeing
- 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.
- Easy! Buy these, and sleep better
  
  Having trouble sleeping? Us and half the world right now! Here's what the Muddy team have in their shopping baskets to help with some much-needed shut-eye.

Arts & Culture View more
City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer

London’s shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what’s on in the capital.
- Clear the schedule! TV worth watching this week
  
  Still not quite warm enough to hang around outside all evening without a sheepskin coat, is it? So, get yourself indoors, sneakily hitch up the heating and watch one of these fab shows instead.
- What’s on the box? 9 shows to watch this week
  
  Feeling exhausted from too much actual face-to-face interaction? Yeah, us too. So grab yourself a cuppa, a packet of chocolate digestives, and have a bit of one-to-one time with the television.

Eat View more
12 gorgeous pubs with gardens in Essex

Praise be, the pubs are OPEN! Well, just the gardens, but that’ll do very nicely for now. Here are 12 of the county’s best pub gardens to enjoy a quaff in. Cheers!
- Try this light but warming spring supper
  
  Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's healthy take on this Scottish fish soup makes for a quick and hearty but healthy supper that's perfect for cool spring evenings.
- The best local delis – and nearby picnic spots
  
  Right now, picnics on park benches are THE hottest social event in the calendar. So, dig out your hamper and waterproof blanket, and order your sausage rolls from these seriously slick Essex delis.

Work View more
Shop local: the home-office updates you’ll love

In a bid to give ‘hot desking’ a thoroughly modern respin, Essex boutiques are stocking some standout office staples right now. Here’s where – and what – to shop for the dream WFH situ…
Kids
- What’s on locally this half term? We know!
  
  The holidays are looming yet again, but panic not. We’ve rounded up 20 of the most brilliant things going on in Essex this half term – just add kids
- Saint Nicholas School, Harlow
  
  Impossible to find fault with this small but facility-packed co-ed through school – from its fun family vibe and outstanding pastoral care to its strong academic results and Famous Five grounds

Fashion View more
Green age kicks! eco-cool trainers

There’s nothing like box fresh white trainers to put a spring in your step. The good news for the planet is that this lot tick the stylish and sustainable box too.
- Word up! Slogan sweats to buy now
  
  Can't find the words to say it yourself? Say it with a sweater! Here are eight cool slogan jumpers we're coveting right now, all from indie shops and brands.
- 2021 fashion collabs you need to know
  
  When high fashion met high street. Here are the new season fashion collabs we're lusting after this month (with surprisingly affordable price tags).

Beauty View more
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.
- Skincare SOS – your winter essentials
  
  Zoom close-ups making you wince? Cold winter days and dry central heating are playing havoc with our skin. Try these hero products for a dose of much-needed hydration.

People View more
Six lockdown heroines to celebrate IWD

It’s been a bit of a year so to mark International Women’s Day 2021, we thought we’d big up six women who have impressed, delighted and inspired us over the past 12 months.
- How to run well by a pro marathon runner
  
  Need some work-out motivation? You’re in the right place. Muddy talks to endurance athlete Nick Butter about how to motivate yourself out the door and onto an exercise regime.
- What’s cooking? Calum Franklin, The Pie Room
  
  Fresh from the launch of his mouth-watering new cookbook, we caught up with the London Pie King himself to talk Scotch eggs, the Breville toastie masker and cooking for Axl Rose.

Travel View more
Top places to stop on your way to Cornwall and the South West

Driving down to your staycation and need somewhere to have lunch, walk the dog, let the kids run or even take a nap? We’ve sniffed out the best places to stop near the south-west’s major routes.
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
- Nine divine holiday rentals to book now for an autumn break
  
  If you didn't have sharp enough elbows to get your summer holiday staycation nailed, fear not. Here are the holiday rentals to book now for an autumn weekend escape