Spotlight

Clink! It’s the Muddy Awards drinks…You did it, they did it, we all did it! We all voted for our favourite local businesses in Essex, and after a fierce competition, it was time to celebrate. Pop the cork and cue the gin cocktails!
Autumn walks in EssexLove the great outdoors? Us too – especially if there’s a cosy inn serving up a crisp Pinot/pale ale along the way. Step forward our pick of the prettiest regional routes in all their autumn glory.
It’s September! So what’s on in Essex this month?It's back to school for the kiddos, but the fun never stops for us grown-ups. Don't miss the brand-new festivals, outdoor art installations, music events, and more on in Essex this month.
65 paw-fect dog-friendly staysHave pooch, will travel? Here are 65 stays across the Muddy counties that are all Fido-friendly from stunning stately homes to rural cottage staycations.
16 must-visit attractions in EssexFrom the big-beast tourist destinations we all know and love, to our insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 16 unmissable attractions in the county

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

Fancy a sparkling little number to style out your summer drinking? We've found an alternative to wine that makes a gorgeous gift for a friend... or save it just for you!

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

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Eat View more
Autumn walks in Essex

Love the great outdoors? Us too – especially if there’s a cosy inn serving up a crisp Pinot/pale ale along the way. Step forward our pick of the prettiest regional routes in all their autumn glory.
- 12 gorgeous pubs with gardens in Essex
  
  Here comes the sun – get thee to a gorgeous pub garden pronto, I say! Here are 12 of the county’s loveliest locals to enjoy an alfresco quaff in. Cheers!
- The loveliest local afternoon teas
  
  Yay, it’s Afternoon Tea Week (9–15 Aug)! Not that we need any encouragement to scoff our weight in diddy cakes. Do we know of any nice places? Step this way, Madam.

Arts & Culture View more
New TV alert! 6 shiny things dropping this week

We’re getting into prime autumn telly season, with three — count them, three! — hotly-awaited series returns this week. Read all about them (as well as the other shiny new releases) here…
- 5 things you won’t want to miss on TV this week
  
  Channel 4's making history, Colin Farrell stars in the BBC's bleak new period drama, Anya Taylor-Joy comes of age in Ireland, and more. Muddy's got the inside-line on unmissable telly this week.
- Stop! It’s sofa time: 5 new releases to watch this week
  
  Is that autumn in the air? Time for some top-tier TV. We've got screwball comedy whodunnits, big-budget fairy tale retellings, and powerful documentary deep-dives. Reader, take your pick.

Little Black Book

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

Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felsted

Amanda's Beautiful Ceremonies

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

Travel View more
Italy, Mr Bond? 24 hours in Matera

Make mine a martini, shaken not stirred while we tell you our insider tips on how to best experience the coolest city you’ve probably never heard of.
- 65 paw-fect dog-friendly stays
  
  Have pooch, will travel? Here are 65 stays across the Muddy counties that are all Fido-friendly from stunning stately homes to rural cottage staycations.
- The Muddy insider guide to Norfolk
  
  Stunning beaches, beautiful broads and bijou boltholes plus a vibrant capital city – Norfolk is one of our favourite year-round staycation destinations. Ready to 'Do Different'?

Home View more
10 knockout farmhouses that are up for sale now

Fell in love with rural life on your staycay? Us too. Quick, before the market turns: check out these absolutely stunning farms to snap up across the Muddy counties (and beyond).
- 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).
- Glug! New wines to buy and try
  
  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.
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
- New Hall School, Chelmsford
  
  Enjoy the best of both worlds at this impressive Essex school with a hugely successful Diamond Model of education, and equal emphasis on academics, sports, pastoral care and performing arts.
- 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

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
A new leaf: your 10 autumn wardrobe essentials

Bright knits, checks, big handbags, even bigger boots. We’ve got your autumn/winter 2021 fashion fix sorted.
- 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.

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 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.
- 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.