Essex - The Urban Guide to the Countryside

Spotlight

Where to get your water sports fix this summerNothing beats that first sun-kissed wash of water hitting your toes, but the Big Blue is more than just a holiday fling. From windsurfing and wakeboarding to SUP yoga and wild swimming, these Essex waterways are making a splash in the world of fitness, too
Hidden coves: the local beachy boltholesSo you’ve checked out Frinton’s candy-striped beach huts and ripped through Southend seafront with a toddler (and toffee apple) in tow. Now where? Here’s our inside-track on the county’s more secluded shores
The hottest haunts to hit post-lockdownAs some of the region’s coolest stores, cultural must-sees and family-friendly parks tentatively start to reopen their doors again, we’ve got the lowdown on where to head for your social(ly distanced) fix
Discover Essex’s most scenic waterside walksIf the idea of a park picnic leaves you cold and another trip to the beach bores you, it's time to explore the patchwork of picturesque waterways Essex is renowned for. From languid strolls along tumbling streams to full-on river safaris, here's some of the region's most immersing routes
Muddy 'Lockdown Gardens in Bloom' is GO!Calling all green fingered goddesses! We want to see your lockdown gardening handiwork. Snap your space and post it on Instagram for the chance to win vouchers (there's £1000 up for grabs) to spend online at gorgeous garden and homewares boutique Olive & Sage.

Well, hello!

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

Gotta Have It

Move over Mr M, I'll take it from here. Make the barbecue your own this summer with these super-handy gadgets and accessories.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Eat View more
Forget France: bag your Brut from these Essex vineyards

English wine is having a moment – and Essex has some corkers of its own on the grow with a flurry of fizz-friendly vineyards popping up across the county. Here’s where to raise a local glass or two (or six) this summer. Hiccup…
- 8 stylish local restaurants that just reopened
  
  Now that lockdown is lifting, it's time to 'eat out to help out'. We think we can manage that....
- Here’s to 8 of the best Essex pub gardens
  
  Fancy a cheeky half in a glorious pub garden post lockdown? Thought so. Luckily, we've got the inside scoop on where to head for the best food, views and local tipples. The only thing we can't promise is sun
- Essex scenic picnic spots you need to know now
  
  'Tis officially the season to picnic, but if you're worried about crowds or just fancy a change of scene, fear not: you and your hamper are sorted. Here's seven off-the-radar hangouts for the ultimate field day
- Regional farm shops foodies will love
  
  Are you still determined, post-lockdown, to eschew big-brand supermarkets to support local farm produce? Ah, we can help with that! Here are seven independents selling the ‘good life’.

Arts & Culture View more
Your cultural guide to what’s on this summer

Had your fill of creative, forward-thinking podcasts? Fresh out of Netflix documentaries to devour? Chill. Cultural events across Essex are back on the agenda – and we’ve got the lowdown on where to find all your local arty offerings
- What’s in: what to watch this week
  
  Rubbish weather got you down? Settle on the sofa with a cuppa and binge-watch some of these new TV and film releases instead.
- What’s in: 10 new things to watch this week
  
  Lazy day in front of the telly? Yes please! Here are the hottest new films and TV shows for you to sink your teeth into. Just add popcorn.
- 11 big-screen drive-ins in Essex and beyond
  
  With social distancing de rigueur right now, the arts industry has had to find new ways to keep us entertained this summer. Cue a flurry of big-screen drive-in offerings - and our edit of the best in Essex and beyond. Tell me about it, stud...
- 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

Home View more
- Reclaim the BBQ! Best outdoor cooking accessories
  
  Move over Mr M, I’ll take it from here. Make the barbecue your own this summer with these super-handy gadgets and accessories.
Wellbeing
- 7 steps to better sleep in lockdown
  
  So you've downed a chamomile tea and ignored your phone but still can't get to sleep. Sound familiar? Read on for our guide to getting some Z's during lockdown.
- 10 online workouts that take 15 minutes or less
  
  Not feeling it for Joe Wicks or Davina? Here, bash out one of these online workouts instead - a quarter of an hour of effort, smug for the rest of the day.

Work View more
J’adore/ J’abhor: video calls

Are you a FaceTime fanatic or a Skype cynic? After months of video call catch-ups, two Muddy editors battle it out over the digital face-to-face. Who will you side with?
Kids
- Ipswich School
  
  This city-based, selective co-ed school for ages 11-18 pulls off the near impossible: amazing results across the board while retaining a happy, creative environment
- 10 books for younger kids
  
  Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.

Fashion View more
Our new favourite fashion trend

Puff sleeves are as du rigueur as a mojito in hand this summer and we’ve found eight totally wearable sartorial stunners to add to your summer wardrobe now.
- The final straw: 7 chic hats to buy now
  
  What keeps you cool, but is this summer's hottest accessory? The straw hat, of course! Nail the trend with one of these affordable woven beauties.
- Style spotlight: Fashion Re:Boot founder Ciara Elliott
  
  The concept is gold: gather a group of trendy women together to buy and sell their pre-loved...

Beauty View more
- Best at-home pedi kits
  
  It's starting to feel a lot like peak summer and with the mercury knocking 25 degrees on a regular basis, it means it's also time to expose The Feet. Ready, set, attack!
- 5 of the best hair masks to buy now
  
  Split ends up to your ears? We've found five quick-fixes for treating neglected locks - and to stop your hair stylist from screaming when salons finally reopen

People View more
Let’s hear it for the girls! Meet WOW founder, Jude Kelly

Muddy meets Jude Kelly CBE, founder of the WOW Foundation, and the annual Women of the World Festival which celebrates the lives of us bloody marvellous women and girls, and tackles our shared challenges.
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  Record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with UK theatres. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- What I’ve learnt in lockdown
  
  Love it or loathe it, lockdown has given us time to learn new skills but has it taught us something deeper? Muddy tapped five busy writers and presenters, juggling careers, babies and even a tumour, to tell all.
- Muddy gets chefy with Olivia Burt
  
  We catch up with the 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist to find out her backstage goss, favourite dishes and top spots to eat in London.
- Melissa Hemsley spills the beans…
  
  …then whips them up into a tasty frittata. Muddy talks burnt pans, how to waste less and keeping an endless supply of cookie dough in the freezer with the green chef.

School Reviews

Our honest reviews of the UK’s best schools

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Fun Finder

Making plans? Find your perfect Pub, Inn, Hotel, Café, Restaurant or Bar across the Muddy counties.

The insider’s guide to the Top 200 places to live outside London

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Travel View more
J’adore/j’abhor: camping

Does the sight of a sleeping bag pique your sense of adventure, or break you out in a cold sweat? Two Muddy behemoths duke it out over camping – let’s hope it doesn’t get too tents (sorry).
- Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of Wight
  
  This sunny little Island may be small in stature but it's packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We've got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.
- Muddy’s insider guide to Essex
  
  Summer holidays, incoming! Read our curated guide to vaycaying in Essex, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS, enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!) now