Spotlight

Meet your Muddy Awards 2022 winnersYour votes have been counted and - drumroll please - the results are in. Here are your Muddy Awards 2022 winners. Go say hi, they're local you know!
Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into EuropeThought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 - and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you're in port.
How to nail the perfect picnicThe sun's out - quick, grab the wicker basket! If you're partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn't?) here's some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast - including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
11 gorgeous pubs with gardens in EssexTo celebrate National Beer Day (and the return of the sun – huzzah!), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite beer gardens in the county
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!

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

Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

MEET THE MUDDY STILETTOS AWARDS 2022 WINNERS!

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Eat

Cheers! Local vineyards you’ll love

It’s English Wine Week (18-25 June) and Essex has some corking, fizz-friendly vineyards where you can pick up some local plonk and celebrate!
- 11 gorgeous pubs with gardens in Essex
  
  To celebrate National Beer Day (and the return of the sun – huzzah!), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite beer gardens in the county
- 9 gorgeous garden centres with cafes
  
  Pick up a slice of cake along with some plants at these bloomin’ brilliant garden centres where the cappuccinos look as good as the chrysanths.

Culture

Six shiny new things to watch on TV this week

A new series of The Umbrella Academy, how to make the most of Glastonbury from your sofa, feel-good comedy… Here’s this week’s ultimate guide to staying in.
- Pass the remote! 7 great things to watch this week
  
  Fancy something to settle down with? Hey, we all need a bit of me-time. From a sultry new Tudor drama to quirky Netflix comedies, don’t miss Muddy’s pick of the week.
- Al fresco events this summer!
  
  Picnic baskets at the ready! What’s better than going to the cinema, theatre or a gig? Going to them outside of course! Here’s my pick of the best places to see an al fresco performance locally, from open-air films and street food to some Shakespeare in the park.
- The 7 most unmissable shows on TV this week
  
  Love Island’s returning with a sunscreen-slicked vengeance, Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love finally makes it to the screen, and more unmissable picks this week.
- Diaries out! What’s on in Essex this June
  
  From joyous Jubilee events and hilarious stand-ups to fabulous festivals, here’s your bumper guide to what’s happening in the county this month.

Little Black Book

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

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

Wood Cottage Tea Room, Felsted

Amanda's Beautiful Ceremonies

Creeksea Place Barns, Burnham-on-Crouch

Travel

Bilbao, Mykonos or Naples? Disney cruises into Europe

Thought Disney Cruise Line was all about Miami, Florida and the Bahamas? Here are the coolest destinations for 2023 – and our insider tips on how to maximise the fun while you’re in port.
- Driving us wild! The world’s best road trips
  
  There’s nothing like hitting the open road to give you a sense of freedom and adventure on holiday, whether it’s a 24-hour jaunt or a week-long epic escape.
- Indian Ocean calling: Up to 40% off Mauritius family hols
  
  If you’re going to the sun, you gotta do it in style, right? Leading luxury travel company Turquoise have teamed up with the Mauritian tourist board for three incredible deals this summer. Ready, steady, pack!

Home

7 of the best bistro sets to buy now

The faintest whiff of summer sun and you’ll find us out in the garden, chilled spritz in hand. And to sit at? One of these seven totally chic bistro sets, darling!
- How to nail the perfect picnic
  
  The sun’s out – quick, grab the wicker basket! If you’re partial to a picnic (I mean, who isn’t?) here’s some inspo on how to pimp up your al fresco feast – including £500 of free Ocado deliveries (well hello M&S Deli range).
- 10 of the prettiest gin bottles to add to your shelf
  
  It’s World Gin Day on 11 June, so what better way to celebrate than by picking up a bottle of the good stuff? Here are some that’ll look as good on your shelf as they taste in your G&T…
Wellbeing
- 6 ways to get the best sleep you’ve ever had
  
  Do you struggle to snooze? We’ve nobbled the pros at Healthily for the latest scientific thinking on how to conquer insomnia. Cue, walnuts, pink noise – and orgasms.
- Ready for bed? 7 top buys for a restful sleep
  
  In celebration of World Sleep Day, here are our top shopping picks, from pillows and candles to sheets to sliders. If these don’t help you reach the land of nod, nothing will!!

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
- Has the IB finally overtaken A levels as the smart choice for kids?
  
  The International Baccalaureate is admired by universities, respected by companies and gaining traction in the UK with online school Kings InterHigh offering the first ever fully-virtual IB from Sept 22. What’s the fuss about? We ask Head of Sixth Form Alessandro Capozzi
- 5 reasons outside learning is good for your child
  
  From better mental and physical health to improving confidence, al fresco learning can be just as rewarding as studying in a classroom according to a local expert. Muddy heads outside to investigate.

Instamuddy

Fashion

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.
- Win a designer beach bundle worth £400!
  
  Raffia and leather beach bag, designer shades, serious kudos beach towel and luxe sun lotion could all be yours in this fabulous summer bundle
- Fresh air, fresh fashion!
  
  Seven compelling reasons to head to Bicester Village including up to 20 per cent off prices in April’s renowned Private Sale and the Do-Good pop up boutique. Trust us, no-show is not an option.
Beauty
- 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.
- REVIEW: new skincare that’s gorgeous – and works!
  
  Let us introduce you to WOAH – your favourite new vegan skincare line, tried and tested by Muddy ed-in-chief Hero Brown. See our edit, then win the entire collection, worth over £200.

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 girl band is being immortalised in Lego 25 years after their iconic album release?
- 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
- 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
- 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.