Essex - The Urban Guide to the Countryside

The urban guide to the countryside -

Essex

Well, hello!

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

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Gotta Have It

Anyone else's kids shot up a few inches during lockdown? We've got you covered with our pick of the coolest, colourful childrenswear to style out the summer.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

The Muddy insider guide to NorfolkSumer holidays incoming! Read our brand new and brilliant curated guide to Norfolk, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!).
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.

Eat View more
Here’s to 8 of the best Essex pub gardens

Fancy a cheeky half in a glorious pub garden after months of 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’.
- Smokin’! The perfect summer burger recipe
  
  The weather's pulling a blinder this week, so fire up the BBQ and rustle up this bad boy with homemade ketchup (fancy!) from Muddy favourite The Pig group.
- Quarantini time! Heston’s Gold Rush
  
  Looking to up your cocktail creds during lockdown? We've rifled through Heston Blumenthal’s cocktail bible, so perk yourself up with a Gold Rush.

Arts & Culture View more
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
- We’re all going on a big-screen holiday
  
  Choose your destination, fasten your seats and get ready for take off. Here's 21 films, set in exotic locations that are almost as good travelling abroad.
- Culture: the hot summer reads set in Essex
  
  With stay/vay-cays finally on the horizon, we’ve rounded up some of the region’s hottest reads to see you through the holidays. From ghostly sightings across the salt marshes to satire in Southend, we've got you covered
- Staying indoors? Here’s what to watch this week
  
  Bored of boxsets? I hear ya loud and clear lady! Here's our latest round up of what's new for TV, film, theatre and music to keep you entertained this week.

Home View more
How much does this Billericay beauty cost?

Linear lines, oceans of natural light and wraparound woodland vistas combine to make this architect’s home a modern must-have. But what’s it valued at? Time to place your bets…
- Muddy ‘Lockdown Gardens in Bloom’ is GO!
  
  Calling all green fingered goddesses! We want to see your lockdown gardening handiwork for the chance to win vouchers (there's £1000 up for grabs) to spend at Olive & Sage.
- House swap: what does £250k get you?
  
  £250k for a house? You betcha! If that mortgage is feeling like a millstone, take a peek at these properties across the Muddy counties and start mentally moving in ASAP.
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
How to WFH (without going stir-crazy)

Working from your home office (or, er, the sofa) for the foreseeable? Don’t panic! These top tips will help you stay calm, collected and productive – or at the very least, sane.
- Which entrepreneur won Tide’s £2000 helping hand?
  
  Thanks for asking! Say hello to Jade and her delicious bakery business and find out how the money has helped her boost her business to the next level.
- How to be ambitious (and still be kind)
  
  Muddy chatted to author and comedian Viv Groskop - about redefining female ambition for 2020. Need a life reboot? Viv can help with that.
Kids
- Is it time to try an online school?
  
  With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, ‘virtual’ schools are gaining traction - but what do they offer that’s different?
- Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results
  
  We asked and you talked! Read the results of our exclusive parent survey into how lockdown learning is affecting our children, and what we can do to help them.

Fashion View more
The 9 most stylish face masks

Well, who could have predicted THIS as the must-have summer 2020 accessory? If you’ve gotta wear one, it may as well look chic, right?
- Trend alert! Artisanal style
  
  Delicate embroidery, expert craftsmanship and dreamy fabrics - we're coveting artisanal chic for summer. Here are 14 items to add to your (handwoven) basket.
- Summer wardrobe spin: new Essex boutique buys
  
  These stylish Essex boutiques have just had their SS20 drops. Whoopo! Here's our edit of the we-want-it-now staples.

Beauty View more
- 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
- 5 glow-getting tinted moisturisers
  
  Coming out of lockdown with a healthy glow but haven't worn make up on yonks? Ditch the foundation for a lightweight tinted moisturiser. Here's 5 on the Muddy radar.

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

Read the reviews

Fun Finder

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

Travel View more
The Muddy insider guide to Norfolk

Summer holidays incoming! Read our brand new and brilliant curated guide to Norfolk, with luxe SPF brand Saltee, and start planning your staycation (PLUS enter our sexy £2,888 summer giveaway!).
- Muddy’s insider guide to Devon
  
  If Devon's on your holiday hit list this year you'll be needing our totally brilliant insider guide to the county. PLUS we have £2,888 of summer goodies up for grabs!
- The Muddy insider guide to The Cotswolds
  
  Prepping for a staycay this summer? Our curated guide to The Cotswolds is packed with our-in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add sandals and sunshine. PLUS read on for £2,888 of sultry summer goodies to give away).