Spotlight

Black Futures: 11 online and in-person events this monthBlack History Month test events at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre kickstart a new model for celebrating Black creativity in the West Midlands.
Mid-month autumn newsflash - the latest local gossThis week: newly announced shows, exhibitions & winter drive-in cinema, foodie discounts, and new reasons to shop til you drop.
Watch this! 10 new films and TV showsBored? Us too! Drop the box set re-runs and settle down with this week's Muddy-curated guide to the best of the small screen.
20 October half term savioursHalf term's looming but don't be afraid, we've sorted the fun with 19 brilliant things to do in Warwickshire, the West Midlands and beyond to keep the little people entertained.
Review: Reflect, reconnect and recharge at Wootton ParkLooking for a weekend wellness retreat? Muddy surrenders to the healing powers of forest bathing, yoga, meditation and pilates deep in the Warwickshire countryside.

Well, hello!

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

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Gotta Have It

Halloween interiors – no tricks, plenty of treats

Halloween approaches and, quite frankly, this year, we'll take any excuse for a party. Invite five friends over (if restrictions allow) and dress up your house with these interiors trinkets.

It’s all about the staycay! Our handpicked selection of the hippest hotels, pubs, restaurants and cottages to help you book that well-deserved break

Little Black Book

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

Artisan Alchemy Gallery, the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

The Yew Tree, Avon Dassett, Warwickshire

Flore House, Flore, Northants

The Bower House, Shipston-on-Stour

Newbold Spirit, Leamington Spa

Wootton Park Pods and Retreats, Wootton Wawen

Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome

Billesley Manor Hotel, near Stratford-upon-Avon

Twinings Home Fragrance

Hilltop Farm's Hilltop Hideaways, Hunningham, Leamington Spa

The Red Lion, Hunningham, near Leamington Spa

Hart and Co, Leamington Spa

Eat View more
IT’S GBBO BISCUIT WEEK! ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, BAKE!

Ditch the HobNobs and get your bake on making these gluten-free Italian almond biscuits by Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi. They’re made for dunking.
- Apple Day: Hill Close Gardens, Warwick, Sun Oct 11
  
  Every year Hill Close Gardens in Warwick celebrates the produce grown in its ancient apple orchard. This year's event will be a socially distanced affair.
- Burning Barn Rum
  
  On the back of our recent best UK indie drinks feature, we have some more exciting local news about a West Midlands based craft rum celebrating its first major supermarket listing.
- Pear & Blackberry Tarte Tatin
  
  Feeling fruity? You will be with this sumptuous September dish. With foragable fruits on every corner we don't blame you for not being able to resist this sexy rustic French dish from Daylesford. Try it now.
- Launch review: The Pig, Harlyn Bay, Cornwall
  
  On its opening day, Muddy's ed-in-chief Hero Brown was the first to eat lunch at the brand new Pig hotel in Harlyn Bay (what a trooper!). So what was the verdict?

Instamuddy

Arts & Culture View more
Black History Month: new audio dramatisation of RSC play The Whip, Thurs Oct 29

Celebrating Black History Month, the RSC re-unites the original cast for a new audio recording to premiere on Thurs Oct 29. Here’s our original review…
- Black Futures: 11 online and in-person events this month
  
  Black History Month test events at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre kickstart a new model for celebrating Black creativity in the West Midlands.
- Mid-month autumn newsflash – the latest local goss
  
  This week: new openings, newly announced shows, exhibitions & winter drive-in cinema, foodie discounts, and new reasons to shop til you drop.
- Watch this! 10 new films and TV shows
  
  Bored? Us too! Drop the box set re-runs and settle down with this week's Muddy-curated guide to the best of the small screen.
- Read these! Best new books for October
  
  After a new read for your bedside table? Oxford indie Daunt Books Summertown shares the best new titles to sink your teeth into this month.

Home View more
- Light it up! 42 cool indie candle brands
  
  The arrival of autumn means darker evenings snuggled indoors by candlelight. Looking for a new scent? Try one of these gorgeous indie candle brands from across the Muddy counties.
Wellbeing
- Review: Reflect, reconnect and recharge at Wootton Park
  
  Looking for a weekend wellness retreat? Muddy surrenders to the healing powers of forest bathing, yoga, meditation and pilates deep in the Warwickshire countryside.
- 10 Arboretums to explore this autumn
  
  All change! The trees are turning from green to gorgeous red-brick, crimson and gold - and the best places to see them are these beautiful local arboretums in the West Midlands, neighbouring Cotswolds, Worcs and beyond.

Travel View more
Review: our socially-distant seaside break by the New Forest

Fancying a post-lockdown seaside staycation within a three-hour drive? Pack a picnic and bucket and spade and head to the beach for a long socially-distanced weekend…
- 30 Muddy-approved attractions in Warwickshire
  
  From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 30+ unmissable attractions in Warwickshire.
- Family-friendly half-term break in Warwickshire?
  
  Planning a staycation with the kids this half-term ? Mallory Court is a brilliant base to explore the county with the family - and the really good news is, kids stay free - brekkie and a scavenger hunt included!

Work View more
Back-to-school for grown-ups

The kids may be going back to school but why should they get all the new gear? We all deserve shiny winter boots and bags too. Here’s our pick for back-to-school style.
- 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.
- Let’s support our shops (at a social distance)
  
  Was anyone else itching to get into a real shop? We'd love to hear shout-outs for your local high street heroes across Warwickshire.
Kids
- Scholarship Day, Moreton Hall, Shropshire, Fri Oct 16
  
  Miss the Virtual Open Day? No worries, check out the Scholarship Guide, read our review and find out more about entry here...
- Arnold Lodge School, Leamington Spa
  
  A successful all-through selective day school for boys and girls aged 4-18 - led by one of the most dynamic and authentic young heads in the UK. It has a reputation for core values of hard work and kindness, including LGBT positivity, and a close-knit, cosmopolitan community.

Fashion View more
Trend alert! White-hot boots to buy now

Forget your usual black and brown, there’s a new colour on the block when it comes to winter boots and we’re loving it. Here are eight white pairs to add to basket.
- Sustainable fashion gets sexy
  
  Ethical, eco and everywhere - with the likes of Selfridges now pushing a new sustainable outlook, here's where you can rewear, repair and renew your wardrobe in style.
- It’s in the jeans – new season denim we love
  
  We're staging a fashion intervention. Step away from the loungewear, it is time to get back into jeans. We've scoured the high street and local indies for the best of the bunch.

Beauty View more
- Your alternative advent calendar guide for 2020
  
  Move over, chocolate. From gin to jewellery, and options for men and minis, here are the best alternative advent calendars to count down the festive season.
- Best beauty advent calendars for 2020
  
  It's beginning to look a lot like advent calendar season! We've rounded up the top makeup, skincare and fragrance picks to get your hands on before they sell out.

People View more
“I want to be Goop, but for normal women!”: Muddy meets Meg Mathews

Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, self-care and, er, vagina facials.
- Stephen Fry’s favourite places
  
  Recalling his favourite places from sea and sky views to antique bookshops and country pubs, the legendary Mr Stephen Fry says Norfolk is home, in an interview with my Muddy Norfolk colleague.
- Hillers Farm Shop, Alcester: Our lockdown experience
  
  Sisters Sally Haines and Emma Taylor Hillers and Emma share their lockdown experiences and what's happening to the farming family's centenary celebrations.
- Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer
  
  He's worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo has a new project on his hands - raising money for the NHS in association with theatres like Warwick's Playbox. Tell us about it, Shlo!
- Muddy meets… Olivia Burt
  
  We caught up with the 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist for all the backstage goss from the show, her must-eat spots for post-lockdown, and her run-in with police in Paris. Blimey!