Spotlight

Where to buy locally-grown Christmas trees in Warks & the West MidsDecember is just around the corner so it's officially acceptable to deck the halls. Sustainable, smells great and grown locally, we've some of the best places to get your mitts on a real tree this Christmas
Let’s shop! Budget-friendly stocking fillers for herIt's time to start ticking off your list! Luckily, Muddy's done the hard work for you - here are the best stocking fillers for under £20, all available from The Indie Store.
Muddy’s TV guide: 9 new watches this weekBored? Not any more! Here are our top picks for new TV shows and films hitting the small screen this week. Popcorn at the ready...
The RSC's new Winter 2020 programmeKicking off an exciting programme of in-person and live-streamed events is the official launch of The Boy in the Dress cast album, plus Troy Story and Festive Tales.
Superflashy newsflash! The latest local gossNothing happens during lockdown, right? Erm… not quite. Cov & Warks still have some life in them yet. Here are the latest whispers on the grapevine.

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

Forget subtle sparkle and colour co-ordination - this year we're embracing kitsch and dressing our Christmas trees with the most bonkers baubles we can find! Which is your favourite?

The UK’s most creative and unique independent shops, makers and producers local to you.

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Little Black Book

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

Wine Poole - Independent Fine Wines, Warwick

Didi Mala Jewellery, Warwickshire

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

Eat View more
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s winter warmers

Spent all of lockdown scoffing crisps and mince pies? Whip up a veg-packed soup or hot pot from Hugh’s new cookbook, ‘Eat Better Forever: 7 Ways to Transform Your Diet’
- Make this! Espresso Christmas pudding recipe
  
  It's ‘Stir-up Sunday’ this, well, Sunday, so get your bake on with this twist on the trad Christmas pudding recipe from Rupert Cooper at Philleigh Way Cookery School.
- Best ever fish and chips from The Hand & Flowers
  
  Fancy whipping up a double Michelin-starred chippie tea? Let Tom Kerridge show you how, courtesy of the brand new The Hand & Flowers Cookbook.
- Glug! Glug! Warwickshire-made gluten free & vegan IPA is voted world’s best
  
  Purity Brewing Company's gluten free Session IPA was named the World’s Best at the recent 2020 International Beer Challenge and is now on sale in all major Sainsbury's.
- Tip-top takeaways to see you through lockdown
  
  Restaurants, cafes and bars may be closing, but you can still support our brilliant local businesses by ordering a takeaway. Oh go on, if we must...

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Arts & Culture View more
Cheese-free Xmas films? It can be done (just)

‘Tis the season to hit the Baileys and get on a Christmas movie marathon. Here’s 17 non-cheesy festive films for your viewing pleasure.
- Best coffee table books for Christmas
  
  Ahh, the coffee table book - the perfect blend of form and function. Here are some of the best releases of the year to add to your Christmas list...
- Muddy’s TV guide: 9 new watches this week
  
  Bored? Not any more! Here are our top picks for new TV shows and films hitting the small screen this week. Popcorn at the ready...
- The RSC’s new Winter 2020 programme
  
  Kicking off an exciting programme of in-person and live-streamed events is the official launch of The Boy in the Dress cast album, plus Troy Story and Festive Tales.
- What’s on the box? 12 new TV shows and films this week
  
  Nowhere to go and nothing to see? Au contraire - snuggle down on the sofa and transport yourself with the best new watches of the week.

Home View more
- Where to buy locally-grown Christmas trees in Warks & the West Mids
  
  Sustainable, smells great and fresh, we’ve some of the best places to get your mitts on a real tree this Christmas including the farm where this 60ft stunner in London’s Covent Garden was grown!
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.
- Lockdown anxiety: 7 smart ways to keep it in check
  
  Lockdown is back and with it, hours and hours to listen to the rising panic in our heads. Don’t fancy that much? Nor us, so read on for seven ways to tackle the tension.

Travel View more
Wootton Park: the lockdown 2.0 project

Next month it’ll be possible for guests to glamp all-year round at Wootton Park’s WoodlandPods in Warwickshire – thanks to owners Ian Roy and Melanie’s latest venture. Here’s what they’ve been up to…
- Muddy reviews One Aldwych: London
  
  Overnighter in the Big Smoke or planning a post-pandemic theatre jaunt? Treat yourself with a stay at this stunning, super-luxe hotel, just a stone's throw from the West End.
- 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.

Work View more
Ready, steady… SHOP INDIE!

You want to ‘shop small’ but lockdown is making it tricky. Not on my watch! Our latest launch, The Indie Store, is all about supporting brilliant local retail, and here’s how you can help too.
Kids
- 6 reasons why you need to consider InterHigh
  
  If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.
- 10 of the best kids subscription boxes
  
  Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the post.

Fashion View more
9 stylish pyjamas for a luxe lie-in

It’s dark, cold and wet outside, so let’s hunker down with some new pyjamas that are chic enough to wear to your morning Zoom meeting (we won’t tell!).
- Walkies! Cold weather walking gear to pick up now
  
  Gyms are closed (as is practically everything else), so we're getting our exercise fix with some long winter walks. Here's all the gear you'll need to stretch those legs this season.
- Best places to shop vintage in Warks & the West Mids
  
  Shop sustainably in style with our pick of the 15 coolest vintage shops in our locale for uncovering unique hidden gems online or in person after lockdown 2.

Beauty View more
- How to give yourself a DIY facial at home
  
  With salons closed until December, we're retreating to our own bathrooms for a stress-busting DIY facial treatment. Fluffy white robe and cucumber slices optional.
- New nail polish colours for Autumn
  
  Ditch the neon brights and pretty pastels and get dark and daring for the change in season. Here are the brand new nail polishes we'll be picking up for our at-home mani.

People View more
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!