Spotlight

13 awesome veggie and vegan eatsCelebrate National Vegetarian Week (16-22 May) by getting your local plant-based fix at one of these foodie joints that put veggies front and centre and deliver on flavour.
Muddy review: Stratford Literary FestivalBack for its fifteenth year, the Stratford Literary Festival (AKA Strat Lit Fest) saw authors and readers unite for five days of events, discussions and all round book-lovin’ fun! Muddy’s Suzanne Lane went along to get the lowdown…
Best bluebell walks in Warwickshire & the West MidlandsBlooming 'eck! Bluebells are popping up in their thousands across Warks & the West Mids. Here's where to find the best of them on your sprightly springtime walk.
Summer 2023 Ahoy!Struggling to nail the perfect family holiday for next year? Drop anchor and relax, Disney Cruise Line and its new European voyages, including departures from Southampton, could be the answer to all your problems.
What's on this May?Diaries ready! From festivals and carnival parties to awesome gigs and the UK's first immersive digital gallery, we've rounded up all the hottest happenings on our patch this month.

Well, hello!

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

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Gotta Have It

When one destination isn't enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF - the cruise.

Gotta have it

Muddy Awards 2022

The nominations round is now closed. Finals start on 30 May 2022

13 awesome veggie and vegan eats

Celebrate National Vegetarian Week (16-22 May) by getting your local plant-based fix at one of these foodie joints that put veggies front and centre and deliver on flavour.
- Review: The Red Lion, Hunningham
  
  This cosy, relaxed 17th century pub overlooks the babbling River Leam and is surrounded by countryside. It’s got the pub garden of dreams and real fires inside. But what’s the food like? Here’s what Muddy thought.
- 9 Insta-worthy cafes in Warks & the West Mids
  
  Vintage teacups, hanging plants, neon signs and almost too pretty to eat pastries (hey, we said almost!): these stunning cafés are guaranteed a double tap on your feed.

Culture

Worth your watch! 6 great things on TV this week

Pull up a chair and crack open the wine: from the new season of Stranger Things to a thrilling French boxset, we’ve got your weekly watchlist well and truly sorted.
- Feet up! 6 things to watch on TV this week
  
  Need something new to watch this week? You’ve come to the right place! From a freshly funny new talk show to an indulgent crime thriller, this is the best of the best.
- Muddy review: Stratford Literary Festival
  
  Back for its fifteenth year, the Stratford Literary Festival (AKA Strat Lit Fest) saw authors and readers unite for five days of events, discussions and all round book-lovin’ fun! Muddy’s Suzanne Lane went along to get the lowdown…
- The 7 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  Sure, the sun might be shining, but the calibre of TV this week is even brighter. From Tom Hiddleston in The Essex Serpent to BBC3’s new Sally Rooney adaptation, here’s what to stay in for.
- What’s on this May?
  
  Diaries ready! From festivals and carnival parties to awesome gigs and the UK’s first immersive digital gallery, we’ve rounded up all the hottest happenings on our patch this month.

Little Black Book

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

The Red Lion, Hunningham, near Leamington Spa

Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park

Highly Sprung: Sprung Youth, Coventry

Coombe Abbey Hotel

Blackwell Grange, Shipston-on-Stour

Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm

The Warwickshire Gin Company

Illuminate Retail

ILLUMI, Studley

Leamington and Redditch Chiro Clinics

Steven Faulkner, musician

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Travel

Food for thought: the best gourmet getaways

Eat, sleep, repeat! Food and travel go together like, err, gin and tonic (cheers!) and if you find top nosh plays a key part in making your holiday a success, perhaps it’s time to take things a step further and make it the central focus?
- The best cruise holidays for 2023
  
  When one destination isn’t enough, try several! Now throw in luxury accommodation, spa, gym, restaurants and activities for the whole gang, and raise a cocktail to your new travel BFF – the cruise.
- 23 of the best places to holiday in the UK
  
  Staycationing this summer? Then you’re going to want to check out our bang-up-to-date insider guides to these top towns and cities across the Muddy counties.

Home

45+ cool kitchen design companies we trust

Thinking of a redesign? From classic Shaker styles to sleek contemporary cabinets, these kitchen design companies across the Muddy counties know just what they’re doing.
- A quick veggie supper dish from Georgina Hayden
  
  This Mediterranean twist on roast potatoes, with coriander and olives, makes a perfect side dish, or the main event for lunch alongside a crisp green salad.
- 8 gorgeous new gardening books
  
  Bountiful borders, striped lawn and artfully placed sculptures here we come, but first, sit down, grab a coffee and get lost in the sublime pages of these beauties (those weeds can wait another hour or so)
Wellbeing
- WIN £3,000 cash for your business!
  
  To celebrate this year’s Muddy Awards, our national sponsor Healthily is giving away a life-changing £3k cash injection to boost one company’s health & wellbeing. Click to enter now!
- 12 of the best spring walks near you
  
  What better way to celebrate the start of spring than striking out on one of these lovely circular walks across Warwickshire (and most have a pub stop – cheers!)

Life

Time to split? How to do it, from the break-up queen

She’s got a podcast, comedy show, award-winning books and celeb following – Rosie Wilby is the one to listen to if you’re breaking up
Kids
- 13 amazing things to do this half term
  
  Will the region’s children be bored senseless, running circles around the kitchen table? Not on our watch! We’ve got exhibitions, crafts, and fun galore for teens and tots alike.
- Review: Highly Sprung: Sprung Youth, Coventry
  
  Have an aspiring thespian in the family? We might have just the place. Muddy Warwickshire’s Georgina took her Mudlet to check out this physical theatre company.

Instamuddy

Fashion

5 stylish sleepwear sets for him

Threadbare boxers begone! The style gods have spoken (aka Gucci and Harry Styles) and pyjamas for men are in – here are five sets that hit the spot.
- 10 buys for World Bee Day
  
  Hey, if it’s for the little black and yellow fellas, then who are we to argue with a shopping spree to celebrate World Bee Day (20 May)? Here are 10 on-trend buys we’re totally buzzing about
- 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
- 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.
- Review: ILLUMI
  
  Stuck in a hair rut or need a bit of a pamper session? We hear ya sister. Fear not, Muddy Warwickshire’s Georgina has been to check out the coolest salon in town, and you’re gonna leave feeling and looking a million dollars.

People

5 things you wouldn’t expect a leading lawyer to say

Advising rocket scientists and working with some of the country’s top household names (hello Deliveroo) – but still up for a pre-dawn spin class and championing under-represented groups in the legal profession. It’s all in a day’s work for Shoosmiths partner Fiona Teague.
- 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
- Shazia Mirza is back in town
  
  She’s a Birmingham-born ex-science teacher – “I hated them, they hated me” – yet former student Dizzee Rascal still calls her Miss. This fierce comedian pulls no punches – we catch up with Shazia Mirza as she heads to her home city for a show.