Spotlight

Coventry calling: looking ahead for the shows to book nowIs there anything better than a night at the theatre, dah-ling? Well grab your diaries because it's all happening at The Belgrade. From star-studded thrillers to family-friendly comedies, oh and of course the panto!
Peek behind the scenes of the RSC's Much Ado About NothingThe RSC's latest production includes costumes by one of Beyonce's designers and music from a guitarist who worked with Amy Winehouse. We take a look.
5 hottest interiors trends for 2022January means spending a lot of time hunkering down at home and with all that hunkering comes some hankering – and this month, we're after a little interiors update. Here's what's hot for 2022.
10 best vegan eats in Warwickshire & the West MidlandsVegan or vegetarian curious? Get your local plant-based fix at one of these foodie joints that put veggies front and centre and deliver on flavour.
The best local culture picks for 2022Culture vultures grab your diaries, we've rounded up everything you can't afford to miss in 2022. There's loads of cool stuff on locally - think theatre, gigs, festivals and exhibitions. See you there.

Well, hello!

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

There's loads of fab new sportswear in the shops and online at the moment. Hop, skip and jump this way for the Muddy edit.

Fancy doing something fun? Er, always! Read on for our curated picks of the best things happening near you right now

10 best vegan eats in Warwickshire & the West Midlands

Vegan or vegetarian curious? Get your local plant-based fix at one of these foodie joints that put veggies front and centre and deliver on flavour.
- Review: The Fuzzy Duck, Armscote
  
  Dame Judy Dench is a fan of this modern, award-winning gastropub owned by the founders of Baylis & Harding – but what did Muddy think?
- Sunday best: 15 local eateries that serve delicious roasts
  
  Can’t be bothered to baste potatoes with goose fat? I hear you. Instead grab your gang and head to one of these local restaurants or gastropubs.

Coventry calling: looking ahead for the shows to book now

Is there anything better than a night at the theatre, dah-ling? Well grab your diaries because it’s all happening at The Belgrade. From star-studded thrillers to family-friendly comedies, oh and of course the panto!
- The 7 best things to watch on TV this week
  
  From the winner of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival to Stanley Tucci’s new series about the legal fallout of sunken gold, we’ve got a stonking good line-up of shiny TV to watch this week.
- Peek behind the scenes of the RSC’s Much Ado About Nothing
  
  The RSC’s latest production includes costumes by one of Beyonce’s designers and music from a guitarist who worked with Amy Winehouse. We take a look.

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

Hotting up! Best new hotels for 2022

Introducing the hottest new hotel openings around the world. Warning: contains images of sexy bedrooms, turquoise seas and infinity pools.
- Green for go! 10 sustainable holidays
  
  Want to do your bit for the environment while enjoying your hols? Check out these eco-friendly hot spots which are clean, green and keen on a bit of luxury too.
- Review: Blackwell Grange wedding venue
  
  Looking for a dreamy wedding venue on The Cotswolds/ Warks border? Muddy has found just the place, done up to a luxurious standard and with accommodation to boot, here’s what we thought of this converted barn on a working farm

House swap – what will £850k get you?

Considering a move or just need a bit of escapism from the same four walls? We’ve popped £850k in the fantasy property pot, but what does that buy you across the Muddy counties?
- 5 hottest interiors trends for 2022
  
  January means spending a lot of time hunkering down at home and with all that hunkering comes some hankering – and this month, we’re after a little interiors update. Here’s what’s hot for 2022.
- Spinach and ricotta ravioli – revamped!
  
  Fresh from the new book by gut health expert Dr Megan Rossi is a surprisingly filling and easy-to-make pasta supper – maybe this health kick isn’t going to be so tough after all?
Wellbeing
- 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.
- Megan Rossi’s Prebiotic Rocky Road
  
  A traybake that’s actually good for your gut and tastes like a treat? Look no further than this clever recipe from the gut health expert’s new book

Want to learn something new in 2022?

Whether you want to learn a new skill, try a new hobby or launch into a new career, here are 11 Muddy-approved courses to help you do just that!
Kids
- Great outdoors – Lovely New Year walks
  
  Overindulged a bit too much over Christmas? Haven’t we all. Pull on your wellies and take on one of these walks across Warks and the West Mids. Best bit? Most of them have a pub stop.
- The National Mathematics & Science College, Coventry
  
  A very small, super selective college specialising in STEM. Since opening in 2016 it’s become top of its class in Science, Tech and Maths – perhaps no surprise its catchy tagline is ‘Come Run With The Swift’

Witness the fitness! Best sportswear to buy now

There’s loads of gorgeous new sportswear in the shops and online at the moment. Hop, skip and jump this way for the Muddy edit.
- Where to rent, repair and sell gorgeous designer clothes
  
  Madonna’s cone bra is now available to rent! It’s ethical, eco and everywhere… here’s where you can rent, repair and sell-on stylish clothes, from Christmas party outfits to eye-catching clutch bags
- 6 of the best… trench coats
  
  It goes with everything — from knockout dresses to comfy tees. Shop this workhorse of the fashionista wardrobe with Muddy’s top six picks for autumn / winter 2021.
Beauty
- 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.
- Hair transformation: mumsy mane, begone!
  
  Stuck in a hair rut? See Muddy Berkshire editor Rachel’s chic style update here – the third video in our series with the fabulous Haringtons salons

Juggling family life and a business? Here’s how to nail it

Muddy meets inspirational Warks mums Alice Stanek and Louise Hanson, whose meeting at the school gates was the start of a beautiful business
- 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.
- 5 minutes with Emily Atack
  
  We caught up with the actress/comedian ahead of her new stand up show, Emily Atack: Has Left the Group, at The Albany Theatre where she’ll discuss dating disasters and her love of a WhatsApp group.