Spotlight

What's on in Cov, Warks and beyond this AugustThere's a whole month of socially distanced outdoor fun ahead of us from street food pop-ups and drive-in cinemas to hot new exhibitions and return of open-air theatre.
What’s in: what to watch this weekGot a hot date with your sofa? Here are this week's best new film and TV releases to spice up your evenings.
Muddy’s Insider Guide to the Isle of WightThis sunny little Island may be small in stature but it’s packed to the brim with amazing things to check out. We’ve got the top tips on how to discover the real Isle of Wight.
Mini break anyone? The best hotel deals to book nowIf you're hankering for a few days away from your own four walls, then you'll need these mini break deals from hotels across the Muddy counties., including this rural Warwickshire four-star beauty. Race you to check in.
What's on this weekNo plans? Muddy's weekly what's on guide is back, baby, with a mix of local openings, events and online gems.

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

Reclaim the BBQ! Best outdoor cooking accessories

Move over Mr M, I'll take it from here. Make the barbecue your own this summer with these super-handy gadgets and accessories.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

The Red Lion, Hunningham, near Leamington Spa

Hart and Co, Leamington Spa

Becketts Farm

KLR Interiors, Studley

Bumbles Coffee House and Lifestyle Store, Studley

Old Coffee Tavern, Warwick

Whittle’s Restaurant and Bistro, Leamington Spa

Slurp, Leamington Spa

The Townhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon

The George Townhouse, Shipston-on-Stour

Hill Close Gardens, Warwick

Arden House, Stratford-upon-Avon

Eat View more
Where to ‘eat out to help out’ in Warwickshire

Sick of cooking? Good news – until Aug 31, you can get a 50% discount on your dinner and drinks when you eat in. Here are 30 of the pubs, cafes and restaurants to make your reservation at nearby.
- Roll up, roll up!…Recipe inspiration from Giffords Circus
  
  Put some razzle-dazzle back into mealtime monotony with a double whammy of scrumptious, summery dishes courtesy of Giffords Circus' new cookbook.
- 16 brilliant pub gardens for post-lockdown drinks in Warks
  
  Pubs are officially allowed to open for business this weekend, so we've rounded up our pick of 15 glorious pub gardens and terraces for a socially-distanced drink.
- In the pink: the rosé revolution
  
  Welcome to the rosé renaissance. Once dismissed as "lady petrol" (ugh), it's now officially the drink of the summer. Read on for top tips on buying the best bottles and that all important question - does it give you a hangover?
- Provençal fougasse with green and black olives
  
  Lockdown is the perfect time to get to grips with everyone's favourite chewy loaf: sourdough. Put your baking skills to the test with this savoury share-and-tear number (you can skip the sharing bit if you like).

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Arts & Culture View more
What’s on in Cov, Warks and beyond this August

There’s a whole month of socially distanced outdoor fun ahead of us from street food pop-ups and drive-in cinemas to hot new exhibitions and return of open-air theatre.
- Alice in Lockdown – new UK open-air theatre tour
  
  Looking for some culture to entertain the kids in August? Warwickshire's Heartbreak Productions’ latest family outdoor performance is coming to scenic venues across the Muddy counties.
- What’s in: what to watch this week
  
  Got a hot date with your sofa? Here are this week's best new film and TV releases to spice up your evenings
- Let’s Dance!
  
  Birmingham's Centre for Advanced Training for South Asian and Contemporary styles opens online auditions for September’s new intake of young dance students aged 11 - 16 across Coventry and the West Midlands.
- What’s in: 10 new things to watch this week
  
  Lazy day in front of the telly? Yes please! Here are the hottest new films and TV shows for you to sink your teeth into. Just add popcorn.

Home View more
- Perky Picnicware
  
  I declare picnic season officially open! Get ready for a summer of meals on the move with these stylish and practical picnic must-haves. including brilliant eco-friendly and local buys.
Wellbeing
- The zero-waster’s refill guide to Warwickshire and beyond
  
  Green goals? Warwickshire's rising number of eco-friendly refill stores has it covered. Here's our pick of the 15 best locally.
- How to nourish your ‘ojas’: 12 Ayurvedic self-care tips
  
  Sara Palmer, founder of Stratford-upon-Avon's LoveYogaHealing, shares ideas from one of the oldest medical systems in the world, on boosting immunity and health during lockdown

Work View more
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.
- Open season! What’s re-opening in Warwickshire?
  
  Support local! Shops have been given the go-ahead and cafés are reopening too, as well as parks and gardens. Here's the lowdown for Cov & Warwickshire.
Kids
- 10 summer camps for kids & teens in Coventry and Warwickshire
  
  It's been four long months with the kids at home - and now the summer holidays are here. Step away from the gin and read on for 10 fun, active and creative holiday camps in a safe environment near you.
- Kids’ summer clothing edit
  
  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.

Fashion View more
Our new favourite fashion trend

Puff sleeves are as du rigueur as a mojito in hand this summer and we’ve found eight totally wearable sartorial stunners to add to your summer wardrobe now.
- The final straw: 7 chic hats to buy now
  
  What keeps you cool, but is this summer's hottest accessory? The straw hat, of course! Nail the trend with one of these affordable woven beauties.
- Flop it like it’s hot! 10 stylish summer flip flops and sliders
  
  Flip flop season is in full swing so treat your feet to a pair of these summer beauties on our wish list (just remember to paint your toenails!).

Beauty View more
- Best at-home pedi kits
  
  It's starting to feel a lot like peak summer and with the mercury knocking 25 degrees on a regular basis, it means it's also time to expose The Feet. Worried yours are more like hooves? Worry no more.
- Best at-home pedi kits
  
  It's starting to feel a lot like peak summer and with the mercury knocking 25 degrees on a regular basis, it means it's also time to expose The Feet. Ready, set, attack!

People View more
Muddy meets: Shlomo, beatboxer

He’s worked with Ed Sheeran, Lily Allen, and Rudimental, and now record-breaking beatboxer Shlomo is 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!
- My favourite places
  
  Renowned Oxfordshire floral stylist and friend of Muddy, Willow Crossley, knows some stylish local spots that she thinks you'll love, including one in Warwickshire. Ready to take notes?
- Muddy meets… Melissa Hemsley
  
  It turns out the healthy cooking queen has culinary disasters too! Melissa spills the beans (then whips them up into a tasty frittata)...
- Muddy meets The Whip’s Katherine Pearce
  
  We caught up with the talented young northern actor who's gone from causing drama as Lolly in 'Corrie' to playing a gutsy former cotton mill worker in the RSC's new play about the abolition of slavery in Britain.

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.

The insider’s guide to the Top 200 places to live outside London

View our picks

Travel View more
J’adore/j’abhor: camping

Does the sight of a sleeping bag pique your sense of adventure, or break you out in a cold sweat? Two Muddy behemoths duke it out over camping – let’s hope it doesn’t get too tents (sorry).
- Mini break anyone? The best hotel deals to book now
  
  If you're hankering for a few days away from your own four walls, then you'll need these mini break deals from hotels across the Muddy counties. Race you to check in.
- Up for a Warwickshire staycation or socially-distanced day trip?
  
  Discover what's on your doorstep... Here are many of the local attractions you can visit from July 4.