Spotlight

8 Experiences to gift this ChristmasStumped for what to put under the tree this year? All hail the saviour! It's our hand-picked guide to the best experiences to gift instead. From charming alpaca treks to Michelin-style dining in a heated greenhouses, save Christmas here.
Christmas gift guide: food & drinkFor fine foodies, greedy gobblers, gin-drinkers and sugar-heads alike, this is the ultimate 2021 food and drink gift guide. The turkey isn't the only thing that'll be stuffed this Christmas...
10 Best Christmas Markets in Glos & WorcsIs it even Christmas if you haven't eaten scalding chestnuts from a chalet hut? Do your festive shopping right this year with these 10 merry markets worth a visit within an hour of Glos & Worcs.
What's On DecemberBlast into December with our monthly guide that's bursting its baubles with F.U.N. From gin masterclasses and festive fairs to ice rinks, pantos and light trails. Ho, ho, go! ...
Christmas gift guide: for himWhat to buy the bloke who has everything (or 'wants nothing')? We've sorted his Christmas list with 25 cool gifting ideas from independent brands and businesses across the Muddy counties

Well, hello!

I'm Sophie, editor of Muddy Gloucestershire & Worcestershire, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

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Gotta Have It

Need a gorgeous gift? These crackers from BoxTree Gifts come with next day UK delivery. Go ready-made or personalise your own pressie. Every box gives something back to a good cause too. Let's shop!

Gotta have it

What’s on this month

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

See What's On

Eat

Roux with a view: The Scenic Supper reviewed

Rustic and revolutionary; welcome to the Cotswolds coolest new dining experience. Famed for its glasshouses, the Scenic Supper has moved for the winter. Muddy took a trip to find out what the fuss is all about. Read our review here.
- Muddy reviews: Burleigh Court Hotel, Stroud
  
  Searching for an award-winning overnighter in the countryside with top nosh on demand? Escape to this 19th century, boutique manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds. Muddy packed the bags and checked in for the night.
- Review: Brasserie Blanc, Cheltenham
  
  What do you get if you combine fancy French cuisine dreamt up by a top Michelin chef with a laid-back Cheltenham vibe? A whole lot of oh là là! Come with us to Brasserie Blanc and see what it’s really like (and WIN a signed copy of Raymond Blanc’s cookbook).

Culture

25 Festive films to get you in the Xmas mood

‘Tis the season to hit the Baileys and get on a Christmas movie marathon. Here are 25 festive films for your viewing pleasure – full fat cheesy and dairy free.
- Pass that remote! Six things to watch this week
  
  It’s freezing! Definitely the only excuse you need to catch up on some sofa time. On our watchlist this week: Benedict Cumberbatch’s cowboy “career-best”, on-demand opera, award-winning BBC comedy, and more.
- 10 Best Christmas Markets in Glos & Worcs
  
  Is it even Christmas if you haven’t eaten scalding chestnuts from a chalet hut? Do your festive shopping right this year with these 10 merry markets worth a visit within an hour of Glos & Worcs.

Little Black Book

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

Drunken Duck Distillery, Cheltenham

The Malvern Spa, Malvern

Brasserie Blanc, Cheltenham

The Corinium Hotel, Cirencester

The Scenic Supper, Cotswolds

Sage Residential, Uley

Cotswolds Drone Co, South Cerney

Frangipani Cake Creations, Cheltenham

Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Gardens Designed By Sue, Dursley

Hayley Stockwell Cake Design

Restaurant GL50, Cheltenham

Travel

Cool yule! Muddy guide to Christmas in Edinburgh

Ice rinks, Santa Land, fireworks and castles…For cracking Christmas celebrations and a helluva Hogmanay, head north of the border this winter.
- Muddy reviews: Burleigh Court Hotel, Stroud
  
  Searching for an award-winning overnighter in the countryside with top nosh on demand? Escape to this 19th century, boutique manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds. Muddy packed the bags and checked in for the night.
- The best Black Friday travel deals!
  
  Staying in a gorgeous hotel or lying on a tropical beach never fails to make us happy, which is why we’re excited to bring you all the best discounts around the world. Just think of us as your BFF when it comes to BF!

Home

8 Experiences to gift this Christmas

Stumped for what to put under the tree this year? All hail the saviour! It’s our hand-picked guide to the best experiences to gift instead. From charming alpaca treks to Michelin-style dining in a heated greenhouses, save Christmas right here.
- Anja Dunk’s Advent bake: the perfect Christmas biscuit
  
  The Insta-star chef has brought out a gorgeous festive book of baking. Not only has she shared a delish (and pretty) recipe with us, but she’s offered three copies of her latest cookbook to Muddy readers!
- Shop these! 20 Lovely local gifts to buy
  
  Ker-poww! It’s your ultimate local gift guide. Want to buy something for that spesh person in your life and support local bizzies at the same time? Step away from that Amazon basket and try these 20 gifts for him, her and them.
Wellbeing
- 11 Incredible autumn colour walks
  
  Hot chocolate by the gallon, cosy scarves, crunchy leaves beneath your wellies. Little compares with an autumnal walk. Want to know where to catch the best colour this season? Find the most spectacular strolls (with pit-stops) here.
- 6 Best on-demand workout classes
  
  Tear your eyes away from Netflix and get moving with these streaming fitness classes. No excuses now! Here are the best on-demand workouts to do now.

Life

Five gripping reads to give your working life a boost

What better inspo for giving your career a shake-up than the story of a creative genius who defied her generation and became a living legend. We’ve found the best books that embrace the Clarice Cliff spirit…
Kids
- 15 Twinkly light trails to visit
  
  You glow, girl! At least, you will at one of these fabulously festive light trails to visit across Glos, Worcs and beyond. Scarf on, hot choc at the ready, time to head out on a magical wintery walk.
- Naughty or nice? 15 Places to meet Santa
  
  Want to see the big fella this Christmas? Up the magic factor and book in to see Santa at one of these places in Glos & Worcs. From Santa Trains and making gingerbread with his elves to Santa on skies! Pick your experience here.

Instamuddy

Fashion

Sustainable swap shop! 7 ways to help the planet

Fashion doesn’t have to be fast. Infact it’s a win-win shimmying into a dreamy new buy, but knowing you are helping the planet at the same time, right? Meet Shalize Nicholas, from Madia & Matilda, leading the pack in zero-waste fashion she shares her top swaps for looking good this season.
- 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
- Pyjama party! 9 best pj sets to buy
  
  With autumn being peak PJs-on-the-sofa season – hey, it’s raining again, let’s stay in!- it’s the ideal time to round up our favourites to buy now. Just add slippers.
Beauty
- Hair transformation! Muddy goes ‘petrol’
  
  Time for a new ‘do? From subtle styling to bold design (read on!) Haringtons has you covered with slick service and skill. See what happened when Muddy sat in the salon chair…
- 5 nail polish shades we’ve fallen for this autumn
  
  Here’s how to update your autumn look for under £10, and be bang on trend to boot. Our five fave nail polish shades, from sparkles to berry to mustard.

People

My Favourite Places: Silversmith Anna Davenport

Want the prettiest of jewellery that’s bang on-trend with the eco-vibe of 2021? Look no further. Artisan silversmith Anna Davenport crafts exquisite, ethically-sourced silver jewellery, using real shells and botanicals from beaches, to reconnect us with nature. Where does this creative genius get her inspo? See her 10 favourite places here.
- Party on! Glos’s A-list fixer tells all
  
  Hang outs with Michael Hutchence, runs ins with Frank Sinatra and late nights with Amy Winehouse. Party fixer and Subscription Rooms Director Hugh Phillimore’s life sounds like a blast. We chat celeb tales and find out what hot events are coming to Stroud.
- It’s a wrap! The Muddy Awards Winners Party
  
  You did it, they did it, we all did it! We all voted for our favourite local businesses in Glos & Worcs and after a fierce competition, it was time to celebrate. Pop the cork and cue the drinks – here’s what went down at The Muddies 2021 Winners Party!