The urban guide to the countryside -

Kent

Well, hello!

I'm Ali, editor of Muddy Kent, here to bring you the quirky, cool and downright unmissable in the area.

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Gotta Have It

Alert alert - Father's Day incoming! Sunday 16 June, to be precise. If you're stumped for a gift here's some inspo.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Clink! It’s the Muddy Awards drinks!You all voted for your favourite local businesses in Kent and after a fierce competition, it was time to celebrate. Check out all of the pictures! Well done to everyone...2019 rocked!
Review: ApothecaA stunningly Instagrammable and thoroughly useful apothecary in Faversham - natural remedies and beauty products alongisde yoga/pilates classes and therapeutic treatments! Shall we?
Radnor House PrepThis idyllic, rural, co-ed, prep near Sevenoaks is a 'watch this space' kind of place. And I'm excited to tell you about it. Shall we?
Review: Houdini'sAward-winning Magic Bars where you can experience live magic up close with some of the country’s finest magicians – perfect for date night with a difference or a novel night out with the girls!
WIN Gin!Longtooth gin is the cool new twist on an iconic 60s brand, profits go towards saving the tiger AND we've got 3 bottles to giveaway to celebrate World Gin Day...
Superflashy news!Nosey parker, moi? If you're looking for the lowdown on all things local, I've got the gossip, oh yeah, baby!

What's On

This Weekend

FRI 14 - SUN 16 JUNE 2019

This Week

MON 10 - SUN 16 JUNE 2019

This Month

JUNE 2019

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Eat Out View more

Macknade Fine Foods

With a new deck area to eat out in the sunshine and a big birthday bash (you’re invited by the way) to celebrate 40 years of delicious fine foods in Faversham this award winning restaurant and deli is well worth a visit…
- Eat out: Draper’s Arms
  
  Artisan bakery, coffee house and pub in the heart of medieval Canterbury. It's recently changed hands so in the name of research, Muddy went to try it out...
- Eat Out: The Leicester Arms Hotel, Penshurst
  
  Loved by locals, Sunday lunchers, cyclists, dog walkers, history lovers, over-nighters and...
- Eat out: Powder & Magazine
  
  Muddy tries Rochester's new hidden gem - a casual gastro dining restaurant for discerning food and drink fans. You’ll love the cool historic setting in the old Royal Navy Ordnance Depot.
- Afternoon Tea Treats
  
  Looking for a sweet treat for your mother, mother-in-law or your good self this Mothering Sunday? Here's our guide to 10 of the best...

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.

St Ives – the dreamiest staycation in the UK

As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. OK, not really. What I did meet with though was a whole lot of FUN! Here’s six reasons why you should take a trip to the Cornish coast this summer.
- A cool Cornish hotel – without the crowds
  
  The Polurrian on the Lizard has had a style makeover - and then some. Fancy winning a 3 night £1800 stay at Cornwall's best kept secret?
- Do you live in the best place in Britain?
  
  A new survey of the UK's loveliest locales sees Sevenoaks starring and Tunbridge Wells trending. But you knew that already right? So why did they say these neighbourhoods made the list?

Fashion View more

First time fashion

Ready for an adventure? Us too! At Muddy we’ve committed to new experiences this summer (both cultural and clothes related, natch). Read on for inspo – and win a sizzling £400 hush wardrobe while you’re at it!
- Well, Hello You!
  
  How has Keanu Reeves not aged in 30 years?! The laconic Hollywood star is back in a fashion campaign that’s got social media a-swooning. Shall we examine the evidence?
- Spring Wardrobe Update
  
  This sunshine yellow tote bag is the perfect addition to your spring wardrobe - and here's a Muddy 10% off this, plus other goodies, from The Alex Edit.

Beauty View more

- Caisters Hair Lounge
  
  Muddy says: A family-run, friendly salon in Hawkhurst that offers great haircuts without the pretension. Think rural approachability at its best…
- Celeb skin secret!
  
  CACI is the facial that all the celebs love (and don't worry - it's totally pain-free!) Muddy went to try it out and guess which singing star we spotted when we were there?

Arts & Culture View more

The books you MUST read this summer

June’s best new books are a corking bunch, including Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert’s breathtaking new novel. Check out Kerry Potter’s reviews…
- BOOK NOW! Black Deer Festival
  
  After the phenomenal success of last year – the UK’s only Americana and country music festival is back. Happenin' this June just outside Tunbridge Wells, book your tickets now!
- Need a brilliant new read?
  
  A stunning debut novel, a futuristic thriller and an exquisite memoir are among books editor Kerry Potter’s marvellous May picks.
- Festival Fever
  
  'Tis the season for drinking too much cider and getting sunburnt in a field under the guise of being a live music fan. Here's our pick of the best local music festivals. See you down the front!
- April’s best new books
  
  Quick, spring-clean your bedside table or Kindle to make room for Muddy books editor's Kerry Potter's awesome April picks.

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Home View more

- Found: dream home in Kent
  
  Even the loveliest London properties are usually short on space. Add in inflated prices, higher demands on the best school options and built-up skylines...it’s no wonder more people than ever are moving down this way.
- 14 Outdoor Essentials
  
  Here's all the cool cooking and homeware kit you need to jazz it up your garden for summer. BBQ round mine, everyone!
Wellbeing
- Celeb body anyone?
  
  Stede Court is the luxury, countryside fitness & wellbeing retreat run by celebrity trainer Kathryn Freeland. Go for the day and take a friend for FREE with this Muddy exclusive offer!
- Keep on running!
  
  Muddy tries out the Runner's Full MOT at all-new The Kent Running Coach and finds it to be brilliantly practical and not at all preachy - and you can get 30% OFF here!

Work View more

Sexy Stationery

Stationery is one of my specialist subjects. And – whoop! – it’s National Stationery Week. Check out this sexy lot. Hubba bubba!
- 5 killer tips for better work/life balance
  
  The juggle is real - and not going anywhere - so how the hell can we to get it right?! Let's ask the work/life balance experts for some help.
- Want to intern at Muddy?
  
  Muddy Kent is looking for a brilliant intern for writing, researching and generally enjoying being part of the team. Could it be you, or someone you know?
Kids
- May Half Term
  
  But Easter was only yesterday I hear you cry! Don't worry, Muddy has you covered with the best family-friendly things to do over May half term in Kent and beyond.
- Review: Marlborough House School
  
  An exceptional all-round prep school in Hawkhurst, where the focus is on nurture and a high...

People View more

How to flex your life

Is life an exhausting loop of sleep, work, chores, repeat? Yep. Need to make a change but now sure what or how? Er, yes. Read our interview with hot new self-help author Annie Auerbach. She has the answers!
- No, Tom, Noooooo!
  
  Is this the most excruciatingly cringey celebrity advert ever? Quite possibly Mr Hiddleston, quite possibly!
- Muddy meets Tom Kerridge…
  
  ... and talks Pub in the Park (Basement Jaxx, people), his favourite local eateries, and work life balance issues - yup, he has them too!
- Claire’s Chrimbo shape up
  
  TV actress and Sleeping Beauty panto star, Claire Sweeney, tells Muddy how she's going to lose weight by Christmas
- ‘It’s a real action-hero, ‘Marvel’-like play’
  
  Super-stylish rising RSC talent Amber James on Gregory Doran's Mad-Max-style futuristic dystopian vision of Troilus and Cressida.