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.

Gotta Have It

Get 30% off this range of gorgeous investment PJs that might give you a better night's sleep and help save the planet plus double up as glamorous lockdown loungewear.

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

How to survive 'Staying In'Here's 7 super practical steps to help boost your mental health during lockdown from some of Kent’s best wellbeing experts
Culture in quarantineBrain melting from Netflix overload already? Culture vultures, rejoice - here's the best of arts and theatre you can stream online.
Home fitnessSupport our local fitness stars while keeping healthy (mentally and physically) from the comfort of your living room. Here's our PICK OF THE BEST virtual workouts you can do in your PJs (leg warmers optional).
Eat InShut for diners but this creative lot are are now offering take away and delivery services. Make sure you keep us updated and we'll pop you on the list.
Mother's Day Bouquets: SORTEDGive your Mum, Mother-in-Law or anyone else you think deserves a bunch - from the best. Even if you can't see them face-to-face flowers say it all.

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts

The Positive Mind

Wingham Wildlife Park

Little Street

Kent Cottage Holidays

Body & Health By Design

Eat Out View more
The Curlew, Bodiam

A warm, relaxed and sociable slice of rural locally-sourced foodie heaven from a top chef to watch, perfect for large rowdy gatherings of friends and family or date night.
- 20 Afternoon Teas
  
  Looking for a sweet treat for your mother, mother-in-law or your good self this Mothering Sunday? Here's our guide to the best...
- The Great House
  
  Who doesn't love a fully laden cake stand? We tried Afternoon Tea at very handsome pub, The Great House in Hawkhurst. Pass me another macaroon!
- Kent’s top gastropubs
  
  Foodies rejoice! 5 of Kent's fabulous pubs made the cut in the national Top 50 Gastropub Awards. Meaning that outside London Kent has the highest number listed - woo-hoo! Book your table now!
- Review: The Potting Shed
  
  This pub boasts a bit of everything - stylish interiors, large beer garden, rooms to stay and decent, down-to-earth food. Muddy just had to dig it out for you (boom)...

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.

Travel View more
Restaurants with rooms

Dreaming of a foodie getaway? We’ve scoured the Muddy counties for hotel stays with serious culinary credentials for when lock-down lifts. Tuck in.
- Elmley Nature Reserve Review
  
  Who needs to leave the country for a safari holiday when you have Elmley Nature Reserve waiting in Kent for you – the only National Nature Reserve in England where you can spend the night.
- Review: Spa Stay
  
  How to best nourish the soul and stomach at this time of year? Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Eastwell Manor of course! Sitting pretty in the middle of Kent this Champneys Hotel & Spa makes a perfect destination for an overnight escape.

Fashion View more
The fittest new fitness gear

There’s loads of gorgeous new fitness wear in the shops and online at the moment. Hop, skip and jump this way for what’s on our wish list.
- Meet Becky
  
  This lady has just spent 3 hours at my house. She's counselled me (emotionally), given me the gift of time AND it will all help towards saving the planet. Step into Becky's Wardrobe - could she help you?
- 5 of the best… trench coats
  
  It’s a style classic for a reason – the trench is probably the most chic, useful piece you can buy (banish all thoughts of Inspector Clouseau). Here are our new season favourites.

Beauty View more
- Luxe hand creams
  
  A little mood-boosting treat is something we all need right now, I reckon. A dollop of luxe hand cream seems a rather good place to start.
- 5 of the best … face masks
  
  We love the enforced relaxation that comes with using a face mask - you have no choice but to lie back and take things easy for a while. Plus you emerge with skin peachier than a baby's bottom. Result!

Arts & Culture View more
Lockdown literary list

50 books to read! More than ever, we are looking for a little escapism. So here’s our choice of books to add to your literary list during lockdown.
- Say hello to your new Netflix obsession
  
  Can you remember life before Netflix? No, us neither! Permission granted to self-indulge by watching...
- March books
  
  Reasons to be cheerful: spring has sprung and a brilliant new batch of March books has arrived. Gather around, and let Muddy’s pro-bookworm Kerry Potter tell you a story.
- Behind-the-scenes of… A Monster Calls
  
  After a successful run at London’s Old Vic in 2018, Sally Cookson brings her Olivier Award-winning production to the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury from Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, as part of its first ever UK tour.
- Review: Holes
  
  An exhilarating new stage adaptation of Louis Sachar’s award-winning ‘90s YA hit novel Holes, that will enthrall both kids and adults.

Instamuddy

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Home View more
- Property Flirt
  
  It's that time again - prepare to snoop around someone else’s house, push our noses up to the windows, peer in the cupboards, knock a few walls knowledgeably, and then the fun bit – guess how much it’s worth!
- TOP 5 Bathroom Trends
  
  There is nothing Catchpole & Rye don't know about sumptuous soaking spaces. Here's their Top 5 Trends for 2020.
Wellbeing
- Worried about CV Lockdown?
  
  We've chatted to experts at Age Space to get some practical advice if your parents are over 70 and facing imminent isolation.
- Review: Shambala spa
  
  Introducing the only Ayurveda spa in west Kent - and how Muddy readers can get 20% off when they book any massage or package this month. Stampeeede!

Work View more
Top Tips for Working From Home

New to working from home? Take it from two Muddy editors who know, plying your trade from your des-res can be hard work. Here are our top tips.
Kids
- 12 top tips to home schooling
  
  Here are our top tips from creating the right environment to useful resources for home schooling. Go, Teach.
- Sevenoaks Prep School
  
  Muddy says: For first-class facilities and a great all-rounder education, we had a nosey round this co-ed prep - and this is what we found.....

People View more
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) on burnt pans, how to waste less food and keeping an endless supply of cookie dough in the freezer.
- Remember this face – watch this space!
  
  Meet 18-year-old Katie K - a homegrown, hard-working, young, music star-in-the-making. If you like her story and sound as much as we do then, go spread the word! She's going to be BIG news!
- All about Gok
  
  The fashion guru hits the decks at Lingfield Park Racecourse later this month, as well as presenting the Best Dressed award to the most stylish lady of the day. Here's 10 things you may not have known about Gok...
- 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!