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

We're going dotty over the return of an old favourite print - welcome back, polka dot!

Our curated A-Z of the grooviest local businesses

Review: Spa StayHow 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.
Win £2000 to kickstart your business dreamsHave a brilliant business that needs a helping hand? We’ve teamed up with business banking alternative, Tide, to offer a whopping two grand (yes, you read it right) to give you the boost you need. Win it here.
Try this: Samsara Retreat & YogaLooking for a way to recharge your boots this January? Well let us help you out and introduce you to Samsara - a magical and peaceful retreat, located deep in the Kentish countryside, built with your relaxation at the forefront of their minds.
Special Muddy hotel deal!January getting you down? I know, go on holiday. Marvellous Muddy extras for you and yours if you book one of the five stunning Luxury Family Hotels before 31 Jan. Get in quick!
Let’s all live here!Where are Kent's secret property hot spots? Once again we spotlight a tempting town or vivacious village with exceptional shops, restaurants, schools, transport links and community spirit. So where will we go today...?

What's On

This Weekend

FRI 31 JAN - SUN 2 FEB

This Week

MON 27 JAN - SUN 2 FEB

This Month

JAN 2020

Little Black Book

The latest handpicked businesses we think you’ll love

Eat Out View more

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)…
- The Three Chimneys
  
  As a longstanding Muddy favourite, we thought that it was high time that we revisited one of our well-loved haunts in Kent. Recently voted as winner of The Good Pub Guide County Dining Pub 2019, we soon discovered that it is still is a jewel in Kent’s crown.
- Kingshed Pizza
  
  You know we love The King’s Head in Wye, a gastro pub which has been pioneering the trend for championing local produce since it opened in 2013, and now we have started a not so illicit affair with its new food venue next door – KingShed.
- Gastro Heaven!
  
  30 of the best cookery courses across the Muddy counties to tantalise your tastebuds, and impress even the fussiest dinner guest.
- Pig & Sty
  
  Oink Oink, listen up - The Pig & Sty, part of the Elite Pub group has just opened its doors and so we took our trotters down there to check it out...

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.

Call me Cupid! 46 romantic stays across the Muddy counties

In the mood for love? Of course you are, pussy cat! Here, allow us to assist with the rumpy pumpy with 46 romantic boltholes across the Muddy counties.
- 5 West country wellbeing stays
  
  Looking for a Devon or Cornwall escape? Hell yeah! Check out these stunning self-catering properties, all with on-site extras, from yoga and wine tasting to massage.
- The 37 coolest party palaces
  
  Got a big birthday celebration looming? Or fancy a weekend away with your squad? We've sniffed out the 37 dreamiest party palaces across the land, available for exclusive hire. Grab your gang and let's go!

Fashion View more

Slope style

Heading on a skiing holiday this winter? Here’s our shopping checklist for looking stylish on the slopes and in the bar for aprés ski.
- Blue Monday blitzes
  
  The grimmest day of the year is here. But here's how to make Blue Monday blue in a pleasingly different way this year (not like that, you pervs!)
- Witness the fitness
  
  New year, new fitness routine? We're with you! Here's the Muddy edit of stylish sportswear that'll have you in tip-top form in no time.

Beauty View more

- Review: 3D Body Contouring
  
  Never one to shy away from testing out procedures you often quiz us about we hot-footed it to Celeste Savage to try her 3D Body Contouring ourselves.
- Annnd relax!
  
  Need a reboot after all that festive excess? Try our top faves from Apotheca, a centre for natural health with over-the-counter advice, treatments and beauty products in Faversham.

Arts & Culture View more

This month’s best new reads

What kind of insaniac leaves the house in January? Retire to the sofa pronto and get stuck into one of pro bookworm Kerry Potter’s enthralling new literary picks.
- Book now! The 2020 cultural picks you must not miss
  
  There’s a ridiculous amount of amazing art, books, film, TV, music and theatre landing this year. Muddy’s culture vulture Kerry Potter picks out the best of the bunch.
- Muddy’s 10 best books of 2019
  
  So many rip-roaring reads, so little time. But Muddy's books editor Kerry Potter has made it easy for you - here's her definitive list of the year's best books. Get stuck in!
- The 10 dreamiest coffee table books of the year
  
  Clear space on your coffee table! Muddy’s books editor Kerry Potter has 10 sexy, shiny visual feasts for your delectation.
- Mother Goose, Marlowe Theatre
  
  Panto at Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury is always a pure crowd-pleaser but this year's offering might just trump the lot! Enter stage left, the Muddy verdict.

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Home View more

- Property Flirt
  
  It's a stunning mix of old and new and perfectly positioned betwixt Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. But aha my little snoops: can you guess the price?
- House beautiful! 5 chic interiors trends for 2020
  
  New year, new decade, new home trends - time to go shopping, methinks...
Wellbeing
- Pamper day? Four luxe London wellbeing destinations
  
  Feeling frazzled? London day trips aren't just for shopping/drinking/sightseeing - get thee to the city for a turbo-charged wellbeing fix.
- Wellness trends
  
  Want to know what we can expect from the world of wellness in 2020? From earthing to wardrobe edits - here's 16 top tips from our local experts...

Work View more

Win £2000 to kickstart your business dreams

Have a brilliant business that needs a helping hand? We’ve teamed up with business banking alternative, Tide, to offer a whopping two grand (yes, you read it right) to give you the boost you need. Win it here.
- 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.
Kids
- Kent College, Canterbury
  
  Steeped in history yet with a very modern and innovative attitude to education, Kent College in Canterbury is a strong contender for the next generation.
- Ashford Prep School
  
  Those looking for endless space and opportunities, and a large emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, Ashford Prep School in the rural village of Great Chart should be on your list.

People View more

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!
- 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!