Spotlight

Kent's Coolest stay? North Vat, DungenessWhere do you go when you want to stay local but need a TOTAL change of scene? Muddy has the answer! Britain’s only desert was the perfect family getaway with buckets of coastal cool...
Superflashy news! Read the latest gossNew openings, festivals, staycations, wine tastings and celeb spotting... Life is looking good in Kent - read on for the latest news in food, culture and fun times.
Man the forts! The best castles in KentReady for a right royal day out? We've rounded up 12 of the coolest castles in reach of Kent that are open for business. Tiara at the ready, let's go!
What’s on in Kent this JuneJune 2021: Here comes the fun (and the sun!) There's a mega line up this month with festivals coming out of your ears, Cabaret, musicals and al fresco theatre, read on for more...
How to Future-proof our kidsFor the next generation, the world - and workplace - will have vastly changed. So we asked headteachers at 9 top Kent schools to give advice on how we can best prepare our children...

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

Yahoo! It's time to party! Down tools and dive head first into the bubbles with a Princess Prosecco gift subscription and you'll have a bottle of Italian Prosecco delivered to your door every month. You're welcome.

The most coveted awards for indie businesses across 25 counties. Nominate your plucky local Indies now.

Nominate now

Home View more
Chicken and mango salad with chilli lime dressing

Balmy summer days call for quick, easy and light lunches like this chicken and mango salad, ready in just 20 minutes. Pair with Naked Wines at 63% off.
- June: Garden goddess!
  
  Gardenscape provides our latest monthly lowdown on what we should be doing in the garden to make it picture-perfect this summer.
- Wild mushroom and artichoke tagliatelle
  
  Veggies, pasta, wine: all the food groups represented. Rustle up this earthy, vegan dish in under an hour and enjoy in the sunshine with a glass of wine (at 63% off from Naked Wines).
Wellbeing
- Buy these, sleep better
  
  A bit of quality shuteye has never been more important, has it? So spend some time on shoring up our sleep routine. Here's what the Muddy team have in their shopping baskets.
- Green therapy
  
  Has there ever been a better time to give green therapy a go? Here's 5 simple ways to spruce up your garden and boost your mood at the same time.

Arts & Culture View more
Pass the remote: here’s what to watch this week

Too much time in the sun? Crack out the ice cream and cool down with a killer crop of telly this week. From sewing finales to father’s day fodder to the big new Pixar film, here’s what to watch.
- It’s TV time! What to watch this week
  
  Roll up! Roll up! We've got true crime documentaries, international football tournaments, fab Netflix films and the Norse God of Mischief for you this week. Pop open the popcorn and settle in.
- Book this: Wealden literary festival
  
  Immerse yourself in all things wholesome with a nature-inspired literary festival that the whole family will love this June!

Little Black Book

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

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Ashford

Howletts Wild Animal Park, Canterbury

The Granville, Canterbury

81 Beach Street, Deal

The Coastguard, Dover

Shepherd Neame Brewery, Faversham

Gusbourne, Ashford

Deal Pier Kitchen, Deal

Skin and Beauty Clinic

Love Betty

All Seasons Hot Tub Rentals

Paddle Cabin, East Peckham

Eat View more
Quirky afternoon tea: Alice and The Hatter

We jumped through the rabbit hole and discovered a Wonderland of treats at Alice and the Hatter in Herne Bay – afternoon tea fun at its best!
- Review: Frasers of Egerton
  
  We have unearthed another foodie favourite, nestled within 300 acres of Kentish countryside, PLUS there's the option to stay the night should you want to drink and dine at your leisure...
- Review: Macknade Food Village
  
  Get this on your radar! Macknade has just opened a Food Village at its Faversham flagship store, we took one for the team and did a gastro-tour on your behalf...

Work View more
Glam up your garden – and gain an extra room!

Still hankering after a garden office? We’ve found a brilliant company that creates luxury outdoor living spaces. And guess what? It’s local!
Kids
- Oxford Scholastica Academy summer school
  
  Does your teen hate sporty summer camps, want some independent advice on A-Levels/Degrees, or just need a little pizzazz for their UCAS form? Check out these academic summer schools at Oxford University colleges...
- Kids: the best thing about summer camp
  
  Parents and kids are going mad for Ultimate Activity Camps this summer. Could they be the perfect cocktail of outdoor fun and affordable childcare? Take a look for yourself...

Instamuddy

Fashion View more
Sunglasses to suit your face shape

The weather’s perked up – time for new sunnies! We have you covered with our guide to the hottest frames to suit your face shape this summer. Just don’t sit on them.
- The ultimate Father’s Day gift guide
  
  Instead of panicking and ordering a weird novelty t-shirt (we've all been there), take our advice and purchase something he won't try to hide at the back of a drawer.
- 48 summer must-haves for that stylish staycation
  
  Be it Blackpool or Barbados, make this summer holiday your most stylish yet. From handwoven kaftans to beach speakers, these are the holiday must-haves in Muddy's basket.

Beauty View more
- Affordable French skincare for va-va-voom glow
  
  We've unearthed eight French pharmacy brands with that certain je ne sais quoi. Here's your passport to a natural glow a la Marion Cotillard... and the best bit? It won't break the bank.
- Get ready to go outside: SPFs for every skin type
  
  The sun is (just) starting to make itself felt and while that brings happiness, joy and vitamin D, it also means more time outdoors. Get prepped with the best facial SPFs.

People View more
Meet the makers part two: your local Indie Store heroes

As we step back into the real world, it’s more important than ever to support local. In the second part of our Meet the Maker series, we talk to eight of our Indie Store businesses to find out what makes them special.
- The talented locals behind the Indie Store
  
  As we step back into the real world, it’s more important than ever to support local. In the first part of our Meet the Maker series, we talk to eight of our Indie Store businesses to find out what makes them special.
- “I want to be Goop, but for normal women!” Muddy meets Meg Mathews
  
  Primrose Hill party queen turned wellness guru? Stranger things have happened! Muddy chats to the always glamorous Meg Mathews about her new book, the menopause and, er, vagina facials.

Travel View more
27 of the best beaches in East Anglia

Summer’s here – finally! So we’ve got the inside scoop on the best East Anglian beaches for all tastes. Buckets at the ready, sandwiches packed, bring on the sun!
- City slickin’: what’s on in London this summer
  
  London's shaking off the lockdown cobwebs with a host of awesome events planned at museums, theatres and the like. Bag yourself the best tickets now with our guide to what's on in the capital.
- 32 best things to do within 2 hours of home
  
  Are you ready to (gasp) leave your local area? From Aqua Parks and city skylines to llama treks, here are the 32 best outdoors things to do within 2 hours of Kent.