Spotlight

Brilliant winter walksWrap up warm and go in search of your own winter wonderland! Here's our pick of the best Sussex spots to burn off the mince pies!
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...
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
Five gripping reads to give your working life a boostWhat 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...
Lovely Light Trails in Sussex and beyondYou glow, girl! At least, you will at one of these fabulously festive light trails to visit in Sussex and beyond.

Well, hello!

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

Get all the festive feels with Bean Smittens' delicious Christmas Blend Coffee.

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

Your Sussex food & drink guide

The turkey isn’t the only thing that’ll be stuffed this Christmas, with our pick of the best food and drink in Sussex. Bring on the elasticated trousers!
- Review: The Halfway Bridge, Lodsworth
  
  A cosy pub with a great chef and a secret shepherds hut. Does the Halfway Bridge pub in Lodsworth, near Petworth have it all? Muddy went to find out.
- Review: Etch, Hove
  
  Muddy heads to Hove, Brighton to try Masterchef winner Steven Edwards’ famous Etch tasting menu. But can we manage all 9 sumptuous courses?

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.
- What’s on in Sussex in December
  
  Its your Muddy curated guide to the best of Sussex in December. Simply bursting at the seams with fun!
- 8 things to watch this week on the big and small screen
  
  What to watch this week, you cry? From Lady Gaga serving looks in her murderously glam new movie to tension in the tent with the Bake Off 2021 final, here are your eight must-watches.

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

The must-read Muddy skiing guide

Want to book a ski holiday this year but not sure where to go? Snow problem! Whether you’re a family with beginners, hitting the après ski with friends or want an extreme mountain peak adventure, read on.
- 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.
- 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!

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!
- Brighton Rocks!
  
  Brighton well and truly rocks with these AMAZING Gin & Tonic cocktail cases by Barhaus.
- Spruce it up! Christmas tree farms in Sussex
  
  It’s time to drag a 7ft tree into the house and cover it with sparkly plastic! Here’s where to go to get your locally-grown spruce or fir.
Wellbeing
- Brilliant winter walks
  
  Wrap up warm and go in search of your own winter wonderland! Here’s our pick of the best Sussex spots to burn off those mince pies.
- Sussex best ice rinks
  
  We’re heading into the season of slip-sliding, wall-grabbing, and pirouetting. Skate queen or just here for the mulled wine, check out these festive ice rinks across Sussex and beyond.

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
- Sussex Kids & Teens Gift Guide
  
  Don’t panic we’ve done all the legwork for you! Nail your shopping for the kids and that awkward teenage cousin with this curated guide of the best indie brands and businesses in Sussex.
- Brambletye, near East Grinstead
  
  A homely co-educational selective boarding and day school for children aged 2-13, with large grounds in the heart of the Sussex countryside.

Shop local: Great gifts for her

Support small businesses this season with our pick of the 10 best gifts for her stocked in Sussex. Fashion, beauty and home – what’s on your list?
- Seven great gifts for him from Sussex
  
  Socks and hankies? Forget it. Men can be tricky to buy for, but not this year as Muddy have curated seven of the most stylish gifts for him right here in Sussex. You’re welcome!
- 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
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…
- Muddy’s best beauty advent calendars
  
  These totally covetable calendars are already selling out, so snap one up now and gift an early present to yourself.

5 minutes with Scarlett Moffat

Former Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity star Scarlett Moffatt is starring as the Fairy Godmother in Crawley’s Christmas Cinderella panto this year. Oh yes she is!
- Muddy meets comedian Ed Byrne
  
  Funny man Ed’s heading to Sussex…Muddy caught up to chat jokes, famous friendships and not being a d**k before he hits town.
- Quick chat with Emily Atack
  
  We caught up with the actress/comedian (who recently had a fling with Jack Grealish), during the run for her stand up show, Emily Atack: Has Left the Group, where she discusses dating disasters and her love of a WhatsApp group.