About

Hello and welcome! I’m Hephzibah, the Sussex editor of award-winning lifestyle platform, Muddy Stilettos. If you’re keen to get the very most out of this brilliant county, whether that’s strolling along the seashore, nosing around niche boutiques, or relishing some serious supper club noshing, you’ve come to the right place.

With more than 20 years experience on national titles including The Mail on Sunday and The Observer, as well as numerous broadcasting gigs, I’ve covered books, art and lifestyle, written monthly columns on family life and gardening, and interviewed everyone from Jude Law and Julianne Moore to Vivienne Westwood and Margaret Atwood.

I arrived in Sussex from London via extended stints in New York and Paris, and on a crisp morning – or even a dank, dark-too-early afternoon – I can’t think of a better place to be, especially with a family. There’s that chalky coastline of course, and the rolling South Downs; the castles and gardens and vineyards. There are the towns, grand or grungy or both, and villages to rival any corner of the country for sheer loveliness. But the county is also abuzz with makers and bakers, brewers and chefs, artists and hoteliers and festival organisers. Team Muddy’s here to celebrate all this good stuff, sharing discoveries and checking out who, what and where truly deserves your attention.

Whether you’re after word on the best spots for forest bathing, which cocktail masterclass to book, or what to add to an itinerary for the ultimate Sussex road trip, we’ve got you covered. Please tell your friends about us and sign up for my newsletter, delivered to your inbox.

Muddy Sussex is, of course, part of Muddy Stilettos, founded in 2013 by Editor-in-Chief Hero Brown over in Bucks & Oxon. The idea was a simple one: to write a witty but indispensable local guide to the very best restaurants, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors and events. Along with Muddy Stilettos Sussex there are now some 28 Muddy counties, plus Wales and Scotland, all with a focus on the quirky, unique, cool and interesting. No advertorial, no PR guff, and a genuine, upbeat honesty.

This is the Muddy Mantra, so you know what to expect from Muddy Sussex:

1. I try everything out myself so that you can fully trust my opinions. On the occasions that I haven’t been somewhere myself, I let you know that’s the case.
2. I don’t write advertorial. This means I will never accept payment to write about something I don’t  believe in.
3. I accept tickets to free shows, festivals, restaurants, events etc. with the purpose of reviewing or publicising them on Muddy Stilettos, as I’m sure you appreciate it’s pretty expensive zipping around trying stuff out all the time. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars – if you want me to try you out, please get in touch at hephzibah@muddystilettos.co.uk
4. I’ll never write a nasty review. I’m not into trashing people, brands or companies. But if you’re not good enough, I won’t write about you on Muddy Stilettos, regardless of whether I have paid for the experience or not. This gives me the editorial control I need and the trust that my readers demand
5. Muddy Stilettos is a commercial site and accepts advertising and payment to feature products and brands. However, we believe passionately in only working with brands that share our ethos and are relevant to our readers. We retain editorial control and independence at all times.