🎃 28 genius ways to survive October half term
…but here are 4 we actually have energy for 👀👇
🎨 WORKSHOPS
October Half Term at (Compton)
Sketching, dress-up drama + woodland adventures — all included.
Adults £18, kids £5, under 5s FREE.
🖍️🌲
🐍⭐
🎭 THEATRE
Top Secret: The Magic of Science
Explosions + illusions = BOOM! 💥✨
Only 1 day — Sat 25 Oct. Grab those tickets.
✨ FRESH-AIR FUN
Glow Wisley (near Woking)
A magical night trail of twinkly lights + tropical blooms after dark.
4pm–9pm. Bring the oohs and aaahs.
🌟🌴
🎪 FESTIVALS
Mini Fireworks Festival
Low-bang fireworks = BIG fun for little ears 🎆👂
Stilt walkers, lasers, animals = chaos (the good kind).
🧙♂️ DAYS OUT
Wizards & Witches Week
Slime shows, reptile encounters + a whole Pumpkin Village 🎃
Spooktacular fun included in admission!
🪄🐍
Save this for later + tag the parent who always has snacks ready 🧃💪
23/10/2025
The best luxury stays for large groups across the UK 🥂
Party season is knocking 🍂👀✨ It’s time to round up the gang (or the whole extended family) and retreat somewhere fabulous. No sharing bathrooms. No noise complaints. Bliss 🙌
Here’s the ultimate list of over 50 of the best self-catering barns, mansions, and stately homes for large groups across the Muddy counties ➡️ https://bit.ly/3tev46E
23/10/2025
🎁 WIN! The Ultimate £500 delilah Beauty Bundle 🎁 https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-delilah-beauty-bundle-2025/
Forget Halloween, we’re skipping straight to Christmas sparkle. 💫 Whether you’re treating your bestie or spoiling yourself, this luxe prize from British beauty brand delilah Cosmetics is pure perfection.
Think rose-gold packaging, vegan formulas, and that signature delilah glow. 💕 Inside? Brushes, blush, shadow sticks, and the ultimate n**e lip wardrobe, altogether worth £500.
Forget the North Pole, the real festive magic is happening in Cornwall. One lucky family of four will win:
✨ A 3-night stay at the dreamy Fowey Hall Luxury Family Hotels
🚗 The use of a fully electric Volvo EX30 for an entire month
⛸️ Ice-skating tickets at the Eden Project plus entry to the Christmas Lights Experience and an optional Santa meet-and-greet
🎟️ A guided Eden Project tour
🌿 2026 Family Membership
Fires roaring, sea views sparkling, and mince pies at the ready. It’s the perfect family festive escape.
✨ Reiss x The Royal Ballet School = tulle, tailoring, timeless chic
⚡ Marks and Spencer x Bella Freud = witty knits & London attitude
💛 John Lewis x REJINA PYO = sleek, sculptural wardrobe heroes
🌿 Barbour x Arket = countryside meets Scandi minimalism
🍂 Monsoon & Accessorize x Sarah Corbett-Winder = maximalist layering heaven
💳 They’re all limited editions, and selling fast.
💾 Save this post so you don’t forget where to shop them 👇
21/10/2025
What does Christmas Day look like for your family? 🤔🎄
Turkey tantrums, charades showdowns and someone always forgetting the cranberry sauce? 😂
This year, we’re dreaming bigger. Skyline views, fizz on tap and zero family arguments over the washing up 🥂
Because when the pressure to create the “perfect” Christmas is off the charts (guilty 🙋♀️), maybe the smartest move is…not doing it at all?
We’ve found the ultimate festive staycation at Pan Pacific London that lets you press pause on the chaos and say yes to a spoiling two-night escape with all the trimmings (and none of the mess) 🎁
Think Christmas Eve dinner, a slap-up feast on the day itself and plenty of time in the spa while someone else handles the sprouts 👌
It's the kind of family tradition we could get used to…
Here’s why we’re totally sold on this luxe, no-stress Christmas alternative 👉 https://bit.ly/3KReand
21/10/2025
Christmas gift panic setting in? 👀🎁
Muddy has rated the best of delilah Cosmetics from stocking fillers to indulgent treats 🥂
Whether it’s for them or (ahem) yourself, this independent British make-up brand is a team favourite 👄
The definition of ethical luxury: vegan, cruelty-free, proudly PETA-certified and now a B Corp too ✨
When your debut script attracts an Oscar-winning director, and lands a cast led by Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield – we’re gonna have some questions! 👀✨
Muddy meets the talented Nora Garett, writer of After The Hunt Movie (the film we can’t stop talking about) 🎬
💬 The film dives into messy moral questions – truth, shame, power, memory. What inspired it?
It’s funny, because so many people – Yale alumni, people currently there – have asked if the film is based on a specific article or incident. Every time, I’ve had to say no. The truth is, no. But what’s truly harrowing is how ubiquitous these kinds of stories are. It’s sadly familiar territory, and deeply unfortunate. For me, though, the story really began with the characters, especially Alma. I was drawn to her internal struggle and wanted to find a narrative that would both mirror and challenge that.
💬 Some people are fuming the film doesn’t tie everything up neatly, how do you feel about those reactions?
I understand that ambiguity unsettles people, especially in film. Stories are often where we go to make sense of chaos — and when a narrative resists that, it can feel like a broken contract. But for me, that discomfort is where the real conversation begins. I hope it makes people ask why they feel disoriented or upset — because that reaction is part of the point.
💬 You rehearsed at Julia Roberts’ house?!
I know. Wild, right? Yeah, she hosted rehearsals at her home, which was incredibly generous. And honestly, someone of her stature, with her level of fame and talent, would have every right to be a bit aloof. But she’s the exact opposite – warm, down-to-earth, and totally present. It was surreal and also kind of amazing.
After the Hunt is out now in cinemas ✨
📸 Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios
20/10/2025
🌟 Win a £250 Scandi-cool Acne Studios scarf, courtesy of RHS Glow 🌟
Feeling that nip in the air? Us too 🍂🧤
But before you resign yourself to yet another bobbly old jumper, here’s some good news: RHS - Royal Horticultural Society is back with its dazzling light trails — and we’re giving away the chicest way to stay warm while you wander ✨🌙
From Yorkshire to Surrey, Cheshire to Devon (with Essex in the mix too), RHS Glow transforms its gardens into twinkling wonderlands of lasers, lanterns and light-drenched trees. It’s a proper festive night out 🤩🌈
And that prize? Acne Studios scarves are the winter holy grail: oversized, buttery wool, Scandi-cool and guaranteed to make even your dog-walking parka look chic.
Muddy Stilettos Scotland is here, your go-to guide for where to eat, stay, shop and play. Launched with our official launch sponsor Glenalmond College.
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Hi! I’m Amber, and as editor of the Surrey edition of Muddy Stilettos I spend my days (and some evenings) sassing around Surrey with my ear to the ground to bring you the inside line on what’s happening in our county. I’m a former national journalist (The Telegraph, The Independent, i-newspaper), born and bred in rural Australia where the countryside is not a million miles from gorgeous Surrey, the county I’ve been lucky enough to call home for almost 20 years. I live with my husband and our two kids, as well as two cute kitties and two muddy pooches!
Along with Muddy Surrey there are 22 Muddy counties, all with a focus on the quirky, unique, cool and interesting; so no advertorial, no PR guff and a genuine, upbeat honesty. As well as being an indispensable local guide, it’s also a platform for local businesses to get their message across and for us to see what an amazing and creative county we live in.
Muddy Stilettos first tottered into the world in summer 2011 as a bit of fun for the founder, Hero Brown, in Bucks & Oxon. The idea was a simple one: to write a witty but indispensable guide to the very best restaurants, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors and events in the local counties and in doing so, perk up her social life.
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