Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neat-retreat"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/twolittlestays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neat retreat</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="714" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/The-Music-Room.jpeg" alt="The Music Room Air BnB Fawsley" class="wp-image-66600" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/The-Music-Room.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/The-Music-Room-300x214.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/The-Music-Room-768x548.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy a cheeky staycay? Or maybe you&#8217;ve got extended family visiting and need somewhere to put everyone. We&#8217;re rather excited about a pair of AirBnBs just launched at the edge of the spectacular Fawsley Estate near Fawsley Hall in a gorgeous little rural enclave not far from Daventry. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="714" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Two-Little-Stays-Fawsley.jpeg" alt="Boutique stay in Northants" class="wp-image-66601" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Two-Little-Stays-Fawsley.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Two-Little-Stays-Fawsley-300x214.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Two-Little-Stays-Fawsley-768x548.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Music Room and The Studio, aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/twolittlestays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Two Little Stays</a>, are super stylish countryside retreats set within beautifully renovated detached stone buildings in the grounds of the owners&#8217; stunning family home. Each property sleeps two guests and has been exquisitely styled, blending traditional English country character with contemporary comfort and including thoughtful touches including super king-size beds, workspaces, smart TVs, EV charging and stunning parkland views. They&#8217;re dog-friendly too, so don&#8217;t forget to bring Fido to enjoy all the beautiful country walks nearby. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-chapter">A new chapter</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="894" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Oundle-bookshop.png" alt="oundle bookshop" class="wp-image-66614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Oundle-bookshop.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Oundle-bookshop-300x268.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Oundle-bookshop-768x687.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Oundle Bookshop</figcaption></figure>



<p>Brilliant news for local book worms (raises hand), as not one but two new independent bookshops (re)launch this week in Northants. The iconic (and beautiful) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oundle_bookshop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oundle Bookshop</a>, part of the Oundle School estate, has been a part of the townscape for 120 years and run by the Colman family of stationers for 16 years. It&#8217;s now been taken over by Sam Draper, founder of The London Bookman, a subscription service for gifting personalised book picks, and will re-open briefly this weekend (20 June) ahead of the summer holidays, before temporarily closing for a spruce-up over the summer. </p>



<p>Next up, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/volta.books/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volta</a>, which has been located at Nene Court in Wellingborough since late last year, is expanding and has moved over to a much bigger, more prominent and characterful unit. This is exactly the kind of positive book-based news we live for. Be sure to pay them a visit and support local. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-well-good">Well good</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/reformer-studio.jpg" alt="reformer pilates studio" class="wp-image-66631" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/reformer-studio.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/reformer-studio-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/reformer-studio-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s some exciting new wellness happenings in the shire, with the imminent opening of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rituel_studios/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rituel Studios</a> in Northampton on 29 June, a boutique wellness studio where you&#8217;ll be able to choose from a range of classes including reformer and mat pilates, hot mat pilates and hot yoga. </p>



<p>The brilliant <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mylymph" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lymph Studio</a> are also set to open a new branch in Loughborough any minute now and if you don&#8217;t already know about this you&#8217;re in for a treat! It&#8217;s a lymphatic infrared roller studio with roller machines that promote the removal excess fluid, toxins, and waste, aid muscle recovery, boost circulation, enhance cellular metabolism, and increase oxygen delivery. You can book in for am 28 or a 45 minute session &#8211; or you can hire the studio for a private group sesh. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/grendon.jpg" alt="Grendon Hall" class="wp-image-66633" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/grendon.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/grendon-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/grendon-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And it&#8217;s a truly iconic local destination, having recently been used as a residential sports and music centre for school children (I remember going on a music residential here around the age of 11) and latterly a wedding venue, but you might have heard the news that Grendon Hall has undergone a major transformation into a wellness retreat and performance space, offering ice baths and a sauna, dedicated studios for reformer pilates and immersive hot yoga and padel courts. There&#8217;s also a&nbsp;yurt village for a countryside escape within the estate grounds and Marlows, a lovely café where you can catch live music with your coffee and cake. The estate also hosts romantic weddings, fine dining experiences and offers elegant spaces for private hire &#8211; the perfect setting for celebrations and special occasions.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acai-is-the-new-black">Açaí is the new black</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="710" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/RUH.jpg" alt="Ruh Bowl Kettering" class="wp-image-66624" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/RUH.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/RUH-300x213.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/RUH-768x545.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fresh and fruity this week on Kettering&#8217;s Market Place is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruhbowl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruh Bowl</a>, a very cool looking new café (loving the colour scheme) serving açaí bowls, matcha, coffee, shakes, smoothies, bagels, waffles and sarnies. Pistachio Heaven, I&#8217;m coming for you. And there&#8217;s another açaí destination set to open imminently in Earls Barton. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/llumicafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Llumi Wellness Café</a>, opening on 12 July, will serve açaí, poke bowls, matcha and more. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-concept">Kids concept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="745" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Sprog-745x1024.png" alt="sprog play cafe market harborough" class="wp-image-66634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Sprog-745x1024.png 745w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Sprog-218x300.png 218w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Sprog-768x1056.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Sprog.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s also a brand new kids play store and café opening on 5 July in Market Harborough. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sprog.play.store.coffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sprog</a> will have a play area for kids with different role playing areas and a track to rise bikes on, a well as store area selling gorgeous kids brands and a lovely cafe for parents to relax in. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grand-designs">Grand designs</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="994" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Elizabeth-Stanhope.png" alt="Elizabeth Stanhope Oakham Rutland interior design" class="wp-image-66637" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Elizabeth-Stanhope.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Elizabeth-Stanhope-300x298.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Elizabeth-Stanhope-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2026/06/Elizabeth-Stanhope-768x763.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The fabulous interiors expert <a href="https://elizabethstanhope.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Stanhope</a> has opened The Design Centre, a studio and retail space in Oakham in converted fire station. The business has quietly occupied the building for 25 years, but it&#8217;s had a massive refurb and is now fully dedicated to interior design. We absolutely love Elizabeth&#8217;s stylish and often quirky (but always luxurious) take on English country style, so if this is your bag then it will be a real feast for the eyes to go and visit and immerse yourself in their gorgeous soft furnishings and project inspo &#8211;  the perfect space to make decisions and be inspired. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-like-this-try-these">Want more like this? Try these</h2>



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