This editorial introduces a Classics Revisited collection within which a range of invited authors have used Louise Bracken and Emma Mawdsley's paper, ‘“Muddy glee”: Rounding out the picture of women and physical geography fieldwork’, as inspiration for reflection and to broaden the debate around geography fieldwork. Published in 2004, ‘Muddy glee’ sought to engage with feminist critiques of the masculinist endeavour of fieldwork, whilst trying to reclaim some of the more nuanced, positive aspects of women in fieldwork. This editorial introduces the classic paper, reflects on fieldwork access today and the role of the RGS‐IBG in helping to shape good practice and briefly introduces the collection of papers that together form the special section. Short This is an introductory editorial to the Classics Revisited special collection, ‘Muddy Glee’.