Innehållsförteckning för August 2024 från Coast

I was lucky enough to go sailing the other day in a modern day version of the classic Cornish Crabber, just off Penarth, the south Wales resort. I’d already spent a couple of enjoyable days staying in this wonderful spot and the chance to sail out into the waters on a sunny day was the icing on the cake. Not only do you get a fabulous sense of relaxation and freedom when out sailing, you get a different perspective on our fabulous coastline too. As we sailed along the shoreline and made our way across part of the Bristol Channel towards the intriguing island of Flat Holm we felt at one with nature. If you’re a fan of the coast then I suspect, in the main, you are a fan…

1 THIS PICNIC BASKET Pack up a jaunty basket of snacks and drinks to take to the beach – this woven hamper with turquoise stripe has traditional twin lids to keep things cool and prevent sand from blowing in. (£35, marksandspencer.com) 2 THIS SUN HAT Protect your face from the sun in the shade of a classic bucket-shaped hat from the nostalgic Whispering Sands collection, which also offers a backpack, pyjamas and phone pouch. (£20, fableengland.com) 3 THIS SEAWEED PRESS Make your own dried art using a small press to preserve unique strands of seaweed; this model comes with five sheets of corrugated card and eight sheets of sugar paper to get you started. (£24, wintersmoon.co.uk). 4 THIS CAFETIÈRE Brew up a delicious pot of coffee as you watch the…

1 OIL ON WATER West Cornwall artist Nell Kerr’s new exhibition at Whitewater Contemporary in Polzeath uses traditional oil painting methods to capture the transient nature of water. Nell makes close cropped and emphatic studies of moving water, from crashing waves to the sparkling beauty of placid ripples. She details the simple magic of water as the light and movement change throughout the day and the seasons. For inspiration, she heads out in her Canadian canoe to spend time on the water in and around Cornwall’s Helford River where she lives and works, gathering ideas and reference material for her paintings, such as Reverie (pictured), back in the studio. By focusing on small areas of bodies of water such as rivers and seas, and containing them within the boundaries of…

With an expansive, west-facing beach and dunes, Barmouth has been a popular destination for holidaymakers since Victorian times. There are donkey rides, a fun fair and amusement arcades. Less well known is the wealth of walks starting in the town. There are hikes up ‘The Rock’ of Old Town with views of the Mawddach estuary and onwards up the hill of Dinas Oleu. After that exertion, the chip shops, ice cream parlours and doughnut stands might appeal. Otherwise, new cafes selling acai bowls and quesadillas are appearing. Meanwhile new hotels feature upcycled furniture and rain showers. The place feels on the cusp of change. We arrive by train after a spectacularly scenic journey which hugs the coast and crosses the long wooden railway and pedestrian bridge for which Barmouth is…

1 COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT Cowes Week (July 27 to August 2 this year) is the largest and most respected sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Up to 7,000 competitors and 100,000 spectators arrive to these accessible waters to be part of an event that dates back to 1826. Being in and around Cowes is a treat all year round, however. The maritime gateway to the Isle of Wight is full of sailing and ship-building history. 2 DALE, PEMBROKESHIRE Dale is a calm, flat location facing Milford Haven, which, as the name suggests, is a safe waterway. It’s sheltered sailing here and well away from the westerly waves (although it can get choppy in easterly winds). Dale is a popular spot and busy if the sun’s out and…

In the UK, mental health issues affect one in four adults and one in ten children each year, figures from the NHS show. However, research* by British Marine, operators of the Southampton International Boat Show and the Canals & River Trust revealed a refreshing remedy: water-based activities. Their study revealed that spending time on water - be it coastal or inland - can markedly enhance wellbeing, reducing anxiety by 15 per cent with regular participation. Engaging in watersports isn’t just a pastime; it’s a transformative experience that offers mental clarity, physical health benefits, and a sense of freedom. The natural environment combined with regularly spending time out on the water could be even more beneficial than accepted mindfulness activities such as practising yoga or Pilates**. With the many lifestyle benefits…

CATHERINE LARNER Catherine is a freelance journalist and presenter living near the coast in Suffolk. She enjoys rowing and running alongside the Deben estuary with its abundant birdlife. Her love of books sees her regularly hosting author events and reviewing new releases and in this issue she learns more about the work of printmaker Angela Harding. JULIAN OWEN Julian Owen has been a Bristol-based freelance journalist for 25 years, writing for a wide range of national and international publications. A lifetime lover of all things coastal, his sister’s 2008 move to the Isle of Harris has seen him become gratefully well-versed with its singular terrain, as described by local boatman Seamus Morrison in this issue. SERENA SHORES Serena is a freelance writer and photographer with extensive experience, appearing in a…

Seamstress and fashion designer Gwen Lloyd-Edwards opened Wild Bird Boutique earlier this year on Fore Street in the historic town of Topsham on the dramatic Exe Estuary. While she was born in Devon and grew up near Dartmouth, Gwen went on to run a wedding dress business in Bristol but always dreamt of returning home. “The sea has been an integral part of our family’s life – as young children we were all taught to swim by mum, even before we could walk. We spent every day of the summer on Blackpool Sands.” She fondly remembers teaching her late mother Jennie to paddleboard at the age of 82 on Exmouth beach, and swimming with her year-round at Budleigh Salterton. A few years ago, Gwen’s dream became reality and she moved…

I recently became embroiled in a row about climate change. Well, actually, it wasn’t about climate change. It was about parking. Apparently that’s a bigger concern than climate change, although climate change, here at the coast, is going to affect parking, which is when people start to sit up and demand action. That action, it seems, ranges from building sea walls to shifting tonnes of sand to refusing to believe it’s happening. No one, it seems to me, has considered that they might actually have the power to be part of the solution. We are talking, of course, about beach car parks. As sea levels rise and storm events become more regular and violent (think about last winter!), the highest tides are likely to flood low lying areas. One way…

Spot spooky goings on: enter Muncaster Castle if you dare. This is one of the UK’s most haunted castles, with tales of Tom Fool (aka Thomas Skelton) who is said to play tricks on family, staff and visitors. There are also 77 acres of gardens to explore, plus a hawk and owl centre on site. The castle and estate are owned by the Frost-Pennington family. Ewan Frost-Pennington spent years working in California before the chance came to return to his ancestral home on the Cumbrian coastline. “It’s a wonderful place to be,’ says Ewan. “I’m always amazed that the area remains relatively undiscovered – something that gives it a magical quality.” muncaster.co.uk Dive into maritime history: currently in its temporary home in Curzon Street, Maryport Maritime Museum celebrates the town’s proud…

Glide Surf is an accredited school in the UK with NGB Surfing England, which means you will get the industry’s highest standards of coaching from their experienced instructors. They are also now one of several surf schools in the country who are accredited Surfing England Training Centres; this means that those who are interested in becoming a Level 1 Surf Instructor can be raised up, trained and equipped to actually fulfil that dream and continue to work with them or any other accredited Surfing England surf school in the country. By giving people lessons you will be equipping them with the tools to engage in a life-long pursuit and love for the sport; all they need is a gentle offshore breeze.…

We have teamed up with Love Penzance to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an exciting stay in west Cornwall. Penzance is a charming coastal town steeped in history and brimming with natural beauty, and known as the gateway to West Cornwall. Visitors can enjoy exploring its historic harbour, visiting the iconic Jubilee Pool, one of the oldest surviving Art Deco lidos, and strolling along the charming promenade between Penzance and Newlyn. The town’s eclectic architecture, from Georgian and Victorian buildings to contemporary galleries and shops, reflects its diverse cultural influences. Penzance is also a hub for creativity and culture. The town hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating everything from literature and music to midsummer (Golowan) and winter solstice (Montol). The vibrant arts community enjoys…

The unique geology of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is recognised worldwide and influences the taste of the food and drink produced here. That’s certainly the case for the traditional method sparkling wines from the Langham Wine Estate whose flavours are influenced by some of the purest Cretaceous chalk in the south of England. You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate what this award-winning vineyard brings to the table. A four-course dinner for 12 in a private room at Dorchester’s King’s Arms Hotel perfectly paired four of Langham’s gently sparkling wines with south west seafood - a match made in heaven. Intimate events like this are one of the ways in which Langham’s is quietly raising the profile of high-quality English sparkling wines. Head winemaker Tommy Grimshaw is south…

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When you become a subscriber, you’ll automatically join the Coast Club, where you can enjoy exclusive subscriber-only discounts from our partners. Plus, you’ll receive your monthly dose of Vitamin Sea with Coast magazine, taking in all the beauty that our British coast has to offer with every issue. Discover the best staycations, dream homes, coastal walks and places to eat, plus our special focus each issue on ten fabulous things to do by the sea! We can’t wait for you to join us! Guarantee yourself a whole year’s worth of Vitamin Sea with a subscription to Coast, the only monthly magazine which shares your love of our stunning shores. Or a subscription is also perfect as a gift for someone special in your life. By joining the coast community, you’ll…

I’ve written in these pages before about my love of travelling to islands…the anticipation building on the journey, the sense of being somewhere just a bit different on arrival and the chance to get out and explore where you’re visiting, all the while conscious you are bounded by water on all sides. And for a peak island experience, may I recommend the Isle of Wight? Having just returned from a thoroughly enjoyable week spent exploring the island and experiencing its warm welcome, fabulous food and drink, plus amazing attractions, it gets my vote, that’s for sure. But it’s not just my ‘tick in the box’ going to this superb island just a few miles off the English south coast – the Isle of Wight was recently named Destination of the…

The Ratty Arms on the platform of Ravenglass station on the Cumbrian Coast Line, serves pub classics and is dog-friendly. The Pennington Hotel in Ravenglass has stylish rooms, 50 varieties of gin and a varied menu which celebrates Cumbrian produce. The Gather is a community-owned and run cafe and shop in Ennerdale Bridge. Art exhibitions are held upstairs. Embleton Spa Hotel has rooms and apartments, plus a bar and bistro restaurant. They serve a 40oz tomahawk steak Sunday roast sharing board that serves five (or one, depending on your appetite…) Family-run Marina View Cafe in Maryport is doing good things with great views. They do a home-made hot beef sarnie or a fish finger butty or fresh pies. Tough call. The Vagabond on the harbour in Whitehaven is a traditional…

You can use a variety of different surfboards, both short and long. For the smaller, mellower waves often seen at Cromer (rather than the steeper Atlantic swells associated with Cornwall), a longer board is best. They are also easier to learn how to ‘pop-up’ or go from lying on the board to popping up, to standing. Cromer is ideal for children and beginners, as on the mid-lower tide the bottom is sandy so it is safer to fall off and the wave height being regularly at around waist to chest height also makes learning less perilous.…

LOFTY EXPECTATIONS MET WITH FIVE STAR SERVICE Name me a hotel with a more iconic setting than The Watergate Bay in Cornwall. Go on, I’ll wait….writes ANDY COOPER. It would be hard to name somewhere with a better locale than this iconic building perched on the cliff overlooking a beautiful stretch of north Cornwall beach. But of course what makes The Watergate Bay SO special is that it matches that location with the complete hotel package for guests, making it totally in sync with its surroundings. That excellence was confirmed when we checked into one of the luxurious beach lofts which have their own personal parking space and entrance a few yards from the main hotel. Just wow. The view alone took the breath away and complemented as it was…

Being part of the fourth generation of a family business it could be said that seaside attractions are in Jamie Jones’ blood. For over 70 years his family have been running Great Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach. Jamie loves the variety that his role offers and is very proud of the business’ history. It’s home to the scenic railway, which has been a key attraction since 1932. Capable of handling 2,500 passengers per hour, it is the only remaining wooden roller coaster of its kind in the UK and one of only two remaining where a brakeman is required to ride with the train to control its speed. Straight after he left school at 16, Jamie started working with the maintenance team, mainly helping with the repairs of the famous roller coaster…

Fancy something closer to home? If you’re newer to navigating and want to work up to a challenge, an island route is a great option to get started with! Check out our three alternative routes. Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire A lovely coastal walk along rugged clifftop from Strumble Head to Trefin via the pretty Abercastle village. This walk offers dramatic views and local wildlife. tinyurl.com/63sy46ek River Otter, Devon A leisurely stroll along the bank of the river Otter, a steep climb up onto Mutters Moor then back down to the coast path to Budleigh Salterton. Finishing with another stroll back up along the Otter. tinyurl.com/ycym6mch Aberlady Bay, East Lothian This walk between Gullane and Aberlady takes in one of the finest stretches of coast in Scotland, heading to Gullane Point and…

Nairn is somewhat a hidden gem when it comes to Scottish coastal destinations. Perhaps it’s the distance from the city-dwellers of Edinburgh and Glasgow – more than a three-hour drive whichever route is chosen – or its latitude: only four European capital cities are further north. People have made their home in and around where the town lies for millennia – certainly dating back to 5,000 BC. Many have come and gone – the ancient Picts before the Romans’ recce and then centuries of kings, thanes, bishops and barons who battled over the area’s fertile and strategic lands. Even the town’s origins are somewhat a mystery. It takes its name from the river. The Nairn rises in the Monadhliath Mountains to the west of the Cairngorms – and it is…

LIFE’S A BEACH AT A PERFECT DOGGIE RETREAT Due to a last-minute personnel change, our stay at Seaview holiday park in Gorran Haven was a multi-generational affair, writes CHRISSY HARRIS. My husband had to work and my son decided he probably should work for his GCSE exam the following week. So, my mum and dad joined me, daughter Alice, 13, and dog Penny for a two-night break in this lovely part of Cornwall. It feels proper Cornish around St Austell (or ‘Snozzel’, as it’s often affectionately called). The pits and mounds from the once thriving china clay industry define the landscape inland, while the beaches are slightly less showy than the vast expanses of sand and breakers on the north coast. Seaview, a holiday park with an outdoor pool, gym,…

If you would like to NOMINATE YOUR POOCH to feature in Dog of the Month, please email us at coast.ed@kelsey.co.uk Douglas pictured enjoying Scarborough beach, oh and, of course, a salty coastal stick. Perfect days! Harry & Helena, Ulverston, Cumbria This is Ted, our golden working Cocker Spaniel, loving life and posing on Fistral beach, Newquay. Rachel Jones, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire This is Mabel, our English Bulldog, who loves going to the beach at Sand bay in North Somerset. She loves playing in the sand and running away from the sea. Wendy Ball, Weston-Super-Mare This is my dog, Tucker, having the best time on the beach in St Ives, Cornwall. He is a Golden Irish (Irish Setter/Retriever cross). He is big, soft, cuddly boy! Michele Clayton, North Yorkshire This…

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