Innehållsförteckning för December 2025 från Coast

There’s something quietly special about spending Christmas by the sea. While some people picture cosy cottages in the countryside or snow-covered towns, our coastline offers a festive atmosphere all its own. The beaches may be quieter and the winds a little sharper, but the charm is unmistakable. I love a crisp walk along the beach or seafront promenade, hot chocolate enjoyed while watching the reflected light from colourful Christmas decorations strung above fishing boats and harbour walls. Without the buzz of summer crowds, seaside towns in winter feel more personal and intimate. You’ll still find small shops full of thoughtful gifts for last-minute present shopping, pubs with roaring fires and cafés offering mulled drinks with a sea view. It’s the kind of Christmas that feels a little slower, a little…

I never planned to become known as the woman who paints oyster shells. I’m a trained illustrator and animal portrait artist. But these days, I’m just as likely to be found elbow-deep in a sink, scrubbing out fishy-smelling molluscs as I am with a pencil in hand. I now live and work in Norfolk, but I’ve been drawn to the coast for as long as I can remember. As a child, I spent every weekend with my parents at the beach, exploring Brancaster, Holkham and other quieter stretches of the north Norfolk coastline. We weren’t arcade-and-candyfloss types; we were sea-trampers, foragers, scavengers. I always came home with bags of seaweed, pebbles, driftwood – anything that caught my eye – and filled my notebooks with drawings of everything I had found.…

1 PROPERTY OF THE MONTH FISHBOURNE, ISLE OF WIGHT £4,750,000 This exceptional modern home was architect designed by the award-winning Manser Practice. See 1 overleaf 1 FISHBOURNE, ISLE OF WIGHT, £4,750,000 Fishbourne Quay House is set in an exceptional creekfront location, with pontoon mooring and spectacular coastal views. This architect-designed modern seven-bedroom house features a double-height living space with floor-to-ceiling windows and high-end granite, Italian marble and limestone finishes. It is surrounded by landscaped gardens with a pool and makes the perfect base for enjoying sailing and other watersports. Spence Willard (01983 200880, spencewillard.co.uk). 2 Enjoy dramatic beach views from this stunning modern home on the cliffs of Droskyn Point 2 PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL Guide price £1,075,000 Enjoy a seaside lifestyle in this three-bedroom coastal home, with reverse-level interiors to fully embrace…

There’s a good reason why ‘noctourism’ is one of today’s fastest-growing travel trends – experiencing the world after dark opens up a magical new perspective on destinations and activities usually enjoyed by day, plus the tranquility and heightened sensory awareness that goes hand in hand with nighttime exploration can be powerfully exhilarating. There’s a raft of expert-led night experiences around our coastline, all guaranteed to clear the mind and enrich the soul. From kayaking by moonlight to exploring nocturnal nature, taking a twilight sauna or discovering bioluminescent displays, here are 10 activities waiting to light up your night. 1 TAKE A FULL-MOON SAUNA IN SOUTH WALES Head to Oxwich Bay in south Wales for a session of breathwork and sauna beneath the full moon. This serene and restorative experience is…

A magazine subscription is the perfect gift: • Personal, thoughtful and fuels their passion • Provides enjoyment all year round • And saves you money on the shop price! GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM £22.99 OVER 45 TITLES TO CHOOSE FROM VISIT SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS25P OR CALL 01959 543 747 AND QUOTE ‘XMAS25P’ Lines are open Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate UK customers only. Offers end 31st January 2026…

Set above the two-mile surf beach, just a few short steps from the hotel’s oceanview restaurants, Swim Club, hot tub and sauna, the ice rink will add a new dimension to the festive season by the sea – and to winter breaks, Christmas stays and New Year celebrations in Cornwall. From 18 November to 11 January, locals, hotel guests and visitors can lace up and glide just seconds from the sand. Skating sessions will run daily, with family-friendly, accessible and adults-only hours. Penguin and polar bear skate aids will be available to help younger skaters and beginners find their feet. There will also be seasonal Skate and Stay packages including four-night Christmas and three-night New Year breaks. After a skate session, warm up with hot chocolate, mulled wine and wood-fired…

When I arrived in Bridport 10 years ago, as a newly single parent of two toddlers, I was starting again and I didn’t know a soul. But the sea did what it always does – it welcomed me. West Bay, with its golden cliffs and ever-changing tides, felt like home even before I rolled out my first yoga mat. I trained as a yoga teacher soon after arriving here, shaped as much by the landscape as by the philosophy. Now I teach on the beach all year round, at Hive Beach, West Bay. Classes are fluid, like the coastline: wind means we root down; midsummer heat slows us; a nip in the air gets us moving. And if it’s pouring with rain, we pause. The weather sets the tone. Practising…

EPIC ATLANTIC ROW RAISES OVER £100,000 FOR MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY After 56 days and more than 3,500 miles at sea, where the four-man crew of Jack Jarvis, David Bruce, Sam Edwards and Adam Radcliffe braved relentless winds, swells and isolation, the Boaty Boys of Team United We Conquer have completed their incredible transatlantic crossing from Manhattan to Cornwall. Supported by Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, the rowers raised more than £100,000 for Head Up, a mental health charity for the armed forces community, that offers support to military personnel and veterans. To find out more, go to headup.org.uk, healeyscyder.co.uk and @teamunitedweconquer on Instagram. NATIVE OYSTERS THRIVING The Solent Seascape Project, led by the Blue Marine Foundation, has teamed up with the Royal Navy to unveil the remarkable success of the project’s…

The Mariners’ Prawn Cocktail My dad absolutely loved a prawn cocktail. When I was a kid, we never went to fancy restaurants. If we were celebrating a special occasion, we would always go to a Beefeater in Southampton and his order would always be the same: prawn cocktail, mixed grill, followed by crumble. This dish has fast become a signature at The Mariners. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, we’ve just taken an iconic recipe and done it well. SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS • 2 heads baby gem lettuce• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil• Zest and juice of 1 lemon• Zest of 1 lime• 300 g cooked Atlantic prawns• 15 cherry tomatoes, halved and seasoned with rock salt and a drizzle of olive oil• 12 large, cooked king prawns,…

Cover image subject to change Pre-order our January issue now to guarantee delivery direct to your door – including these features: PLAN YOUR YEAR BY THE SEA • Unmissable Coastal Events for 2026 to book now • 10 Top life-changing experience breaks • The best cosy coastal cottages to escape to • Win a break in Cornwall Visit SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK Or call 01959 543 747* *Hotline open Mon – Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm. Calls charged at your standard network rate or scan me! Can’t find your copy of coast? Head to frontline-group.co.uk/store-finder, select Coast from the drop-down list, then type in your postcode and how far you are able to travel to pick up a copy. Or why not subscribe? Hurry before stocks run out! Or ask your local retailer to…

FIND OF THE MONTH Avoid plastic decorations this Christmas with these Cornishware baubles, made in England. Prices start from £15 for a mini bauble (cornishware.co.uk). CATCH OF THE DAY 1 THIS SOAP Crafted in small batches using natural ingredients and essential oils, these soaps by The Vely Soapery hang in the shower, for a stylish, practical and ecoconscious wash (£9.50 each, thevelysoapery.com). 2 THIS BAG Inspired by traditional Shetland Fair Isle knitting, the Fairisle Weekender Carpet Bag is crafted from Weaver Green’s ‘wonder yarn’, made entirely from recycled plastic bottles (£199, weavergreen.com). 3 THIS DECORATION Deck your Christmas tree with some marine sparkle this year. This embroidered oyster shell decoration from Oliver Bonas features a faux pearl and a blue ribbon for hanging it up (£8.50, oliverbonas.com). 4 THESE SOCKS…

Scotland’s shoreline offers breathtaking, often-overlooked beaches, with many easily reached by train, bus, or ferry. From cityside sands to hidden bays along scenic rail routes, these accessible spots are ideal for spontaneous day trips or last-minute breaks – with no car required. Discover some of the country’s most convenient coastal getaways, with nearby accommodation still available for a carefree and car-free escape. 1. LOSSIEMOUTH BEACHES, MORAY SPEYSIDE Lossiemouth sits atop a cliff, with spectacular views. It is nicknamed ‘The Riviera of the North’, thanks to the two stunning beaches that flank its harbour – one to the east and the other to the west. The West Beach is dominated by the iconic Covesea Lighthouse, operated by the local community (well worth a visit) and is situated next to Moray Golf…

ECO-CONSCIOUS INNOVATION HITS THE WAVES Serious open water swimmers and surfers who care about the planet will love the Zone3 Aspire Wetsuit, crafted from B-Prene Yamamoto neoprene – a game-changing material than is more biodegradable than the traditional wetsuit fabric. B-Prene reduces carbon impact and breaks down by 30% within just 522 days in landfill conditions, making it one of the most environmentally responsible choices in wetsuit design. Beyond its green credentials, this new sustainable neoprene offers flexibility, buoyancy and hydrodynamic efficiency, helping swimmers to glide faster and farther while conserving energy. The Super Composite Skin (SCS) nano-coating minimizes drag to near-zero levels and flexible shoulder panels support natural movement for longer, more comfortable swims. For eco-minded sea lovers, the Aspire wetsuit blends elite performance with environmental responsibility. Prices start…

1 BEST FOR FAIRYTALE Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland Step into a world of storytelling at Bamburgh Castle this December, as the famous fortress transforms its state rooms into a wonderland inspired by fairytales and classic stories. The Treasured Tales installation runs until 4 January, presenting a richly styled tropical Christmas paradise complete with immersive sets, atmospheric lighting, soundscapes and a host of surprises along the way – including a special visitor from the North Pole. Entry is included with general castle admission: £19.95 adults, £10 children, under-fives free (bamburghcastle.com). Complete the experience with a bucket list stay in the castle itself – The Clock Tower sleeps up to five and costs from £1,320 for a four-night break (crabtreeandcrabtree.com). 2 BEST FOR A ROMANTIC GETAWAY Château Rhianfa, Anglesey, Wales It’s set on…

SEPTEMBER 2025 • Discover marina living • An inspiring move to Margate • A family fishing business on Bryher AUGUST 2025 • Family holiday destinations • The power of sea swimming • Living and working on Islay JULY 2025 • Wales special: homes and breaks • Seafood recipes by Emily Scott • A beach hut renovation in Dorset JUNE 2025 • One couple’s new life on an island • Take a foodie tour of Shetland • The best tidal pools for snorkelling MAY 2025 • Explore Edinburgh’s best spots • Stay in a castle on the beach • Artisan furniture crafted in Scotland APRIL 2025 • Top places to move to in Cornwall • Farm-fresh feasting in Padstow • How surfing inspires one artist Visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/coastback Call 01959 543747* *Hotline…

I was born in Hove in the ’70s and some of my earliest and happiest memories are of that pebble beach. Brighton and Hove were a little wilder back then – not quite the busy, polished places they are today. I can still picture that hot summer of ’76, the little beach huts, my first ice creams and my childhood dog, Tara, racing across the stones. We lived in a small flat, so that stretch of beach felt like freedom – endless, expansive and completely magical to a child. These days, the coastline that speaks most deeply to my soul is in Norfolk. Brancaster and Holkham are extraordinary beaches – vast, wild and dramatic. In winter, you can walk for hours without seeing a soul, just you and the sky.…