Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2022 i Coast

The bittern, Britain’s loudest bird, has had a record-breaking year with up to 228 males counted in 2021. This is a real success story, as in 1997 there were only 11 males across the whole of the UK. Members of the heron family, bitterns became extinct in this country during the 1870s because they were over-hunted and their wetland habitat was lost to agriculture, so it’s heartening that the RSPB’s mission to restore and protect such fragile environments has led to their return. These are shy and well-camouflaged birds, so the most reliable way to count them in the breeding season is to listen for the male’s booming foghorn call, which can be heard from three miles away (rspb.org.uk). PLASTIC-FREE PORTHCURNO Porthcurno – one of Cornwall’s most popular destinations for…

Twr y Felin is a former windmill and Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, located in Britain’s smallest city, St Davids. Meticulously restored and extended, and featuring contemporary design throughout, the hotel is home to 41 bedrooms and more than 250 pieces of specially commissioned art, inspired by the St Davids peninsula and Pembrokeshire. Twr y Felin Hotel is also home to the 3 AA Rosette Blas Restaurant, which offers a menu influenced by the season and uses produce sourced from predominantly Pembrokeshire and Welsh suppliers, as well as foraged ingredients from the surrounding countryside and coast. Twr y Felin is well placed to explore this captivating corner of Wales, as it is situated right in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Sandy Caerfai Beach is less than 15 minutes’ walk from…

At some point this summer, you will be heading to a beach. coast writer Jessie Johnson selects our top 25 beaches for 2022, offering everything from days out with the kids to romantic sea-view dining 1 BEST FOR: NATURAL WONDERS WHITEROCKS BEACH, CAUSEWAY COAST Why here? Big waves, high dunes and majestic limestone cliffs worn by the sea into a maze of spectacular rock formations come together to create one of the most stunning beaches on the Causeway Coast. Loved by the watersports enthusiasts, the gentle sloping shelf of beach, measuring up at around two miles from East Strand to Whiterocks, is ideal for canoeing and sea swimming – though prepare for the bracing sting of the North Atlantic water, whatever the season! The steep dune hills are a popular…

1 BEST FOR: SURFING AND STARFISH CASWELL BAY BEACH, GOWER PENINSULA, WALES Why here? Nestled behind Mumbles headland, this half-mile sandy beach, which proudly flies the Blue Flag and is a Seaside Award winner, is a natural haven for children who can spend long happy hours scouring rockpools, paddling in the shallows or trying their hand at surfing under the expert tuition of Gower Surf Academy. Forgot the buckets and spades? Pop to the on-site souvenir shop for all your beachside essentials. If the family fancy stretching their legs, the bay is connected to the pretty neighbouring beach of Langland via a short cliff-top path, making it an ideal amble with only a few steep inclines. Alternatively, feast on ice creams from Surfside Café and keep your toes firmly wedged…

SKYE SCAPE Superlative views over the southwest coast of the Isle of Skye, and a sustainable design by an acclaimed architect, are just two reasons to consider a relocation to Heaste, winner of two architectural awards since its completion in 2017. A homestead that’s clad in black corrugated aluminium, inside the light-filled open-plan interiors are lined with Douglas fir, giving it the overall look and feel of a traditional Scottish blackhouse. Highlights of the two-bedroom home, which was designed by architect Mary Arnold-Forster, include a doubleheight living space and sliding glass walls that open onto a south-facing terrace. Situated just five miles from the town of Broadford, it’s close to Loch Eishort and the walking is seriously good. Heaste is up for sale at £600,000 with The Modern House (themodernhouse.com).…

COFFEE ARCHIVE Archive Homestore & Kitchen is one of my favourite places around Britain’s coast. Everywhere you look there is something interesting to see, whether it’s the clever interior, the nice things to buy, or the view of boats in the harbour right next door. archivehomestore.co.uk @archiveramsgate INDOOR ACTIVITY UNION YOGA Union Yoga runs daily classes in its stunning light-filled studio just up from the harbour. The beautiful space is perfect for unwinding and, as an added bonus, you can treat yourself to some healthy delights in the café after! unionramsgate.com @unionramsgate OUTDOOR ACTIVITY KITE PIRATES Get some adrenaline pumping through your veins at the Kite Pirates’ kitesurfing school. Based in shallow Pegwell Bay just to the south of Ramsgate, this is a perfect place for all levels to go…

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Think Edwardian splendour in Exmoor. Looking like it simply grew out of the landscape, Bossington Hall sits in a scenic spot with its back to the wooded hills and the front facing the sea across a patchwork of green fields. Built in 1911 by New Zealand Shipping Company tycoon Allan Hughes, this gorgeous house just 10 minutes off the South West Coast Path is now a boutique B&B offering six luxurious rooms, eight acres of grounds, possibly the oldest private squash court in England, its own private cinema, and jaw-dropping panoramic views in every direction. Staying here feels like visiting friends – there’s a warm welcome and nothing is too much trouble. From a boot room with torches and dog towels, to the honesty bar in the…

1 BEST FOR: SEA TO PLATE DINING PORTHMINSTER BEACH, ST IVES, CORNWALL Why here? Spotless Blue Flag sands, palm trees and azure waters make a near tropical setting for one of Cornwall’s most prestigious beachside restaurants, Porthminster Café. The seasonal menu is chalked up around the ever-changing bounty of the garden plot and surrounding coastal paths – from freshly baked croissants for the morning surf crowd right through to crab lollipops, freshly landed seabass, seafood pasta dishes and grilled Porthilly oysters. Facilities: The beach is patrolled by lifeguards in high season and waters are considered generally safe to swim in. There’s easy access to the beach for disabled visitors and the main car park is located right next to the beach, with toilets close by. Where to stay: The team…

A DAY BY THE SEA For a one-stop shop, John Lewis offers a jaunty array of beachy buys, including melamine picnicware, striped towels, shell fabric picnic chairs and woven rugs (johnlewis.com). ON THE TABLE: French stripe cotton tablecloth, cream/navy, 180 x 140cm, £25; round jute placemats, set of 2, natural, £10; plastic stacking tumblers, set of 4, £10; patterned melamine picnic cereal bowl, set of 4, 14.7cm, assorted, £14; printed design jug, £12; Archipelago shell stoneware serving bowl, 21cm, coral, £8; Archipelago shell stoneware serving plate, 21cm, blue, £7; plain melamine picnic dinner plate, set of 4, 25.5cm, assorted, £16; plain melamine picnic side plate, set of 4, 20cm, assorted, £12; plain melamine picnic cereal bowl, set of 4, 14cm, assorted, £14; green wave stripe mango bowl, £20. FURNITURE: Jute…

1 RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT £1,500,000 Previous page: Inside elegant No 52 Spencer Road there are eight bedrooms, six reception rooms and four bathrooms, while outside is a beautiful veranda that stretches right across the front of the house. Spence Willard (01983 873000, spencewillard.co.uk). 2 SALTASH, CORNWALL £500,000 Detached Beach Cottage is perfect for sailors – Plymouth Sound is just five miles away. This threestorey house has a living room that overlooks the water, pus two bedrooms and a basement perfect for storing watersports equipment. Scott Parry (01752 858314, scottparry.co.uk). 3 HAYLING ISLAND, HAMPSHIRE £19,000 This beach hut sits right on West Hayling seafront and is within walking distance of the Inn on the Beach as well as the café, toilets and funfair. It has great sea views and comes…

To the north of Ramsgate is the Thames Estuary and North Sea; to the south is the English Channel and – eventually – the Atlantic. Ramsgate is the doorway between the two spaces. Imagine the Channel as a long corridor and the North Sea as a large, open room; these two spaces have very different characters, and when you go from one to the other you would expect a change. Anyone passing between these two environments would be sensible to take a breather in Ramsgate – there’s plenty to do locally too. When you go kitesurfing in Pegwell Bay with the Kite Pirates, you may notice a wide rivermouth tapering to the west, its deep channel marked by red cans and green cones. This is the River Stour, which has…

DOG-FRIENDLY PLACE TO STAY Owls Cottage at Brooklands Farm, Devon Just north of the lively seaside town of Exmouth with its sandy beach, you’ll find this semi-detached cottage that sleeps four people and welcomes one dog. It’s all on one level and in a secluded setting in the grounds of the owners‘ home. The outside space is the real winner, with an enclosed patio area with garden furniture, barbecue and a private hot tub. Explore the East Devon coast, the Exe Estuary or have a day in the cathedral city of Exeter. PRICE: From £519-£1,687 for seven nights. Dogs are charged at £20 each per full or part week. HOW DO I BOOK? Call 01237 426783 or go to stayindevon.co.uk. DRY OFF These Harbour dog-drying mitts are just the thing…

Photographer Dan Bolt captured this extraordinary image of a painted goby in Loch Carron, Scotland, as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Seasearch programme. Dan says: ‘Springtime along the edges of a Scottish sea loch is full of hope and renewed life. Below the cool waters of the loch itself a similar scene is reflected. This small painted goby is among many species of fish that prefer to make a nest to lay and look after their eggs. A favoured nesting site is within the hard shell of a dead sea urchin, which provides an excellent haven for the eggs and an easily defended entrance from the claws of hungry crabs. The still-vibrant colours of this shell prove it was not long deceased before this goby moved in.’ To see…

Spiced Sardines in Mustard Seeds This recipe – which can also be made with mackerel – is a brilliant way to get your weekly dose of Omega 3. Sardines and mackerel are both rated green in the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide (mcsuk.org/goodfishguide) • 2 tbsp sunflower oil• ¼ tsp brown or black mustard seeds• 3-4 curry leaves (optional)• 1 onion, chopped• 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed• ¼ tsp turmeric• Pinch of sea salt• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper• ¼ tsp medium curry powder• 4 sardines, filleted, or one tin of sardines in oil Method (SERVES 2) 1. Warm the oil in a pan on a medium heat and add a few of the mustard seeds. Once they begin to crackle, tip in the remaining seeds. 2. Add the…

WHET MY APPETITE. Conceived by best friends and chefs Holly Taylor and Toby Geneen, the idea behind Kindling is to offer delicious food, served with care and integrity. Members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the pair work with local suppliers who operate with high animal welfare standards and produce additive-free ingredients. Using a natural charcoal fire, fermentation and preservation processes they run their restaurant by creating a network of like-minded people, from fishermen and farmers to staff and customers, who believe in low-waste, ethical, sustainable food. With an ethos of ‘Nature writes our menu,’ they draw on the seasons’ best ingredients to create vibrant dishes with excellent provenance. WHAT’S ON THE MENU? The experience is about all the senses. The open kitchen sits in the middle of the restaurant so…

The northern coast of Islay is wild and remote, edged by rocky shores scoured by the Atlantic and carpeted with heather. It’s not the sort of place where you expect to find a garden but, in the shadow of Rhuvaal lighthouse built in 1859, Suzanne Cobb has tamed the wilderness, coaxing flowers to grow despite salt-laden spindrift and ferocious storms. Around the former lighthouse keeper’s cottage, which Suzanne shares with husband Howard, the season begins when snowdrops, then daffodils, start to cover the ground. It gradually unfolds in waves of old-fashioned favourites, such as lupins and hardy geraniums, until by early summer the roses are in flower, butterflies have settled on the buddleia and the sea around the cottage sparkles in the sun. It was the beauty, remoteness and rugged…

1 BEST FOR: NOVICE SEA SWIMMERS WALPOLE BAY, MARGATE Why here? Built in 1937, Margate’s Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is the biggest tidal pool in the UK and the perfect place for a spot of wild swimming without the slightly wilder elements of being at sea. Fresh water springs rise from the beach within the walls, providing fresh water from the floor of the pool, and its clever design means the pool is submerged by the sea at every tide. Enter via the ladder or jump straight in – but be aware that it reaches a depth of more than 6ft in places, meaning children must be supervised. Check the tide times before visiting – low tides offer the perfect window to get some laps in; the pool can get…

1 BUSY IN NORTH BERWICK WHERE? North Berwick, East Lothian. WHAT’S ON? This seaside town is abuzz with activities that won’t break the bank. Fringe By the Sea runs from 5-14 August and includes 10 days of music, literature, film, comedy and film for all the family. On 6 August it’s the 25th anniversary of North Berwick’s International Highland Games, a spectacle involving Highland dancing, tossing the caber and an international pipe band contest. COST? Fringe by the Sea, free and ticketed events. Highland Games, adults £10; children under 16 £15; family ticket £25. MORE INFO: fringebythesea.com and northberwickhighlandgames.org. BUDGET STAY: The Dolphin Inn, Dunbar. A family room for four in this retro-style hostel near East Beach is priced from around £80 in August (dolphindunbar.com). 2 SPOT THE BIRDIE WHERE?…

Since the 2011 opening of the Turner Contemporary art gallery, Margate has been revitalised. Within easy reach of London and always a popular sea bathing resort, the Kent town now has enough good restaurants, cafés and bars to draw visitors for that reason alone. In tandem, the cobbled Old Town has filled up with independent shops, retro stores and art hubs. In Union Crescent, next door to Tracey Emin’s painting studio, the Carl Freedman Gallery showcases international artists. The renowned gallerist and Margate-raised artist are old friends and jointly bought the site in 2016. Earlier this year, Emin announced plans to create an archive of her work in Margate and an art school too. Then, of course, there are the beaches, the reason why Londoners have always flocked here, first…

HEAD EAST Buy into life on the waterfront – No 45 The Winerack Apartments is a spacious two-bedroom, twobathroom apartment within the brand-new Winerack development in the heart of sophisticated Ipswich marina. With 837 sq. ft. of interior designed luxury, contemporary finishes and large balcony off both bedrooms with south-facing views over the marina, this is one of the Winerack’s finest examples within the second quarter. Q2 is the tallest and most prominent quarter in the development, spread over 17 floors, offering some of the best views of the town, marina and beyond. Priced at £275,000 – Help to Buy is also available to first-time buyers on all Q2 and Q4 apartments at The Winerack. For more information, go to thewinerackapartments.com. FUN FOR FOODIES IN WALES A popular event in…