Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Coast

I’m not saying I still get a childlike pleasure from a day trip to the coast, but one of my most exciting purchases in recent times has been the collapsible beach trolley in which we load all the paraphernalia needed for a first class time on the sands. It’s a game-changer! Instead of strapping a bodyboard and rucksack to my bag whilst also trying to hold a wind break under one arm and a picnic hamper in the other hand, like some modern day version of the kids’ game Buckaroo – prone to collapse at any minute – everything now goes into my swish new trolley and off we go. It’s also very handy for lugging tired grandchildren back to the car at the end of a long beach day.…

FIND OF THE MONTH Created by south Devon homewares company Weaver Green, the butter-soft Juno runner in teal is made out of recycled plastic bottles but feels as comfy as wool. The hard-wearing rug is ideal for high traffic areas such as kitchens and halls and is also machine washable, moth resistant and kind on claws. (£205, weavergreen.com) ON TOP OF THE WORLD The Isle of Man beach cleaning charity Beach Buddies has won one of the world’s top environment accolades at the Energy Globe World Awards. The charity won the Youth category award for its pioneering educational work in schools and with young people. Founder Bill Dale says: “Energy Globe highlighted how Beach Buddies has created a sustainable and efficient system of engaging with the community to clean the…

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! Find out more at coastmagazine.co.uk/coast-club 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…

Willow or ‘withy’ pots are traditional traps that fishermen would make in the winter and then use to catch prawns, crabs and lobsters in the warmer months. While the craft is believed to be centuries old, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where they first originated as, historically, the process has been very poorly documented. In 2019, less than 20 people were known to be keeping the tradition alive along the shores and small neighbouring islands of England, Wales and Ireland. It’s therefore no surprise that withy pot making is among 63 traditional heritage crafts currently listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the Heritage Crafts Association. And as far as he is aware, Jamie (James) Lawrence is one of very few fishermen, if not the only one, who is…

Research shows that spending time on the coast - even if it’s just a couple of hours or so - can be hugely beneficial for our mind, body and soul. Dr Lewis Elliott (pictured) is an environmental psychologist and part of BlueHealth, a Europe-wide project that investigated the human health benefits of coasts and waterways. He says: “There is evidence from large international populations that the more visits we take to coastal environments, the better we tend to report our mental health to be. “Over the past decade or so, we have tried to investigate how these benefits come about.” Dr Elliott, a lecturer at the University of Exeter, explains there is considerable evidence that coastal spaces provide a sense of escape from our everyday lives, as well as being…

I think I must have last visited Pembrokeshire nearly 50 years ago which is a slightly bizarre statistic, given that I have lived around 50-70 miles south of the region for the past 30+ years. But, of course, standing ‘in the way’ is the small matter of the Bristol Channel, meaning one can’t just ‘pop’ to west Wales. So when the invite came from Visit Pembrokeshire to come and stay, it was time to update my travelling CV. Our first stop-off having completed the long drive from home in Devon was at the rather wonderful Llys Meddyg Hotel, nestled under Carningli (Mountain of the Angels) on the Nevern estuary, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Founded in 2003 by Ed and Louise Sykes, Llys Meddyg Hotel (llysmeddyg.com) is situated in…

From boosting our mood to reducing anxiety, the mental benefits of spending time in green spaces are well known. But when it comes to our wellbeing, not all landscapes were created equal: in fact, studies have repeatedly shown that these positive effects are even more pronounced when we spend time by the sea. Back in 2013, researchers conducted one of the most extensive studies to date into the effect of different natural environments on our happiness. In the study, 20,000 smartphone users were promoted to record where they were and their sense of wellbeing at random intervals. Coastal landscapes were found by some distance to be the happiest locations. Whether it’s the sea breeze on our cheeks or the gentle rhythm of the rolling waves, spending time by the sea…

Nestled at the mouth of the Thames estuary in Essex, the coastal town of Leigh-on-Sea has bags of seaside charm which attracts day trippers and commuters from London. Mentioned as Legra in the Domesday book in 1086, Leigh-on-Sea’s geographical location to the east of the capital meant it flourished as a trading hub and naval base between the 14th and 18th centuries. The village continued to prosper in the 19th century thanks to its thriving oyster and shrimp trade, evidence of which can still be seen in Old Leigh, which hugs the coast. Here you can stop for fresh cockles on a cobbled lane, while away an afternoon painting clapboard housing and wooden fishing boats bobbing on the water or peruse Leigh Heritage Centre, a former blacksmith’s cottage that depicts…

Here’s my dog, Frankie, on a trip to Robin Hood’s Bay in north Yorkshire. He loves the beach and chasing the tennis ball with his brother Rum, a cocker spaniel. Anne Melrose, Colchester, Essex. This is my dog Bailey on the beach in Bryher on the Isles of Scilly. My parents live in Penzance and I live in London. Cornwall has been my second home since I was a teenager and I visit the Scillies every year and Penzance several times a year. Michelle Powell, London. Here is our three-year-old cocker spaniel Margot enjoying the views at Porthcurno in Cornwall. We re-homed her in 2023 and this was her first holiday experience, taking everything in her stride. Margot cannot wait to return to Cornwall! Susan and Alan Cross, Fakenham, Norfolk.…

SU CARROLL Su counts her blessings living in Plymouth, a big city with the amazing Theatre Royal and The Box art gallery and museum. Plymouth Sound is the site of the country’s first National Marine Park and there’s always lots to do in, around and on the water. Sometimes she sneaks over the border to Cornwall to Harlyn Bay with grandson Arthur, eight, and the rest of the family. CHRISSY HARRIS Chrissy is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ experience working for national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites. She’s based in south Devon and is often at her local beach with the dog. In this issue, she rounds up some top day trips to the coast. SARAH RICHES Sarah has written for Condé Nast Traveller and National…

1 THIS CUSHION Print Sisters Archive draws on historical prints and textile patterns to create vintage feel fabrics and wallpapers such as Oysters, shown here in ocean blue foam colourway on a cushion. (£85, printsistersarchive.com) 2 THIS TOTE BAG Celebrating its 200th birthday, the RNLI’s Lifeboat Saturday range marks the world’s first street collection held in 1891 to support the families of lost lifeboat crew – there’s a tote bag, a scarf, a t-shirt and more. (£10, shop.rnli.org) 3 THIS PICNIC SET Get ready to hit the beach this spring with some jaunty picnicware made from the sustainable material Ecozen. The picnic set for four is scratch resistant and dishwashable. (£66.95, berryuseful.co.uk) 4 THIS KITCHEN CERAMIC The Blue Splatter pattern has been revived from the Emma Bridgewater archives exclusively for…

1 IT’S SHOWTIME Any fan of Strictly Come Dancing will tell you how special Blackpool is – it’s the magic of the Tower ballroom which entrances the competitors and professionals alike. Showtown is a new museum which opened in March to celebrate the seaside, circus, magic, show, dance and Blackpool’s world-famous illuminations with six interactive exhibitions. Visitors have the chance to discover the people who helped put Blackpool on the entertainment map - comedians, dancers, acrobats and showbiz characters. There are galleries dedicated to different aspects of entertainment, including magic and illusion and the circus. The museum is right at the heart of the famous seafront – close to the tower, the piers, Madame Tussauds and the Coral Island Family Arcade. showtownblackpool.co.uk Blackpool Tower, built in 1894, is the iconic…

Withy pots were made in a beach or garden shed during the winter months, when the sea was too rough to go fishing. It was a tradition in Jamie’s family to start cutting bundles of withies on Boxing Day, from farmland around the edge of Pagham harbour. Today the area is overgrown and no longer used for this purpose, so Jamie sources his withies from a family-run business in Somerset. Ideally, he likes to use the withies around three weeks after they arrive, while they are still fresh and malleable. Soaking the ends in water helps to keep them hydrated, but they are at their best when they still have their original sap.…

SOUTHEND ON SEA, ESSEX Anywhere that has an iconic Victorian pleasure pier is in the business of proper seaside fun. ‘Saaaaafend’, as they say, has held resort status since the 19th century and city status since 2021. This is place that embraces it all, much to the delight of the generations of day-trippers that come here for the arcades, candy floss and the posh restaurants. WHAT TO DO: The pier. At 1.3 miles, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It even has its own electric train line. Jetstream Tours offer boat trips from the pier to see the Maunsell Forts - armed towers built in the estuary during World War Two. The kids (including big kids) will go mad for Adventure Island, the free-to-enter seafront theme…

Seahouses has a vast choice places to eat with quite a few hidden gems and it’s a good idea to walk around the village to see what’s on offer before you decide. There’s the American-style diner at the Bunker crazy golf course, two Indian restaurants, three fish and chip restaurants, a Chinese takeaway and two pizzerias. (Check out the excellent menu outside Insieme tucked away down a side street at the top of the High Street). Inns such as The Bamburgh Castle Hotel, The Black Swan and The Olde Ship all have excellent food on offer and you can also get a quick coffee either inside or out and sit and watch the world go by at places such as Seahouses Cafe, Trotters, Scotty’s and King Kebab, which serves an…

What’s the buzz? How often do you think of the Roman Empire? This question – that went viral on TikTok - wasn’t uppermost in our minds arriving at the Cairndale Hotel. But as it turns out, the ancient sea port owes a great deal to the Romans. They were among the first to sail up the tidal River Nith - some nine miles inland from the Solway Firth - and Dumfries’ maritime air and stunning coast have ensured many have made it their ‘hame’ ever since. The Cairndale, a short walk from the historic Midsteeple and a stroll from the river and its iconic bridges and weir, boasts great facilities including a pool, sauna and steam room. Known for entertainment - dinner dances, ceilidhs and live music - the hotel…

Arnside, Cumbria A circular walk crossing the border between Cumbria and Lancashire and taking in views of the Kent estuary viaduct and the attractive bay of White Creek. tinyurl.com/y5rt5xrw Cromer, Norfolk A point-to-point from Cromer to Cley-next-the-Sea featuring woodland paths leading to the highest point in Norfolk, wonderful clifftop views and the chance to visit the Muckleburgh Collection. tinyurl.com/pyba924c Skipsea, Yorkshire Linking Skipsea Sands and Barmston Holiday Parks, this route passes World War II lookout posts and Skipsea Castle, a motte and bailey built in 1086 by Flemish mercenary Drogo de la Buevriere. tinyurl.com/2xtx8rh6…

15% OFF CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Gill, a brand born on British waters in 1975 with a strong sailing heritage, now produces a range of clothing and accessories that offer outstanding protection from the elements. Using innovative technology, such as the XPEL® fabric finish, the brand develops all of its products to meet the most stringent testing while demonstrating unique waterproof capabilities. https://bit.ly/3uppMWh 15% OFF EVERYTHING ONLINE Exclusions apply Coast Candle Co. is a premium candle brand dedicated to crafting exquisite hand-poured candles inspired by childhood memories of growing up on the Scottish coast. Coast Candle Co. create and sell luxury crafted products, ethically produced and made with love for people who connect with our views on heritage, culture, human values, and life’s never-ending stories. https://coastcandleco.com/ 10% OFF HOTEL STAYS Escape…

The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema in the spa town of Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast. Its location is a beautifully restored Art Deco Odeon which houses a cinema and an intimate theatre-in-the-round. Scarborough man Sir Alan Ayckbourn was artistic director at the SJT from 1972-2009 and the majority of his 90 full-length plays – such as The Norman Conquests – have been launched there and continue to be so. The SJT Shop is an integral part of theatre life and is situated in the foyer. The coastal creative co-operative opened six years ago to showcase and sell the work of over 20 local authors, artists, crafters and artisan makers. Gifts on sale include poetry books, novels and spoken word recordings as well as photographs, fine…

A new nine-day nautical festival is being added to the events calendar on the Isles of Scilly. Ocean Scilly will be a broad, fun-filled celebration of the seas that surround the isles, championing all waterborne activities, sea life, the maritime heritage and everything on, in and above the water. It promises to be a family-friendly mix of aquatic adventures such as paddleboarding and kayaking, sailing sessions, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, coasteering, snorkelling with seals and boating of every kind. As part of the festival Scilly60 Events will be hosting five Swimrun adventures. A guided Swimrun taster session will involve three swims and five runs, with plenty of support along the way. Other events will include the St Mary’s Half Swimrun and Full Swimrun, a Junior Swimrun and the final event, the Archipelago Swimrun. August 23-September…

Visitors to Bude often ask me where people from Bude go for their holidays. It’s a good question. I live in a holiday resort so, in theory, every day must be like a holiday. Well, yes and no. Some days, when I do nothing but go into the office and then home again, I feel as if I could be living anywhere. Then again, when I can meet up with Lizzy for a sundowner at the Crooklets Beach Cafe, it’s like being on permanent vacation. Even so, it is nice to get away once in a while. Even for coastal dwellers, wanderlust is strong. Where do we go? People who work in hospitality or who own holiday businesses tend to take their holidays in the winter (they have no choice),…

Lundy Island – if you’re in North Devon, take a trip to Lundy for the day. The crossing can be, erm, interesting, but you’ll recover as soon you set foot on this wildlife haven. landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/ Isles of Scilly - travel to the islands from Cornwall by Skybus from Land’s End or sail on board Scillonian III from Penzance and spend the day overseas. islesofscillytravel.co.uk St Kilda - the dramatic archipelago of St Kilda lies 41-miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides and is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. This boat trip is an epic one – crossings take up to four hours one way – but it’s a trip that you’ll never forget. nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-kilda Explore Gower: experience the beauty of Gower from the water. Set out…

The Fastnet Shipping Forecast region draws its name from a rocky outcrop off the southern tip of Ireland, etched on sailors’ charts as the ‘teardrop of Ireland’ - a title earned from its position as the last sight of Ireland for emigrants sailing to America. This isolated beacon, lying roughly 6.5km southwest of Cape Clear Island and about 13km from the Irish mainland, is a small, craggy outcrop, spanning around 24 acres, with its highest point standing 30m above sea level. Despite the island’s small size, it dominates the maritime landscape with the iconic Fastnet Lighthouse, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering. The 54-metre tower, clad in Cornish granite, was constructed to withstand the fiercest Atlantic storms. Its light, a powerful beacon with a range of 27 nautical miles, flashes white…

A CLASSIC ONE-PIECE Animal’s Zayley women’s swimsuit is perfect for beach spent days or water sports. This classic one-piece with a scooped back is crafted from durable recycled material. Adorned with the iconic Animal font and flexible straps offering complete freedom of movement, it’s the perfect choice for your summer adventures. It is also chlorine and saltwater resistant and its stretchy construction means it is comfortable to wear and gives full freedom of movement. animal.co.uk ROLL WITH THIS RUCKSACK The new roll top rucksack collection from D-Robe Outdoors features a 20L capacity, is fully waterproof and is made from recyclable and biodegradable material. It also has an external 14in laptop compartment and an air valve for compression to increase flexibility of sizing. It comes in Admiral Navy, Moss Green and…

Most people come to Seahouses to visit The Farne Islands with its incredible seabird colonies. Billy Shiels and Serenity Boats have trips to Inner Farne and Staple Island when they are open. You can also get boat trips to Holy Island and sunset cruises. The Farnes are also popular with divers due to the large numbers of wrecks around the islands and you can book diving sessions here. The Golden Gate is the only boat allowed to land on Longstone Island and tour inside the Trinity House Longstone Lighthouse. Ranger Jane Beach School offer a 90-minute beach safari where you can find out all about life amongst the rock pools. They also have a snorkel safari with a qualified diving instructor at both Seahouses and Beadnell. Seahouses has a large…

Edd Harvey-Bates taught Amelia Fairburn to sail in East Anglian Sea School dinghies when they were in their early teens. Who knew that their synergy out on the water would be the foundation of their future business partnership! In 1969 Amelia’s grandparents, Bill and Pat Smith, began teaching navigation classes in the back rooms of the family furniture shop in Essex. They were ahead of the curve, as the Royal Yachting Association introduced the first sail training schemes in 1973. Bill and Pat were well-placed to adopt these, and they ramped up their operation, launching the East Anglian School of Sailing. They began training students on Terada, a Westerly Centaur sailing out of Bradwell. In the early 1980s Bill and Pat made the decision to move to Fox’s Marina to…

1 CHAPEL PORTH, CORNWALL GUIDE PRICE £1,600,000 Willow Lodge stands as a testament to design and craftmanship. The property boasts an abundance of period features and charm. The ground floor features a magnificent kitchen/dining room with a rustic limestone floor and bespoke painted ‘Shaker’ units, housing a range of high-spec appliances. The sitting room, boasting a full double floor height into the ‘A’ frame, showcases a granite fireplace with a Franklin wood-burning stove. Trifold doors open on two sides to reveal views of the sunken wild garden and terrace, with picturesque views out to sea. Accompanying this is a guest suite with a wet room and an additional downstairs bedroom/study with its own bathroom. The first floor plays host to a library/sitting room that has been artfully crafted with bespoke…

A PERFECT COASTAL SPOT FOR POOCHES When it comes to holiday stays by the sea, dog lovers usually have a few priorities, writes RICHARD BRYSON. We tend to want properties that have a safe and secure garden, a beach that permits dogs (obviously) and plenty of local walks. If you have an elderly pet, or like us, one with an elbow deformity, an absence of stairs plus a non-slippery floor may also be important. Rosehearty, a three-bedroom bungalow at Winterton, Norfolk, let by specialists Winterton Cottages, ticks all those boxes and a lot more besides. It may not be set in the most fashionable part of this county (the likes of ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’, AKA Burnham Market and surrounds) but it is close to the Broads, about half an hour from Norwich,…