Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Coast

1 WALK THE ISLE ISLE OF WIGHT 10-18 May Spring is the best time for energising walks through crisp meadows splashed with wild blooms, and along coastal paths alive with seabirds. See nature awaken from its winter lull at the Spring Walking Festival on the Isle of Wight (isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk). 2 GET OUT THERE GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK 29-31 May Out There is a fabulous, family-friendly festival which takes place in various locations around Great Yarmouth over three action-packed days. It offers breathtaking spectacles, quirky comedy and plenty of seaside silliness! The festival has built a reputation for worldclass artistic quality, showing new and diverse work, with international collaboration and innovative community engagement. Plus, it’s free to enjoy – although donations are welcome (outtherearts.org.uk). 3 COMMEMORATE OPERATION DYNAMO RAMSGATE, KENT 16-26 May This…

WHET MY APPETITE One of the most beautiful restaurants and boutique hotels on the Sussex coast, Harry’s (the relaunched restaurant at The Gallivant Hotel) offers indoor and outdoor dining in a stunning space that opens onto a garden terrace, where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by native, bee-friendly planting. In this sumptuous environment, the visual elements of the décor, colour scheme, planting and food are so carefully considered that nature and style are bound together, creating a comprehensive visual feast and atmosphere that represents the local and seasonal food philosophy that the restaurant follows. WHAT’S ON THE MENU? New Chef Matthew Harris (previously Bibendum) has created a menu that makes use of the best seasonal produce from the region. With Maldon oysters from Kent, Rye Bay skate and scallops, and…

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? This gorgeous boutique hotel sits directly opposite the ruins of the West Pier and the promenade that runs all the way from Brighton to Hove. Recently opened in November 2024, as well as having great sea views, it’s in the heart of the city centre, making it the perfect location to access all the venues, galleries, restaurants and bars that Brighton offers. The décor combines modern luxury with vintage finds, drawing on the Victorian and Georgian architecture of the building and the surrounding area, which contrasts with carefully chosen local art. There’s a stunning bar serving unique cocktails, along with an outdoor area for when the sun shines, and a 24-hour free pantry for when the munchies strike. Dogs are welcome and, although the hotel has a…

For artist Louise Body, the line of the horizon of the coast is more than just a backdrop. ‘It’s a muse for my work,’ she says. Louise works with a sliver of the sea visible through her window, perched in her studio on the top floor of her Victorian terrace in Hastings. ‘If I stick my head out of the roof skylight I can just about see it,’ she says. ‘It’s so important for me to live by water. I need that space and I love looking out into a big nothingness.’ Louise has recently gone back to being a full-time artist. For nearly two decades, she focused her attention on designing hand-printed wallpaper. With collaborations with brands including Osborne & Little, Dr. Martens and Paul Smith – and her…

Built on a volcanic plug formed over 300 million years ago, Edinburgh Castle still dominates the city’s skyline as it has done since 1103. Housing the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny, it remains Scotland’s top visitor attraction, with tourists travelling from around the world to experience the palpable and profound sense of history and struggle for power it represents. A city of myths and legends, the extraordinary rise of the Harry Potter story has brought new visitors to its streets, seeking out the buildings and landscape that inspired resident J K Rowling as she wrote her novels here. Located just behind the castle, Victoria Street is rumoured to have inspired Diagon Alley, where the young Harry Potter bought his first wand. But Edinburgh was not built around the…

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? People travel around the world to see the Northern Lights, but I’ve always wondered whether, if a sunset or a sunrise was an uncommon thing, we might hold these everyday natural phenomena in the same high esteem and realise that there is beauty right on our doorstep. It’s a privilege to have the time to watch a sunrise, and for me, there is little more beautiful than observing it rise over a sea-level horizon. Eyes fixed on the offing – the part of the sea that meets the sky – I love to watch the golden crescent of the sun make its first appearance of the day and gild bright pink and purple clouds. WHERE TO STAY For this reason, a trip to the town of Winchelsea…

Taken off the Isle of Wight by Jamie Russell, this stunning photo – titled Evening Shower Over The Needles – won third place in the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2024 competition, and came second in the vote for the Public Favourite. The competition receives entries from top photographers from around the world. Jamie, who is based on the island says: ‘Large showers started developing twenty miles or so to our north-northwest. Realising they could cross The Needles with rainbow potential, we jumped in our RIB at Colwell Bay and positioned ourselves with the camera.’ Visit rmets.org/weather-photographer-of-the-year/gallery/standard-chartered-weather-photographer-year-2024-winners to view the rest of the winners, and more photos taken in locations around the world.…

WHAT IS STATUTORY REGISTRATION FOR HOLIDAY LETS? England is one of the last few remaining European countries without a formal registration scheme for holiday and short lets. Schemes in mainland Europe have been in force for many years. Scotland introduced a licencing scheme in October 2023, requiring all holiday lets to have a licence in order to accept guests, whether it is a stand-alone property or part of your own home. Wales followed with a requirement for a property to be available for letting 252 nights a year and occupied for 182 nights a year in order to qualify for business rates. Not achieving these levels in Wales now results in higher council tax bills. WHY IS IT BEING INTRODUCED? The rationale behind registration or licencing is to give local authorities…

We set out to showcase sustainability and seaside living with a focus on “ageing in place”,’ says Fermín Beltrán Dos Santos, co-founder of Fife Architects. Using natural materials, and aiming to maximise sea views, Fermín walks us through the creative and technical journey of turning a dated structure into a contemporary, eco-friendly haven by the sea. What were the key challenges of the property? If I’m honest, the biggest challenge wasn’t the coastal location – for me that’s a designer’s dream. It was the timing. We started just before Covid-19, and by the time construction began, the world had changed. Costs nearly doubled. The original design required adjustments to keep it viable without sacrificing the quality or the owners’ vision. We wanted to capture the changing light on the sea…

The beauty of the British coast is that it is full of geographical wonders, full of life, and filled with legends and stories that are best savoured while travelling on foot. Much of our coastline is connected by rail to major cities, and for those who love to walk, Railwalks offers walking guides based around railway stations. These allow travellers to leave their cars at home, take the train to the coast, and use stations as the starting points and end destinations for their walks. Founded by Steve Melia, alias The Green Travel Writer, and University of Worcester lecturer Andy Stevenson, Railwalks has now mapped a network of walks joining the 250-plus stations around the coast of Britain, along with other railway-walking routes across the country. There are 150 station-to-station…

Goodwoof: a doggy day out Goodwoof, the ultimate dog show, returns to Chichester, West Sussex on 17-18 May this year. Hosted at The Kennels on the Goodwood Estate, it’s a true celebration of our canine companions. Expect action-packed field demonstrations, world-class competitions, wellness workshops, dog yoga and paw-reading – all included in your ticket. After the fun, why not head to West Wittering Beach, just 12 miles away? This glorious stretch of golden sand is perfect for a seaside stroll or a splash in the waves. Paws, play, – and the perfect beach (goodwood.com/goodwoof). STORMY SEAS FOR CANINE BEHAVIOUR. According to the annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, six in ten vets have seen a surge in behavioural issues among dogs over the past two years. Most-commonly observed are jumping…

Food heaven Don’t miss the Porthleven Food Festival in Cornwall, which takes place from 2-4 May. With The Chef’s Theatre – run by Porthleven’s own Jude Kereama and featuring the likes of Antony Worrall Thompson and Chris Eden – this is a foodie extravaganza that is not to be missed. There are demonstrations from an incredible array of chefs, including Sabzi’s Kate Attlee and the 2024 winner of Great British Menu, Ben Palmer. You can also enjoy wine tasting, supper clubs and a farmers’ market. There are bands in the evening and workshops during the day, spanning from SUP to an introduction to speciality coffee. Some activities are ticketed – visit porthlevenfoodfestival.com to find out more. Explore the Scarborough Streets Join in the fun on the streets of Scarborough as…

MARK LEVY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF AT BURGH ISLAND HOTEL The iconic Burgh Island Hotel, an Art Deco retreat on a private tidal island in Devon, has announced Mark Levy as its new Executive Head Chef. With nearly 30 years of international experience, Mark has led kitchens at prestigious venues, including The Point in upstate New York and The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore. The chef said, ‘I look forward to crafting menus that celebrate local ingredients and reflect both my journey as a chef and the spirit of this iconic destination.’ For more information, visit burghisland.com. Go on a Great British food tour Jenny Linford’s new book, The Great British Food Tour, takes readers on a flavourful journey through Britain’s diverse culinary landscape. From cherished regional specialties like singing hinnies…

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Despite only opening in July 2022, Updown Farmhouse has already been added to the Michelin Guide. Run by Head Chef Oli Brown – founder of the much-loved Duck Duck Goose in Brixton – and partner Ruth Leigh – daughter of celebrated chef and restaurateur Rowley Leigh – the restaurant with rooms serves superb, locally-sourced produce in a beautiful, bucolic setting. Set in a 17th century farmhouse, which the couple have been lovingly restoring over the past few years, Updown offers a weekend escape just a couple of miles from the beaches of Deal in Kent. WHAT’S ON THE MENU? There is a focus on seasonal, local and European produce and the menu changes frequently. With a heavy Italian influence, expect to see dishes like roast artichokes with…

What can be revealed if we truly listen? Sound artist, beatboxer and DJ Jason Singh invites us to embark on an immersive coastal journey through sound, uncovering the hidden rhythms of Colwyn Bay, Wales. Titled Cyd-Wrando (Listen Together): A Dialogue Between Land and Sea, his project – a collaboration with TAPE Community Music and Film and local community groups – is part of the Beach of Dreams festival. It transforms the landscape into a living, breathing soundscape, bringing to life the delicate and often unnoticed voices of nature. At the heart of Jason’s work is an innovative approach to sound design, capturing the subtle signals from plants, animals, and the sea and bay itself. The result is a multilayered auditory experience that reshapes how we engage with the environment. This…

I have always been drawn to the coast. Growing up just thirty yards from the sea in Inverness, I couldn’t escape the rhythmic pull of the tides and the everchanging landscape of the shore. It’s funny how some places shape you without you even realising it at the time. My childhood was filled with the sounds of seabirds and the sight of endless mudflats stretching out as far as the eye could see when the tide went out. I’d spend hours walking along the shore, collecting bits and pieces – driftwood, shells, strange bits of flotsam that washed up after a storm. Looking back, I suppose this was my first introduction to the concept of design and structure, though I didn’t know it then. My father had a workshop at…

WHY HERE? This isn’t a mini-break – it’s a bucket-list experience. Sleeping in a tower of an ancient castle, on a volcanic outcrop overlooking an awardwinning three-mile sandy beach – and dog friendly too? It’s like you’ve stepped into a real, live fairy tale. Perched on the Northumberland coastline with views of the magical Holy Island, 11th-century Bamburgh Castle dominates the landscape. It offers more than just history, too – think pony-grooming sessions, swordhandling classes, and open-air cinema evenings in its grounds during summer. Dogs are warmly welcomed when you stay, and there is even a dogsitting service in the castle grounds on selected days. This is provided by Northumberland Dog Rescue, who will keep pets watered, walked and played with while their owners are off exploring, for a suggested…