Looking for one of Devon's best cycling routes? The Exe Estuary Trail offers a largely traffic-free ride between Exeter and Exmouth, passing estuary wildlife, picturesque villages, cafés and spectacular riverside scenery.

Beat the Heat: 4 Refreshing West Country Hikes for Summer Days Devon's South East Coast During the two decades I spent writing a weekly walks column, the most common question from readers was: “What’s your favourite hike?” It is a question impossible to answer. This region boasts some of the finest walking routes in Europe; picking just one would be like naming a single favourite piece of music. There is simply an embarrassment of riches. The second most frequent query concer

Heatwaves in the UK and the West Country’s Cool Escape Heatwaves are hitting us thick and fast – indeed the UK is enjoying or enduring one this very day. Which is why I went out early this morning for the daily dog-walk. However, here in the West Country we do have a secret weapon in our armoury which helps us when the heat gets too hot. I am talking about the West Country’s most extensive icon – the myriad deep sunken lanes that wend and weave their way from one end of the r

Hidden beneath the towering cliffs near Hartland Quay, Speke's Mill Mouth is one of Devon's most spectacular secret beaches. Follow the South West Coast Path to discover a waterfall plunging onto a wild Atlantic shore.

Just minutes from Plymouth lies a stretch of coast so secluded it is often called Cornwall’s "forgotten peninsula." From the iconic cliffside chalets of Treninnow to the lonely sheep-grazed slopes of Eglarooze, Whitsand Bay offers a wild maritime escape that feels worlds away from the city.

Discovering the Best Sand in Britain: St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly Sand is a very important topic when it comes to seasides – secret or otherwise – people often ask which beaches have the best sand, partly because the stuff comes in so many forms… The answer is simple – but you’re going to have to travel 28 miles west of Land’s End to walk barefoot in it. The beaches of St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly have amazing white sand. It is the Rolls Royce of granular geology – the

The Enchanting Appeal of Ness Cove, Shaldon Discover One of Devon’s Best-Kept Beach Secrets A great many secret seasides are difficult if not dangerous to reach - which is probably why they remain unknown and out of the way - but here we visit a beach that is often visited and which has, for a century or more, been celebrated among local folk and holiday-makers alike. Having said that, the Ness Cove, near Shaldon, has all the hallmarks necessary to make it a secret seaside...

I once climbed down to this Secret Seaside and saw a fat naked man wobbling along in a single sandal." From bizarre flotsam to the rare Mediterranean ants that hold the key to a butterfly's survival, Strangles Beach is a wild, wonderful, and lonely masterpiece of the Cornish littoral.

What Is a Psammosere and Why Braunton Burrows Matters Do you know what a psammosere is? No, neither did I. What I now know is that the word psammosere is used to describe a sand dune system – and that Braunton Burrows the largest psammosere in England. If you haven’t ever been there, please go. Braunton Burrows is truly magnificent – and it boasts its own Secret Seaside. Saunton Sands: The Famous Face of North Devon’s Dunes Of course, everyone knows Saunton Sands which run so

Discover a wonderful walk around the coastal parts of Mawnan Smith in Southern Cornwall

Why don't we have an ancient rural tradition of gleaning food for free in the countryside?" From wild garlic to the elusive St George's Mushroom, join Martin Hesp on a revelatory foraging expedition through the hedgerows of the South West.

Rushy Porth: One of the Whitest Beaches In South West UK One of the whitest, most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere is Rushy Porth on the eastern shore of the island of Tresco. On a bright day you need ski goggles just to walk across it, the sand is so white – but here and there the whiteness is punctuated by that natural treasure trove of all beaches, a scattering of shells. The Irresistible Beauty of Seashells on the Isles of Scilly Why do we like shells so much? After

Indulging in Indulgence Catering : A Culinary Gem in West Cornwall Private Chef Experiences in Cornwall That Feel Like Home In another article ( https://www.martinhespfoodandtravel.com/hespfoodandtravelhome/the-fallen-angel-a-luxury-hideaway-above-mousehole-cornwall) we describe a stay at the Fallen Angel, an amazing architect-designed holiday villa in Mousehole, West Cornwall - and in it we mention that while there we enjoyed a fabulous dinner delivered and cooked on the sp

The Fallen Angel : A Luxury Hideaway Above Mousehole, Cornwall A Cornish Holiday Invitation That’s Hard to Refuse Here’s an invitation few could resist: “Why don’t you and your wife try out a beautiful little hideaway property for two, perched above a famous Cornish fishing village? When you’re there we’ll cook you a meal so memorable, you’ll be talking about it for months!” Okay, I’m in. Who wouldn’t be? Controversy Versus Reality: Is the Fallen Angel an Eyesore? Oh… until y

Cornwall is famed for its beaches, but inland lies a mysterious, lush ravine steeped in history. From the breathtaking 89-foot granite arches of the Treffry Viaduct to the quiet ancient woodlands of Prideaux, the Luxulyan Valley is one of the county's best-kept walking secrets.

From golden beaches and artistic heritage to a bustling fishing harbour and winding granite streets, discover why St Ives remains one of Cornwall's most captivating seaside towns.

Discover a stunning spring walk in the Quantock Hills AONB With Easter arriving this month, now’s the perfect time to extol the virtues of staying at home — especially if your home patch happens to be the West Country. Easter falls late this year, and if the weather is even halfway decent, West Country roads will be heaving with holiday traffic. So, what better time to enjoy the pleasures of your local area? And what a patch we have. I’ve just spent a lovely weekend in West C

The Isles of Scilly have long been famed for their white sands and turquoise waters, but a new revolution is simmering beneath the surface. Beyond the subtropical landscapes lies a world of passionate producers, from boutique gin distillers to island-born vintners. Join Martin Hesp and photographer Veryan Lammoran as they go island-hopping to uncover the unique flavours, heritage, and characters defining the modern Scillonian palate.

Any Excuse to Head West: A Journey Through West Cornwall The Meaning of Hesperian The Oxford Dictionary defines "Hesperian" as an "inhabitant of a western land," making it a fitting term for someone named Hesp. Especially when that land is bathed in Atlantic salt spray. Exploring West Cornwall In keeping with the spirit of these pages, it was time for another westward journey—this time to West Cornwall. The trip included a visit to Porthleven for the relaunch of Jude Kereama’

A comprehensive guide to the tiny village of Trevalga on Cornwall's north coast