Rediscovering Bristol’s Harbourside Charm Sipping a pint of beer the other day, the thought struck me that we humans are an odd lot. Many of us will have often made the same observation, but on this occasion it was inspired by both the beer and the lively and interesting view out of the bar’s window. Here I was in the heart of Bristol - a city I know well, but haven’t visited for years - and I was struck by how odd it is that we humans we often tend to ignore the good things

Luscombe Drinks at 50: The Pursuit of Britain's Best Soft Drinks The sound of milling resounded through the orchard and we watched as hundreds of fresh-picked apples bobbed along in clear water, gushing down a metal chute towards the ‘scratter’ or crusher , and eventually the press which would extract their delicious juice. Most Westcountry folk reading this sentence will immediately assume this article is going to be about the new cider season, but I had actually gone to the

A Celebration of Perry at the Malvern Show James Crowden, a great friend of these pages, invited me along to the Malvern show where he was judging at the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association’s annual Perry Festival. The event is dedicated to promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation of that most delicious of English drinks, made from fermented pear juice. The Orchard Marquee: A Cathedral of Apples and Pears It all takes place in the amazing orchard marquee. If

What Is the National Drink of England? We live in a world where symbols of national identity are important – which is why, for example, the media is forever having rows about whether fish-and-chips, roast beef or chicken tandoori represent the UK’s national dish. But what about our national drink? Scotland, of course, has whisky, while England might argue over whether beer or cider should take the crown. However, in historic terms there’s only one drink in the running, and th

The Changing Face of Our Dinner Tables 🍽️ The items that appear on the average West Country dinner table have changed dramatically over the past 20 to 30 years. Gone are the days when a simple plate of meat and two veg’ ruled supreme. Today, our tables are filled with diverse ingredients, flavours, and products that many of us would never have imagined back then. And this is particularly true in the case of wine. The Evolution of Wine in the West Country 🍷 From Exclusive Tr

There are times when you taste something that’s so good, you feel an urgent need to know more. What exactly is this, you ask? Who made it? Why and how were they able to develop it and make it so good? If you are really serious, such questions can turn into a quest which takes you on a journey of discovery.  That is what happened recently when I tasted a truly amazing perry made by a man called Tom Oliver. It was like champagne. Indeed, this fermented pear juice drink was bett

<p class="">A day back in school - Salcombe Distilling Co’s new Rum School, to be exact</p>

<p class="">A roundup of the perfect West Country drinks for a warm summer</p>

<p class="">A visit to Huxbear Vineyard in Devon with Wickhams Wine and wine writer Stephen Barrett - listn to the wine tasting in this podcast</p>

<p class="">There’s more to making a cup of coffee than meets the eye - we try a morning training session in a bid to learn how to become a proper barista at Owen’s Coffee in Devon</p>

<p class="">The Pig’s Nose at East Prawle in Devon has been voted the county’s best pub at this year’s Pub and Bar Awards - here journalist Martin Hesp recalls an article he wrote about one of his favourite watering holes several years ago - and article indeed which tells the tale of the one and only Pig’s Nose</p>

<p class="">Room with a view - or rather, dining room with a view… We’re looking for suggestions - the best cafes, pubs or restaurants with sea-views… In Devon, Dorset, Somerset or Cornwall in this particular case…</p>

<p class="">Cider-maker Roger Wilkins talks about his Banksy works of art and tells Martin Hesp about other celebrities who have been to his old cider shed at Mudgeley, on a little ridge in the northern Somerset Levels. </p>

<p class="">Here’s a little bit of cider history for those who are interested in the drink which is made from fermented apple juice</p>

<p class="">Sandford Orchards makes really good cider - and good for them for taking on the Big Boys in the drinks industry and producing a high quality Devon cider, says Martin Hesp</p>

<p class="">A West Country food writer embarks on a journey of food and drink discovery around a rural part of West Devon and unearths all manner of delights</p>

<p class="">There are an awful lot of new names for the months of the year - like Veganuary or Flexibuary - but do they add up to more than a hill of beans?</p>

<p class="">Making winter beer - the art of traditional ale making in winter</p>

<p class="">We return to Roger Wilkins’ Somerset cider farm </p>

<p class="">in this Exmoor Lockdown Diary Martin Hesp learns all about remarkable drinks called ‘shrubs’ - which you can easily make at home</p>