Meet Deri Reed, the 2024 BBC Community Food Hero behind Carmarthen’s The Warren. After battling severe burnout, the pioneering Welsh chef has radically reopened his acclaimed restaurant as an ethical, flat-pay cooperative—combining scratch-cooked seasonal food with a mission to build local community resilience.

From the high tors of Dartmoor to the lush pastures of South Devon, Martin Hesp explores the artisan story behind Sharpham Dairy’s new alpine-style Dartmoor 75 cheese—celebrating 75 years of the National Park—alongside their sustainable, B-Corp 2026 festive hampers and award-winning curds.

From 20,000 historic Devon cider makers to cutting-edge DNA forensics: how Sandford Orchards and Bristol University scientists are rescuing forgotten heritage apple varieties to create the vintage ciders of the future.

Watching food and travel documentaries can inspire unforgettable holidays. Discover five series to help you plan trips of gastronomic delight.

Two outstanding coastal dining experiences feature in this food review by Martin Hesp. At MOR in Carbis Bay, innovative chefs are taking Cornish seafood to new heights with charcoal-grilled, dry-aged fish and a whole-fish, zero-waste philosophy. Meanwhile, the Porlock Weir Hotel in Somerset serves inventive seasonal cooking showcasing local produce, Exmoor venison and Brixham seafood.

Discover how Graham and Ruth Eggins are transforming Tresco Farm on the Isles of Scilly, producing fresh vegetables, rearing Red Devon cattle and championing sustainable island farming while helping make Tresco more self-sufficient.

Explore the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire, from its historic black-and-white villages to three impressive vineyards producing some excellent English wine, cider and perry.

From St Ives and Zennor to Cape Cornwall, Newlyn and Mousehole, explore the wild coastal landscapes, historic mining heritage and harbour food of West Cornwall.

Why supermarket briquettes spoil your BBQ: Martin Hesp visits traditional woodsman Chris Silverwood to discover the ancient craft of coppiced charcoal burning, plus a glazed pork chop recipe from Marcus Bawdon of the UK BBQ School.

Discover the best no-cook summer food guide: high-Brix Isle of Wight tomatoes, crisp organic cucumbers, sweet Ramiro peppers, peppery radishes, and West Country artisan cheeses and charcuterie.

Dartmoor offers some of the most exhilarating walking terrain in the Westcountry, from deep gorges to vast open skies. But a good hike is always better with a destination. Join me on six fantastic circular walking routes across the moor, each finishing exactly where a great walk should: at a proper, traditional Dartmoor pub.

Ditch the soggy sandwiches and industrial pork pies. Discover the anatomy of a perfect picnic spot, six hidden locations across Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, and simple Mediterranean-inspired dishes that elevate outdoor dining into a civilised triumph.

For pure landscape drama, few locations in England can match the vertiginous cliffs and romantic history of Lynton and Lynmouth. Discover the deep river gorges, the legendary Valley of Rocks, and a beautifully restored historic inn right in the heart of Exmoor's "Little Switzerland."

The Forest of Dean had somehow escaped me for nearly 70 years. A few days exploring its ancient woodland, panoramic viewpoints, superb cycling trails and outstanding food at the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel proved just how wrong I'd been.

For a bloke who has spent 50 years chasing stories and good suppers, Funchal’s dining scene is a revelation. At Three House and Akua, the ultimate experience means bagging a seat right at the bar. Perched at these informal chef’s tables, the barrier evaporates. It is pure theatre. You can watch the team work and chat with the chefs as they serve up spectacular local flavours, from crunch-perfect scabbard fish to daring sardine and passion fruit pairings.

Hidden high in Madeira's misty mountain valleys, ancient apple orchards are enjoying an extraordinary revival. Martin Hesp discovers how entrepreneur Márcio Nóbrega has transformed the island's traditional "poor man's drink" into internationally acclaimed sparkling cider while rescuing thousands of heritage apple trees from abandonment.

What makes halloumi different from every other cheese? A chance encounter in rural Cyprus reveals the secret behind its famous squeak and resistance to melting, leading into an unforgettable journey through mountain villages, wineries, artisan food producers and authentic Cypriot culture.

A simple supermarket salad becomes something extraordinary with a quick forage in a West Country garden. From wild garlic to asparagus and Cornish new potatoes, this is a celebration of spring’s freshest flavours.

"I was thinking this one evening last week just after I had popped a humble cockle into my mouth. A small shellfish I’ve enjoyed all my life, but this cockle was different. It was a super-cockle. It was as if the most cockly cockle in the world had been produced especially for this moment of personal enjoyment. It tasted of the essence of ocean. Its velvety texture was salty, sweet and creamy all at the same time. It was so sublime, it brought a little tear to my eye."

From harbour-side terraces to hidden countryside lawns, here are some of the finest pub gardens in the South West—personally tried, tested and worth seeking out on a sunny day.