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.

Last week I was on the Isles of Scilly meeting food and drink producers - and I will put an article onto this site in the next day or two all about that journey of discovery. But I thought I’d also add this article which I wrote when visiting Scilly many years ago… Surf and Turf the West Country Way It’s difficult to be hungry where sea meets land, especially here in the West Country where fertile soils produce crops in a climate that is heated by the warm, fish-rich waters o

While the UK barely scores one-out-of-ten for joined-up food policy, Denmark is serving over a million public meals a day—90% of which are organic—for less than £2 a head. From a symposium at the Danish Embassy in London, Martin Hesp explores the 'Organic Cuisine Label,' the 'industrial pig in the room,' and why education, rather than a 'nanny state,' is the key to fixing a broken food system. Includes an award-winning recipe for traditional Danish pan-fried fish cakes

A Stand Against the Virtual World Hesp Out West is based on something I call the Campaign for Real Experiences (CARE) , vaguely inspired by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale . More and more, people are finding themselves living in a virtual world —we spend too much time on screens and rely on digital technology for almost everything. There’s even news of a device that will allow you to taste or smell something you see on your screen , like a steak sizzling in a pan. Whatever n

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’

Dawson City: A Journey to the Heart of Yukon Territory A cold day in the UK recently reminded me of the time I drove up to Dawson City from Whitehorse - that’s a long six-hour adventure in the Yukon snow and ice, I can tell you. The Allure of Dawson City: Beyond the Gold Rush In winter Dawson City is fairly quiet, with a population of 800 - quiet, that is, unless it happens to be Yukon Quest week. Then the town goes a bit wild - and I followed suit, which is why I can't reca

Discovering the Majestic Lake District: A Winter Journey The Lake District is the most visited of the UK’s 15 National Parks, welcoming upwards of 19 million visitors a year. I hadn’t been there in 45 years - the last time I visited was in a Morris 1000 with a small boat on the roof, and the journey took eight hours. Highways and vehicles have improved a lot over that time and a couple of weeks ago we arrived in Ambleside after just five hours of quiet and comfortable motorin

The Tale of the Marion G Douglas – Ghost Ship Mystery Strange things can happen at sea. The ocean is not man’s natural habitat – he is already halfway to another world out there on the blue horizon – and, when something untoward occurs, it can seem all the more threatening and surreal amidst the waves. This is one of the most extraordinary stories I uncovered during my time as editor-at-large of the Western Morning News, South West England’s daily morning newspaper - and I re

Discover one of the Best Scenic Drives in the Lake District If you are planning a drive around the south-western reaches of the Lake District - as I was while staying at the amazing and exceptional hotel, The Samling - the following route makes for a thrilling an scenic drive. I started by driving north along Lake Windermere to Ambleside and then turning left on the A593 to head west towards Coniston Water. I’d recommend taking the lane that hugs the eastern shore of this la

Luxury Winter Escape: Discover The Samling Hotel in the Lake District After a recent newspaper column about words ending in “-ist,” I received several messages from readers haranguing me for admitting I was an “area-ist” . People can get snooty about where they live, and I have long been guilty of writing things like: “Why bother visiting any other national park when we have glorious Dartmoor and Exmoor on our doorstep?” “You must be mad!” retorted one reader. “Dartmoor and

Funny how things you conceptualised as a kid can linger for the rest of your life. That’s the way feelings about the county of Dorset have developed and remained for me, thanks to my father and the works of Enid Blyton . Enid Blyton, Dorset, and Childhood Impressions My neighbouring county has always felt vaguely like a distant land to me. Why? Because my dad, in his literary way, detested the works of Ms Blyton (who loved and wrote about Dorset ) and, most unlike him, he b

Few of us ever put the places we visit into categories, but if we did they’d probably come under headings covering the locations we have to visit, like local supermarkets, shops, dentists, hospitals, whatever, and destinations we really like visiting, such as favourite holiday spots, theatres, cinemas, hiking locations etc. There’d be another category for me entitled, “Places I cannot resist visiting when I’m on my way somewhere else”. The Irresistible Charm of Appledore, Dev

There will be many people reading this newspaper who love their own patch; the place where they were born and bred or the location where they’ve chosen to spend their lives. The problem is that you can become a bit snooty about other areas, like I did as a youngster when I had difficulty in understanding how anyone could feel any kind of affinity for any other part of Somerset. Childhood Memories and Early Misconceptions About the Somerset Levels I lived - and still live - in

Experiencing the Contrast: Historic Homes Versus Modern Natural Light There’ll be plenty of people reading this newspaper who live in older houses - which, in the mainly rural South West, might well mean homes with thick walls, smaller windows, and so on. Before modern wonders like double glazing and thermal insulation came along, dwelling spaces had to keep folk warm and dry any way they could, which basically meant shutting out the great outdoors. What the builders of yeste

The antidote I needed to a few hot and busy days in Ho Chi Minh City was supplied by Les Rives, a company that provides thrilling speedboat journeys down the Saigon River to the Mekong Delta. This unique experience offers travellers a glimpse into a different side of Vietnam - one that is as fascinating as it is sobering. From the water, you can witness a stark contrast to the modernity of the city centre as the boat speeds its way past canals lined with sprawling slums. The

Travel is a concept imbued with boundless ambition. With so many places and experiences available on our amazing planet, creating a bucket list becomes an essential exercise in capturing the most remarkable moments life has to offer. One such experience is driving Highway One along the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco—a journey I had wanted to enjoy since reading Steinbeck's Cannery Row as a young boy. Now that I have completed this iconic route, I can say it

For those of us who grew up in the rural West Country decades ago, vacations were modest affairs — they often involved camping in tents or staying in caravans. These holidays were enjoyable in their own way, but certainly lacking in luxury or sophistication. Watching television programs like the early Saint series or adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, I became aware of an entirely different world — a world of smart hotels and elegant lifestyles, far removed from the cons

Tenerife is not all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it’s far more than that. No place in Europe is more cracked, ravaged, thrust asunder, or cleaved apart. Forget the crowds of lobster-pink sun-seekers who cling to its shores—just one word truly defines Tenerife, and that word is volcanic . This Canary Island is a testament to the forces of nature, covered in vast solidified lava flows, carved by impossibly deep ravines, cloaked by lush forests, and crowned by its omnipresent

We were on a walking tour of Menorca a while ago and our final hike was an extensive coastal trek to explore what is arguably the island's most untamed region. Parque Natural de s'Albufera des Grau, located in northeastern Menorca, encompasses 500 hectares of diverse ecosystems, including wild olive groves, wetlands, secluded coves, islands, and coastal dunes. This remarkable natural reserve is one of Menorca's most remarkable landscapes, featuring unique flora and wildlife.

We tend to over-use superlatives like "world's best footballer" or "nation's favourite dish." Can we ever really know what’s the absolute best? On this one occasion, I’m willing to make an exception. After spending a couple of nights at Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate near St Ives , I genuinely believe it to be one of the finest hospitality locations in the UK. The stunning setting, the top-notch service, and the feeling of absolute comfort make it a place I won't forget. Carbis