top of page



6 Classic West Dorset Walks: Coastal Ridges, Literary Haunts & Village Pubs
West Dorset offers a walking landscape like nowhere else. From the wild shingle of Chesil Bank and the high hill-forts of Marshwood Vale to Thomas Hardy’s thatched birthplace, join veteran journalist Martin Hesp on six classic circular routes - complete with local pub recommendations on every route.
Martin Hesp
Aug 18 min read


The Cornish Snapper: The Granite Mystery
Discover The Cornish Snapper, a gripping, atmospheric mystery novel set along the rugged coast of West Cornwall. Written by veteran journalist Martin Hesp, follow the classic "Holmes & Watson" dynamic of Hamilton and Lammoran in the vanishing world of local news.
Martin Hesp
Jul 143 min read


The Lost Ports and Muddy Havens of the Bristol Channel
Most places where people interact with the sea have changed over the past few decades. While some old harbour areas are on the up-and-up, other coastal towns slowly sink into a tidal mud of decline—especially along the shores of the Bristol Channel.
Martin Hesp
Jul 68 min read


The Best West Country Walks for a Heatwave: 10 Coastal, Moorland and Woodland Escapes
**Excerpt**
When temperatures soar, there are better places to walk than crowded beaches and sun-baked lanes. Join Martin Hesp on ten of his favourite West Country walks, where cooling sea breezes, shady woodland, open moorland and peaceful islands make perfect escapes during a summer heatwave.
Martin Hesp
Jun 2511 min read


Madeira's Cider Revolution: How Ancient Mountain Orchards Are Producing Award-Winning Sparkling Cider
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.
Martin Hesp
Jun 158 min read


Taw Head Dartmoor Walk: Following the River Taw to Its Source
A long and exhilarating Dartmoor hike from Belstone to Taw Head, following the River Taw towards its remote source beneath Hangingstone Hill. This memorable seven-mile walk takes in Taw Marsh, Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor, Belstone Tor and some of the wildest scenery in Devon.
Martin Hesp
Jun 115 min read


The Lemon Tree Forest: Why I Cut 40,000 Words to Create the "Director’s Cut"
The silence of the mountain was deceptive. Somewhere in the shifting shadows of the valley, the pursuit was closing in. Sebastian felt the cold air bite at his lungs—a sharp reminder that they were no longer in the gentle, familiar hills of Exmoor.
"We can't stop," Sasha whispered. Her eyes were fixed on the jagged peaks ahead.
Sebastian looked back. Far below, a single pinprick of light flickered. They were being hunted by a family that viewed loyalty as a commodity to be
Martin Hesp
Apr 82 min read


Whispering Pine Lodge Review: A Luxury Loch Lochy Hotel for Exploring the Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye
Move over Loch Ness—Loch Lochy offers a magnificent, serene alternative. From the shores of the Whispering Pine Lodge to the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillins on Skye, Martin Hesp explores the wilder edges of the Highlands.
Martin Hesp
Apr 58 min read


Highland Highs: Why the Ambassador Hotel Inverness is the Perfect Base for a Northern Road Trip
Is it possible to travel abroad while staying in the UK? Martin Hesp flies from Bristol to Inverness to explore the "Costa Del North," stay in a revamped 19th-century boutique sanctuary, and drive the wildest roads in Britain.
Martin Hesp
Mar 299 min read


A Life on the Road — One Saturday at a Time
For more than twenty-five years Martin Hesp has written about the landscapes, people and traditions of the West Country. In this episode he reflects on growing up in West Somerset, the shadow that war cast over his childhood, and how local history — from Viking raids to Alfred the Great — shaped the imagination of a generation.
Martin Hesp
Mar 115 min read


Bountiful Barbados as Seen From the Classic Cobbler's Cove
A stay at the classic Cobbler’s Cove resort in Barbados could be one of the most relaxing and satisfying things you could do in the Caribbean
Martin Hesp
Feb 268 min read


The Cornish Snapper: The Granite Mystery Unveiled
Can a press photographer be the modern-day Sherlock Holmes? Award-winning journalist Martin Hesp introduces 'The Cornish Snapper', a new mystery series born from a BBC debate and set in the rugged landscape of West Penwith. Meet Veryan Lammoran and Thomas Hamilton—the most unlikely investigative duo in the West Country.
Martin Hesp
Feb 203 min read


A West Countryman’s Guide to a Luxury London Escape: From Paddington to Belgravia
London can feel a world away from the West Country, but arriving at Paddington needn't mean diving straight into the crowds. On a recent trip I discovered a wonderfully civilised route through Hyde Park to Knightsbridge and Belgravia, with stays at the luxurious 15 Basil Street and Royal Lancaster London. Here's my guide to enjoying a rather more relaxed side of the capital.
Martin Hesp
Feb 165 min read


Kingsbury Episcopi: The Secret Heart of Somerset Cider Country
Is Kingsbury Episcopi the true heart of the cider world? Martin Hesp joins poet James Crowden to explore a landscape of 'ghost' apple varieties, Somerset oak brandy, and the proper old-fashioned cider houses of the Levels.
Martin Hesp
Jan 189 min read


A Grand Devon Escape - Boringdon Hall Hotel
A comprehensive guide and review of Boringdon Hall, near Plymouth
Martin Hesp
Nov 2, 20257 min read


Northern Sri Lanka: Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar & Wilpattu
Northern Sri Lanka remains one of Asia's most overlooked destinations. Join Martin Hesp as he explores Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar and Wilpattu National Park on a journey filled with history, wildlife and unforgettable encounters.
Martin Hesp
Jun 9, 20258 min read


Exploring the Swiss Historic Hotels: A Scholarly Journey Back in Time 🌅⛰️
Switzerland is famous for its mountains, lakes and immaculate towns, but it also has a remarkable collection of historic hotels. On a journey through the country I discovered some wonderfully atmospheric places to stay, from grand lakeside hotels to remote mountain retreats. These are the Swiss Historic Hotels that took me back into another era of travel.
Martin Hesp
Nov 6, 20248 min read


Southern California Road Trip: Joshua Tree, Palm Springs & Santa Monica
From flying on a circus trapeze in Santa Monica to driving through Joshua Tree National Park in a convertible, Martin Hesp discovers why Southern California remains one of America's greatest adventures.
Martin Hesp
Apr 10, 20246 min read


The Lemon Tree Forest
An epic travel novel that begins in the wild hills of Exmoor before sweeping through Greece, northern Italy and Switzerland in a compelling story of love, mystery and redemption.
Martin Hesp
Apr 21, 20233 min read


Spinalonga: Echoes of Isolation in Mirabello Bay
Venetian ramparts, Ottoman stone houses, and poignant echoes of human resilience. Step onto the island of Spinalonga in Eastern Crete through this atmospheric photo essay and historical guide.
Martin Hesp
Jul 8, 20202 min read
bottom of page