From the high, wind-scoured ridge of Wills Neck to the romantic oak combes of Coleridge and the fossil-rich Blue Lias pavements of Kilve, Martin Hesp shares six of the very best circular walks across Somerset’s stunning Quantock Hills. Includes step-by-step route directions, fact files, and the best local pubs.

scape Mediterranean heatwaves with this comprehensive guide to the ultimate Scandinavian ‘coolcation’. From car-free islands like Tunø and Alrø to Skagen’s luminous artist colony, Viking strongholds, and world-class Copenhagen cuisine, travel writer Martin Hesp brings together his complete collection of dispatches exploring Denmark’s coastal light, feel-good hygge, and rich culinary culture.

My wife thought I’d lost my last remaining marbles when I asked if I could get paid to walk. Twenty years, 6,000 miles, and over 1,000 weekly newspaper features later, Martin Hesp looks back on a lifetime of exploring the West Country's wildest trails.

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.

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.

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.

**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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

A comprehensive guide and review of Boringdon Hall, near Plymouth

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.

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.