The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, swallows up Devon towns and rivers, Dorset coves and crab-filled bays. Along it, visitors will avail themselves of the finest seafood in traditional shacks and explore some of the south coast’s most forward-thinking restaurants. Here, Stuart Walton picks out several hotspots from the Guide, as well as a few local spots perfect for a post-beach bite.
Nathan Outlaw opened his guest house in Port Isaac, Cornwall, in the summer. The chef, whose exceptional flagship restaurant appears in our Top 20 list, tells Josh Barrie about expanding his business, cooking breakfast, and getting to know his guests.
Country house hotels have been quietly shaking off their dusty image for years. Then the no-fly period of the pandemic struck and suddenly opinion-shapers were checking into places with glorious gardens, sumptuous interiors and kitchens whose food thrilled. Voluminous floral chintz in dusty dining rooms, prissy formality and palate-deadening food? There’s no space for that in these competitive times. Heritage-respecting style, easy informality laced with luxury, and inspired cooking by talented chefs using kitchen garden ingredients? Yes please.
Widely believed to be the sunniest spot in Britain, The Isle of Wight produces some of our finest fruit, vegetables, and dairy. Then being surrounded by sea, there is wonderful seafood, particularly crabs and lobsters, all landed minutes from the restaurants that serve them.
‘A bolt hole in the woods for the lost artist to start again’
