Blog & Local Stories

From blustery Boxing Day walks and sea swims to clear out the cobwebs, to gift ideas with a difference and charming coastal staycations, discover the many ways to celebrate the festive season over the coming weeks and support our much-loved coastal businesses across every part of England’s rich, varied and beautiful coastline.

The Isle of Wight is southern England in a nutshell, with a coastline that ranges from high cliffs to meandering estuaries, vast beaches and woodlands home to that definition of animal magnetism, the red squirrel. Christmas, when a wintry, cool, crisp frost settles on the undulating coastal downs, is a perfect time to visit, take a walk and enjoy some fine food.

Base yourself in Margate and you’ll discover how Kent and Sussex offer the perfect winter break with a stirring mixture of superb coastal scenery, high class dining, creative and classy shopping and some important history.

Frances Mills is a trail runner and tour guide for Active England Tours, she has spent the past three winters running around the 2,700 miles of England’s Coast. This blog highlights some of Frances’ favourite places to visit along the South West Coast Path, including some great personal tales and also her top tips for winter travel in Cornwall.

The dramatic coastline of the North York Moors National Park is a perfect choice for those who want to experience a sense of England’s history in a truly dramatic landscape.

For generations, artists have been inspired by the breath-taking coastline of the North York Moors. With its rugged natural beauty, boundless skies and incredible Northern light it makes the perfect break.

After a difficult year, for many it's time for a well-earned break, so escape your everyday routine and put some time aside to focus on yourself.

Fossil hunting is hugely popular along the English coast. If you see people – adults, families, children – rummaging around in rocks on the beach, chances are they hoping to turn up a dinosaur vertebra or an ammonite.