Having provided a warm welcome to weary travellers and locals alike for centuries, the Kings Arms Otterton could probably tell a story or two; steeped in history, the building is thought to date back to the early 1700s. Thanks to its location, the Kings Arms is popular with walkers enjoying footpaths along the River Otter and the stunning local Jurassic coastline, and the much-loved beaches of Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Ladram Bay are also close at hand.

Caught by our boats in the waters of Ladram Bay, overlooked by Greendale farmland, these succulent Prawns are a shining example of the wonderful local food we love to champion. Plump and delicious, they're supplied cooked in their shells, ready to be peeled and eaten. Delicious!

The Jurassic Coast stretches from Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset. It is the only natural World Heritage Site in England, and the only place on Earth where 185 million years of geological history are clearly visible in dramatic cliffs, coastal stacks, secret coves and sweeping beaches. As you might imagine, the view from the water can be breath-taking (weather permitting!). There are also plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along the Jurassic Coast, as it remains an important habitat for many seabirds, as well as seals and sometimes dolphins.

Thrift (Armeria maritima) is a common sight on cliff tops, salt marshes and mountainsides throughout the British Isles. A small, compact plant, it forms clumps of narrow, single-veined leaves above a visible woody rootstock, producing a cushion-like shape. Thrift is a perennial, in bloom in Northern Europe from April to September; the tiny flowers are borne in clusters above each ‘cushion’ by a single greyish-green flower spike, about 6-10 inches tall.

Walking along the seashore, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the soft glimmer of sea glass. Incongruous and yet somehow ‘right’ against the pebbles and sand, the wave-washed colours and appealingly frosted texture of these small gems can make hunting for them a truly addictive beach pastime.

Rope and knots have been onboard essentials ever since mankind first took to the sea. As seagoing vessels became more sophisticated, mariners used rope for increasingly complicated tasks, from hauling anchors and sails to holding down rigging; ‘knowing the ropes’ was a vital part of life at sea. By natural extension - given the need for ropes to hold fast, whatever the weather - this expertise also extended to skilled knot tying, with each knot fulfilling a particular function.

Of all the characters in sea folklore, the mermaid is perhaps the most beguiling. From ancient Syrian deities and the sirens of Greek myth through to more recent tales, such as Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ (subsequently turned into a Disney film) and Helen Dunmore’s popular ‘Ingo’ books today, there has long been a place in worldwide legend for these captivating, sometimes cruel beings.  

On a stormy night in January 1917, the Devon fishing village of Hallsands collapsed into the sea. Miraculously, there were no casualties, but the buildings were all damaged or destroyed, along with the livelihoods of those who had lived in them. While there is no doubt that this storm wrought final devastation on the village, the countdown to destruction had actually begun in the previous century.  

On quays and in harbours throughout the British Isles, the navy Guernsey has long been a familiar sight. Whether knitted by hand in the traditional style or on a modern machine, these special garments are recognised by their distinctive colour, smock-based shape and a special, finely-knit texture that affords protection from salt water, strong sunshine and chill winds.