From thought-provoking exhibitions and must-attend seasonal events to chic beachwear and exciting new openings, Jane Rakison rounds up this summer’s hottest finds
Go next-gen camping
Cherry Tree Farm on the north Devon coast has transformed the camping experience so you can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle under canvas. Bell tents, a wood-fired sauna overlooking Croyde Bay, ice baths, speciality coffee and bakes from an on-site coffee van and a rolling programme of events – including barn feasts led by guest chefs such as Mark Hix – deliver coastal luxe for less.
Be transported to the Med
Book out a feast for your tribe at La Taberna – a sun-soaked slice of the Med reimagined on the lawns of Homewood hotel near Bath. Beneath a billowing canvas where chandeliers glow and colourful fabrics sway, you and your guests are instantly transported to sunnier climes. Begin your experience with a wander through Homewood’s gardens, glass in hand, before sharing generous platters of flame-kissed meat, fish and peak-season produce with your guests.
Boss the beach
Tide + Seek has made swimming leggings the latest beach must-have. They’re UV-protective, super soft and fast-drying – perfect for watersports and also pretty smart in the yoga studio.
Marcel Rodrigues crafts stunning hats that are handwoven in Cornwall. His range includes the Atlas fedora, destined to be the accessory of the summer.
Micro-mill Bristol Weaving Mill marries traditional craft with understated contemporary design, which is beautifully showcased in its soft blankets. Too good for the beach? Possibly.
Crave dinner in Bristol
There’s a new reason to head to Whiteladies Road as Exeter favourite Crave makes its Bristol debut as Crave @ 52. Building on the original restaurant’s easygoing charm, this sister spot focuses on seafood and small plates threaded through with Mediterranean and Eastern influences. A cocktail bar adds extra appeal and completes a space that effortlessly transforms from laidback lunches to lively evenings.
Hang at Heron Farm
Take a farm and vineyard tour at Heron Farm in Devon. Its remarkable patchwork of produce runs from medlars to sichuan pepper, alongside 3,000 vines.
The 90-minute tour takes in the vineyard, orchard and kitchen garden. It also includes tastings of farm produce, wines, gin, and apple juice pressed from heritage varieties. Afterwards, settle in for a leisurely lunch.
Idle at the Rocks
Few pleasures rival waterside dining in summer, and at The Idle Rocks in St Mawes it’s done in style. The hotel’s south-facing terrace overlooks the Fal River, where harbour life drifts by while you feast. In the kitchen, executive chef Guy Owen showcases Cornwall’s larder in a seafood-led menu shaped by the daily catch and often sourced from the hotel’s own fisherman. On Saturdays in July and August, switch your phone to ‘do not disturb’ and ease into Rosé on the Rocks, a celebration of seafood, seasonal sides and chilled rosé on the terrace.
Feel the transformation
Wiltshire is in the midst of an exciting cultural transformation. The Beckford Group (always a good barometer of what’s hot) is on the cusp of opening two projects in the county: Corsham House and Teffont House.
Vibrant art space Messums West in Tisbury is running thought-provoking exhibitions and events all summer, including workshops on Sculpting the Human Torso with Valentina Zlatarova (pictured) and an immersive Forest Cathedral installation.
For a different kind of immersion, Wiltshire Wild Sauna offers wood-fired sauna and cold-water therapy.
Also check out Witchmark Distillery’s Grade II-listed barn, which is now hosting cocktail evenings.
Sing it loud
During Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival in June, traditional songs echo through the Cornish harbour town for three days. Take in the action from the private quay of The Greenbank – which, as the festival sponsor, hosts 18 of the acts – while refreshed by its buzzy pub The Working Boat, just steps away. Sister hotel The Falmouth will pair lively performances with sweeping coastal views as it hosts the festival’s main stage.
Join the festival crew
Elevate your summer at a South West festival. In June, the Eden Sessions get underway in Cornwall, kicking off with Wolf Alice.
Also in June, Iford Manor in Wiltshire hosts its fifth jazz festival. Picnic in its gardens before the sun dips and the music begins.
In July, Feast On Bristol champions the city’s thriving indie food scene, while Rock Oyster in north Cornwall sets the standard once again for stonking cheffy food served with a side order of banging beats.
As summer draws to a close, longstanding Dorset favourite End of the Road showcases a brilliant bill of comedy, cinema, art, literature and DJ sessions alongside over a hundred music acts.
Discover more delicious goings-on in the region.
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