A note from the editor

A close friend of mine has recently retired. She and her husband are heading off to Pembrokeshire to set up home by the sea. In truth, it’s got me thinking – not so much about retirement, but of the coastal life I’ve always hankered after. Don’t get me wrong: I really appreciate landlocked rural living and know how lucky I am to be surrounded by acres of woods and farmland. But there’s something about the seaside – the tang of salt in the air, the sound of waves crashing on the shore – that makes me feel altogether different. What better way to reset your perspective than to stand on a beach and just stare out to that point on the horizon where the water meets the sky? Dedicating much of this issue to coastal living has enabled us to pack it full of feelgood stories that celebrate the transformative power of nature: from the talented trio of artists creating huge seascapes in Devon (below left, page 58) to the nostalgic guide to Britain’s best beaches from our own team members (page 66).

Few people understand the might of nature more than the intrepid adventurer Ray Mears (below right). In our interview on page 38, he shares his belief that we should all take time to immerse ourselves in the natural world. It’s the only way, he says, that we will learn how to live alongside our fellow creatures in a respectful and intimate way. His views are refreshingly pragmatic and thought-provoking. I can’t think of a better rallying cry to get out and embrace the joys of nature this summer.