Coasteering in the UK has its roots in Wales, where the modern form of the activity first took shape. From there it spread to Scotland, England and eventually to Europe and beyond. Coasteering in the UK and abroad has continued to grow, with new providers emerging across Europe and further afield. it difficult to find exact figures, but it is estimated that there are in the region of 120,000 coasteering trips taken every year in the UK and seen here in Cornwall on a seriously high octane swell.
In the mid-80s, it was first offered as a commercially guided activity in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The man whose name has gone down in coasteering history as the forefather of the coasteering industry is Andy Middleton. He introduced guided coasteering at his newly founded business at the Twr-y Felin Hotel, near St. David’s. Within the space of just a few years, a handful of providers were offering coasteering in this region of southwest Wales. From here, coasteering’s spread across the UK was rapid, but albeit quite haphazard. Unexpectedly, it seems some of the more remote regions of the UK were the first to adopt coasteering outside of South Wales. Whilst it took the best part of ten years to reach North Wales. From humble beginnings, it is estimated that there are in the region of 120,000 coasteering trips taken every year in the UK.
Ancient traditional May Day festivities in the ancient Cornish Harbour town of Padstow. Performed on the 1st of May 2026. The Obby Oss is duplicated in a blue and red version each with followers in blue or red garb and each Oss has a home in different parts of the town. To take part one should be Padstow born. Padstow natives return from the four corners of the earth to celebrate each Mayday. The tradition involves the hypnotic and melodious tune of "Summer is a Cumming" sung and danced to the accompaniment of accordions and drums as the mysterious "Oss" gyrates rhythmically through the narrow streets and lanes of the town. The history of the Obby Oss is lost in time but probably stems from pagan fertility rites.
Padstow Bookseller is an independent bookshop located at 1 Broad St, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8BS
I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.
Julia Donaldson (Abridged)
A family partake in a traditional British leisure activity. Namely the "Tidal swamping malarkey". It is an inclusive, all-ages frolic enjoyed through many generations. The activity is Govt listed, and protected as an authentic heritage ritual.
And it is probably happening, right now, on a beach near you.
Show bizz corner. Help required. Can any gimlet eyed sleb spotters identify the guy to the right of actor Fehinti Balogun?. This picture was taken during a break in filming of "Down Cemetery Road" for AppleTV. The location is Fistral Beach, Cornwall, UK
A three-helicopter (air charter)convoy to the Headland Hotel. Newquay, their main luggage came by road from London, apparently. Not sure who the passengers are, though I would hazard a guess that they are probably not social media influencers. suggestions? .
A natural whiteout is created by Storm Darragh. Ocean algae gets broken down into it's constituents by stormy seas, Lipids, lignids and proteins, a mainly organic brew, ideal for creating a surreal scene on wave-lashed coasts. Towan Beach, Cornwall, UK
@X Cornwall Council's Newquay-Gatwick route a drain on public funds? Investigation shows flights are 80% empty, primarily benefiting second-home owners. The cost per air passenger is a £500 subsidy, and a taxi to London costs only £350. go figure.
@X After the storm has passed, the beach path encrusted. To see the world in a grain of sand
and a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.