Arts, Life & Culture in the Heart of the Southwest
Across Devon's rolling countryside, an intricate network of living boundaries tells the story of a thousand years of agriculture. But as these ancient hedgerows face unprecedented threats, a dedicated band of craftspeople are working to preserve both the skill and the landscape that defines our county.
In an age of takeaway dinners and solitary scrolling, a quiet revolution is brewing across Devon's villages. From centuries-old harvest feasts to fishermen's farewell suppers, the Southwest's tradition of communal dining is staging an unlikely comeback.
In an era of satellite navigation and automated systems, a dedicated band of volunteers still tends to Devon's historic lighthouses and beacons. These modern guardians preserve maritime traditions that span centuries, but their numbers are dwindling as fast as the structures they protect.
In harbours from Brixham to Salcombe, a generation of fishermen carries centuries of coastal knowledge in their bones. As digital navigation takes over, these maritime elders race against time to pass on wisdom that no app can replicate.
Before most of us have had our morning coffee, a dedicated band of photographers are already perched on clifftops and riverbanks across the South Hams, cameras ready to capture those fleeting moments when Devon's landscape transforms into pure magic. We meet the obsessive community turning sunrise into an art form.
For seven centuries, a simple passenger ferry has connected Dartmouth and Kingswear across the River Dart, surviving wars, storms, and the relentless march of modernisation. Meet the dedicated souls who keep this floating bridge between communities alive in an age that's forgotten the value of human connection.
From converted fishing boats to historic naval vessels, Dartmouth's musicians are taking to the water for intimate performances that blend maritime heritage with cutting-edge sound. We explore the floating venues revolutionising live music in the Southwest.
For centuries, women have been the unsung heroes of the Dart estuary, operating ferries, managing waterside establishments, and keeping river commerce flowing. Today, a new generation of women are rediscovering and reclaiming this forgotten maritime heritage.
From dawn patrols to midnight emergencies, Devon's harbourmasters navigate the complex waters between tradition and tourism. We meet the dedicated professionals preserving centuries of maritime heritage whilst managing modern pressures from superyachts to sustainability.
In workshops scattered along the Dart estuary, a quiet revolution is taking place. Master craftsmen and eager apprentices are breathing new life into centuries-old boatbuilding traditions, proving that heritage skills have never been more relevant in our sustainable future.
While London and Edinburgh grab the headlines, the South Hams has quietly assembled one of Britain's most diverse festival calendars. From waterside Shakespeare to underground music venues, Dartmouth's cultural revolution is finally earning national attention.
From converted village halls to restored Victorian picture houses, a passionate network of volunteers and cinema lovers are fighting to preserve independent film culture across Devon. These community champions are proving that sometimes the smallest screens can create the biggest impact.
While London chefs chase Instagram fame, Dartmouth's culinary pioneers are quietly building something more authentic. Here, the tide doesn't just bring boats home—it dictates what's for dinner.
Across Devon's countryside, traditional pubs are swapping karaoke nights for poetry readings and quiz nights for gallery openings. These village locals are leading a quiet revolution, transforming into unexpected cultural powerhouses that are breathing new life into rural communities.
From Dartmouth to the Cornish coast, a quiet revolution is brewing as communities band together to save their beloved locals. These aren't just pubs—they're the beating heart of village life, and they're fighting back with remarkable success.
From Shoreditch studios to Devon barns, a generation of artists is trading London rents for creative freedom in the Southwest. We explore why the region's art scene has evolved from weekend hobby to serious cultural force – and why galleries from Bristol to Brighton are taking notice.
The South Hams rewards those who resist the urge to tick off tourist hotspots. We explore how slowing down between Dartmouth and Salcombe reveals the region's most authentic treasures – from hidden coves to centuries-old inns where locals still gather for evening pints.