Having been given the go-ahead for the book after my initial submission of numerous photos I had in my portfolio, which had grown quickly from my retirement from full-time employment. But now the challenge and at first seemed daunting to achieve what was described as an even spread of 126 places around England’s Coast.

With both excitement and trepidation about the chance to become an author, I set out with a large map of England and plotted where I had photos, and indeed, those photos portrayed what was required for the book. The next step was to look at where the gaps were and then plan journeys to encompass the places in those areas that would potentially meet the criteria for what was required.

When initially looking, it looked like a daunting task to achieve with so many miles to travel to fill these gaps. Once we set out on our adventure to places far away from our Oxford base, the adrenalin kicked in, and what a wonderful experience we had seeing so many wonderful places that truly we would have never experienced in our lifetime.

For the rest of this blog, I will fill in some of what became memorable experiences along the way.                  

To Northumberland, we travelled, staying at Seahouses and taking in the very first photo in the book of Berwick on Tweed and the famous viaduct, a truly amazing sight of engineering. Took a boat trip to the Farne Islands and the amazing wildlife. Seahouses was so welcoming with its lovely fishing harbour. It should be said now that we did not plan the weather, and as the photos depict through the book, this is not Spain, and the weather is changeable. it cannot be all sunshine photos; we had to don the wet gear on many occasions, which would not be a true representation of all sun! Newbiggin by the Sea was memorable because of the statutes, ‘the couple’ that are in the sea.

On our way back south, we stopped at Craster, and as well as getting numerous photos, we picked up kippers to bring home!

Yorkshire we travelled and took in all the places along that coast, with Staithes standing out, from being such a quaint place but also the very steep walk down and back up !! Whitby was our base.

Staithes, North Yorkshire. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Norfolk brought us more challenges, mainly due to the weather enduring some fierce storms, but mainly at night, so we managed to get the photos required. Cromer was our base and a very nice welcome we received; the pier is well worth a visit. Happisburgh stands out and although a picturesque coast the memory that sticks in the mind is the rate that the sea is eating into the coastline.

Suffolk brought us to Dunwich, and we stayed at a delightful pub picked out of the blue. Dunwich is another place being taken by the sea. The stories there tell us of Church being taken by the sea, and if you stand by the shore, you can hear the bells ring, well that is what is said locally. Southwold and Orford Ness were other stand-out places where the lighthouse in the middle of the town and the remains of old sunken boats and amazing walk around the inlet.

Onto Essex, a county we had not visited since the Butlins days !! Well, I did say I was retired. Harwich, we found on the map and fitted into a place that we should go, well what an experience! Having driven from Clacton, we pulled up to the opposite side of the huge container port and spent a while just looking in awe at the size of the boats and cranes. A walk along the shore away from the view and you are at a beach, quite amazing views and for me one of the best photos in the book. Walton on the Naze left an impression if only for the number of beach huts, this must be the biggest concentration of such items anywhere.

Harwich, Essex. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Kent, for which I travelled alone due to my father being very ill, but I had to go due to time constraints on finalising the last few places before submitting. Sheerness was to be forgotten; Whitstable was an amazing and buzzing quaint place with a yacht club and many bars and restaurants. I stopped in Ramsgate, which for a place I never contemplated going was very pleasant and full of life, with probably the biggest Wetherspoons I have ever been in and of course, I had to incorporate Dover.  

For Sussex, we stopped in Rye, a picturesque place, again memorable for an unusual reason: most of the shops were small and independent.

The iconic places of Beachy Head and the seven sisters were memorable because of what they are; the thought was maybe it would be easier to jump off as many had in the past, a sobering thought but, for me, only joking. Brighton because of the derelict west pier, standing forlorn in the sea, and the sheer number of people, probably the busiest we encountered on our crusade. Worthing just along from Brighton was nothing but standing on the pier I looked across the sea and beach and the sun came through the clouds and I captured a photo that although I say it myself I love, it’s so peaceful and really tranquil, and could be a painting.

Worthing, West Sussex. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Hampshire was our closest visit, with Portsmouth and Southsea always enjoyable. While there, we travelled across the ocean, well, Solent, to the Isle of Wight where Ryde and Cowes the point of focus.

Dorset took us to Poole, where there was, I believe, one of the biggest yachts in the world, of course, that had to be in the book. Dorset has many iconic places, which are covered in the book. Chisel Beach was quite an eye-opener with the sheer vastness of the sweeping coastline; the photo captures it quite well with the lone fisherman and the simple lines of beach, sea and sky.

Chesil Beach, Dorset. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Moving onto Devon and the initial red sandy beaches, Beer with so many red and white deckchairs laid out on the beach. Brixham, with its very claustrophobic and very colourful housing, rises above the quaint harbour. Kingswear and Dartmouth, on either side of the river Dart, connected by the chain link ferry, are not too dissimilar to Brixham with their brightly coloured houses. Salcombe again added a different dimension, as well as the front with its glamorous views of the rear of the town and the inlet with its small and local boat sheds adorning the water’s edge was another memorable photo.

We went into Cornwall, and well, I could write another ten pages about all the stunning views and places. We stopped in Looe, and although a very nice place was not a hotel—I don’t like guest houses—the author had got it wrong!! Looe provided me with a unique photo of the boat moorings at low tide. Polperro is again a very quaint and very picturesque little harbour, so it is very popular with visitors.

Moving further around and onto the Lizard, with the clear blue turquoise sea and surrounding white sand beaches, it’s a stunning  place to lose yourself in majestic walks. Mullion Cove is off the beaten track but very Cornwall and quiet. The small harbour and surrounding cove were just amazing to discover.

Onto Porthleven, at the time, was very busy with visitors and hard to park. The photo is one of the most memorable, having walked to the end of the harbour walk and looked back at the walkway, church houses and clouds combined to make a stunning photo.

Porthleven, Cornwall. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Newquay was our base for the remainder of Cornwall; there were, during that time, there were some exquisite sunsets over the horizon. At Pentire, poppies made a great foreground looking over Crantock Beach.

Moving back into Devon we progressed along and took in the wild and rough sea of Hartland point and Quay, very windy, but spectacular views were encountered. Clovelly has to be mentioned, one for the lovely scenic harbour at the bottom of a very long downward walk through the houses, unfortunately when down you have to come back up, that is a mission especially with heavy camera gear, there was no transport back up that day.

For the next batch of Devon, we stayed in Minehead and drove around to take in the dramatic Lynmouth, Ilfracombe, on the way, we stopped at a very picturesque Porlock weir on an amazing and tranquil day, with its small marina and beaches, a joy to behold.

Porlock Weir, Somerset. (England's Coast, Amberley Publishing)

Onto Lancashire and the famous holiday spot of Blackpool and all its attractions if that is what you want, if not, carry on further to the end of the tram run and Fleetwood, home of the fisherman friend. A different sort of coast with sweeping tides and vast open spaces, well worth a visit. Leaving Lancashire, Heysham was the port of call to capture the statues on the beach, not sure what it’s about, but it is different.

Onto Cumbria and the last county on the journey of England’s coast. Grange-over sands, with long walks along the coast with muddy inlets and spectacular views, was a place if you have never of before. St Bees, with its wide-open beach, strong off shore winds, was memorable to watch and listen to the waves crashing in, populated by fishermen standing in the surf.

To end the journey, it seemed fitting to end at Bowness on Solway and a sign showing Rome 1150, Maryport 26, Ravenglass 55 and Wallsend 84.

A quite memorable and, if not exhilarating, experience, oh to be by the sea.

England's Coast by Steve Edmunds is available for purchase now.