Penelope Keith's Hidden Coastal Villages

In the seaside villages of West Sussex and the Isle of Wight, Penelope immerses herself in stories of seafarers, smugglers, and shipwrecks. In Bosham, she hears the tale of King Canute and his battle with the tide. She sails up the Birdham estuary with Olympic gold medalist sailor Sarah Ayton, then heads via hovercraft to the Isle of Wight and follows hidden smugglers’ marks to an infamous pub.

In Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, Penelope gets swept up by coastal tales of epic heroism, intrepid horticulture, and smoked herring. At the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, she explores the work of legendary architect Edwin Lutyens and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Then she admires the golden beaches of Low Newton, the scenic Longstone Lighthouse, and the treacherous waters of St Abbs.

East Anglia offers tales of bravery, scandal, and intrigue. In the Edwardian holiday resort of Weybourne, Penelope learns how this small village played a big role in safeguarding Britain during WWII. Crossing into Suffolk, she visits Thorpeness, which was inspired by Peter Pan. Blythburgh leads her on the trail of a legendary “hell hound” before she ends her journey at Walberswick’s village fete.