My enormous thanks to Isabelle Wilson for sending me a copy of The Coastal Almanac by Jess Lea-Wilson in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share my review of The Coastal Almanac today.
Published by OH, an imprint of Headline, on 17th September 2026, The Coastal Almanac is available for purchase through the publisher links here.
The Coastal Almanac
‘I will never again walk by the sea without taking this book with me … it is an essential coastal companion.’ Kate Humble
DEEPEN YOUR CONNECTION TO THE COAST
Whether it’s the warmth of the sun on sandy skin, the sharpness of a cold-sea swim or a rare glimpse of a bright blue kingfisher, each month of the year brings new experiences, weather and wildlife to the coastline.
From renowned sea-salt producers Halen Môn, The Coastal Almanac charts the seasons with insights on flora and fauna, recipes, spotters’ guides, and plenty more. Halen Môn salt has become a favourite of chefs worldwide, and now they bring their coastal expertise to help you get the most from the seaside, all year round.
Rooted in the Welsh coast, this beautiful book is illustrated with stunning photography and bespoke illustrations. Perfect to be packed in a jacket pocket or bag for a trip to the beach, or simply enjoyed in an armchair at home, The Coastal Almanac is essential for every lover of the sea.
My Review of The Coastal Alamac
An insight into the Welsh coast of Anglesey.
What a glorious celebration of coastal life. I admit I was slightly taken aback initially by the first person approach to the writing, having expected a rather impartial account (mostly) of Ynys Môn or Anglesey, but in fact, this personal approach by Jess Lea-Wilson makes The Coastal Almanac feel more intimate and conversational, giving an insight into the author as well as the coast and providing a layer of interest I hadn’t anticipated.
The Coastal Almanac is a beautifully produced book. The artwork is simply glorious, with photographs, watercolour images and line drawings. It would make a lovely gift book – though I do dispute the concept of slipping it into a pocket for a beach walk as it is pretty weighty being so robustly and luxuriously produced in hardback. This does mean. however, that it will withstand being shoved into a backpack and used in situ!
Divided into monthly chapters, the nature-loving reader will find flora and fauna, activities and advice from gardening to cooking with recipes frequently featuring Halen Môn sea salt. There are crafts and poems and I especially enjoyed the nautical idioms. Each chapter begins with a monthly introduction including typical weather, moon phases, flora and fauna, food, specific birds and key dates so that this makes a lovely book for those not able to get out to the places described. It is possible to live life by the sea vicariously with The Coastal Almanac and those who, like me, live about as far from the coast as it’s possible to get can still be beguiled and entertained. Prior to reading The Coastal Almanac, for example, it would never have crossed my mind to create ice lollies using cucumbers!
I think what I enjoyed most about reading The Coastal Almanac was the author’s passion for the sea. Jess Lea-Wilson encourages readers to engage with the environment on several levels and I thought it an excellent idea to include a call to arms to protect what we have in our coastal areas as well as to enjoy observing them.
The Coastal Almanac is wonderfully illustrated and filled with an eclectic mix of information so that there is something for everyone to enjoy. It would make a smashing gift book.
About Jess Lea-Wilson
Photo Credit: Jim Marsden
Jess Lea-Wilson is the brand director of Halen Môn, a renowned salt company with fans including Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay and even Barack Obama. It has been served at the London 2012 Olympics, political summits and royal weddings and is a vital ingredient in Green & Blacks chocolate and Piper’s Crisps. They have featured in a dizzying array of media, and have established themselves as a premier British brand, stocked in Waitrose, Ocado, and numerous other stockists. Their range has now expanded to include a wide range of food products and skincare, alongside experiences (such as seaweed baths) at their HQ.
Jess lives in Anglesey, Wales.
For further information about Halen Môn, visit their website find Jess on Instagram or visit her website.
