Most visitors only go to, and only know about, two places on the Somerset coast – Minehead andWeston-super-Mare. And they might be prompted into remembering that most of Exmoor has a coast in Somerset but nevertheless, they’ll drive in and drive out again and that’s a shame because if they stayed for longer, they’d find that the Somerset coast is a real undiscovered gem.

Locally-based landscape photographer Neville Stanikk was equally ignorant of the sheer variety of the coast until he looked east from Watchet and south from Clevedon and wondered how the whole coastline joined up.

This book is his rambling journey from Lynmouth (in Devon, but only just) to Bristol docks, told in more than 140 stunning photographs representing his discovery of an ever-changing landscape filled not just with seaside towns but with history and mysticism; picturesque villages and hills; castles, towers and ancient buildings and, at the heart of the book, the geological marvel of the coast between Watchet and Lilstock – a coast rich in fossils and perfect natural design.

If you’re local, you’ll recognise the beauty of this coast and if you’re a visitor, this sumptuous book will inspire you to see it for yourself.

Neville Stanikk grew up in South Devon where, one day, he picked up his camera and never really put it down again. During his travels, he photographed the book Southampton: Portrait of a Maritime City for Halsgrove, and dallied for many years in advertising, before returning to North Devon and producing his next two books, Perfect Exmoor and Exmoor, A Winter’s Tale. From his home near Barnstaple, he has carved out a successful niche photographing the beauties of North Devon, Exmoor and now the Somerset coast.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 0 85704 006 0, hardback, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published June 2010.