The Devon Seaweed Company

12/02/2026

Deadly Plant Washing Ashore And What You Need to Know

Recent storms and changing tides have led to a toxic plant known as Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) - sometimes called Dead Man’s Fingers - washing up on beaches and coastal areas around the UK. This plant is one of the most poisonous native species in Britain and has prompted public safety warnings from coastguards and local authorities.

Why It’s Dangerous
• All parts of hemlock water dropwort are highly toxic, especially the white, parsnip-like roots that may now be found on shorelines after being uprooted by heavy weather.
• The toxin (oenanthotoxin) attacks the nervous system and can lead to convulsions, paralysis and even death in humans and animals if ingested.
• Symptoms can appear within 30 minutes to a few hours, and there is no specific antidote.

What to Do (and Not to Do)
✔️ Do keep children and pets close and under control on beaches and riverbanks.
✔️ Do report sightings to local authorities so they can arrange safe removal.
✖️ Do NOT touch, pick up, or ingest the plant. Even touching and then eating without washing can cause severe illness.
✖️ Do not try to dispose of it yourself. Leave that to trained professionals.

Enjoy our coasts safely - always stay aware of what’s washing up, and when in doubt, steer well clear.

Hemlock water dropwort, which can prove fatal, washes up on the beach at Arnside in Cumbria.

11/02/2026

** Announcement 📣 **

Something exciting has been growing behind the scenes…

Since the very beginning, The Devon Seaweed Company has been rooted in a deep love for the coastline, sustainability, and the extraordinary beauty of Devon seaweed.

But over time, our vision organically grew beyond our beloved Devon.

We’re incredibly excited to introduce our sister brand - a space where we’ll be sharing a broader celebration of Britain’s shores, seaweed, design, and the future project which we cannot wait to reveal.

Don’t worry though; The Devon Seaweed Company isn’t going anywhere. It will always be our home and our heart and will continue to be run as a separate entity as it always has!

The National Seaweed Company is simply the next chapter in our journey.

If you’ve enjoyed being part of our story so far (as much as we’ve loved having you with us!) we would love you to join us there from the very beginning.

Come, say hello and give us a follow 💙

https://www.facebook.com/share/1N1CFf4cdu/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

10/02/2026

False Eyelash W**d
False Eyelash W**d (Himanthalia elongata)

09/02/2026

This photo is a throw back to sunnier days on Slapton Sands, a throw back to a time before the Start Bay, Slapton and Torcross didn’t feel like a coast under pressure.

Start Bay, encompassing Slapton Sands, Torcross and the surrounding South Devon coastline, is a place of deep personal and ecological significance to us. Long before The (Devon) National Seaweed Company existed, this was where Stuart and I spent many of our early days together, walking the shingle, observing tides, learning the rhythms of the sea, and building a relationship shaped by time outdoors. It remains a coastline we return to regularly, both personally and professionally.

In recent months, severe winter storms have caused extensive damage along the Slapton Line and Torcross, with sections of road collapsing into the sea and access routes cut off. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a wider pattern of coastal erosion, climate pressure, and changing marine conditions affecting South Devon and coastlines across the UK.

For those who spend time here, residents, fishers, walkers, artists, and ecologists alike, the impact is felt not just in infrastructure loss, but in the reshaping of habitats that support marine biodiversity, seaweed forests, and intertidal life. Seaweed plays a critical role in coastal ecosystems: stabilising shorelines, providing shelter and food for marine species, and contributing to ocean health and carbon cycling. When coastlines are destabilised, these delicate systems are disrupted.

Our relationship with Start Bay has always been one of attention and care. We practice responsible seaweed foraging that prioritises ecological balance, seasonal awareness, and minimal disturbance. Spending time observing the shore, noticing what has changed, what has disappeared, and what persists, is central to how we understand both the environmental and human impacts of coastal change.

Equally important is the role these landscapes play in human wellbeing. Access to the coast offers space for reflection, creativity, and restoration. Walking familiar beaches, engaging with natural materials, and learning traditional practices like seaweed pressing can foster a sense of grounding and connection, particularly at a time when many coastal communities are facing uncertainty and loss of access.

Through our work, we aim to contribute quietly and meaningfully to conversations around marine ecology, sustainable coastal practices, and community resilience. Start Bay is not just a location; it is a living system, a shared space, and a reminder of the close relationship between environmental health and human life. Our hope is that by paying close attention to places like Slapton and Torcross, we can encourage deeper care for coastlines that are changing before our eyes.

10/01/2026

Our workshops are back!

Join Charlotte, multi-award-winning designer and co-founder of The National Seaweed Company, who brings over 30 years of experience in seaweed pressing. Learn the art of turning shoreline treasures into stunning pressed seaweed art; a perfect way to relax, create, and connect with nature.

Spaces are limited, so book your spot today and start your seaweed pressing journey!

09/01/2026

17/12/2025

🎄CHRISTMAS CLOSURE TIMES

As we wind down for the festive season, we wanted to let you know that we’ll be closing for Christmas from Friday 19th December until 9th January 2026.

Our final day for orders will be tomorrow, Thursday 18th December, before we pause to rest, recharge, and spend time with family.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you for an incredible year. Thank you to everyone who has supported us — to our amazing customers, the fabulous people who attended our workshops, our wonderful stockists, and everyone who stopped to talk seaweed with us at the shows and events we’ve been part of this year. Your support truly means the world to us.

And without giving too much away, there is a BIG (and we really do mean BIG) exciting and wonderful announcement coming next year. Watch this space….

Charlotte & Stuart
The Devon Seaweed Company

07/11/2025

Simplicity in monochrome.

In collaboration with The National Seaweed Company.

06/11/2025

Nature’s water colours.

A collaboration with

05/11/2025

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

Those who know our story, know I originally began my career in architecture. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how those early lessons continue to shape my work today with the balance of structure and flow, form and nature. I keep returning to this quote, grateful for the visionary minds who inspired generations to create with purpose.

04/11/2025

Tide line finds hung to dry.