After nearly three years in the making, Cereal Magazine founder Rosa Park and creative director Rich Stapleton launched their breathtaking ode to the British Isles. The book is the first release from Francis – a new publishing venture and creative studio founded by the pair. We’ve long been followers of Cereal and everything they do - the salon is rarely without a copy of the magazine and we particularly love their perfectly put together city guides.

These Islands draws on the minimal aesthetic and feel Cereal has become renowned for over the years. Jam packed with dramatic visuals, the hardback publication explores 13 locations ranging from Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way to the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head in Sussex. A sucker for nature, we couldn’t wait to get stuck into this coffee table read.

The team worked hard to collaborate with a cross-section of creatives. Photographs were taken by Rich Stapleton, Finn Beales, Jonathan Gregson and Kate Holstein who capture stormy skies, crashing waves and rolling green hills. Canvases were conjured by artist Spencer Fung and essays by writers Richard Aslan and Charlie Lee-Potter.

Speaking on her new release, Park says: “In many ways, this book is Cereal’s tribute to these islands. It’s not only our opportunity to introduce a very special part of the world to those who aren’t familiar with it, but also a chance to celebrate it with those who know and love it.”

“These Islands was created not to be a guide to the British Isles, but to provide visual respite and inspiration for its readers. We don’t actually tell people where to stay, or eat, or visit within each area that we cover. We wanted this book to educate people on the subtle yet complex political, historical and cultural nuances.”

Veering away from a bi-annual format, the team’s main objective was to ensure the book had an identity of its own. Keeping the text succinct and adapting to a more poetic style, the language is highly visual, forming the perfect accompaniment for each evocative image. It also serves as a good reminder of what this country has to offer in terms of landscape and nature. It’s all too easy to forget what makes Britain beautiful (especially when you’re stuck on a packed Central Line train every morning) and Cereal should be praised for serving us this feast-for-the-eyes reminder. Stormy, sweeping, craggy and green - the country has it all, and this book captures every corner of it with style.

These Islands is available to purchase now via The Acey. Words by India Blue van Spall
Images courtesy of Cereal