About the Host & Home

Far from the misty isles of Britain, Adam Clapham — a celebrated British documentary-maker and long-time BBC/Channel 4 producer — found his heart’s home on the sun-kissed coast of Karnataka.

For decades, Adam travelled across South Asia, creating award-winning films and writing books that captured the pulse of rural life. His work took him deep into the communities of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but it was here, in Udupi district, that he chose to stay.

In 2002, Adam built a beach house near Mangalore. Nine years later, he moved inland to Katapadi, a peaceful village on the banks of the Udyavar River. Here, he created a riverside home inspired by Sri Lankan architecture — airy verandas, sloping roofs, and spaces that breathe with the sea breeze.

It’s more than a house. It’s a meeting place of cultures — Britain’s quiet charm intertwined with the warmth and colour of coastal Karnataka. The home reflects the same attentive eye that shaped Adam’s films: a love for detail, authenticity, and beauty in the everyday.

Adam’s life here inspired two books: Beware Falling Coconuts — a witty and insightful collection of stories from his travels, and A Village in South India — a rich portrait of local traditions, festivals, and the gentle rhythm of village life. These works, like this home, are his way of sharing the region’s soul with the world.

Today, this riverside retreat welcomes travellers seeking what Adam himself found here — peace, connection, and the joy of living close to nature. Whether you come to watch the river shimmer at sunset, listen to temple bells drifting across the water, or explore the vibrant local culture, you’ll find a home that embraces you as one of its own.

Welcome to Katapadi Riverside — not just a place to stay, but a place to belong.