Wikipedia

South West Coast Path

TheSouth West Coast Pathis England's longest waymarkedlong-distance footpathand aNational Trail.It stretches for 630 miles (1,014 km), running fromMineheadin Somerset, along the coasts ofDevonandCornwall,toPoole Harbourin Dorset. Because it rises and falls with every river mouth, it is also one of the more challenging trails. The total height climbed has been calculated to be 114,931 ft (35,031 m), almost four times the height ofMount Everest.[1]It has been voted 'Britain's Best Walking route'[2]twice in a row by readers ofThe Ramblers'Walkmagazine, and regularly features in lists of the world's best walks.[3]

South West Coast Path
The starting point atMinehead
Length1,014 km (630 mi)
LocationEngland:Somerset,Devon,Cornwall&Dorset
DesignationUK National Trail
TrailheadsMinehead:51°12′40″N3°28′26″W/ 51.211°N 3.474°W/51.211; -3.474(South West Coast Path monument in Minehead)
Poole:50°40′48″N1°57′00″W/ 50.680°N 1.950°W/50.680; -1.950(South West Coast Path marker at South Haven Point)
UseHiking
Elevation changetotal climbed is 114,931 feet (35,031 m)
Highest pointGreat Hangman nearCombe Martin,318 m (1,043 ft)
Lowest pointsea level
Seasonall year
SightsCoastal scenery, much of itHeritage Coast
World Heritage Sites:Jurassic CoastandCornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
HazardsCliff paths, river crossings (ferries with limited availability), closure ofLulworth Ranges

The final section of the path was designated as a National Trail in 1978.[4]Many of the landscapes which the South West Coast Path crosses have special status, either as anational parkor one of theheritage coasts.The path passes through twoWorld Heritage Sites:the Dorset and East Devon Coast, known as theJurassic Coast,was designated in 2001,[5]and theCornwall and West Devon Mining Landscapein 2007.[6]

In the 1990s it was thought that the path brought £150 million into the area each year,[7]but new research in 2003 indicated that it generated around £300 million a year in total, which could support more than 7,500 jobs.[4]This research also recorded that 27.6% of visitors to the region came because of the Path, and they spent £136 million in a year. Local people took 23 million walks on the Path and spent a further £116 million, and other visitors contributed the remainder. A further study in 2005 estimated this figure to have risen to around £300 million.[8]Following investment through the Rural Development Programme for England, more detailed research was undertaken in 2012, and this found the annual spend by walkers to have risen to £439 million which sustains 9771 full-time equivalent jobs.[9]

History of the path

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The path originated as a route for theCoastguardto walk along patrolling forsmugglers.They needed to be able to look down into every bay and cove: as a result, the path closely hugs the coast providing excellent views but rarely the most direct path between two points.[10]The South West Coast Path is no longer used by the Coastguard but it has been transformed from a practical defence system into a resource for recreational walkers. The path is covered by England'sright-of-way laws,as amended by theCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000,which keep historic footpaths open to the public even when they pass through private property. Sections of the path are maintained by theNational Trust,which owns parts of the coast.

The path is a designated National Trail, largely funded byNatural England.It was created in stages, with its final section, Somerset and North Devon, opening in 1978.[4]It is maintained by a dedicated South West Coast Path Team.

TheSouth West Coast Path Association,a registered charity, exists to support the interests of users of the path. The Association was formed in 1973 and since then it has campaigned for improvements to the path and undertakes considerable fundraising to help care for and improve the path. Its services include accommodation guides and completion certificates.

Route description

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Map of the South West Coast Path
South West Coast Path, stone sign nearStudland

The route is described here anticlockwise, from Minehead to Poole. The distance and total ascent between any two points, in either direction, can be obtained from[1].A survey carried out in 1999 and 2000 found that at that time the path had 2,473 signposts or waymarks, and included 302 bridges, 921stiles,and 26,719 steps.[11]In practice, any such calculation is soon out of date because of path diversions due to landslips or access changes.

Walked as a single hike, the path may take between 30 and 60 days to complete but most walkers tend to break it up into shorter segments completed over several years.[12]A team of sixRoyal Marines,taking turns in pairs to run two-hour sections, completed the path in six days in 2004.[13]In 2012 Mal Law ran the entire path in 16 days, 9 hours and 57 minutes.[14]New records for completing the path were set on 11 May 2013, when Mark Townsend and Julie Gardener completed the trail in 14 days, 14 hours and 44 minutes[15]and 23 April 2015, when Patrick Devine-Wright completed the trail in 14 days, 8 hours and 2 minutes. This record was however quickly broken by Mark Berry, who ran it in 11 days, 8 hours and 15 minutes.[16][17]On 24 May 2016,Damian Hallset a new fastest known time of 10 days, 15 hours and 18 minutes.[18][19]The current record is 10 days, 12 hours and 6 minutes, set by Kristian Morgan in September 2020.[20]

Somerset

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Sculpture at the start of the path inMinehead

The South West Coast Path starts from the western side ofMinehead,inSomerset,at a marker erected in 2001 and partly paid for by the South West Coast Path Association.[21]The path follows the waterfront past the harbour to Culver Cliff before climbing up on a zigzag path through woodland.[22]Entering theExmoor National Park,it cuts inland past North Hill,Selworthy Beaconand Bossington Hill before regaining the cliff top atHurlestone Point.After passing throughBossingtonit follows the beach toPorlock Weirand connects with theColeridge Way.

The scenery of rocky headlands, ravines, waterfalls and towering cliffs gained the Exmoor coast recognition as aHeritage Coastin 1991.[23]TheExmoor Coastal Heathshave been recognised as aSite of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI) due to the diversity of species present.[24]The path passes the smallest parish church in England,Culbone Church,inCulbone.[25]The path crosses the county boundary intoDevon,a few hundred yards north of the National Park Centre at County Gate.

North Devon

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The next big headland isForeland Point,after which the path comes toLynmouthwith theLynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railwaylinking it withLyntonon the hill above. At Lynmouth the path intersects with theTwo Moors Way.The river here suffered acatastrophic flood in the 1950s.Beyond Lynton the path passes through theValley of Rocks,known for its herd ofgoats,[26]then Duty Point andLee Bay,then Crock Point andWoody Bay.After Highveer Rocks the path crosses the smallRiver Heddonthen skirtsTrentishoe DownandHoldstone Downand climbsGreat Hangman. At 1,043 feet (318 m) this is the highest point on the path.[27]With a cliff face of 800 feet (244 m), it is described as the highest cliff on mainland Britain.[28]The path now leaves the Exmoor National Park and enters the village ofCombe Martin,which claims to have the longest village street in England (two miles (3.2 km)).[29]

The South West Coast Path passes along the cliffs (seen in the distance) atIlfracombe,North Devon.The highest point in this view is Hillsborough (447 feet, 136 metres). Part of Ilfracombe is seen on the right.

After roundingWidmouth Head,the path passes 'The Coastguard Cottages' inHele Bayand enters theseaside resortofIlfracombe,with its smallharbour,surrounded by cliffs. A seasonal foot passenger ferry service runs from the harbour toLundy Island,andtheBalmoral,theWaverleyand pleasure boats ply toPorthcawlnearSwansea.From Ilfracombe toBidefordtheTarka Trailcoincides with the South West Coast Path.

Saunton Sands

The path leaves Ilfracombe throughThe Torrsand follows the cliff top past several small bays including Lee Bay before passing Bull Point and theBull Point Lighthouse,intoRackham Bay.It then roundsMorte Point,passing the nearby village ofMortehoebefore turning south to enter the long sandyMorte Baywhich includesWoolacombeandPutsborough.Baggy Pointdivides Morte Bay fromCroyde Bay,and the surfing mecca ofCroydeand then the much largerBarnstaple or Bideford Bay,which forms part of theNorth Devon CoastArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty.The wide expanse ofSaunton Sands,which takes its name fromSaunton,merges into theBraunton BurrowsSite of Special Scientific Interest, the largestsand dunesystem (psammosere) in England[30]and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.[31]It is particularly important ecologically because it includes the completesuccessionalrange of dune plant communities, with over 400vascular plantspecies. The short turf communities are very rich inlichensand herbs, and the dune slacks are also rich. The many rare plants and animals include 14 with UKBiodiversity Action Plans.[32]

From Braunton Burrows the South West Coast Path turns inland following theBraunton CanaltoBrauntonand then along north bank of theRiver Taw,following part of the route of the oldIlfracombe Branch Line,past the perimeter of theRoyal Marines Base ChivenortowardsBarnstaplewhere the newBarnstaple Western Bypassnow forms the closest bridge over the Taw to the sea. After crossing medieval Barnstaple Long Bridge, the path then turns west following the disusedBideford & Instow Railwayline along southern bank of the Taw pastFremingtonQuay and theFremington Quay CliffsSSSI toInstowat the joint estuary of the Rivers Taw andTorridgeand theTaw-Torridge Estuary(SSSI). The ferry which used to operate at Instow ceased on the retirement of the ferryman in 2007,[33]but since 2013 a revived ferry again runs in summer. The path goes upstream to cross the river by the 13th-centuryLong Bridgeat Bideford, which is the site of theBideford Railway Heritage Centreand terminus of theNorth Devon Railway.

The path continues north beside the Torridge Estuary, in places following the route of theBideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway,pastNorthamtoAppledoreand around the promontory past theShell middensand a submerged forest, that dates from theMesolithicperiod,[34]off the pebble ridge toWestward Ho!(this is the only placename in the UK which includes an exclamation mark).[35]The path then follows the coast around Clovelly Bay where several small villages includingAbbotshamlie inland, because of the cliffs. The path passes the site of theIron AgeHill fortatPeppercombe Castleand the village ofBucks Mills.Clovellyitself is a historic village with a small natural harbour. The path continues past the site of the Iron Age Hill fort atWindbury HeadtoHartland PointandHartland Quay.Hartland Point features alighthouseand radar tower, and marks the western limit (on the English side) of theBristol Channelwith the Atlantic Ocean to the west. There is a winter helicopter service from Hartland Point to Lundy, which is visible from many points along the path betweenWelcombeand the Cornish border.

North Cornwall

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The Haven, the Atlantic Ocean and the beach atBude

The path crosses intoCornwallatMarsland Mouthand continues south-westwards along this rocky coast, pastMorwenstowthen Higher and Lower Sharpnose Points. BeyondSandy Mouth,the walking becomes easier throughBude,a surfing resort, and alongWidemouth Bay.Returning to the cliffs, the path continues past the spectacular folds atMillook,then toCrackington Haven,past Cambeak and further south (over "High Cliff", Southern Britain's highest sheer-drop cliff at 735 feet (224 m)), and from there toBoscastle,the scene offloodingin 2004.

Tintageland itscastleare associated with the conception of the legendaryKing Arthur[36]and a 15th-century house that was later used as a post office.[37]The path continues toTrebarwith Strand,Tregardock,then toPort Gaverne,Port Isaac,andPort Quin,three small harbours. Overlooking Port Quin is Doyden Castle, a 19th-century folly.

The Rumps

The scenery is now less wild, the cliffs less high.The Rumps,adoleriteintrusion,has Iron Age defences across its narrow neck[38]but the path heads straight past toPentire Pointthen swings south-eastwards again intoPolzeath.The estuary of theRiver Camelforces a detour away from the sea toRockand theBlack Tor Ferrythat takes walkers intoPadstow.

FromStepper Pointthe path again runs along low sea cliffs toTrevoneandHarlynBay then aroundTrevose Head.From here—weather permitting—the coast can be seen as far as Hartland in Devon to beyond St Ives in the west. The path runs southwards throughConstantine BaytoPorthcothanthen passes around Park Head to reachMawgan Porth.

An easterly view overNewquayHarbour with some of the surfing beaches in the background

The long, sandyWatergate Bayleads to St ColumbPorthandNewquay.Arail linkwith through trains to London and the North of England on summer weekends has helped the town prosper as a seaside resort which is visited by both surfers and clubbers.[39]On the far side of the town, beyondFistral Beach,lies theRiver Gannel.There is a seasonal ferry toCrantock,plus three tidal footbridges along the river which are passable at various states of the tide, otherwise at the highest tide it may be necessary to detour inland to use the road bridge.

The path now skirts Pentire Point West and thenKelsey Headto reachHolywell Bay,another surfing beach. After passing round Penhale and crossingPenhale Sandsthe path entersPerranporth,then climbs out the other side back onto a stretch of cliffs past Cligga Head to the village ofSt Agnes.Past St Agnes Head, a breeding ground for seabirds,[40]lie the ruins of Tywarnhayle Mine and a descent past the picturesque remains ofWheal Coatestin mine (National Trust) down to a small beach at Chapel Porth. Above this cove on the south side are the less extensive ruins ofGreat Wheal Charlottemine, consisting of one wall of a pump engine house within an extensive debris field. The path then descends to a popular sandy cove with pub and car park nearPorthtowanvillage.

After passingNancekuke firing ranges,the path drops intoPortreath,once a busy port serving inland tin mines aroundRedruth.Beyond lies Carvannel Downs with Samphire Island just off the coast, and then the Reskajeage Downs better known locally as North Cliffs.[41]Beyond the cove atHell's Mouth,the path runs northwards to pass around Navax Point and Godrevy Point, offshore from which liesGodrevy Islandwith its lighthouse.

West Cornwall

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The SWCP nearLelantlooking towardsHayleTowans andGodrevyisland

Turning into the wide sweep ofSt Ives Bay,where many walkers drop down onto the sands at low tide, the path follows the line of the sand dunes orTowansas they are known here. This area was used for explosives manufacture for many years,[42][43]the sand being ideal for absorbing any accidental explosions. The Towans are interrupted by two rivers, the smallRed Riverat the north end, and the largerRiver Hayleand itsestuarytowards the south. Although narrow, the estuary is tidal and fast flowing due to the large expanse of mud flats and docks that lie behind the Towans, so the path turns away from St Ives Bay to go round viaHayle.Hayle estuary is aRSPBreserve.[44]The water is crossed using a road bridge beside the historic broad-gauge railway swing-bridge and then the path follows the route of the formerHayle Railwayinto Foundry Square, the town centre, and then theA30 roadto Griggs Quay where quieter roads bring the Path around to the west side of the tidal mud flats. Views of the birdlife can be had from Carnsew Pool at Hayle and from the area aroundLelant Saltings railway station,although the official path is slightly inland on theA3074 roadthroughLelantvillage, regaining the coast by crossing golf links to reach the last of the Towans above Porth Kidney Sands.

Rising back onto low cliffs, the path roundsCarrack Gladdenand entersCarbis Bay,it then follows alongside theSt Ives Bay railway lineintoSt Ives;a bustling townfavoured by artistssince the 19th century, which is home to theTate St Ivesart gallery and theBarbara Hepworth Museum.The path passes the east-facing Porthminster Beach and goes around "The Island", a headland, to the north-facing Porthmeor Beach.

From Mussel Point over Wicca Pool and Porthzennor Cove to Zennor Head and Gurnard's Head beyond

The coast now shows the open and ancient landscape of thePenwithdistrict along a series of wild headlands such as Clodgy Point, Hor Point, Pen Enys Point, and Carn Naun Point.The Carrackslie just offshore, locally known as Seal Island (and seals can often be seen close to the shore opposite here), then there liesZennor HeadandGurnard's Headas the Path leads intoMorvah,although the village proper lies inland. Portheras Cove is a relief from the many small rocky bays along this coast but the cliffs then continue beyond the iconic, disusedCrowns MineatBotallack.[45]

NearLand's End,the most westerly point in mainland England

FromCape CornwallatSt Just,the Path heads southwards to sandyWhitesand Bayand the village ofSennen.At the end of the sands the path turns westwards one last time to reachLand's End.This is themost westerly pointof the English mainland.

After passing Land's End the path continues further south past Pordenack Point andNanjizal,also known as Mill Bay, before turning fully eastward at Gwennap Head. Beyond the tiny village ofPorthgwarraliesSt Levan.The next bay lies belowPorthcurno.It is overlooked by the open-airMinack Theatreand is where the Eastern Cable Company's cable came ashore, the firsttelegraphlink with India.[46][47]Climbing out of the bay the path passes the precariousLogan Rock.

The next village isPenberth,then a series of bays are separated by the headlands of Merthen Point, Boscawen Point, and Tater Du with itslighthousebuilt in 1965.[48]LamornaCove is a favourite with artists such asS. J. "Lamorna" Birch,who lived there in a small cottage. Then, after rounding Carn Du, the path turns northwards towardsMouseholeandPenlee Point.This section of the path follows a road intoNewlyn,but a diversion viaPaulallows walkers to follow a quieter inland path. Newlyn has a busy fishing harbour and is again favoured by artists, known as theNewlyn School;[49]it merges intoPenzanceand the path now follows the promenade through the town, passingPenzance railway stationand continuing past therailway engine shedalong the shore of Mount's Bay with its views ofSt Michael's Mount.This is an island at high tide but can be reached fromMarazionby a causeway at low tide.

Wheal Prosper

The path now turns south again, passing the village ofPerranuthnoe(or Perran) and Perran Sands, then skirting inland across the neck of Cudden Point toPrussia Coveand Bessy's Cove. A larger sandy beach isPraa Sandsafter which the path climbs up onto a series of cliff tops such as Trewavas Head. This area shows many signs of Cornwall's mining history with abandoned engine houses such asWheal ProsperandWheal Trewavasclose to the path.

After passing throughPorthleventhe path crosses the shingle bank ofLoe Barwith the freshwaterLoe Poolbehind. AtGunwalloemore cliffs appear, leading toPoldhuCove overlooked by the radio station on Poldhu Point, thenPorth MellinonMullion CovewithMullion Islandoffshore. RoundingPredannack Head,Vellan Head, and Rill Head (where theSpanish Armadawas first sighted on 29 July 1588),[50]the path leads toKynance CoveandLizard Point,the lighthouse of which has been visible for some distance. Lizard Point is themost southerly pointof the British mainland.

South Cornwall

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FalmouthHarbour,National Maritime Museum CornwallandPendennis Castle

After passing The Lizard the path turns northwards, continuing past Housel Bay and a building used byGuglielmo Marconifor radio experiments,[51]then Bass Point with its Coastguard Station.The Lizard lifeboat stationis a sheltered position in Kilcobben Cove. Passing throughCadgwithand acrossKennack Sands,the path heads towards Black Head then intoCoverack.Once around Lowland Point,The Manacleslie a mile offshore, a reef that has wrecked many ships.[52]The path passes throughPorthoustockandPorthallow(the mid-point of the path),[53]then around Nare Point lies Gillan Creek. This can be crossed at very low tide, but most walkers follow the lanes round the head of the creek to reach Dennis Head at the mouth of theHelford River.To cross this wider river means following it inland toHelfordwhere there is a ferry across toHelford Passageon the north bank. Some people take a short cut from Gillan Creek to Helford by a path throughManaccan.

After following the river back throughDurganto the open waters beyond Toll Point, the path skirts Falmouth Bay alongMaenporth,SwanpoolandGyllyngvasebeaches before passing around the headland beneathPendennis Castleto enter bustlingFalmouth.The castle was built, along with its twin atSt Mawes,to protect the deep water ofCarrick Roadsfrom attack. This natural haven is what made Falmouth such an important harbour, it being the last good shelter for ships heading westwards towards the Atlantic Ocean.[54]

The path crosses the harbour on the St Mawes Ferry and the Place Ferry (seeFal River Links) and then passesSt Anthony HeadandZone Pointand northwards past the village ofPortscathoand aroundGerrans Bay.BeyondNare HeadisPortloeinVeryan Bay.The next big headland isDodman Pointafter which the coast path resumes its northwards course throughGorran Havenand the fishing harbour atMevagisseytoPentewanwhere the once busy dock has silted up with sand.[55]The path then climbs up aroundBlack Headto reachPorthpeanand thenCharlestown.This was the first harbour to serve thechina clayindustry aroundSt Austelland has featured in several films as it is home to a heritage fleet of sailing ships.[56]

After passingCarlyon Baythe path comes to the much busier china-clay exporting port ofPar,where it goes inland of the dock site. After passing through the village the path regains the coast at Par Sands and links with theSaints' Way,a coast-to-coast path across Cornwall, atPolmear.It then follows the cliff tops throughPolkerrisand aroundGribbin Head.From here toPolperrois designated as a heritage coast.[57]

Withnoe (Main) Beach portion ofWhitsand Bay

The path now passesPolridmouth(pronounced 'Pridmouth') andReadymoney Coveto enterFowey('Foy'), another busy harbour but this time the deep water quays are situated up river above the town. TheRiver Foweyis crossed on thePolruanferry, beyond which are some steep cliffs with extensive views. BeyondLantic Baylies Pencarrow Head then the largerLantivet Baywith further cliffs and small coves leading to Polperro, a fishing village which bans cars during the summer.

Beyond Polperro liesTalland Bayand Portnadler Bay, with the bird reserve ofLooe Island(also known as St George's island) off shore. The path now entersLooe,passing through Hannafore, West Looe then, after crossing theRiver Looeon a seven-span bridge. The path continues up onto the cliff then heads towardsMillendreaththen along more cliffs, running past a 60-ft sevenfold labyrinth carved into the turf of the hillside[58]toSeaton,Downderry,andPortwrinkle.

The long beach ofWhitsand Bayhas a fast-rising tide and is a military firing range so the path runs inland behindTregantle Fortto reachFreathyandRame Head.Beyond this liesPenlee Pointand then the path turns northwards into Plymouth Sound, skirtingCawsandBay andMount Edgcumbe Country Parkto reach the ferry atCremyll.Beyond here lies theHamoaze,the combined estuary of theTamarand other rivers.

South Devon

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Plymouth HoefromMount Batten

TheCremyll Ferrylands in Devon atStonehouse,one of theThree Townsthat make up the modern city ofPlymouth.The path follows roads past Stonehouse Barracks andMillbayDocks toPlymouth Hoewith its views acrossPlymouth Sound.It then crossesSutton Harbourby theMayflower Stepsthen skirts the hill ofCattedownto cross theRiver Plymby the Laira Bridge toPlymstock.Passing round the edge of the tidal Hooe Lake, the path regains the countryside aboveJennycliff Bay,part of thePlymouth Sound, Shores and CliffsSite of Special Scientific Interest, and follows the cliffs pastBovisandtoWembury,Wembury Marine Centre.

From Wembury the path travels east into theSouth Hamsdistrict to theWarren Point Ferry,across theRiver Yealm,nearNewton Ferrers.TheRiver ErmenearKingstonmust be forded atErme Mouthwithin one hour of low tide.[33]The path then goes pastHillsea Point Rock.The view to the southwest is then overBigbury BaypastBurgh IslandandHope Coveto the promontory known asBolt Tail.The next 6 miles (10 km) of cliff top paths fromBolberry DownpastBolt Headand the tidalriaofKingsbridge EstuarytoPrawle Point,belong to the National Trust. The estuary is crossed using theSalcombe Ferry,fromSalcombetoEast Portlemouth,close toSalcombe Castleand within theSouth Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(AONB). The path passes through thePrawle Point and Start Point Site of Special Scientific Interestwhich is recognised as being an important site for solitarybeesandwasps,the rarecuckoo beeNomada sexfasciata,and theCirl bunting.[59]

Direction sign atBigbury-on-SeawithBurgh Islandin the background

The path then continues around Lannacombe Bay toStart Pointand itsLighthouseand then through Start Bay along a 3-mile (5 km) shingle causeway betweenSlapton Sandsand theSlapton Leyfreshwater lake and nature reserve before entering the estuary of theRiver Dartand historic port ofDartmouth.From Dartmouth, the route uses either theLower FerryorPassenger Ferryto cross the river toKingswear.

Kingswear is the terminus of theDartmouth Steam Railwaywhich follows the River Dart, but the coast path climbs out of the village in the opposite direction to reachTorbay,known as "The English Riviera".[60]It passes the historic harbour ofBrixhamand the seaside towns ofGoodrington,Paignton,TorquayandBabbacombe.The coast path then passes along the wooded cliffs above Labrador Bay to reachShaldonand theRiver Teign.

On theJurassic CoastbetweenExmouthandBudleigh Salterton

Crossing the river by ferry or the long Shaldon Bridge brings walkers toTeignmouth,beyond which the coast path follows theSouth Devon Railway sea wallto Hole Head where theParson and Clerk rockslook out to sea. Passing beneath the railway, the path climbs up to the main road, which it follows for a few yards before turning back towards the cliff top (in stormy weather the sea wall is too dangerous and this road must be followed most of the way from Teignmouth). EnteringDawlishalong a now by-passed toll road, the coast path descends back to the level of the railway which it follows toDawlish Warren,although a slightly more landward route is necessary at high tide.

Dawlish Warren is asand spitand nature reserve that lies at the mouth of theRiver Exe.The route now turns away from the coast and follows the Exe estuary pastCockwoodtoStarcrosswhere the seasonalExmouth to Starcross Ferrycrosses toExmouth.TheExe Valley Waycontinues beyond Starcross towards Exeter, but when the ferry is not running it is possible to catch a train from eitherDawlish WarrenorStarcross railway stationstoExmouth railway station.

South West Coast Path in Torquay

On the eastern side of Exmouth, the coast path climbs up onto the High Land of Orcombe. This is the start of theJurassic Coast,aWorld Heritage Site.[61]The next town isBudleigh Salterton,beyond which lies theRiver Otter.The path then skirtsChiselbury BayandLadram BaytowardsSidmouthwhich sits at the mouth of theRiver Sid.Access to the beach is via a wooden staircase known as Jacob's ladder. Sidmouth is surrounded by theEast Devon AONB.Erosion remains a serious concern east of the mouth of the River Sid.[62]The cliffs have been heavily eroded, threatening cliff top homes and the footpath, which passes along the tops of the cliff, aroundLyme Bay,avoidingHooken UnderclifftowardsBranscombe.The path then follows Seaton Bay pastBeer,withBeer Quarry Cavesa man-made cave complex, resulting from the quarrying ofBeer stoneandSeatonbefore going through theAxmouth to Lyme Regis UndercliffSSSIandNNR[63]and crossing the border into Dorset shortly before reachingLyme Regis.

Dorset

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Chesil BeachandFortuneswell,looking north from theIsle of Portland

Across theDorsetborder, the Coast Path runs through the town ofLyme Regiswhere the Cobb breakwater was seen in the filmThe French Lieutenant's Womanand features on the film's poster.[64]Further east, where it shares its route with theMonarch's Way,the path passes throughCharmouth,upGolden Cap(the highest point on the south coast),[65]and on throughWest Bay(nearBridport), toBurton Bradstockat the start ofChesil Beach,an 18-mile-long (29 km)tombolo.AtAbbotsbury,the path leaves Chesil beach to follow the shores of the Fleet lagoon, until it reaches the terminus of Chesil beach next to the villages ofFortuneswellandChiswellon theIsle of Portland.The path circumnavigates the Isle of Portland, passing the lighthouses atPortland Billand theWeymouth and Portland National Sailing Academyin Chiswell, and returns across Chesil beach toWyke Regis(encompassing theRodwell Trail) and along the shores ofPortland Harbourto theNothe Fortin the resort ofWeymouth.

Sculpture at South Haven Point,Studland,at the anticlockwise end of the path

In Weymouth the coast path runs alongWeymouth Harbourand theWey Estuaryup toRadipole Lake,through the town centre tothe Esplanadeon the shore ofWeymouth Bay,and on toRingstead Bay,withWhite Notheat its eastern end, near the village ofOsmington Mills.There is an alternative route aroundWeymouth and Portlandalong theSouth Dorset Downs,which reduces the footpath distance by 19.25 miles (31 km). Just the loop around the Isle of Portland can be omitted, reducing the journey by 13.2 miles (21.2 km).[66]

The coast path then heads towards theIsle of Purbeck,viaBat's Head,Swyre Head,Durdle Door—anatural archwhich has been described as "one of Dorset's most recognisable features"[67]—andLulworth Cove,"the most visited geological locality in Britain".[68]Further east is the deserted village ofTyneham,besideWorbarrow Bay,andKimmeridge,next to Kimmeridge Bay, with its rocky shore andwave cut platform.Between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge the path passes through theLulworth Ranges,which are not always open to the public.[69][70]When the ranges are in use a 12-mile (19 km) road detour is needed.

The coast path then reachesSt Alban's Head,just to the south of the village ofWorth Matravers.Between St Alban's Head and the resort ofSwanageisDurlston Country Parknature reserve; from Worth Matravers to Swanage the coast path follows the route of thePriest's Way.[71]North of Swanage is thechalkBallard Down,the eastern tip of which has beenerodedto formOld Harry Rocks– a series ofstacks,arches and caves jutting into the sea between Swanage Bay andStudland Bay.This headland marks the end of theJurassic CoastWorld Heritage Site.BehindStudlandbeach, an extensive system of sandduneshave formed apsammosere,stretching for miles across the Studland peninsula. The peninsula forms one shore ofPoole Harbour,one of the largestnatural harboursin the world. Part of Studland beach is the National Trust's only officialnaturistbeach.[72][73]The South West Coast Path ends at South Haven Point, where there is a commemorative marker. TheSandbanks Ferrylinks this to theSandbanksarea ofPooleon the eastern edge of the harbour.

Intersecting and connecting paths

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From Plymouth to Poole the South West Coast Path forms part of the route of theE9 European Coastal Pathwhich runs for 3,125 miles (5,000 km) fromCabo de São Vicentein Portugal toNarva-Jõesuuin Estonia. The route crosses by ferry fromRoscoffto Plymouth, and beyond Poole the path follows theBournemouth Coast PathtoMilford on Sea,then theSolent Way(with anIsle of Wightoption),South Downs Way,1066 Country WalkandSaxon Shore WaytoDover,from where it returns to continental Europe.[74]It is also part of the network of routes that form theInternational Appalachian Trail.

The South West Coast Path, covering such a wide area, inevitably intersects with other, more local, routes, and it connects with many otherlong-distance pathsoffering opportunities for even longer expeditions:

Public transport

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The coast path shares theSouth Devon Railway sea wallbetweenTeignmouthandDawlish Warrenwith long distance andRiviera Linetrains

There are regular train services from other parts of the UK to the south west, principal destination stations beingBarnstaple,Exeter,Newquay,Penzance,PlymouthandWeymouth.From these places local trains or buses connect to many points of the path. Airports atBournemouth,ExeterandNewquayare served from a range of national and international destinations.

Using public transport for at least part of the journey means that walkers can plan walks that start and finish at different places, rather than having to circle back to their start point to collect their cars.

More than twenty railway stationsgive options either for short walks – such asDawlishtoPaignton– or for longer walks over several days. TheWest Somerset Railwayoffers steam and diesel services fromTauntontoMineheadat the Somerset end of the path (using a connecting bus fromTaunton railway stationtoBishops Lydeard), theSwanage RailwayconnectsSwanagetoWareham,and theDartmouth Steam RailwayconnectsKingswearandPaignton.

Long-distance bus services connect some coastal towns with railway stations:

A boat service runs down theRiver FalfromTrurotoFalmouth(seeFal River Links), and betweenSwanageseafront andPooleQuay.

Charity fundraising

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Many individuals or organisations use a walk on all or part of the path toraise moneyfor charity.[77][78][79]

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Guidebooks and path descriptions

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Travel writing

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