The Great South West Walk

Can you guess which one of the West Country’s top tourist attractions we’re thinking of? It generates over £300 million for the regional economy each year, but it isn’t a theme park, a building or a shopping centre, so what could it be?

Did you guess that we’re thinking of a path? If you did, well done! But this isn’t any ordinary path – the South West Coast Path is 630 miles of glorious coastline, with rich wildlife and breath-taking scenery.

Despite its huge positive financial impact on the local economy, funding for maintenance of the path in recent years has shrunk. Improvements and upgrades to the path are continually needed to make it more accessible, attractive to different users and a surface safe to walk on all year round.

Thankfully the South West Coast Path Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013 by organising the Great South West Walk, raising funds to give the path some much needed tender loving care. Through individual sponsorship, grants, corporate sponsorship and matched giving, the target is to raise £250,000. 

They hope to achieve this by organising a series of half- or full-day sponsored walks, done in relay over 56 legs, to cover the entire 630 mile path around Dorset, Devon and Cornwall (as well as the entire Exmoor coast through Somerset). Each leg or walk will be guided by local experts, rangers and path wardens.

Helpful Holidays is sponsoring several legs, including:

• Tuesday 9th April: Seatown to Lyme Regis
• Wednesday 17th April: Torcross to Prawle Point
• Tuesday 30th April: Padstow to Trevone
• Tuesday 30th April: Falmouth to Maenporth

You might like to take part in one of these legs, or any of the other stretches, or perhaps several to build a walking holiday?  If so, you must register by the beginning of March.

For more information, including details about each leg of the walk and improvement projects, please visit www.GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk. 

You can also keep up to date by following the event on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveSWCoastPath

What’s your favourite excuse to take a walk?

Often the best excuse to go for a walk is that there is something at the end of it, like a cosy country pub, or a spectacular view, or even just a welcoming bench!

We thought we’d look into some of the reasons people go for walks, and pick out some sights, stopping points and cottages along the way...

1. Stretch your legs

Sometimes you don’t want anything too strenuous, just something to gently remind your legs what they are there for! Try the circular route upriver from Lynmouth to Watersmeet and then to Rockford, then back along the river via Contisbury Common. Stroll back to The Dairy.

The Clock House

2. Climb to a high vantage point

Dunkery Beacon is Exmoor’s highest point (1,705 feet), and, if the weather is fair, boasts stunning views of the coast and mountains of South Wales. Come back down to earth at The Clock House.

3. Give the dog some exercise

A route from Seaton up river to Hessenford provides a welcome outing for man’s best friend. Stop for lunch in The Copley Arms, a beautiful 17th century coaching inn by the river Seaton in Hessenford (dogs on leads are welcome in the bar area) before heading back to base at 6 Lyme Mews.

Fiddlesticks Cottage

4. Take a physical challenge

The 18-mile Camel Trail runs between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow, and follows the route of the old railway line, winding alongside the spectacular Camel Estuary. The route comes to an end near the moorland village of Blisland. Tom, Dick and Harry are waiting in Blisland to welcome you.

5. Give your eyes a feast

You can gape at towering cliffs and stunning rock formations if you take a route from Lulworth Cove, past iconic Durdle Door and along the coastal path. Don’t forget your camera! Rest your eyelids at Fiddlesticks Cottage.

What’s your favourite excuse to take a walk?

Top photo credit: Namlhots

Autumn walks in the West Country...

There are many different routes for walkers across the West Country, and happily many of our cottages are ideally located to step out of the front door and straight on to a walking trail.

The Mariner's Way, Dartmoor

For instance the Mariners' Way on Dartmoor is a favourite among walkers, part of an ancient trackway which runs from Bideford in north Devon to Dartmouth in south Devon, taking in breathtaking views across the moor. According to legend, seafarers used to land on the south coast of Devon and trek all the way up to ports on the north coast.

As the Mariner’s Way enters Dartmoor it passes Throwleigh, where nearby you’ll find Sampsons, a beautiful, Grade II listed, detached house, one of two barn conversions in a secluded and peaceful courtyard setting. This is a much loved home from home, well-equipped and handy for exploring the open moor – and the Mariner’s Way – just half a mile away.

A path on the National Trust's Godolphin Estate

Land owned by the National Trust is home to many spectacular walking routes and dog friendly Mazeys Cottage, in the tiny village of Germoe on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, is perfectly placed for lovely walks from the door up Tregoning Hill (with views to north and south coasts) and to the National Trust’s 555-acre Godolphin Estate. From around this wonderfully tranquil and comfortable cottage set on a 15 acre small holding there are fantastic panoramic views to the sea at Mounts Bay and the whole of this end of the peninsula.

Coastal walks are especially attractive in the region around the Slapton Sands Nature Reserve in the South Hams. Here you can join the South West Coast Path, 630miles of superb coastal walking. Deep in leafy lanes, 1½ miles north of Slapton in a sheltered wooded valley, you’ll find Cherry Cottage, one of three around a courtyard. It’s an ideal base for route-plotting and recuperation on a top notch walking holiday – your four legged friend is welcome too.

Lerryn

When moorland and coastal walks have been ticked off your list, you’ll appreciate the picturesque beauty of Lerryn Creek, halfway up the river Fowey estuary in Cornwall. It’s relatively unknown and unspoilt, surrounded by miles of wild, dense woodland and forest downstream with farmland and meadow upstream above its medieval bridge. Just 30 yards from the bridge is Mote Cottage, a smartly whitewashed, early 19th century end-of-terrace stone cottage. Careful restoration has preserved much of the cottage’s original charm with thick, knobbly walls, exposed beams and low ceilings – a charming, comfy place in a pretty location with lots to see and do nearby.

Has that inspired you to lace up those trusty walking boots ready for a trip to the West Country this autumn?

For more walking route ideas near your favourite holiday cottage, simply click on the ‘Walks’ link beneath the Explore the Area map on its details page on our website.