Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
Andy meets an aggressive group of bullocks
Report 1225 Response ID 328,980,041 Location Footpath between Clwyd gate and farm Plas-y-Nant, nearest large town, Ruthin. Approx grid ref SJ155584, in field just out of woods, exit gate was further obstructed by electric fence. Single walker, no dog, encounters an aggressive group of bullocks Andy’s Report: “Leaving gate from the wood and progressing towards […]
Charged at by cattle
Report 1224 Response ID 328,834,077 Location: Doynton High Street – field off footpath up the steps on the right when leaving the village along the High Street Date 07/03/26 Katie’s report: “I entered the field with my dog on a short lead, I did not see any cows. As I walked into the field and […]
Lack of public safety on SW Coastal Path
Report 1223 Response ID 328,818,368 Date of incident 5/3/26 Location South West coastal Path – south of Hartland Quay towards Speke’s Mill. What 3 words “qualified.shave.digested” North Devon coast. Zoe’s Report: “Arriving at the gate on my return journey I was surprised to see cows there. I entered slowly and both dogs were by my […]
Author Archives: Ruth Livingstone
149c Minehead, and the end of the South West Coast Path.
I experience a profound moment of transition, discover an amazing piece of sculpture, and realise I have walked further than I thought. Continue reading
149b Hurlstone Point to Minehead
My head spins with vertigo. I feel like I sometimes do when I’m skiing and find myself balancing on the side of a black slope, wondering what on earth I’m doing up here. Continue reading
149 Porlock Weir to Hurlstone Point
I walk across shingle, plod through a marsh, do some wading, and climb up to Hurlstone Point. 2 hours to travel 2 miles? Continue reading
148b Lynmouth to Porlock Weir
I walk like a pirate through wild, rain-soaked woods on the edge of Exmoor, where I discover an ancient church, walk under bridges built by Byron’s daughter, and give my water bottle away to a passing stranger. Continue reading
148a Lynmouth to Porlock Weir
A wet slog up Countisbury Hill and then an amazing and deserted walk through ancient forests and past secret springs.
If only I could get rid of the flies and find somewhere to sit down. Continue reading
147 Holdstone Hill, Lee Bay to Lynmouth
On Holdstone Hill I hold a stone and ponder, before discovering Heddon Mouth, finding a secret waterfall and walking through the Valley of Rocks. Continue reading
146c Combe Martin to Holdstone Down
I climb up to Greater Hangman – the highest point on the South West Coast Path and the highest coastal cliff in mainland Britain. But experience a strange sense of anti-climax. And then I endure the Valley of the Flies… Continue reading
146b Ifracombe to Combe Martin
I feel dizzy and faint in the heat, but I still manage to enjoy the walk, during which I discover a shipwreck cove, find rampant Knotweed, climb up Widmouth Head, and admire a wonderful view over Water Mouth. Continue reading
146a Ilfracombe
I walk through Ilfracombe and admire the tragic statue of a pretty girl. At the end of the pier I come across a massive, nude woman – who is peeling badly. And then I follow the footprints out of town. Continue reading
145 Lee Bay to Ilfracombe
On a beautiful sunny day, I detour to avoid killer cows, muse on the disadvantages of munching sheep, and take the hard route down into Ilfracombe. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 