Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
Click for further information
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
144 Woolacombe to Lee Bay
I walk along cliffs where pirates and wreckers once lurked. Continue reading
143. Saunton to Woolacombe
I stumble across an Easter egg hunt, reach Baggy Point where I feel dizzy watching climbers on the rocks, and enjoy a long walk up Woolacombe Sands. Continue reading
142(b) Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands
I am buzzed by a yellow helicopter while walking across miles of empty sands, along the edge of the largest dune system in England. At the end of the trek, for a moment, I regret the path not taken. Continue reading
142(a) Chivenor to Braunton Marsh
Horsey island is a beautiful open space of water and marshes. But I have to watch my feet continually. The bank is eroded in places, with gaps and overhanging mini-cliffs. Continue reading
141(pm) Barnstaple to Chivenor
It should be easy walking – flat and a good surface. But I find it hard work. A collection of boats ahead cheers me up. Not exactly a luxury marina, but a sort of informal mooring of everyday boats, the sort I enjoy looking at.
141(am) Instow, Barnstaple, Chivenor
I pass rusting wrecks and abandoned jetties. A sign tells me it is a “Wildlife Refuge” – although I see no sign of any life, wild or otherwise. Inland there are wet areas and clumps of grass. And a marching army of poles.
Continue reading
140(pm) Appledore to Bideford and Instow
In a small square is a statue of Charles Kingsley, historian and novelist, famous for The Water Babies and Westward Ho!. He spent some of his childhood years in Clovelly and some in the village of Barnack, close to my home town of Stamford. Continue reading
140(am) Westwood Ho! to Appledore
The sea gives way to mud flats and a sign. WARNING. The tidal waters and mudflats on this estuary can be dangerous if not treated with respect.
Continue reading
139b Peppercombe to Westwood Ho!
“The next section of shoreline is up-and-down,” my husband warns me. He has already walked this part of the coast, in order to meet me.
“How many ups-and-downs?” I ask. Continue reading
139a Clovelly to Buck’s Mills
On Hobby Drive, through the trees I get a sudden view of Clovelly. I am surprised to discover how little progress I have made in 30 minutes of easy walking. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 