Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
Cattle charged at walkers – this could have been prevented by a simple fence
Incident number: 1229Response ID 329,262,000 Date: 16/4/26 Location: Preston Bagot, Warwickshire. Grid reference 176644 2 people, no dog Report: “Walking around the edge of a field the cows charged. I had to climb over a barbed wire fence while my husband ran around the corner of the field.It would be great to see special fencing […]
Charged at by a cow in Derbyshire (Pattern of previously aggressive livestock behaviour in this area)
Incident number: 1228Response ID 329,163,280 Date: 8/4/26 Location ///farm.prepare.character, Between Unstone Green and Dronfield,Derbyshire 2 People, with 2 dogs on lead Incident Summary: “On 8th April 2026, while traversing the established public footpath southwest from Highgate Lane, our party (two adults and two canine companions on leads) encountered an aggressive bovine. The animal emerged from […]
Ensuring Safety on a Walking Holiday: Cattle Management
We all have a right to walk safely along footpaths, and we can’t predict which cattle will be aggressive.
Category Archives: 09 Devon
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
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
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 