I set off along the road that runs from Woolacombe towards Mortehoe, and take a last look along the wonderful Woolacombe sands. It is a dull day, but people are already on the beach, determined to make the most of this Easter Sunday.
I walk along the top of the cliffs. Continue reading
The tide is in, covering much of Saunton Sands and the beach is relatively crowded compared to yesterday. I take a few photographs and then head up the slope.
The South West Coast Path runs above the road. And the road runs above the hotel. All I have to do is climb up to it. Continue reading
I look back along the route I’ve just walked, back up the sandy banks of the River Taw, where a lone man is walking his dog. In the distance, around the bend of the river, is Barnstaple.
And then I look ahead to the curving beach and decide to take a short cut across the flat, wet sand. This turns out to be a mistake. Continue reading
What a difference the sunshine makes. I resume my walk at the roundabout outside the Chivenor Barracks. The Tarka Trail continues ahead.
The first mile is pretty monotonous along a track runs between hedges, through fields and, in the distance, more industrial buildings. Continue reading
After lunch, I head out along the north bank of the River Taw, leaving Barnstaple behind. This is still the Tarka Trail, and part of the official South West Coast Path route. It’s both a cycling route and a walking route.
I pass a block of new flats, and look back to take a photograph of the Long Bridge.
I cross over a small river – the River Yeo – via a modern swing bridge – and then walk along beside an industrial estate. This part of the cycle-way is busy Continue reading
The tide is high and Instow looks lovely surrounded by water, instead of mud, despite the dull weather. I have a long walk ahead, aiming to get beyond Barnstaple today.
Across the water I can see Appledore, where I walked yesterday. Continue reading
The walk from Appledore to Bideford continues along a minor road that winds through an industrial area. Through gateways, I see wastelands of wharves, containers, shacks, cabins, skips. Sometimes I even get a glimpse of the water beyond.
I keep checking my map. Surely I must have missed the South West Coast Path. Am I really supposed to walk on this boring road through this industrial area? Continue reading
Westward Ho! looks nicer in the sunshine. The tide is low and there is a mass of rocky shore, with sand beyond.
There was a queue of elderly people waiting at the bus station in Barnstaple. I nearly got on the number 21A, but that would only take me as far as Appledore. When plain number 21 arrived, nobody in the queue moved. Strange. The bus was nearly empty and I bagged a prime seat (top deck, front row) but felt uneasy when we pulled away leaving everyone else behind. Did they know something I didn’t? Continue reading
Standing above Peppercombe, we should have a wonderful view along the coast, but we had to imagine it. Mist. Damn mist!
Looking at the grey beach below, I ask my husband if it is possible to walk along the shore, avoiding the ups and downs of the cliffs. It seems a long time since I walked along a beach, back in Bude. Continue reading
It is early and the visitors’ centre above Clovelly is closed. I walk down and find the stepped entrance to my secret, sunken, Wrinkleberry Lane. Next to the lane, a large gate marks the continuation of the South West Coast Path.
Constructed in the early 19th Century as a scenic carriage drive, The Hobby Drive is a three-mile track. It starts on the east side of Clovelly and winds around the coast, before joining the A39 a short distance to the west of Buck’s Mill. Continue reading
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Response ID: 328,436,497 Report number: 1222 Location: Ceredigion Coast Path (part of the Wales Coast Path) between Gwbert & Mwnt Date: 04/02/26 2 walkers, no dog, meet about 40 Welsh Black bullocks Pips report: “On the return stretch of our walk we encountered extremely treacherous terrain and a herd of about 40 Welsh Black bullocks […]
Incident number:1220 Response ID: 328,248,081 Location: Back Forest Farm, River Dane, near Wincle & DaneBridge, Peak District ///wasps.promote.homelands Date 26/01/26 Single walker, no dog SY’s Report: “I was heading back to DaneBridge/Wincle from Gradbach/Black Forest. I’d walked by Back Forest Farm along the path between their fields and came to a gate/stile. As I crossed […]
Incident number: 1218 Response ID: 320,795,463 Date of incident: 29.12.2025 Location: Below Denston Hall, Denston Suffolk Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PROW L.Cooper’s story “I saw a group of cows ahead and waited to see if they would move. As I couldn’t get past without going near to them I backtracked and […]
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 