Ruth Livingstone
My book: Walking the English Coast
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Winfield’s Award
Killer Cows: Cattle Safety
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.
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 […]
Tag Archives: england
25. Tillingham Marshes to Burnham on Crouch
The Dengie peninsula is flat, marshy and has a coastal walk 17 miles in length. I suffer my first serious bout of boredom …. then I see a mirage, a strangely decorated gate and discover an enormous mushroom. Continue reading
23. Maylandsea to Bradwell
The wind is wild and the sea stormy. I meet a venemous, slithery thing. And I grow angry at people who obstruct my right to walk along the sea wall. Continue reading
22. Maldon to Maylandsea
Here is Byrhtnoth, the Earldorman of Essex, bold and fierce, looking out to sea. I see Bradwell Power Station ahead of me and realise am making little progress. I worry about snakes and twisted ankles …. then my phone dies. Continue reading
Stage 20. Old Hall Marshes to Tollesbury
Bradwell Power Station looms menacingly on the horizon. There is the threat of rain and strange colour-changing light. My trousers look like an insect graveyard – sticky webs with spiders, flies, butterflies, beetles, ladybirds… Little flies extract their revenge on behalf of the insect kingdom, attacking my upper arms. Continue reading
Stage 19. West Mersea to Peldon to Old Hall Farm
This is a day of highs and lows – and of unanswered questions. What has caused the death of all these little crabs? Why am I forced to play “chicken” with uncoming cars? And what is the purpose of that large, menacing building in the distance? Continue reading
Stage 18. Jaywick to West Mersea
“Ferry,” says a male voice.
“Can you come and pick us up please?” I ask. “There are two of us and a bike.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the man says in a somewhat irritated tone, “I am not a taxi service you know.” Continue reading
Stage 17. Kirby-le-Soken to Walton, Frinton, Clacton and Jaywick
This is a glorious day of hot sun, blue sky, warm sea – and noisy crowds. I am disappointed by an ugly pier and this part of Essex lives up to my expectations – although not necessarily in a good way …. Continue reading
Stage 16. Harwich to Kirby-le-Soken
The heat is relentless – more like Spain than England – and the air is hot and close around my face. My chest feels tight and I am having trouble breathing. I hear the sound of horse hooves behind me and have to force myself not to stop. There is horsey breath coming over my shoulder…. Continue reading
Stage 12. Covehithe, Southwold, Walberswick and Dunwich
What is the one thing more embarrassing then being rescued by the coastguards?
I walk past crumbling cliffs and fallen trees. I can’t resist taking photographs, wanting to capture some of the drama and sadness of this doomed area, as the land gives way to the tides and the greedy sea. Continue reading
Stage 11. Corton to Lowestoft to Benacre
I reach the the most Eastern point of the British Isles and then head off down a long stretch of deserted beach. Disorientated by a never-ending shingle bank, I miss lunch and am nearly defeated by a disappearing beach as I make my way past crumbling cliffs. Continue reading
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 