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.
Tag Archives: photography
155 Pawlett to Burnham on Sea
I walk along the looping River Parrett, past mud and pill-boxes. The cows here aren’t used to walkers. My progress causes eddies of panic. Continue reading
154 Bridgewater to Pawlett, via Dunball Wharf
I’m not expecting much from today’s walk: just a slog through industrial estates and along a busy road, until I get to Dunball wharf and a river footpath. Bridgewater is not the prettiest of towns, but any marina looks nice if the sun is … Continue reading
153 Stert Point to Bridgwater (River Parrett Trail)
I struggle through long grass, walk along a muddy river, past clyce and pills, and have several close encounters with cattle. Continue reading
152a Kilve Pill to Hinkley Point
There is something rather intimidating about walking alongside these fierce fences. CCTV cameras track every step I make Continue reading
151 Watchet to Quantock’s Head and Kilve Pill
I walk along amazing shore platforms, along a coastline famous for oil, fossils and dinosaur bones. I trespass through a holiday camp, lose the coastal path and find it again in a wood, and discover a mysterious story book. Continue reading
150a Minehead to Dunster
I find amusing worm casts, dodge flying golf balls, and walk along a flowery path. But Minehead’s seafront needs sprucing up. I offer four suggestions for improvement. Continue reading
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
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
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 