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: walking
78. Weymouth to Portland
Portland: I end up in a stony wasteland. There are old fortifications, ruins, a rock strewn landscape, quarry workings and a brooding bulk of a young offenders institute in the distance.
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77. Lulworth Cove to Weymouth
I start walking from beautiful Lulworth Cove. I see a sinister wreck and some amazing fossils. Dogs growl at me and I pass by a hang glider in distress. Continue reading
76. Tyneham to Lulworth Cove
Today I have a homemade walking pole. I reach a section where the cliff has crumbled away. Exposed below are ledges with strange rock formations. I realise I have reached the famous Fossil Forest. Continue reading
75. Chapman’s Pool to Tyneham
Across crumbling clifs, above wild beaches and deserted coves, the path roller-coasters along.. and is graded as challenging. Am I up to it?
74. Durlston Head to Chapman’s Pool
For some reason, I am feeling anxious about the walk today. I am unfit. Everyone has told me how rugged and difficult this section of the South West Coast Path is. Will I survive? Continue reading
73. Swanage to Durlston Head
The wooded path leading to Durlston Head is endearingly called “Isle of Wight Road”. It is Sunday and, although still January, there are lots of people walking here today. I wonder if the rest of the South West Coastal Path will be as busy as this.
71. Bournemouth to Sandbanks
Dark clouds are lit from below – a dirty orange colour, their undersides outlined with yellow and gold. Clear sky, of deep blue – almost indigo. The sea is covered with swatches of gold and silver on a backdrop of deep blue-green, speckled with white foam Continue reading
70. Christchurch to Bournemouth
Autumnal colours glow warmly in the sunshine – contrasting with bright blue sea below and jolly colours of beach huts. I feel almost overwhelmed with beauty and stop constantly to take photographs. It turns out to be one of the hottest September days in England, ever.
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69 (part 2). Hurst Castle to Christchurch
I see a Kestrel and eat a cream tea. Checking my map, I realise I have crossed over into Dorset. I am making progress!
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68. Bucklers Hard, Lymington to Keyhaven
I can’t get close to the sea in the New Forest. Ignoring ‘beware the bull’ signs, I walk through woods and hear things falling from the trees. I realise it is horse chestnuts (conkers) falling around me.
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Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 