This is my South West Coast Paths website. You are very welcome to view it.
The official South West Coast Path website is at southwestcoastpath.org.uk
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Between 1999 and 2005 I walked the SWCP from Minehead to Poole. I did this in sections of between 70 and 140 miles at a time plus a few shorter walks near the end through Dorset. It took me forty-three days.
In 2022 I decided to walk it again, but this time starting in the other direction from Poole. Most of the guide books are written for walking it from Minehead to Poole as this is the direction that the majority of walkers take when tackling the full distance. The SWCP Association does produce a small guide called The Reverse Guide which can be used in conjunction with their 'usual direction' Complete Guide.
When I started walking the SWCP from Minehead to Barnstable in 1999, I took a 55 litre rucksack, tent, sleeping bag and inflatable sleeping mat to give me more flexibility over where to stop if I chose not to stay in accommodation overnight. But I found my gear to be heavy and cumbersome, probably due to my choice of heavy inexpensive equipment.
When walking from Barnstable to Newquay in 2000 and then Newquay to Falmouth in 2001, and Falmouth to Plymouth in 2002 I chose not to take any camping gear. Instead I pre-booked my accommodation before I started out, which required me to plan the distances in advance. Sometimes this caused me to walk further than I wanted too, especially when the going was hard and it also caused me to stop on the occasions when I could have kept going.
When walking from Plymouth to Lyme Regis in 2003, I found accommodation as I went so that I could walk as much, or as little as I wanted each day, but I also took a light sleeping bag and a bivvy bag just in case I was was unable to find somewhere to stay, but because the weather was good I spent several nights sleeping under the stars.
By the time I reached Dorset I had taken early retirement and we had moved to West Dorset so as to be near to the coast, so I was able to complete the rest of the walk in several shorter sections during 2004 and 2005.
The SWCP passes through many interesting places and has many challenging natural features. I enjoyed walking it the first time, except perhaps, walking along the cliffs of North Cornwall in a gale with the wind buffeting me and the rain lashing at me sideways.
Since then I have kept up my love of walking and take regular walks through the countryside and along the coast of Dorset. And I try to always manage a few days walking local or national trails when I am away anywhere in Britain. In 2022 I started to walk the SWCP again, but this time in the other direction. But as I am now in my mid 70s I will be taking it easier this time.
Martyn
If you have any comments or advice on walking any reasonably coastal paths in the South West, please drop me a line here.