The Path to Enchantment

Walking the South West Coast Path can mean different things to different people. Some will see it as a daunting and epic challenge requiring stamina, determination and much forward planning. While this may be true if your mission is to tackle all 630 miles of its undulating, winding route, the reality is that the vast majority of visitors to the south west will have walked sections of it, or at least crossed its path, many times, maybe carrying children, cool boxes, surfboards, windbreaks (often all at the same time!) when heading to the beach for the day. After all the UK’s longest and best-loved National Trail starts in Minehead, Somerset and skirts the north Devon and Cornish coastline, wrapping around to the south coast and all the way along to Poole harbour in Dorset! If you’ve been to a beach in Cornwall, you would have encountered this incredible phenomenon, maybe without realising it.

Many of the thousands of visitors attracted to Cornwall each year, come with the main purpose of covering at least a section of the South West Coast Path. Some have a favourite stretch of the trail, about which they can regale you with tales of incredible close encounters with wildlife, beautiful plants and flowers unique to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, fascinating conversations with locals that they meet, and of course those breath-taking coastal views that one could never tire of.

Florence Parrish is a frequent visitor to Cornwall, and is particularly bewitched by the section of the coast path that meanders around south Cornwall. “I have travelled all over the UK, in fact all over the world, and no journey draws me back as often as walking the South West Coast Path, in particular the stretch that circumnavigates beautiful Falmouth and the Roseland. I live in Bristol so am fortunate in that I can hop on the train and be in Cornwall in a matter of a few hours, and being a freelance writer means I can often shift my work schedule around to allow me to come down and get my regular, much-needed fix of coastal bliss. I can justify this indulgence to myself as I draw much inspiration for my writing from immersing myself in the magic of the Cornish coast, not that I need an excuse! I find autumn and winter a particularly special time to explore the dramatic, often deserted, beaches and coves of the Roseland, the ‘frozen in time’ feel of the sleepy Helford River and the stunning, but relatively cosmopolitan, surroundings of historic Falmouth. I’ve walked this, and many other stretches, so many times I’m surprised I haven’t worn it out, but no two journeys have ever been the same!”.

The South West Coast Path can offer an awe-inspiring, leisurely stroll, maybe to walk off a pasty and pint of Tribute enjoyed at lunchtime or to find higher ground in the eternal hunt for spotting the perfect wave, or it can present more of a physical and mental challenge as the total route has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent; unbelievably, the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest four times!

The path weaves past Hotel Meudon, just beyond the far end of the gardens, meaning that guests can pull on a sturdy pair of boots and hop straight onto this historic trail, heading either around dramatic Rosemullion Head and along the stunning Helford River, or in the other direction across Maenporth Beach, Swanpool Beach, Falmouth town and beyond. With rugged, breath-taking coastline, secluded coves and beaches, and a choice of stops en route for refreshments, this is the best, most instantly accessible way to experience the magic of Cornwall, while blowing the cobwebs away and getting the heart racing!

For more information on the South West Coast Path, visit the website https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ for maps, journey planners (including a distance calculator), suggested day walks and details on how you can become a member to support the great charity that works tirelessly to keep this national treasure in pristine condition.