Outdoor activities - South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path starts at Minehead in Somerset and runs along part of the Somerset Bristol Channel coast, across North Devon, right round Cornwall, then along the South Devon and Dorset coasts to Poole Harbour. This is a distance of 630 miles which is over twice the distance of the Pennine Way and makes it by far the longest National Trail in Britain.

The South West Coast Path is unique because it is based on a working footpath which was in use until comparatively modern times. Coastguards used to patrol the whole coast of the South West Peninsula on foot, every day, in the course of their duties in pursuit of Revenue protection against smuggling. It was the essence of their job that the coastguards had literally to be able to see into every cove and inlet on the coast. This meant that their well-beaten path, usually with stone stiles, had to hug the cliff top, so providing the splendidly scenic coastal views we get today.

Those requiring accommodation rather than carrying their own, will find it less of a problem than on many other paths. This is because it is a traditional holiday area and so there are many Bed & Breakfast
establishments.

Use our interactive map to search for nearby accommodation for walkers (www.enjoyengland.com/book/accommodation/searchresults.aspx?Sec=accommodation&advsrch=1&Rad=3&Reg=South%20West%20England&FcWkr=true&durat=1&room=1&adult=1&child=0&display=map)