Natural England

The South West Coast Path is one of three British walking trails to be featured in the newly-published book, Unforgettable Walks to take before you die.

People living in South West England have always known the South West Coast Path National Trail is world-class. Now the secret is out - Britain’s longest and best footpath has been included in a new selection of the top walks in the world.

Travel writers and photographers Clare Jones and Steve Watkins have picked just 30 classic walking routes for their new book, Unforgettable Walks to take before you die. They spent nine months travelling to 24 countries on 5 continents to find the world’s most inspiring, spectacular and beautiful trails. Their book ranks the Coast Path alongside experiences such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a walk in Yellowstone National Park and hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.

When asked why they had included the Coast Path, Steve enthused: “Throughout a whole year of walking around the world, I was hard pressed to find anywhere that matched the natural drama and stunningly beautiful light along the South West Coast Path. You can’t beat it for the sheer diversity of landscapes and the chance to experience some truly wild and beautiful coastal scenery. And you can do anything from a half-day walk to all 630 miles.”

Janette Ward, Regional Director of Natural England - the government body responsible for National Trails - isn’t at all surprised: “The South West Coast Path is a fabulous asset for those of us lucky enough to live in the South West as well as for visitors. Where else can you walk along 630 miles of such superb coastline? The heritage, wildlife, geology and scenery along the way are truly inspirational.!”

The high quality of all these aspects of the South West Coast Path corridor is reflected in the array of official designations it has collected over the years. As it threads its way around the coastline, the Coast Path passes through five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, seventeen Heritage Coasts, a National Park, two World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO Geopark and Britain’s first UNESCO Biosphere reserve.

This latest accolade will encourage many more to join the thousands of people who enjoy a walk on the Coast Path. Whether they potter on the prom, stroll out on to the cliffs from a seaside village or take on the ultimate challenge of the entire Coast Path, they’ll all have memories that are unforgettable.

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For further information please contact: Elaine Norsworthy, Communications and Research Officer, South West Coast Path Team – telephone 01392 383560 or email swcpteam@devon.gov.uk.

Official South West Coast Path website: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southwestcoastpath

Notes for the media

1. The South West Coast Path is a National Trail created and mainly funded by Natural England and managed by highway authorities and the National Trust. It follows the coast for 630 miles (1014 km) from Minehead in Somerset to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset and is looked after by approximately 65 dedicated on-the-ground managers, who strive to provide the highest quality route for users.
2. There are 15 National Trails in England and Wales. These long-distance routes offer liberating and rewarding natural adventures and are the nations’s favourite walks and rides through the finest and most varied landscapes in the country.
3. The South West Coast Path is identified as a regional icon in the South West of England Regional Development Agency’s Regional Economic Strategy 2006-15.
4. It is also one of thirteen regional priorities identified in People, Places and Spaces, the Cultural Infrastructure Strategy for the Southwest 2008.
5. In 2007, readers of Country Walking magazine voted the South West Coast Path Britain’s favourite walk with 50% more votes than the second placed route in the Cairngorms.
6. The South West Coast Path team co-ordinates the management and promotion of the South West Coast Path.
7. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. It conserves and enhances the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Website: www.naturalengland.org.uk "