It’s now just over a couple of months since our team here at the South West Coast Path Association completed the epic 50th Anniversary Trailblazer Walk and we – and our feet! – have just about recovered!
Our team of seven here swapped our day jobs for walking boots to take on seven sections of the Path each (and more in some cases) to complete 35 days of continuous hiking across the full 630 miles of the longest National Trail.
And although it meant nights away from home, early mornings, heavy rucksacks (carrying the all essential first aid kit!), blisters and sunburn it was great to connect to the Path and the people who love, support and use it and to be part of this challenging yet amazing experience – it was a blast!
One of the highlights was meeting our wonderful Way Maker businesses along the way. At the end of a long day, it was great to get a warm welcome and see some friendly faces, to get sent on our way with a hearty breakfast or stop off for a coffee or well deserved pint whilst getting our Passport stamped.
More than anything, the Trailblazer Walk confirmed what we already knew – that the South West Coast Path experience is as much about the people you meet and the places you visit along the way as the Trail itself.
So a massive thank you to the wonderful Way Makers who made the Trailblazer Walk so memorable by welcoming us and to all the 400 plus Way Maker businesses who support the charity and help create wonderful Path experiences for the 9 million walkers and visitors who use it every year. Together we can make sure that the Path continues to be there as one of the South West’s most iconic natural tourism treasures.
Exmoor Section
The Beach Hotel, Minehead – helped us to kick off the walk in style with coffee and registration in the conservatory and by making sure our Head of Comms was well rested. We love the fact that as well as being a great place to stay at the beginning of the Trail, this is also a YMCA social enterprise which creates apprenticeship places in the tourism industry.
St Vincent Guest House, Lynton – Maria and Clive hosted our National Trails Office, Lorna for two nights. She loved the legendary Hiker’s breakfast and said it was just what she needed to help her on her way for the strenuous Lynton to Combe Martin section which includes the Path’s highest point!
Photo: Lorna at St Vincent Guest House
North Devon
The Devonian, Ilfracombe
Terence must be one of our most enthusiastic Way Maker supporters on the Path with a Waymarker in the garden and a framed copy of our Trailblazing magazine on the wall!
Christie, our Head of Fundraising, had a lovely warm welcome from Terence and other walkers and felt right at home chatting all things Path.
Hartland Point Refreshment Kiosk – if you’re looking for a cuppa with a view, look no further! Thanks to Vanessa for putting out the bunting to welcome us and to her family at Blagdon Farm who helped the founding members of the SWCPA to secure this last part of the Path to create the South West Coast Path National Trail.
Rectory Tea Rooms, Morwenstow – there’s nothing that our Director, Julian, likes better than a piece of good cake! These 13th century tearooms and Jill and her team’s amazing baking skills didn’t disappoint as we stopped off on this ‘severe’ stretch to grab a welcome slice to power us on for the crossing from Devon to Cornwall. Julian thoroughly recommends the dairy free Coffee Cake!
North Cornwall
Sunny Corner – Trevone Bay – Head of Fundraising, Christie was lucky enough to stay with Mo in her stunning waterfront home in this spectacular bay just round the corner from Porthcothan. She was even invited to a beach ‘sundowner’ with Mo and the locals and enjoyed one of the best sunsets of the Trailblazer Walk.
West Cornwall
Housel Bay Hotel, the Lizard – thanks to team at Housel Bay for providing our volunteer podcaster, Rachel Hadley-Leonard, with an amazing stay at this stunning location with gardens stretching right down to the Path. The stay meant Rachel, who travelled down from her home in the Midlands was able to join us for the World Trails Day celebrations and get inspiration for her next episode of the 50th Anniversary 630 Miles – An Audio Journey.
YHA, Penzance – Debbie, our Member Engagement lead who also took part in the 40th Anniversary 630 mile walk, loved her stay in the YHA. She said the staff were really welcoming and her room was spotless. She loved the fact it had a licensed café onsite (perfect for sharing at well deserved glass of wine with other walkers ) at this old Georgian Mansion set in beautiful gardens.
Jubilee Pool, Penzance – thanks to these awesome Way Makers – the UK’s largest, most celebrated art deco sea water lido – for providing a refreshing free lunchtime dip in the geothermally heated pool for Trailblazer walkers. A great way to celebrate World Trails Day on the Lamorna Cove to Marazion stretch and to mark the half-way point around the Cornish stretch of the Path.
The Paris Hotel, Coverack – Our Business Engagement lead, Sarah, was given a really warm welcome by landlord Jamie here and took the chance to get her Passport stamped too! An ideal stop off for walkers and a great breakfast where we got a chance to catch up with other walkers from all over the world over a bacon sarnie.
The Five Pilchards Inn, Porthallow – We marked that fact that the walking stick had travelled a full 315 miles to the half way point of the Trail with a refreshing drink and a Passport stamp from Lou – a stop-off point you simply can’t miss!
Hotel Meudon, Mawnan Smith – Will, our Impact Fundraiser who deals with all things legacy, was a given a chance to sample a touch of luxury on the Path in this beautiful Hotel with sub-tropical gardens down to the beach. Thanks to the team at Hotel Meudon for treating us in style!
Fal River Boat Company – Our Anniversary Walking Stick took its first trip on a ferry (along with us Trailblazers) on the St Mawes – Place crossing, thanks for the discounted tickets to these Way Makers.
Cosy Loft, Par – Christie had a lovely stay in this cosy B & B right on the Path hosted by Catherine – she reported that the one of the best things was a fridge packed full on vegan breakfast goodies to make sure she got off to a good start. Thanks to Catherine for going the extra mile to accommodate Christie’s plant based preferences.
Jurassic Coast
Shell Bay Restaurant, South Haven Point – We kicked off the Dorset start of our Trailblazer Walk with an early morning coffee at the beautiful Shell Bay Restaurant which serves amazing seafood right next to the Sandbanks Ferry. Thanks to all the Shell Bay team for opening up early to send us on our way with some fresh brews.
The George Hotel, Axminster
Centrally situated for the West Bay – Seaton two day stretch, Will hit the jackpot again with a stay in this recently refurbished 17th century coaching Inn. A raspberry gin was even on the menu. Massive thanks to Tommy and his team for welcoming us.
Photo: Tommy and Michael at The George Hotel
South Devon
Mount Batten Sailing Centre, Mount Batten – the team at Mount Batten helped us to celebrate the final day of the Trailblazer Walk by providing us with a great meeting point right on the Path and a mug of tea to send us on our way. The Centre will soon be offering tours of the historic tower too soon.
Mariner’s Guest House, Plymouth – perfectly located for walkers on Plymouth Hoe, James and Marie provided a perfect place for Aletha (Head of Comms) and our Dorset Coast Path Connectors Project leader, Catherine to rest up after the hectic final day celebrations in Plymouth. Fantastic breakfasts, a friendly welcome and all things eco-friendly.
Real Ideas Organisation Café at Ocean Studios , Royal William Yard – this beautiful sunny café and hub for all things artistic was the perfect setting for our 50th Anniversary Photographic Exhibition which opened officially on the final day of our Trailblazer Walk as part of our celebrations in the Yard.
If you are a business on the Path and would like to support us as a Way Maker contact Sarah on sarah@southwestcoastpath.org.uk or sign up on-line HERE.
Listen to our recent Way Maker podcast where we chat with Vanessa from Hartland Point Kiosk, James from Mariners Guest House in Plymouth, and Mike Kearon of Luggage Transfers about how they welcome walkers and provide a service to make their journey extra special as they travel the Path.
Listen here https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/23zoplo1mCb
The South West Coast Path 