Here at Travel Chapter, we’re huge advocates for celebrating the beauty of our magnificent isle. Our HQ in North Devon is peppered with staff who reside all around the South West and we’re keen to play an active part in the conservation of such an important part of the region’s identity.
We pride ourselves in our continuous support of regional communities and our commitment to sustainable tourism across the South West. This is why we’re excited to have become ‘Mile Makers’, supporting the South West Coast Path Association’s #EveryMileMatters campaign. This partnership sees businesses like our own contributing the amount it takes, on average, to care for a mile of the National Trail annually – which is currently £1,500 for each of the 630 miles! This takes into consideration vegetation management, surfacing, way-marking and much more.
As well as our flagship holidaycottages.co.uk brand, we also have collections of regional self-catering coastal cottages in both Devon and Cornwall. To celebrate our ‘Mile Makers’ collaboration, we’ve asked members of our South West team, who’re fortunate to have the Coast Path on their doorsteps, for their favourite trails and to suggest a cottage nearby…
Dartmouth to Brixham
It’s a bit of a whopper, and one for ambitious walkers, but this 10-mile challenging hike is bursting with stunning scenery, varied wildlife and local history. The peaceful trail follows the cliff edge, offering opportunities for seal spotting, scenic picnics and plenty of fitness. Find hidden coves along the way, as well as WW2 defences and the historic mouth of the River Dart.
Explore the 10.9-mile route from Dartmouth to Brixham.
Stay in a nearby cottage: Oystershell Cottage (Kingswear) | Sleeps 4
Baggy Point Circular
Offering a shorter 3-mile walk for little legs, the trail boasts incredible views of the coastline stretching to Bideford Bay and Hartland along the horizon. Tiny and inquisitive hikers will also relish points of interest like the wildlife pond and a remarkable whalebone which washed up on the shores of Croyde in 1915.
Explore the 4.5-mile Baggy Point circular.
Stay in a nearby cottage: 10 Ocean Point | Sleeps 4
St Catherine’s Castle
You can spend time on the pleasant little beach beside the castle, surrounded by rocks and high cliffs, and take in the far-reaching views of the sea and Fowey Estuary along this 2.6-mile walk. Dawn French used to have a house just down the lane, which gives you an idea of how beautiful this little corner of Cornwall is. It’s a very special place and I’d highly recommend popping into Fowey afterwards for a lovely lunch − maybe pick up a pasty!
Explore the 2.6-mile circular walk around St Catherine’s Castle.
Nearby cottage: Castle View | Sleeps 6
Crantock to Holywell Bay
Revel in the breathtaking coastal views, exposed rocky headlands, sweeping dunes, and if you’re lucky, the colony of seals who call a small cove between Polly Joke and Holywell home. I recommend the walk in May or June when the fields around Crantock are full of beautiful poppies and wildflowers. And the walk is, of course, best finished off with a bite to eat at the nearby Bowgie Inn, a local pub in Crantock.
Explore the 8.1-mile route from Perranporth to Crantock.
Nearby cottage: Seaside Retreat | Sleeps 6 and 2 dogs
Guest blog written by Travel Chapter.
Become a Mile Maker
We are fortunate to have the support of a group of exceptionally generous donors who give, or have given, the amount it costs on average to ‘make’ one mile of the Trail per year – currently £1,500 – we call them our ‘Mile Makers’. You can become a Mile Maker yourself by making a donation. The most important thing to know is that Mile Maker gifts have real impact – enabling us to carry out significant work on the ground, undertake outreach projects, be a voice for the National Trail corridor and provide vital information to walkers and runners. Find out more about Mile Makers.
The South West Coast Path 