Woolacombe, the next stage’s end, is a black hole for accommodation and there’s no buses today on Easter Sunday so I’m have a “nero” day of just 6 miles to Ilfracombe. It was a gorgeous day for meandering: bright sun, brisk wind, good views, little bays, wildflowers. Lots of walkers out to chat with and … Continue reading SWCP Day 11: Combe Martin > Ilfracombe

A later start again today: a leisurely breakfast timed well with the finish of the rain showers (fingers crossed). From the hotel it was a half mile walk along the Heddon River to rejoin the Path, then a very steep climb up to round the point at the sea. Gusty winds had me gripping the … Continue reading SWCP Day 10: Heddon’s Mouth > Combe Martin

Nice “Victorian Path” to start The SWCP guide suggested going from Lynton to Combe Martin in one day (14m, 3800’) but as this was originally to be only my 3rd day on trail I had decided to break it into 2 stages so I’m booked into the National Trust property, The Hunters Inn, approximately 1/2 … Continue reading SWCP Day 9: Lynton > Heddon’s Mouth

12th C. Culbone church I was up early this morning but had to wait 2 hours (!) for breakfast and my packed lunch. There’s no services along the Path today and nothing open early in the village so I was captive to the clock. It was a good day: decent mileage, lots of ascent, and … Continue reading SWCP Day 8: Porlock > Lynmouth

Overcast early but later turned lovely I dodged a bullet with the weather today. It rained heavily all yesterday afternoon and evening but today ended up only partly cloudy, albeit with a bitterly cold wind.  Just a thin layer of mud covered a lot of the path but the wet grass kept my shoes clean! … Continue reading SWCP Day 7: Minehead > Porlock Weir

Yay! Another beginning! A rest / transfer day today. I’ve finished my bit of the “end” of the Coast Path and have to take a train, then bus up to the north coast of the peninsula to the usual “start” in Minehead, Somerset. Firstly though, I had a nice chat at breakfast with another American … Continue reading SWCP Day 6: Transfer > Minehead

So the roller coaster that’s the Coast Path continued this morning, at least for the first 3+ miles. Right from the get-go there was a huge, cobble-stoned track reaching heavenward - as my ankle tendons hadn’t yet healed completely I turned around and walked backwards for about a third of the way. Eventually cresting the … Continue reading SWCP Day 5: Lulworth > Weymouth

Destination: Lulworth Cove “Severe” and “Challenging” are two of the words used to describe this stage in my guidebook. But it’s also been called one of the most beautiful too. So a combination of love & hate?? We booked a taxi to take us directly to where we left the Path yesterday down in Kimmeridge … Continue reading SWCP Day 4: Kimmeridge > Lulworth

It was a 2 mile walk down from our hotel to rejoin the Path at the trail shown above. This is a new way up the Houns Tout hill as the previous path fell into the sea during a land slip in November 2023. Just opening in March, this path isn’t as steep a climb … Continue reading SWCP Day 3: Kingston > Kimmeridge Loop

It was a big day today, mostly because my 12-lb pack morphed into a 17-lb beast once I added my lunch and water. Also, tweaking my bad ankle by stepping down into a furrow made the day a bit more challenging too! Luckily it was a fantastically brilliant day with the warm sun at our … Continue reading SWCP Day 2: Swanage > Kingston