Exploring the South West Coast Path

Stuart Line Cruises are proud to be able to support the great work that the National Trail does and this is especially so with the South West Coast Path. We think it is the perfect thing to do to explore the Devon Coastline and compliments our Boat Trips, giving you a unique perspective from both land and sea.

This month’s guest blog post is written by the National Trail.

About England’s longest waymarked footpath

With 19^th century origins as a coastguard patrol route to restrict smuggling, the modern-day South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked footpath and National Trail. It runs for 630 miles (1,000km) from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset, offering the ultimate challenge for the long-distance walker.

Photo credit: Old Harry Rocks, Dorset by Robert Beasley

The National Trail is enjoyed by many millions of visitors throughout the year, connecting visitors with some of the finest coastal landscapes to be found anywhere in the world. As it threads its way around the coastline, the Coast Path passes through a number of National Nature Reserves and Heritage Coasts, five National Landscapes, two World Heritage Sites, a UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve and a Geopark, as well as one National Park.

Explore on foot from Exmouth to Sidmouth

Photo credit: Ladram Bay, near Sidmouth by Alex Walton

Combine your birdwatching on the water with Stuart Line Cruises with great walks to witness rare species on the ground, with a number of prime birdwatching locations on and near to the South West Coast Path. The River Otter Estuary, located on this 12.5 mile walk from Exmouth to Sidmouth, is a fascinating 33-hectare site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that is well worth paying a visit. The estuary’s fine saltmarsh habitat supports a wide range of saltmarsh communities, which together with additional areas of reed bed, tall herb and scrub support high numbers of breeding and overwintering bird species. Exploring this section of the South West Coast Path is the ideal opportunity to take your birdwatching tour from sea to land, whilst experiencing exposed cliffs revealing 185 million years of the Earth’s history that mark the beginning of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Wildlife on the South West Coast Path

Photo credit: Cornish Chough by Tegan Davey

Photo credit: Berry Head Nature Reserve by Dr Jon Rees

The South West is home to a variety of bird, plant and insect life which are supported by the coastal wildlife corridor. Grassland, heathland, moorland, woodland, sand dunes, mudflats, coastal cliffs and saltwater marsh all play a role in supporting biodiversity along the coastal margin, providing an opportunity to play witness to threatened species and rare wildlife such as the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, the Brown-Banded Carder bee, the Cornish Chough, Peregrine Falcon and Cirl Bunting, whose population is found only in South Devon.

Preserving the Geology of the Jurassic Coast

Exmouth is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural World Heritage Site. Here, the Coast Path leads you along a prehistoric path containing fascinating heritage and iconic landmarks including Old Harry Rocks, the great shingle bar of Chesil Beach, the semi-freshwater lagoon at Fleet, the fortress-like monolith of the Isle of Portland and the iconic arch of Durdle Door.

Photo credit: West Bay, Dorset by James Loveridge

Photo credit: Peak Cliff, Sidmouth, East Devon by Ian Hosker

The geology of this coastline, however, is one of the hardest hit areas in terms of coastal erosion and rock falls across the South West Coast Path. The cliffs here are vulnerable to slippage, especially the red sandstone cliffs in the Sidmouth area and in the Undercliffs in West Dorset. Working in partnership to ensure access to the Coast Path is safe and protected is more important than ever, with an increase in extreme weather events, footfall and coastal erosion. The South West Coast Path Association works vigilantly with partners such as The Jurassic Coast Trust and Dorset County Council to ensure the Path remains accessible for all to enjoy. Giving back to the South West Coast Path helps the Association to fund and coordinate a wide range of projects and deliver them with the help of the charity’s dedicated partner network, taking into consideration how people, wildlife and the local economy can all benefit from the improvements we make. Find out more and donate on the charity’s website – https://southwestcoastpath.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/EveryMileMatters.