This coast is made for walking

WALKERS can enjoy 66 miles of new and improved National Trail with the launch of the first stretch of the England Coast Path in Kent and East Sussex.

The continuous route between Camber and Ramsgate is the first section of the England Coast Path to open in the south-east of England. It gives unbridled views of coastline, including the White Cliffs and the unique areas of Dungeness and Pegwell Bay, popular for birdwatching, and their landscape and summer flowers.

Natural England is establishing a 2,700-mile path around the entire English coastline by 2020 and work is already under way on 60 percent of the route. When completed, it will be the world’s longest continuous coastal walking route.

Speaking at the National Trust’s White Cliffs centre, the chairman of Natural England, Andrew Sells, said: ‘I am delighted to be here for the formal opening of this 66-mile section of the England Coast Path – the most significant rights of way project for a generation. This beautiful and iconic stretch will allow walkers to enjoy amazing views, fabulous wildlife, and places with significant cultural and historical value – all from a high-quality footpath. It will also connect coastal communities and encourage walkers to visit more of the coast, bringing an added economic boost to the region.’

The route provides a link between communities and towns along the coast including Camber and Lydd, Greatstone and Hythe and Deal and Sandwich. It includes areas and features of heritage, such as the supposed landing site of Caesar at Walmer, embarkation points on the River Stour at Richborough used by soldiers and horses in the First World War, Napoleonic Martello towers, and extensive Second World War defences at Dover.

Three miles of new path have also been created at Sandwich, giving access around the peninsula for the first time.

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Picture Perfect

AN IMAGE of the cliffs at #BurtonBradstock in Dorset taken by a local #photographer has beaten hundreds of entrants to scoop the South West Coast Path's annual photographic #competition. 

The photograph shows the coastal landscape at twilight and was taken by Ian Alcock, who describes how he captured the image: ‘This was taken nearly 15 minutes after the sun had set below the horizon and the remaining clouds reflect the pink tones left from the suns afterglow.

‘I am passionate about the Dorset coast. I grew up in Weymouth, so I know Portland and the area quite well.’

Mr Alcock’s prize package includes a two-night stay at the Thurlestone Hotel in South Devon, and £100 worth of camera equipment.

His picture will feature alongside 11 others pictures in the official 2017 South West Coast Path calendar.

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Picture Credit: Ian Alcock

Take a walk in Ireland

READY to explore #Ireland on foot, asks walking and cycling specialists IrelandWays.com. It suggests these three #walkingtours in Ireland … 

The coastal paths of The Burren Way will take you to the Cliffs of Moher. Towering over the Atlantic, they’re one of Ireland's most iconic natural features. Ancient monuments such as dolmens and ring forts dot the landscapes of The Burren (which means big rock in Irish). Take a rest day in Doolin on the Wild Atlantic Way to allow you to cross by boat to the Aran Islands.

Follow in the footsteps of the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill (pronounced Mc-Cool) walking the Causeway Coast Way and Moyle Way in Northern Ireland, a trail of legends and scenery. According to the myth, this epic landscape formed by more than 40,000 geometric rocks was the creation of giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who built to reach Scotland when he was challenged to a battle by a Scottish giant. 

The UNESCO-listed causeway is a must-see if you are visiting Ireland in 2016. If you are scared of heights, avoid the 65ft-long Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, built by local fishermen more than 200 years ago to take them to a small island where they could catch salmon.

The St. Cholmcille Way takes walkers to the Donegal coastal village named after St Cholmcille (or St Columba), an important pilgrimage destination for many centuries. On this trail, walkers will also reach some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, the Slieve League Cliffs.The village of Ardara and panoramic views from the Glengesh Pass are two other unmissable stops on this tour.

http://irelandways.com

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Picture Credit: irelandways.com

The golden thread that links tourism gems

THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH is fast becoming known as a vital link between South West businesses, particularly those in the tourism sector and the coastal towns and villages through which it runs. Every year, it attracts almost nine million visitors who come to walk this world-class route, each of whom contributes to a total spend of £436 million that can be attributed directly to the coast path. This figure does not include the everyday walkers such as dog-walking local residents, who might frequent the various places to eat and drink on a more regular basis.  

Alistair Handyside, chairman of the South West Tourism Alliance, says the coast path is ‘critical and integral to the visitor economies of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset’. 

With 630 miles of continuous coastal walking, from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to Poole in Dorset, thousands of businesses benefit from the access to the coastline that the path provides for free. But it costs at least £1,000 to maintain just one mile, and it needs help.  

Businesses can show their support for the path and the income it generates for the local economy by becoming a business member. Available to businesses large and small, there are a number of benefits, from online listings alongside relevant walks, to being part of the marketing and promotion of the National Trail, which receives approximately one million annual visits to its website. 

Ken Carter, vice chairman of the association, says:
‘It really is the thread that brings tourism businesses together in the region. In supporting our activities, from path improvements, to event support and advertising online, businesses and individuals can give something back while continuing to benefit at the same time. With the public sector’s declining investment, it is more important than ever that we raise funds to improve the path for everyone to enjoy.’

Full details of the benefits for business members are listed online at www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk, while more bespoke arrangements can be made by contacting staff members: Esther Pearson or Sophie James on 01752 896237 or email hello@southwestcoastpath.org.uk 

South West Coast Path National Trail is considered one of the world’s great hikes, covering two World Heritage sites, five areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one National Park.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/127726808@N04/15765047495">Hurlstone Point_U3A Photography _5</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

A week of walking!

THE #LymeRegis #Walking Festival (October 17-25) offers visitors and locals the opportunity to explore the coastline and hinterland of West Dorset and East Devon. 

There are organized, themed walks led by resident historians and specialists, nature walks with RSPB guides, and self-guided walks, plus quizzes and walking-themed exhibitions.

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Ulster’s white knuckle walk re-opens

A CLIFF FACE walk in County Antrim, #Northern Ireland, designed and built more than a century ago has been re-opened to the public.

The #Gobbinscoastalpath in #Islandmagee was the brainchild of Irish railway engineer Berkley Deane Wise. It opened in 1902 and soon became famous as a white knuckle walk. Edwardian-era visitors were able to have close encounters with waves and wildlife.

The path, which is carved into black basalt cliffs, was an engineering triumph: it's connected by a network of walkways and bridges, the most iconic of which was a tubular bridge. Post-war austerity meant decline for the 1.5 mile walkway; it was closed to the public in the 1950s.

A £7.5 million restoration project began in 2013, replacing bridges, hand rails, and constructing a new visitors centre.

Before starting the walk, visitors are given a safety briefing and a hard hat in the visitors centre.

The walk is described as strenuous and is not suitable for everyone. No-one under the height of 3’ 9” will be allowed to take the walk, and visitors with cardiac, respiratory, asthmatic, or joint conditions are urged not to attempt it.

Groups of 10 to 15 will be guided along the bridges which cling to the cliff face just feet above the sea. The route allows visitors to see coastal birds such as Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes up close. It's also possible to spot porpoises off the coast.

Tours should be booked in advance and the costs are £8.50 for adults, concessions £6, and a family rate of £23.

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Picture Credit: Wikimedia