At the start of March, Foot Trails Co-Founder and Trail Creator David Howell was out doing what he loves best, exploring the countryside of South West England to create new walks for our guests. You can read his report on his day by the sea below.
The Dorset coast has always been a go-to family escape for Alison and myself. So I was delighted to be heading down there last week to finalise the last sections of the new walks in our Coastal Seascapes of Dorset trip.
When it comes to creating a new route, I’m able to draw on the knowledge I’ve gained over years of hiking in South West England. It all usually starts with a theme or an idea that I’d love to share with our guests. Once I’ve set out a new route on a map, I then have to see if the theory works in practice. It’s one of my favourite parts of the process because it gives me the excuse to get out in the countryside I love so much 🙂
The weather was perfect, warm, sunny with a few fluffy white clouds in the sky. I made my way through Dorset’s coastal landscape, along the ancient paths that have led locals, fishermen, travellers (and smugglers) to and from the sea for centuries. The patchwork of fields stretched out in front of me and I soon spied the sea — a thin line glimmering between the hills.
I joined the coast path and made my way along the edge of the land to Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast. Having reached my destination for the morning, I stopped at the beach, pausing a while to watch the waves lapping on the shingle shore, letting the gentle rhythm of the sea, the sound of the waves and the vastness of the water work its gentle magic. Tearing myself away from this beautiful scene, I made my way back inland to have a bite to eat.
The second part of my day at the coast took me back to a brand new walk that starts in a small village on the cliffs of the Isle of Purbeck. My task for the afternoon was to check this particular section of our new trip on the ground.
Wandering past the stone cottages, I soon stepped out into fields that took me down to the coast. I have to confess that this route takes our guests to one of my favourite spots on the Dorset coast: a secluded cove that can only be accessed on foot. It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the waves and the gulls buffeted by the breeze. With my route-finding work for the day done, I took some precious time out to again embrace the atmosphere of this secluded, rugged spot on the coast.
I could have spent many more hours there, but with the sun slowly sinking in the sky, I reluctantly made my way back to my start point some miles inland.
If you’d like to experience this ancient, rugged, tranquil coastal landscape, visit our trip page or send us an email. We’d love to help you plan your next hiking trip in South West England.
