About the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path (SWCP) is more than a trail; it’s a journey through time, nature, and the raw beauty of Britain’s coastline. Stretching across clifftops, sandy shores, and rolling headlands, this path follows the edge of the land where the sea meets the sky, offering a view that changes with every step.

A Path Shaped by History

The origins of SWCP can be traced back to coastguards and smugglers. In the past, officers would walk these cliffs, keeping watch over coves and inlets where contraband was hidden. Their footsteps carved the first routes along the coast, following the land’s natural shape as it twisted and turned.

Centuries passed, but the path remained—a link between remote villages, a route for fishermen, and later, a place where travellers could explore the coastline’s untouched beauty.

A Walk Through Nature

From the rugged cliffs of North Devon to the golden beaches of Cornwall, SWCP is a landscape in constant motion. The Atlantic crashes against rocky headlands, shaping the coastline with every wave. Wildflowers bloom along the trail, and seabirds circle overhead, riding the winds that roll in from the open sea.

Dotted along the route are hidden gems—secluded coves, ancient woodlands, and stretches of windswept moorland where ponies graze freely. In spring, bluebells carpet the pathsides. In autumn, the cliffs glow red and gold. Every season paints a different picture.

Tales Along the Trail

Stories are woven into every mile. Legends of shipwrecks and lost treasure linger in Cornwall’s rocky bays. The ruins of old fishing villages stand as echoes of a time when life here was shaped by the sea. Lighthouses stand tall against the elements, guiding ships past dangerous waters as they have done for centuries.

Some sections feel timeless—walk along the Jurassic Coast, and you’re treading on land formed millions of years ago, where fossils of long-extinct creatures remain buried in the cliffs.

A Coastline That Stirs the Soul

Whether following a gentle curve of sandy shoreline or climbing to the heights of an exposed cliff, SWCP offers a sense of freedom like no other. It’s a path that invites you to slow down, to listen to the wind and waves, and to take in the endless horizon.

This is not just a trail—it’s a living, breathing landscape, shaped by nature and history, waiting to be discovered.