Walks in Cornwall along the South West Coast Path route

Whether you love piers and promenades or wild windswept cliffs, we all have a stretch of the British coast that is close to our heart.

Spending time by the sea can be invaluable for our mental wellbeing too. The benefits of time spent in green spaces are well known but studies have shown that these positive effects increase when by the sea.

One way to experience this is the South West Coast Path. The 630-mile trail linking Minehead in Somerset with the shores of Devon and Cornwall through to Poole Harbour in Dorset. It was designated as a National Trail in 1978, but its origins go back to the 19th century when it was used as a coastguard route to lookout for smugglers. It’s now England’s longest waymarked footpath with pretty coastal towns, wild rocky headlands and hidden coves.

‘Every day is different on the path,’ says Aletha Mays from the South West Coast Path Association.‘You are travelling through a beautiful natural environment punctuated with coastal villages and towns. Every turn on the coast path offers a new perspective and incredible view or a place to visit and soak up the heritage and natural beauty of the coastal landscape.’

Marsland Mouth, North Cornwall. Photo Chris Bull Described as one of the world’s greatest walks, it has been listed as the UK’s best walking route by the likes of Coast magazine, this year its beauty (and at times wild landscape) has been brought to the big screen in the film The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Based on the Sunday Times Bestselling novel by Raynor Winn, the true story follows Raynor and her husband Moth, who evicted from their home and facing adversity, embark on a mammoth journey, walking all 630-miles of the path. Fistral Beach in Newquay, Padstow and Holywell Bay were all used as filming locations.

RECOMMENDED READING

• Raynor Winn and Rebecca Lenkiewicz on The Salt Path
• How Cornwall features in the new The Salt Path film
• How Devon features in the new The Salt Path film
• How Somerset features in the new The Salt Path film

The path is managed by the South West Coast Path Association, a charity with teams of dedicated volunteers, fundraisers and partners which aim to protect and improve the trail for future generations. The trail threads its way around the coastline, passing through National Landscapes, Nature Reserves, Heritage Coasts including a UNESCO World Heritage Site that celebrates Cornish mining heritage, the Roseland Peninsula, Lizard peninsula and Cornwall’s forgotten corner, the Rame Peninsula.

It also includes popular screen locations such as Looe (Beyond Paradise), Gunwalloe Cove (Poldark), and the fairytale island of St Michael’s Mount (House of the Dragon).

There’s much to explore with walks for everyone from discovery rambles, summer strolls and easy access walks to pub walks and treasure trails for families. It also provides the ultimate challenge for the long-distance walker.

‘There are some amazing places along the Cornwall coast,’ explains Aletha. ‘The trail takes in scenic sandy beaches like Holywell Bay, Perranporth and Carbis Bay, Minack Theatre, St Michael’s Mount, the legend of Tintagel and pretty villages like Mevagissey and Mousehole.’

As well as boosting levels of vitamin D, lifting your mood and reducing anxiety, walking by the coast can have significant benefits. When a study from London School of Economics and the University of Sussex asked participants to rate their mood in different locations, marine and coastal areas were found to be some of the happiest.

A survey by the National Trust discovered that the clean, fresh coastal air boosts sleep with walkers in the UK sleeping 47 minutes longer after a walk by the sea. And nearly two-thirds of participants said that a coastal walk allowed them a distraction from the stresses of everyday life with over half reporting feeling more positive.

The stunning night sky over Pedn Vounder beach, West Cornwall. Photo Jennifer Rogers In her book, Blue Spaces - How and Why Water Can Make You Feel Better, Dr Catherine Kelly describes its therapeutic benefits. ‘Research shows us that blue spaces are humans' preferred locations for walking beside. Besides the expected positive effects of exercise itself, walking by the sea engages most of our senses, which brings additional wellbeing benefits. Looking at the sea, listening to the sound of it, smelling the salty air all allow our breathing to slow down, and stress hormones to reduce. Being by the sea also often induces feelings of gratitude and joy and offers effortless mindfulness - pleasure from being in the moment, where we can forget about our worries'.

‘It's a well-known fact walking in these coastal environments is good for your mental health,’ says Aletha. ‘Being by the sea is a tonic really, it’s the ultimate ‘vitamin sea’ and the path gives you access to that, it’s why we love it.’

From beautiful beaches, wildlife hotspots, superb cycling trails, coastal walks and kitesurfing to stargazing, the South West coast offers a line-up of the best stress busters to seek out, whatever the weather.

For summer walking inspiration and routes go to southwestcoastpath.org.uk
Mousehole, West Cornwall. Photo Abbi Pitt

Mullion Cove to Lizard Village

Distance

6.9 miles (11.1 km)

Moderate

After a fairly steep climb from Mullion Cove the walk is mainly along the clifftops, but with descents and ascents where valleys meet the coast.

Start

Mullion Cove, finish at Lizard Village

Summary

This walk is from the picturesque Mullion Cove, along the wild and exposed cliffs of the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula. Pass sheltered coves, before reaching Lizard Point, the southernmost point of mainland Britain. This walk is particularly good for dogs as it passes beaches and pubs where dogs are welcome. There are many features to interest children as well as the beaches, including the Marconi monument, where the first transatlantic radio signal was sent and the wartime airfield.

southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Holywell and Kelsey Head

Distance

3.7 miles (6.0 km)

Of moderate difficulty, with some steep climbs through the sand dunes.

Start

Holywell Car Park, finish at Holywell Car Park

Summary

A varied walk crossing sand dunes, cliff tops with an Iron Age cliff castle and maritime heathland. In spring and summer Polly Joke is full of wildflowers, and in autumn the birds of prey attracted by the gathering flocks of migrant birds sometimes include a hen harrier or maybe a merlin. Children will love the dunes and the beach, and will delight in exploring the rocks and the caves at low tide.

Polly Joke and Holywell are dog friendly beaches. Have a look at our Top Dog Walks on the South West Coast Path for more dog friendly beaches and pubs. Use this walk (or part of it) to visit the beaches at Holywell or the hidden beach of Polly Joke.

southwestcoastpath.org.uk