Benitia Knowles-Wright, associate in the Family team, loves to go walking when the sun is shining and she has written about some of her favourite routes to take across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. If you want to get out of the house this Spring, take a note of the walks below.
We all know of the benefits of getting out into the fresh air. As we move into Spring, with the dark evenings and endless rainstorms passing (the latter being a hope – it is Britain after all), there is even more opportunity to do that. There are many ways of getting out and about, but we’re fans of the basic walk; no equipment needed, great for all ages and easy exercise. That said, it is very easy to get into a walking rut – treading the same old routes each time, in need of inspiration.
To help, we share a few of our favourite walking routes from across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. These are largely inspired by the ’40 Coast and Country Walks’ books produced by Pocket Mountains – excellent, easy to follow, pocket-sized books with 40 circular walking routes across the various counties. Hopefully, as Spring brings new life and chocolate treats, these may help you find new routes and treats of a different nature (though chocolate stops would be encouraged).
Cornwall
The beauty of Kynance Cove is no secret, so why not take this in with a route that starts at Lizard Point, where parking is by donation. This 9km walk along cliff paths takes around 3 hours depending on your speed.
From Lizard Point, follow Pentreath Lane and then signs to Kynance Cove to take you across fields and stiles until you reach Kynance Cove car park. Here you can descend onto the beautiful beach which is almost volcanic in nature (do be careful around high tide). As you come off the Cove, look for a path to Lizard Point and then turn right, climbing steep steps which will bring you up to breathtaking views of the coast.
Follow the cliff path for almost 2km, dropping down towards Polpeor Cove, crossing over a footbridge and then back up via steps towards Lizard lighthouse. Continue on the path, passing Bumble Rock, Lion’s Den and Hounsel Bay. Look out for the National Trust station on Lizard point – an excellent place to seal watch and enjoy a Cornish ice-cream. Catch up with Lloyds Road, seeing the oldest operational wireless station in the world, and follow this for 1km back to the start.
Devon
A shorter walk for Devon with a 4km stroll starting at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary, where parking and entrance is by donation.
Enter the sanctuary and go through the main yard – stopping to say hello to the donkeys. Pass through a gate in the bottom right corner, following the Sanctuary’s signs for the ‘D walk’. When you come to the top of the cliffs, go through the gate and drop down onto Weston Beach where there’s a stream to play in and a gorgeous sea for wild swimming (do be careful as there is no lifeguard). When ready to leave, find the path leading up the hill on the opposite side to where you entered. You’ll be pleased to hear that this path up is not quite as steep as the one you came down! Follow the path until it meets the road at Weston. You can then either take the road (left onto Grammar Lane and again onto Slade Lane) or the Sanctuary’s ‘C Walk’ path along the hedgerow to get back to the start.
Somerset
Heading to the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, we have a 5km walk which starts from the car park at Maunsel Lock and extends onto the edge of the Levels.
From the car park, turn left over the bridge and again onto the towpath which you follow under the Coxhill Bridge, past the swing bridge at North Newton and past Kings Lock. Just before the next bridge, climb a stile to the right of the towpath, walking alongside Whites Farm. Turn right at the end, along Middlemoor Drive, which edges the Somerset Levels.
Find the first track left and take this to Northmoor corner, where you will see several cottages. From here, you’ll find a short, green lane with a stile before joining an access track which will take you to a minor road at Herons Mead. Turn left and head back to the car park.
All being well, by trying a new route, that walker’s block can become a thing of the past and you can rediscover the simple joy of a stomp.