A walk on the wild side? The Pembrokeshire section of the Wales Coast Path

For 186 breathtakingly rugged miles, the Pembrokeshire section of the Wales Coast Path promises days full of seabirds, seals, puffins and even the occasional dolphin. Tony Bowerman says it’s unmissable.

Green Bridge

It’s official: Pembrokeshire offers world-class walking. Recently voted the “world’s second-best coastal destination” by National Geographic magazine and, in 2011, named the second in a list of the “world’s top ten long distance paths”, the Pembrokeshire coast path is definitely a dream destination for walkers.  The lovely Pembrokeshire section of the Wales Coast Path undulates along the top of rugged cliffs, in and out of secluded coves and tiny harbours, and along numerous sandy beaches.

Strumble Head

From the remotest reaches of the north coast near Strumble Head on day one to the popular beaches around Tenby on the final day, it provides a wonderfully varied experience. Whether you come for the scenery or the solitude, the wildlife, Welsh history, language and culture, or simply to immerse yourself in an exceptional corner of Britain, Pembrokeshire certainly won’t disappoint.

Pembrokeshire’s unique qualities were recognised as far back as 1952 when it became one of Britain’s first National Parks. The path traverses several National Nature Reserves, lots of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one of the UK’s four Marine Nature Reserves, all helping protect the area’s geology, habitats and wildlife.  Along the way, you’ll encounter countless seabirds — including puffins, peregrines, choughs, gannets and fulmars.  You’re also likely to see plenty of inquisitive seals, and if you’re lucky, porpoises and dolphins.  But most memorable, perhaps, are the spectacular carpets of maritime wildflowers that colour the cliffs and offshore islands in spring and early summer.

Pembroke Castle

As well as ever-changing scenery, the coast path is a walk through history too.  Cover the whole route over fourteen or so days and you’ll discover prehistoric burial chambers near Fishguard, Aberdraw and Manorbier, standing stones and hillforts, dramatic medieval castles at Pembroke and Manorbier again, tiny Celtic chapels and atmospheric St David’s Cathedral.  Several sections of the coast are also managed and protected by the National Trust.

Wonderful walks 

For the first few days, the Pembrokeshire section of the Wales Coast Path runs along the rugged north coast with its high, often remote and windswept cliffs. Along the way, it drops in to Newport, Fishguard and the tiny cathedral city of St David’s.

Once round the St David’s peninsula, the path enters St Bride’s Bay, with its hidden coves and historic headlands. Beyond the Marloes peninsula and St Ann’s Head, the coast becomes more developed around the Milford Haven, before rounding the Angle peninsula, and passing through spectacular limestone and sandstone scenery on its way to lovely Tenby and its end at Amroth, on the Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire border.

Carreg Samson cromlech

Favourite day walks include the section between Stack Rocks and Bosherton Lily Ponds, passing the amazing sea arch at the ‘Green Bridge of Wales’ and tiny St Govan’s Chapel hidden in a cleft in the cliffs. For a longer, two day walk,  I recommend the stretch from Strumble Head to Whitesands Bay. It’s got some of the best dramatic scenery on the whole Pembrokeshire coast and a host of prehistoric remains including the fascinating Carreg Samson cromlech.



More information:



For a detailed guide to the 186-mile linear route, get hold of a copy of the Official Guide: Wales Coast Path: Pembrokeshire by Vivienne Crow.

(ISBN  978-1-908632-23-4 | £13.99).

For details, see: Official Guide: Wales Coast Path: Pembrokeshire





Or if you prefer short, circular walks along the coast, try the two attractive pocket-size ‘Top 10 Walks’ books for the Wales Coast Path: Pembrokeshire — North and South, both by Dennis Kelsall.

(ISBNs  978-1-908632-29-6 and 978-1-908632-30-2 | £5.99 each).

For details, see: Pocket-size ‘Top 10 Walks’: Pembrokeshire

Podcast Edition 023 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 023 - Coast and Coast Australia’ on Audioboo

Edition 23 of the Walks Around Britain podcast is a special dedicated to the popular long-running series Coast. Emma Johnston joins Andrew from Sydney to talk about Coast Australia and Steve Evanson, the series editor of Coast, talks about the new ninth series of the original UK version.

Coast Australia

(c) Foxtel / BBC

Professor Emma Johnston (left) joins Andrew from Sydney to talk about how she loved watching the original UK series of Coast - before getting a surprise phone call asking whether she'd like to co-present the forthcoming Australian version.

Emma is the director of the Sydney Harbour Research Program at the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences - where she investigates the effects of contaminants and introduced species on the structure and diversity of indigenous marine species in places as diverse as the Great Barrier Reef and Antarctica.  You can find out more about her work on their website here - and follow her on Twitter.

(c) BBC

Coast

Joining Andrew from not quite as far away as Emma - Coast HQ in Bristol in fact - is Steve Evanson, the series producer of the original UK version of Coast.

Coast returns for an amazing ninth series on BBC Two this summer, and Steve has been the series producer from the very first series way back in 2004/5.  Here he chats to Andrew about the way the series is made, and the various elements which all go together to make Coast the successful and popular programme it is.

You can follow Steve on Twitter at CoastTV.


That's another podcast finished.  We hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we do putting them together.  Any comments and suggestions are gratefully received - pop them in the comment section below.

You've heard of the Wainwrights and the Munros...

For many people, part of the attraction of walking is the completion of a list of targets - with the most well-
know being the Wainwrights and the Munros.

The Wainwrights are a collection of 214 Lake District fells - or hills - which were included in the 7 books written and illustrated by Alfred Wainwright, and the Munros are named after Sir Hugh Munro (right), who  produced the first list of mountains in Scotland with a height over 3,000 ft (914.4 m) in 1891.

But climbing to "bag" 282 Munros isn't everyone's cup of tea...

As a bit of a night owl, I'm often awake editing or writing when the early morning Shipping Forecast is broadcast on BBC Radio 4.  Although it's primarily designed to provide valuable long distance weather information to sailors, it's found an increasing number of listeners from landlubbers whose only experience of high seas is on a ferry to Ireland or mainline Europe...

Part of the Shipping Forecast is the "Forecast from Coastal Stations" - these are coastal stations and automatic weather logging stations located across the British Isles and provides essential information about the weather at sea along the coast.  The Coastal Stations forecasts are included in the extended Shipping Forecasts on BBC Radio 4 at 00:48 and 05:20 local time each day.

And this got me thinking...  How about a new walking tick list based on the "Forecast from Coastal Stations"?

How about several walks of differing length going to each of the Coastal Stations mentioned in the 00:48 forecast?  As they are coastal, it would connect with the British love of the sea, but it could also make it a fairly accessible tick list.  Although the list of people completing the Wainwrights and the Munros grows every month, it still is a very small amount of people compared to the large numbers who go walking because of the inherent nature of the those mountains.

Here could be a walking tick list which many more people have a chance of achieving.  But it is still quite a challenge... Two, for instance, are in the Republic of Ireland, another two are on the islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man and a further two are located on on the Hebrides.  This is not a tick list you could do in a few well-coordinated walks as with the Wainwrights!  And to make it even more challenging,  three of the Coastal Stations are actually light vessels moored in the English Channel!  I'm not thinking people should swim to these, but they could be pointed to the nearest point on the coast to where those light vessels are.

So, I decided to develop this idea further and do some research.  It turns out someone has had a similar idea, but they visited all of the Coastal Stations and wrote a book - they didn't try to create something for others to discover - but it proves the fascination with the Shipping Forecast and the coast.

I've already had input from the Met Office and I'm putting their suggestions in the mix.  What I'm working 2 or 3 walks to each of the Coastal Stations mentioned in the 00:48 broadcast.  As I'd like this tick list to be the first in the British Isles to have an element of digital involvement and social media from the start, I'm working with the team at Social Hiking to have the walking routes available via GPS downloads and to have some sort of a presence on their fantastic site.

Each of the Coastal Station points will be set by a GPS point too, as some of the stations are not able to be accessed by public rights of way - and some are in the sea, as I mentioned.  So, there will be a GPS point which will be "set" as the target end destination of each of the walks, and there will be detailed descriptions, photos and possibly videos detailing the routes and the end points on a website too.   At a later point, if the tick list becomes popular, there could be interpretation boards and waymarkers on the ground - but let's not get ahead of ourselves...
on at the moment is

So, there's a lot of work to be done, but having already walked to places like Ronaldsway in the Isle of Man and Bridlington, I think this walking tick list might become something people would like to do: a long term project to travel to some of the most scenic coastal spots across the British Isles.  Although I'm not too sure about the nickname a friend has already given the project... you've heard of the Wainwrights and the Munros, well he's called it the Whites...

Hmmmm....


Please leave any comments or suggestions you might have below.

Walking the Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is a beautiful coastal walk in Cornwall, the length of a disused railway line from St. Breward to Padstow - and Walks Around Britain follower Angie Silver sent us this great description of her experience...

More Info :
County/Area : Cornwall
Author : Angie Silver
Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles 8.8 Km
Wadebridge to Boscarne (Bodmin) - 5.75 Miles 9.25 Km
Boscarne to Wenfordbridge - 6.25 Miles 10.1 Km
Ascent : Quite flat
Grade : moderate

We picked up the walk, parking in Bodmin by the Borough arms pub and starting our adventure there. It is a very pleasant almost flat route, traffic free and family friendly, apart from other walkers and cyclists and the birds you are left to your own thoughts – blissful.


Setting off from Bodmin, on a beautiful sunny morning, we walked just under 6 miles into Wadebridge, passing old rail stops – as the line you walk along used to be a railway track, a tea room (one to remember for the return journey). Whilst all along the way being serenaded by spring bird calls and all along the path between us butterflies and damselflies dance a merry dance.

There are plenty of places to stop for a bit of lunch / or a snack, plenty of picnic tables. Then you pass the entrance to the Camel Valley vineyard – a chance to take a break and enjoy a glass of local wine on the terrace (the Sauvignon Blanc is lovely) with amazing views across the Camel Valley.

You cross two small roads, remembering to close the gates behind you, passing old railway cottages and beautiful tinkling streams.

Starting again on the walk, you go through central Wadebridge, where there are plenty of amenities, past a co-op and then past the old harbour edge, before picking up the trail again across the river.

We cross the estuary, and see beautiful sea birds, cormorants and waders, and here sounds of “chiff chaff” as walkers pass exchanging greetings.

We pause to look out at the area designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, the sky is blue not a cloud to be seen. The sea twinkling like diamonds, the smell and taste of salt in the air. Kingfishers dart back and forth in the banks, then we continue to walk the 5.5 miles to Padstow arriving close to the lobster hatchery, after refuelling on Rick Stein’s fish and chips from the shop on the Quay, we repeat the 11.2 mile walk back to bodmin – happy and fulfilled.

A glorious day filled with sights and sounds that only Cornwall can provide. A truly memorable experience with extensive views across the Camel Valley and Camel Estuary and beyond, one to be repeated at any time of the year, but particularly if you're in Cornwall and you wake up and the sky is blue with no clouds to be seen – then pack up a bag and head for the hills – a day for walking is to be had.


Many thanks to Angie for sending this in.  If you've got a walk with some photographs you'd like to share, please email it to info@walksaroundbritain.co.uk.

Podcast Edition 014 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 014 - 40th Anniversary of the South West Coast Path, Tripbod and Everest The Old Way’ on Audioboo

Edition 14 of the Walks Around Britain podcast features information about the Great South West Walk  event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the South West Coast Path, Sally Broom tells us about Tripbod and John Driskell recounts one of the first documented trips up Everest.  Presented by Andrew White.


Great South West Walk


2013 is the 40th Anniversary of the South West Coast Path, and we travelled down to Cornwall to find out more about the Path and the anniversary celebrations.  The Secretary of the South West Coast Path Association, Steve Church, talked passionately about the history of the Path and the plans for the Great South West Walk.

Julian Powis (left) and Peter Maxted

Peter Maxted and Julian Powis from the Cornwall Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty told Andrew about the AONB and their love of the Coast Path.

The South West Coast Path is England's longest National Trail, with a total length of 630 miles (1,014 km).  It runs from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset.


The Path hugs the coast as much as possible, and so rises and falls with every river mouth.  It has been calculated the total height climbed of the Path is 114,931 ft (35,031 m), almost four times the height of Mount Everest.

To join the Great South West Walk, visit their website here.


We stayed at The Nare hotel on the Roseland Peninsula, with access to a particularly stunning section of the Coast Path just outside the hotel.  There are also many circular inland walks on offer too - making it a great base for walking. Named the best hotel in Cornwall for 15 years, The Nare provides a a warm friendly welcome.

Tripbod
Sally Broom (right) joined Andrew to talk about Tripbod, the website which enables people across the world to offer experiences and trip planning.

We have our own Tripbod store, where you can book a guided walk led by Andrew along some of the most popular walking routes on the Walks Around Britain website.


Everest The Old Way

John Driskell told Andrew about the first recorded trek to Mount Everest in 1968.  Starting from the unlikely setting of Barnsley, 5 local students tackled the world's highest mountain.

John and Dave's talk about their experience is part of 2013's Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, taking place in the Steel City between 1st and 3rd of March.

To find out more about the 80 epic films and the numerous talks and lectures in the three days, visit the ShAFF website here,

"Everest The Old Way" in on Saturday 2nd March 14.15 and you can find out more information and to book tickets on the ShAFF website page here.


That's another podcast finished.  We hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we do putting them together.  Any comments and suggestions are gratefully received - pop them in the comment section below.

Five of the top British Isles walking destinations

Taking a walk with the family is a great way to spend some time together and to get healthy exercise, but how many times can a family walk around their own neighbourhood.  After a while, the same old route may get a little boring.  That’s why planning a walking holiday for the next family trip may be just what the doctor ordered.

A walking holiday is perfect for people of any age that want to get away, see some spectacular sights, and not gain weight while traveling!  That’s why walking holidays are great for the whole family – it keeps mum and dad active and allows the kids plenty of things to see and do.  A walking holiday can include everything from a long-distance hike to relaxed strolls along a coastal path; it just really depends on the destination.  So here are five of the top walking destinations in the British Isles to consider for the next family holiday.


Lake District

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful and serene destinations in the United Kingdom.  The scenic beauty of the lakes and mountains has attracted millions of visitors over the years and is the ideal backdrop for a walking holiday.  Be sure not to miss the Southern Fells, home to Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England - though every area within the district is ideal for an extended trip or a quick weekend getaway.  Families may rent a cabin or choose to camp in the Lake District National Park.  Camping allows families to bring their own village garden furniture for comfortable al fresco dining.  Using a campsite as a base the family can enjoy the easy, moderate, and difficult walking trails, which vary in length, at their own pace.


Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is one of the best locations for a walking holiday simply because there is so much space.  Measuring 33 miles in length and being 13 miles wide, this destination offers some of the most breathtaking countryside views in the British Isles.  For families that want to get a taste of every type of scenery the British Isles has to offer, the Isle of Man has it all – majestic highlands, layered cliffs, valley slopes, woodland glens, and of course sandy beaches.  With miles of footpaths, the Isle of Man is ideal for hiking beginners, leisure walkers, and families with young children as well as the most experienced walker.  Remember though, the Isle of Man isn't part of the UK, so you'll need some form of photo ID to travel to and from.


Norfolk Coast Path

Between Cromer and Hunstanton, the Norfolk Coast Path offers an enjoyable route for any enthusiastic walker on holiday.  Following along the coastline, this national trail has an abundance of wildlife that can only be seen in the UK. There is birdlife in abundance and the walk passes through some nature reserves.  Salt marshes, sandy cliffs, and crashing waves are features of the Norfolk Coast Path.  Because the path remains at sea level, there is some walking on the shingle shoreline and the beach itself; these sections can be quite tiring.  Do not be put off by this, as this is a wonderful coastal path that rewards its users with some wonderful scenery.


North York Moors

For a dramatic coastal walking holiday and a taste of the wild upland moorlands, the North York Moors are the perfect destination.  The interesting ancient villages with ruined abbeys and a restored steam railway complement the beautiful rural scenery.  Walking enthusiasts will enjoy the well-developed footpaths offering a wide range of walks.  Covering almost 600 square miles, the North York Moors is home to one of the most picturesque national parks in the United Kingdom.


South West Coast Path

For those hoping to experience a walk to remember, the South West Coast Path is one of the longest national walking trails in the UK.  With a variety of landscapes and seascapes, it is also one of the most challenging.  Don’t forget the camera and good walking shoes on this trail, as the high cliffs and rich wilderness are a sight to behold while proving to be a great challenge every step of the way.



You can find walks in the Lake District, the North Yorks Moors, the Isle of Man and the South West Coast Path on our website - Walks Around Britain.  We're adding some along the Norfolk Coast Path very soon.

Have we missed out you're favourite destination?  Please let us know what it is and why.

Our new walking video - Boscastle and the Valency Valley in Cornwall

Our latest walking video is online now - a walk from Boscastle along the Valency Valley.  Shortly, we'll be adding this video, along with the walking route, to the Boscastle page on our website - so we'll keep you informed.



If you're wanting to go to Boscastle to do this walk, we stayed at the Valency Bed & Breakfast - and you can find out more information, visit http://www.valencybandb.com/

Podcast Edition 005 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 005 - LVS Ascot Munro Challenge, Tubular Fells & MunrOverground maps and Fred Talbot’ on Audioboo

Edition 5 of the Walks Around Britain podcast features the team of Sixth Formers attempt to bag some Munros and we find out about a new map about the Munros - and it's older Lake District cousin.  Richard Vobes - the Bald Explorer - takes us along the Dorset Coastal Path and weatherman Fred Talbot tells us about his walking treks and lyrca.


LVS Ascot Great Wilderness Munro Challenge

Six intrepid Sixth Formers from the LVS Ascot School in Berkshire - Kieren Exley, Jamie Goldsmith, Idris Adedeji, Charlie Morgan, Jack Bingham and Ben Pearson - should be very proud of their recent adventure, as they along with three mad teachers returned safely after taking on the several Munros in North West Scotland.

Teacher Nick Funnell tells us about the challenge on the podcast.

If you'd like to donate to the challenge, visit the Just Giving website here.  At present, 31st May 2012, the total raised was a massive £2,722.50.



Tubular Fells and MunrOverground

Tubular Fells was the first map of its kind, blending the iconic work of Alfred Wainwright and Harry Beck - the designer of the London Tube map.  Using the same formula, the second map MunrOverground has been created to map the Scottish Munros in the same topological way, but this time looking more like an overground rail network.

Peter Burgess - the creator of the maps - talks to us on the podcast about the way they came about.

To find out about them both - and to buy them - visit the website here.


Richard Vobes

Richard Vobes - the Bald Explorer - sent us a short clip about his walk along the Dorset Coastal Path.

You can follow his adventures on the Bald Explorer on his website.





Fred Talbot

Fred is probably best known for his appearances on the “This Morning” weather map and between 1988 and 2001 he delivered the weather live from the Albert dock in Liverpool over two thousand times.  All of those were memorable but the one that sticks in everyone’s mind was when the streaker climbed from the waters of the dock onto the weather map live on the morning show.

Fred is an avid walker, and presented a series Wainwright Country, along with Eric Robson.

The series is available to buy on DVD from Amazon here.

The Bridgewater Canal Fred talks about forms part of the Cheshire Ring, with the Ashton & Peak Forest Canals, Macclesfield Canal and Trent & Mersey Canal.  Find out more about it on the Canal Junction website.

Fred is on Twitter where you can follow his weather tweets especially for the North West of England and the Isle of Man.



So, that's the fifth edition over then! Please get in touch with us if you've any comments or suggestions.  E-mail them, tweet or facebook them. Or use the "Send us a Voice Message" tab on the right of the blog to let us know your thoughts via audio.

"50 Great Coastal Walks" - from The Telegraph and Countryfile magazine

We didn't get much advanced warning about this, but in this weekend's The Telegraph newspaper there are two 48-page walking guides - that's the 19 and 20th May.

The guides have been produced in association with Countryfile Magazine, and are introduced by BBC TWO "Coast"'s Alice Roberts.

For the price of two newspapers, you get two 48-page, glossy walking guides to help you explore Britain's beautiful coastline - sound's a good buy!

For more information, visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/promotions/9254814/free-uk-walking-guides.html