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6 Great Walks Around Padstow and the North Cornwall Coast
Forget the crowds for a while and explore the spectacular countryside and coastline around Padstow. Here are six of my favourite walks, from the Camel Estuary to Trevose Head and The Rumps.
Martin Hesp
1 day ago18 min read


Lyme Regis and West Dorset: walks, beaches, history and the Jurassic Coast
Lyme Regis is the gateway to a remarkable stretch of the Jurassic Coast. Here I explore the walks, beaches, cliffs, villages and landscapes around Lyme, Charmouth, Golden Cap, Lambert’s Castle, Beer and Branscombe.
Martin Hesp
2 days ago10 min read


How the National Trust Saved Cornwall's Coast – The Story of Neptune
For more than 60 years, the National Trust's Neptune campaign has helped protect Cornwall's spectacular coastline. Martin Hesp looks at how it began, what it has achieved and the growing challenge of caring for beaches, cliffs, wildlife and the South West Coast Path.
Martin Hesp
3 days ago10 min read


Jurassic Coast Walks: 5 Great Routes in Dorset and East Devon
From the golden heights of the South Coast’s tallest summit to the ever-shifting undercliffs of Charmouth and Lyme Regis, Martin Hesp explores five dramatic Jurassic Coast walks—complete with smuggler lore, sweeping Wessex panoramas, and essential safety tips for beach fossil hunting.
Martin Hesp
5 days ago11 min read


5 Best Walks in and Around St Ives, Cornwall
Five of the best walks in and around St Ives, Cornwall, taking in spectacular beaches, wild Atlantic cliffs, Godrevy Lighthouse, Godolphin Hill and the ancient St Michael's Way.
Martin Hesp
5 days ago7 min read


Quantock Hills Walks: In the Shadow of the Ridge
Born and bred beneath their western ridge, travel writer Martin Hesp explores Britain’s first National Landscape with four circular Quantock Hills walks—weaving ancient coombes, panoramic ridge tops, and the dark upland lore of the broomsquires.
Martin Hesp
Sep 77 min read


7 Great Walks Around Exeter
One minute you are strolling across tame, flat fields above Drewsteignton; the next, you are gaping straight into the abyss of the Teign Gorge. It is one of the great surprises of the Westcountry—vertiginous woodland plunging towards the rushing river below, with the granite battlements of Castle Drogo standing sentinel against the high moors of Dartmoor.
Martin Hesp
Aug 315 min read


The Great Headlands of South West England
From dramatic cliffs and ancient hillforts to lighthouses, seabirds and wild Atlantic views, Martin Hesp explores the great headlands of South West England.
Martin Hesp
Aug 318 min read


6 Great Walks on the Quantock Hills (and Somerset's Jurassic Coast)
From the high, wind-scoured ridge of Wills Neck to the romantic oak combes of Coleridge and the fossil-rich Blue Lias pavements of Kilve, Martin Hesp shares six of the very best circular walks across Somerset’s stunning Quantock Hills. Includes step-by-step route directions, fact files, and the best local pubs.
Martin Hesp
Aug 289 min read


20 Years, 6,000 Miles: How I Made a Career Out of Country Walks
My wife thought I’d lost my last remaining marbles when I asked if I could get paid to walk. Twenty years, 6,000 miles, and over 1,000 weekly newspaper features later, Martin Hesp looks back on a lifetime of exploring the West Country's wildest trails.
Martin Hesp
Aug 206 min read


Great Places to Stay in North Cornwall with Walks
I've stayed and walked in some of the finest corners of North Cornwall. Here are four places I recommend for combining a comfortable stay with spectacular coastal walks.
Martin Hesp
Aug 198 min read


Watergate Bay: a great place to stay for walks on the North Cornwall coast
I've stayed at Watergate Bay Hotel several times, and it makes an excellent base for exploring this spectacular stretch of North Cornwall. Here are two of my favourite walks around Bedruthan Steps, Porth Mear and Porthcothan.
Martin Hesp
Aug 199 min read


The Alverton, Truro: a central place to stay for wild Cornish coastal walks
The Alverton Hotel in Truro is a comfortable and characterful base for exploring Cornwall, with coastal walks on both the north and south coasts within easy reach. This is the story of one memorable walk from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth – a walk that happened only because Rick Stein cancelled on me.
Martin Hesp
Aug 198 min read


St Enodoc Hotel Rock: A Walk to Sir John Betjeman's Grave
Stay at St Enodoc Hotel in Rock and follow a memorable five-mile walk to St Enodoc Church, Sir John Betjeman's grave, Polzeath and Daymer Bay.
Martin Hesp
Aug 188 min read


Great Places to Stay on the Lizard Peninsula and in South Cornwall
From dramatic clifftop hotels and historic fishing inns to country-house retreats and foodie stays, these are some of my favourite places to stay on the Lizard Peninsula and around South Cornwall.
Martin Hesp
Aug 179 min read


The Fine Art of Sandcastle Building (And a Wild Seaside Feast)
Why build grand castles on the low-tide sand only for the sea to wash them away? Martin Hesp explores the philosophy, competition secrets, and wild seashore feasts of the Westcountry coast.
Martin Hesp
Aug 168 min read


5 Unmissable Devon Walks: From Dartmoor Tors to the Jurassic Coast
Discover 12 of the best walks across Devon. From the towering maritime cliffs of Exmoor and the wild granite tors of Dartmoor to tranquil estuarine paths and ancient heathlands, this curated guide offers detailed routes, distances, and difficulty ratings for every type of walker.
Martin Hesp
Aug 1010 min read


4 Essential Circular Walks Across Wild Exmoor
Reach the roof of the world with these 4 classic circular Exmoor walks. From the wide, open wilderness of Larkbarrow and Brendon Common to the coastal oak woods of Selworthy and the clear waters of the River Barle, discover wild moorland hikes complete with route maps, local pub stops, and places to stay.
Martin Hesp
Aug 97 min read


4 Dramatic Coastal Walks in North Devon
From the sweeping sands of Bideford Bay to the sheer, dizzying sea-cliffs of Exmoor, North Devon offers a landscape of striking contrasts. Whether you are tracing lost Victorian railway lines, exploring secret sea-coves, or wandering through vast dune systems, discover four dramatic coastal walking routes complete with local pub stops, route navigation, and parking details.
Martin Hesp
Aug 66 min read


6 Spectacular South Devon Coastal & River Walks
Discover six of South Devon’s finest coastal and river walks, stretching from the light-drenched cliffs of Start Point to the quiet banks of the River Dart. Complete with local history, atmospheric scenery, and the best walker-friendly pubs along the way.
Martin Hesp
Aug 49 min read
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