Looking for the perfect Cornish day out? I’ve rounded up 5 of my favorite circular coastal walks that start and end near a great local pub. From the hidden creeks of the Helford to the rugged cliffs of Fowey, these tried-and-tested routes offer the very best of the West Country landscape.</p>

1. Aller and the Rhynes: A Winter Skyscape Walk Is a taste for landscape similar to our liking for food? Our appetites change; Brussels sprouts seem the work of the Devil when we are young, but by 40, we crave that bitter depth. That is how a love for "flat country" came to me. As a child, I loathed the Somerset Levels’ empty skies, preferring the hilly intimacy of home. Today, I find those magical marshes and rhynes irresistible. The Route I began this "lowland lope" under O

Gentle Winter Walks Across the West Country Walking your way to fitness and health after the festivities is one of the most enjoyable and invigorating things you can do during that dreary time of the year otherwise known as the second-half of winter. Some people take post-festive fitness very seriously, signing up for gym regimes and diets that would cause a serious athlete to lose sleep. Inevitably, all to many realise they are living a fantasy. You can only eat raw carrots

Why Post-Christmas Walks Matter Post Christmas walking in England's Southwest… Punch those words into my computer hard discs and I discover that, in the past quarter of a century, I’ve written a couple of dozen articles based on this theme, which is not exactly surprising for a couple of reasons… The first of which is that even busy people tend to have time on their hands during the strange period between Christmas and New Year - added to that they’ve probably been indoors a

A Dartmoor Hike from Cadover Bridge to Great Trowlesworthy Tor If you love Dartmoor’s wild edges and secret stories, this short circular walk from Cadover Bridge takes you deep into Trowlesworthy Warren , past ancient pillow mounds, granite tors, and the haunting white scars of the china clay pits . It’s a fine mix of moorland solitude, industrial history, and far-reaching views over Plymouth and the South Devon coast During our stay at Boringdon Hall , we took a five-minute

Hike the 'Devon's Frenchman's Creek': A Secret 3.5-Mile Circular Walk Around Tuckenhay The Dart Valley cuts a slice of countryside so deep and secluded that it feels a world away—and this short, sensational loop from the creek-side hamlet of Tuckenhay is proof. This 3.5-mile circular walk is utterly crammed with waterside views , the haunting call of wildfowl , ancient trackways, and picturesque, time-forgotten villages. It scores at least nine-out-of-ten on the 'Hesp-patent

South West Coast Path in the Spotlight The South West Coast Path has been making headlines recently, partly thanks to the now rather infamous Salt Path debacle, but also because we’ve had a glorious summer (if you’re a walker and not a farmer, that is) and increased numbers - inspired by the book or the film - have been trudging along at least some of its 630-mile length. But where should our most famous long distance trail really begin and end? Minehead or Portishead – Where

Favourite West Country Hikes and Weather Challenges Over the two decades I was writing a regular weekly walks article here in the West Country I was asked countless questions by readers - the most common of which was: “What’s your favourite hike?” Impossible to answer. This region has some of the best walking routes to be found anywhere in Europe, so picking just one would be like trying to name your favourite piece of music. Too many to choose from. An embarrassment of riche

Speke’s Mill Mouth – Devon's Hartland Peninsula A True Secret Seaside in North Devon Speke’s Mill Mouth has the complete kit of parts necessary to be named as one of the region’s great secret seasides. You can only access it by descending a wobbly looking staircase that looms next door to a giant waterfall – and the area boasts rare butterflies, a long lost Swannery which went the same way as a saint’s chapel and a herd of wild horses. That list alone puts it firmly into our

Secret Seaside Near Plymouth: Whitsand Bay and Cornwall’s Forgotten Peninsula Discover Cornwall’s Hidden Coastal Gem Just Minutes from Plymouth As the 15th biggest city in England you wouldn’t think Plymouth could boast such a thing as a secret seaside – but the old maritime community knows a thing or two about the sea and, rather cleverly, keeps a beautiful stretch of coast very much to itself. It’s not that secrtet as most Plymouthians have some kind of relationship with Wh

Discovering the Best Sand in Britain: St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly Sand is a very important topic when it comes to seasides – secret or otherwise – people often ask which beaches have the best sand, partly because the stuff comes in so many forms… The answer is simple – but you’re going to have to travel 28 miles west of Land’s End to walk barefoot in it. The beaches of St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly have amazing white sand. It is the Rolls Royce of granular geology – the

The Enchanting Appeal of Ness Cove, Shaldon Discover One of Devon’s Best-Kept Beach Secrets A great many secret seasides are difficult if not dangerous to reach - which is probably why they remain unknown and out of the way - but here we visit a beach that is often visited and which has, for a century or more, been celebrated among local folk and holiday-makers alike. Having said that, the Ness Cove, near Shaldon, has all the hallmarks necessary to make it a secret seaside...

Discovering Strangles: Cornwall’s Secret Seaside on the North Coast A Wild and Wondrous Hidden Beach Once upon a time I climbed the long descent down to this Secret Seaside and saw a fat naked man wobbling along in nothing but a sandal and a boot, neither of which seemed to fit him. If that sorry image puts you off reading any further, then I only mention it because it gives a clue as to the whereabouts of one of the finest secret seasides in the region. Nudist Beaches and Wa

What Is a Psammosere and Why Braunton Burrows Matters Do you know what a psammosere is? No, neither did I. What I now know is that the word psammosere is used to describe a sand dune system – and that Braunton Burrows the largest psammosere in England. If you haven’t ever been there, please go. Braunton Burrows is truly magnificent – and it boasts its own Secret Seaside. Saunton Sands: The Famous Face of North Devon’s Dunes Of course, everyone knows Saunton Sands which run so

Discover Hidden Cornwall: Hiking Around Lansallos Every now and again I discover a place so wonderful, I’m loathe to share it with anyone, even the kind readers of this column. That’s what I said exactly a year ago when I discovered the delights of Lansallos. But, inevitably, I spilled the beautiful beans back then, and I’m about to do the same again. A Return to Lansallos: Cornwall’s Secret Coastal Gem A few summers ago I argued that this cuddlesome corner of south Cornwall

Exploring the Scenic Mawnan Smith Peninsula Coastal Walk I first did this walk more than 25 years ago and took the following photos on a very early form of digital camera—which is why the quality of some images is not so good - but, believe me, the views around this hike are absolutely superb. The walk is based in the attractive environs of the strangely named village of Mawnan Smith, and fits well with Hesp's patent recipe for perfect walking: i.e. you can't beat pottering a

Discover Cornwall Beyond the Beaches: A Hidden Gem Walk Through the Luxulyan Valley Cornwall may be famed for its sun-drenched beaches and dramatic coastlines, but inland lies a different kind of beauty—one that's mysterious, lush, and steeped in history. If you’re seeking a truly immersive walking experience in Cornwall away from the crowds, the Luxulyan Valley walk delivers peace, heritage, and natural splendour in equal measure. The Luxulyan Valley Walk: A Hidden Treasure

Discover Le Marche: Italy’s Underrated and Unspoiled Gem And so to Le Marche, one of Italy’s least spoilt and most beautiful regions. The Chianti-shire effect has yet to spread its posh English roots across the Apennine Mountains that cut a lofty strip down the peninsula’s spine, so you really do get an Italy that feels, tastes and sounds like it should. Exploring the Landscape of Le Marche: From Coast to Mountains From the narrow coastal plain, the land rises first gently, t

Warm Weather Awakens the UK’s Only Venomous Snake As spring sunshine begins to warm the West Country, adders—the UK’s only native venomous snake—are stirring from their winter slumber. Sightings have already been reported across local hills and heathlands. But despite these appearances, experts are concerned about the species’ long-term future. A few years ago I wrote the following two articles all about adders in the English hills. Adder Decline: A Growing National Concern C

Discover a stunning spring walk in the Quantock Hills AONB With Easter arriving this month, now’s the perfect time to extol the virtues of staying at home — especially if your home patch happens to be the West Country. Easter falls late this year, and if the weather is even halfway decent, West Country roads will be heaving with holiday traffic. So, what better time to enjoy the pleasures of your local area? And what a patch we have. I’ve just spent a lovely weekend in West C