At some point in history, the UK public succeeded in getting the support of someone in the government for a law of wonderful genius. Someone had the foresight to think long term and put in place a 'public right of access' and 'right to roam' law. Its brilliant. England is such a beautiful country and it just begs you to get out and wander and explore. This 'right to roam' law essentially grants walkers permission to meander at will using the many walkways that crisscross the landscape over mountains, moors, heaths, downs and commons as well as many private lands. These pathways are well marked and are easy to follow and there truly is very few places that you can not wander. In our own little village, you will see the markers leading off downs little lane ways and out into forests and paddocks or along the river ways. I just love it.
So I took the opportunity while visiting Dorset to walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path from West Bay to Seatown. A total of 32kms return up and over some of the most spectacular coastal cliffs I've ever seen. The path skirts along the top of the cliff line through farmland, cow and sheep paddocks, from one pub to the next through the little village of Eype! Perfect. We headed off just after a morning tea of Dorset Apple Cake in the historic market town of Bridport, and then lunched at the Anchor Inn in Seatown before building the strength to walk back over the cliffs via Downhouse Farm for cream tea, to West Bay and then finishing with a pint of local beer at the West Bay Hotel. Despite the distance and the burning thighs, time passed quickly walking through the gorgeous countryside, chatting to other walkers along the way and getting distracted by the sheep, birds, and para gliders!
