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Trailblazing for 50 years!
2023 marks our 50th year of protecting and championing the South West Coast Path, Britain’s longest National Trail, and we invite everyone passionate about this world class trail to join the celebrations!
From an incredible relay walk along the 630-mile route, a photography exhibition showcasing the diversity and beauty of the Coast Path, the launch of a new podcast series, and a commemorative Coast Path Passport to inspire a South West Coast Path journey, there are several ways that people who love the Path can get involved.
Trailblazer Walk – an epic relay of walks along the 630-mile South West Coast Path!
Calling all Trailblazers and lovers of the Path! Join the SWCP team as they take on the epic 630-mile journey around the Coast Path in a relay walk that will finish at Royal William Yard in Plymouth – the charity’s HQ and handily positioned on the Coast Path!
Each day will be split into a morning and afternoon walk. It will be free to join the walks, but spaces will be limited, and booking will be essential. Tickets will be made available in February 2023.
Look at the Trailblazer Walk itinerary HERE.
South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year 2022 Exhibition
Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
15 June – 27 July 2023
The inaugural exhibition by the SWCPA will showcase beautiful images of the Coast Path that explore personal connections, nature, urban and industrial heritage, and climate change. The exhibition will also feature images from the new Young SWCP Photographer of the Year Award. Images will be selected by a panel consisting of Andy Cooper, Editor, Coast magazine; Lucie Averill, landscape photographer; Susan Brown FRPS, landscape photographer and curator; Tony Davey, Engagement Officer, The Box.
More information about the photography competition that images will be drawn from is available HERE.
630 Miles – An Audio Journey
Hosted by 2022 SWCP completer and fundraiser Rachel Hadley-Leonard. Listen to interviews with the amazing people that help to make the South West Coast Path one of the world's greatest Trails. Meet the volunteers that help to protect this incredible natural resource, the artists and writers that take inspiration from the coastal landscape, the organisations that work tirelessly to protect the heritage and wildlife along the coastline, and the businesses who depend on the Path, plus get some insight into some of the research undertaken to highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of walking the Path.
The podcast can be listened to on Spotify - details of the podcast are available HERE.
South West Coast Path Passport – commemorative 2023 Edition
Following a successful trial of the South West Coast Path Passport last year, in 2023 improvements have been made to the Passport experience. There will be more stamping points to collect your stamps as you travel the route, plus there will be some additional information in the Passport to inspire you to see more of the coastal environment whilst walking the Trail.
Find out more about the Coast Path Passport HERE.
Year of the Coast
2023 is the Year of the Coast so this year, like no other, we hope that people will join together to celebrate all of our incredible coastlines. As the UK’s longest National Trail, the South West Coast Path is perfectly positioned to celebrate not only the 50th anniversary of the charity that helped to forge the Path’s very existence, but also to celebrate the English Coast Path, which when complete, will be around 2,600 miles long and the longest coast path in the world!
To find out more about the 50th celebrations and how you can take part go to www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/50/
Published on: Jan. 18, 2023
