News

Access to the South West Coast Path, at Lansallos village near Polperro, has been improved thanks to funding from the Rural Development Fund for England (RDPE) and donations from the South East Cornwall Walking Festival.

The work includes improving six waymarkers, restoring four new chestnut timber bridges, improving five stiles and adding four new gates.

It has taken place as part of the South West Coast Path Team’s ‘Unlocking our Coastal Heritage’ project, which received funding from the RDPE to conserve, enhance and interpret the Coast Path.

National Trust Cornwall has led the work to improve this section at Lansallos to help the accessibility from the village to the Path and Andy Simmons, Head Ranger for National Trust South East Cornwall, is pleased with the results:

“The South West Coast Path is a beautiful aspect of the South West’s countryside and is something that should be accessible for all to enjoy. These improvements mean that people can access the Coast Path from Lansallos village, meaning even more people can enjoy this fantastic part of our natural heritage.” 

Mark Camp, organiser of the South East Cornwall Walking Festival, is delighted that donations from his event are helping the future of the Path:

“The South West Coast Path boasts some really spectacular walks and trails.  I am pleased that the donation from the walking festival will help more people to access the Coast Path from Lansallos, as walking the Coast Path is something that should be open for everyone to experience.”

Alongside the sponsorship, funding for the work came from The Great South West Walk, which took place this year to celebrate the South West Coast Path Association’s 40^th anniversary.

The event raised over £500,000 and identified 90 much needed improvement projects around the entire 630 mile South West Coast Path.

Steve Church, from the South West Coast Path Association – the team that coordinated the Great South West Walk, is thrilled:  

“It is fantastic that we have been able to make these improvements to the South West Coast Path at Lansallos. This is a really beautiful stretch of the Coast Path so it is great that it is even easier to appreciate. We are so grateful to everyone involved that we have been able to make this happen”

Pictured above from L to R: Andy Simmons, Head ranger for National Trust, South East Cornwall and Mark Camp, organiser of the South East Cornwall Walking Festival.