F CONSIDERING THE COUNTRYSIDE ADVERTISEMENT
WHY WE SHOULD BOAST ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL COAST
IN ENGLAND, NO one is ever further than 70 miles from the coast and, as an island nation, our coastline helps defi ne our very identity. So it’s no wonder that we love our coast. We’ll travel a long way for the perfect seaside
spot, and those lucky enough to live in coastal communities treasure the wonders on their doorstep. Building sandcastles on the beach, dipping toes in the sea or taking a stroll along wild and remote cliff tops are favourite activities that cross generations and bring us all together. So you might well be surprised that, until
With much of our coast previously out of bounds, many of these areas have never been fully explored
recently, a third of England’s coastline was inaccessible. Even now, some beaches are out of bounds for local residents, and seaside strollers suddenly fi nd their path changes course, taking them away from the water, heading inland, often along dangerous roads. The Ramblers have long dreamed of a country
where everyone could freely enjoy our beautiful and dramatic coast. In 2010, after many years of campaigning, work started on what will be the longest continuous coastal walking route in the world — the England Coast Path. At almost 3,000 miles long, the path will stretch around the entire English coastline. That more than doubles the total length of our National Trails — the nation’s fi nest and most popular long- distance paths. The England Coast Path will help to reconnect people with nature and allow us to rediscover our national heritage.
30 THE COUNTRYSIDE EXPERIENCE
We’re just years away from having the world’s longest cont nuous coastal trail – the England Coast Path Not only is this inspirational project opening up
new paths, it’s creating new areas of open-access land, so people can freely explore headlands, cliff s and beaches, right up to the water’s edge. With much of our coast previously out of bounds, many of these areas have never been fully explored, and some of the views rarely admired by people on foot. That’s why Natural England’s work in creating
the England Coast Path is so important. Working with landowners, highway authorities and others, they’ve been opening up stretches of the path. Ramblers’ volunteers have also worked tirelessly, walking many miles, surveying swathes of coast and mapping out the very best routes for walkers. Using their
local knowledge,
spending hours exploring possible routes and thinking with their feet, they’re helping ensure the England Coast Path is not just a path, but one of the most incredible trails in the world. The coastal path is well underway, and the
government hopes to complete the work by 2020 — but the story doesn’t end here! We must continue to campaign to ensure that plans are put in place to maintain the path, because what good to our grandchildren’s grandchildren is a stunning cliff top path that crumbles into the sea? We want future generations to be able to walk in our footsteps, and your support by becoming a Ramblers member will allow us to do just that. In anticipation of what’s to come, why not
head out for a coastal walk today. If you need some inspiration on where to walk, visit
ramblers.org.uk/coastalroutes where we’ve shared some of our favourite walking routes, complete with maps and step-by-step directions.
BECOME A MEMBER
Join at
ramblers.org.uk/join or call 0207 339 8595 to take advantage of a range of benefi ts.
Join by 30 September and quote A1717A for the chance to win a Hi-Tec fi tness band
T
P
U
B
L
O I
C
O
T
P
A
H
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
