Logline The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest National Trail and a dream destination for hiking enthusiasts. Spanning over 1,000 kilometres, the Salt Path winds along the rugged coastline of southern England – and it’s far more than an old smuggler’s route. It’s a living tapestry of prehistoric history, unique nature, and human resilience.

Synopsis 

Tracing the shifting boundary between sea and land, the South West Coast Path runs along the dramatic geological formations of England’s southern coast. This route, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the longest National Trail in the UK, crossing four counties. Its origins lie with the 19th-century coastguard service, which patrolled the shore to catch smugglers and save those in distress at sea.

The Salt Path snakes its way from Somerset’s wooded coastline to Devon’s wind-battered cliffs, through Cornwall’s vibrant arts scene, and on to the quiet harbours of Dorset. For generations, artists have found inspiration here, weaving the coastal landscape into their books and films. Visual artists and sculptors drew their muse from the granite, the horizon, and the salt spray.

The path forms a natural corridor through a rich mosaic of habitats – grasslands, heath and moorland, forests, sand dunes, tidal flats, coastal cliffs, and saltwater marshes. These ecosystems are home to wild pony herds, rare flowers, and distinctive plant species. But climate change, tourism, and industry now threaten this exceptional biodiversity.

Along this undulating route live the modern guardians of the trail: people working in conservation, the arts, gastronomy, and history. They live and breathe this landscape. They guide travellers through southern England’s breathtaking beauty and show ways to preserve its history, protect its environment, and carry old traditions into the present.