A WELL-WORN PATH

The natural beauty of the Cornish shores provides rich inspiration and, fortunately, the whole coastline is made accessible by the South West Coast Path. This is the country’s longest national trail, and it has its roots firmly embedded in local heritage, the paths having once been used by coastguards patrolling the clifftops on the lookout for smugglers. Fishermen also used the paths, keeping an eye on the state of the sea and looking for shoals of fish. It was first fully opened as a long-distance path in 1978 and covers 630 miles. It is walked, at least in part, by more than nine million people each year.