About the South West Coast Path team

The South West Coast Path Team is responsible for co-ordinating the management and promotion of the 630-mile National Trail. Our work is funded by Natural England and we’re supported in our task by the many rangers and wardens employed by the highway authorities and the National Trust who maintain the path to a high standard and thus ensure this remains one of the world’s greatest walks.

The Team’s role is:

• To provide an independent voice on behalf of the South West Coast Path and to influence appropriate organisations for the benefit of the National Trail.
• To hold the strategic overview of the entire South West Coast Path.
• To be a centre of expertise on the management issues of the Coast Path and advise those carrying out management.
• To monitor and co-ordinate Coast Path management and maintenance on behalf of Natural England.
• To act as a catalyst enabling regional and strategic projects to take place, by assessing need, planning, providing the project framework and if appropriate, raising funds
• To develop and promote the economic and well-being benefits of the South West Coast Path for visitors, residents, communities and businesses in the region.
• To encourage the consistent management and promotion of the trail to the highest standards.
• To provide path-wide information and marketing materials

More details of our work can be found in the South West Coast Path Framework for Action 2007-12, or on the latest news pages.

Meet the Team

Mark Owen, National Trail Officer

Alongside heading up the Team, a major element of Mark’s role is coordinating path maintenance and improvements. This involves working closely with the many rangers and wardens who deliver this work on the ground, Natural England who fund the majority of the work, and the many other partner organisations involved in looking after the countryside alongside the path.

Contact: mark.owen@devon.gov.uk or 01392 382557

Alex Green, Communications and Project Officer

Alex is the main contact for the many research and media enquiries we get seeking information about the Coast Path and the wonderful heritage and countryside it gives access to, and for instance produces our media information page . She provides advice and content to our partner organisations in the tourism and countryside sectors to ensure the information and promotional material they provide about the Coast Path is accurate. In addition, she undertakes the lead on some of the projects the Team deliver.

Contact:  alex.green@devon.gov.uk or 01392 382683

Jo Kiddell, ‘Unlocking our Coastal Heritage’ Project Manager

The Unlocking our Coastal Heritage project, led by Jo will between April 2010 and December 2013 increase the economic value of the South West Coast Path by protecting and enhancing heritage features, improving the quality of the route and working with businesses to improve the facilities and information provided to visitors.  It is largely funded through the Rural Development Programme for England, and is being delivered by a range of partner organisations.

Contact:  Jo.kiddell@devon.gov.uk or 07891 601914

John Slater, Commercial Partnerships

As part of the Unlocking our Coastal Heritage project, John is working to involve businesses and other organisations in helping to fund a wide range of small scale projects that improve the Coast Path both for their customers and the wider walking public. These range from path improvements, repair of steps, improving wheelchair access, interpretation panels often linked to improving information about the Coast Path and local circular walks for use by the sponsoring businesses.

If you would like to learn more about being a Supporter of the SWCP and the potential business benefits we can offer to those who become involved please

Contact: johnslaterswcp@gmail.com or 07792 162000

Allan Ginman, Administrative Support Officer

In addition to providing admin support for the other team members, Allan looks after the majority of our digital content,. This includes uploading information onto the website, maintaining our extensive collection of Coast Path photos, and putting together the many local walk information boards and leaflets we provide to tourism businesses near to the path.

Contact:  allan.ginman@devon.gov.uk or 01392 383560

Path Management and Landowners

Looking out to sea from the North Devon Coast

The South West Coast Path is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. For information about the other members of the National Trail family click here.

Natural England creates National Trails and is their primary funder. It also has much wider responsibilities in the countryside - see under wildlife.

The following organisations manage the South West Coast Path via their Countryside and Ranger services, and also provide services to manage the landscape, wildlife and heritage:
Cornwall County Council
Devon County Council
Dorset County Council
Exmoor National Park Authority
Plymouth City Council
Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust
Defence Estates (Ministry of Defence)

The National Trust owns approximately one third of the land through which the Coast Path passes, and manages the National Trail, on behalf of the relevant local authority, in these instances. The Trust manages its land for the benefit of the landscape, wildlife and heritage:
The National Trust (Wessex Region)
The National Trust (Devon & Cornwall Region)

These organisations represent many of the landowners and farmers that own the land through which the Coast Path passes:
Country Land & Business Association
National Farmers Union

Scenery

The South West Protected Landscapes Forum is the umbrella body for the most prized places of natural beauty – the AONBs and National Parks - in the region.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are designated solely for their landscape qualities. The Coast Path passes through five AONBs:
Cornwall AONB
Dorset AONB
East Devon AONB
North Devon AONB
South Devon AONB

Wildlife

Natural England is the government’s advisor on nature conservation and manages National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It also provides agri-environment grants to landowners and farmers.

The following are membership organisations that promote the interest of wildlife. 
County Wildlife Trusts
Butterfly Conservation
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Both of these projects co-ordinate data about sightings of sea mammals:
Seawatch South West
Durlston Marine Project

North Devon has always been one of the finest unspoilt locations in the UK and is now home to Britain's first new style world class UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand.

Heritage

English Heritage is responsible for maintaining and caring for the historic environment of England. It owns five properties around the Coast Path, which are open to the public.

Some of the mining landscapes of Cornwall and West Devon were inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006 and the South West Coast Path takes in six of the coastal areas that form part of it – the St Agnes Mining District, Portreath Harbour, the ports of Hayle and Charlestown, the St Just Mining District and Trewavas.

Geology

The Jurassic Coast is England’s first natural World Heritage Site, which stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Purbeck, Dorset and gives a unique insight into the Earth Sciences.

The English Riviera Geopark is one of only six geoparks in the UK. Torbay has a unique geological heritage and the geopark takes in 32 separate sites covering 400 million years of earth history.

Culture

The Arts Council is the national development agency for the arts in England.

West Country acoustic duo, Show of Hands, recorded their CD, ‘The Path’ to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the South West Coast Path:

Local Food and Drink

Both of these organisations promote food and drink from the south west:
Devon Food Links
Taste of the West

Coastal Safety

For Coast Path safety advice please read our safety page:

These organisations promote coastal safety and provide rescue services:
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
RNLI

This website outlines the beach safety code.

Visitor Information

Visit South West - for all information on accommodation, events and attractions within South West England.

Public Transport

Traveline - for all UK public transport information.

Walkers' Associations

These are all membership organisations representing people who enjoy walking. Their websites include general information and events:
South West Coast Path Association
Ramblers’ Association
Long Distance Walkers’ Association

The Youth Hostels’ Association is a membership organisation providing simple hostel accommodation. There are many Youth Hostels along the South West Coast Path.