Help make the Coast path even better

The South West Coast Path is looked after by a dedicated group of workers who between them ensure that the Trail is kept in as good a condition as possible and that it passes through an as attractive environment as possible. This group includes wardens and rangers on the ground, those who plan what needs to be done and those who work out ways to fund the work.

But you don’t have to be a professional “in the business” to help support and improve the Trail. If you’re interested in seeing the Coast Path maintained and enhanced to its full potential, there are a number of ways anybody and everybody can get involved to support us. Here are a few suggestions.

Join the South West Coast Path Association

The Association is an independent voluntary organisation representing the users of the Trail. It campaigns to improve the path and also raises money to help achieve this. It has a list of improvements it would like to see for the path and has funds for these and other improvements. It works closely with the South West Coast Path Team and others to achieve them for the benefit of the path and its walkers.

The Association’s improvement funds have been used to add to the Authorities’ funds not only to achieve desired improvements but also to help overcome difficulties that have occurred along the path, for example cliff falls, erosion, etc. Membership of the Association is open to all (cost only £12.50 per year) and comes with numerous benefits. These include a full colour, 190-page Annual Guide which contains a comprehensive range of information including descriptions of the entire path section by section, accommodation, tide tables, ferry details, local travel information and more; there are also two newsletters a year. In return, your membership donation will help the Association achieve desired or necessary improvements.

Become a National Trust Volunteer

The National Trust owns vast lengths of some of the most beautiful coastal land along the South West Coast Path and is responsible for the maintenance of the path and its environment in these lengths. The National Trust welcomes volunteers who want to help conserve the local amenities and landscape on their land and in return may enable such volunteers to learn new skills. Go to the National Trust website at and see if there is anything you fancy helping out with on National Trust land on the coast of Exmoor, Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

Report Problems

One way anybody can get involved in maintaining the Coast Path is to report any problems encountered while walking the Trail. The rangers, wardens and South West Coast Path Association local representatives keep an eye on things but cannot be everywhere every day, so if you come across a problem, let us know. If we know about it already, no problem; rather that than not to know at all. So if you encounter a broken gate, stile, signpost or waymark, problems with the path surface or overgrown vegetation, bulls on the path, anything likely to cause a problem to other path users, let us know. Use the problem report form on this website.

Support our Supporters

We are lucky enough to have a range of local businesses who support us in various ways, financial and otherwise. This website is also supported by advertisements placed by local businesses – you can see them as you travel through the website. To ensure that these businesses continue to support us or advertise with us try and use them so that they find their support for us worthwhile.

Join the Family

Following one or more of these suggestions above will enable you to become part of the family of those who not only love and appreciate the Coast Path and gain pleasure from it, but also contribute to its well-being. Welcome aboard!