Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Kelsey Head, Holywell, Cornwall.

Kelsey Head. 4.5 miles, 2 to 3 hours. 

The walk starts by parking in the NT car park at Holywell. £1 in the winter. Walk down to the beach at Holywell and enjoy the beautiful beach. Here you can either return to the little bridge and start the walk over the dunes from the coastal path or continue along the beach and join the coastal path further along the beach. 
From the dunes the coastal path passes through a kissing gate and on over the wild cliffs of the rocky headland. There are a few sheep up here but it was the only place where we felt the need to put our dog on a lead, the cliffs being lower and less steep than yesterdays walk. 
The headland turns right towards Porth Joke beach (Polly Joke). Continue on the coastal path to cross a small bridge and then on up the other side of the narrow bay. (If you are wanting to shorten the walk turn up this valley to the NT car park on Cubert common). 
The coastal path goes up and around the headland with views of Cantock and Newquay. Before the houses a path turns right leaving the coastal path and heading inland to reach cubert common. At the small camping area turn right and continue past the NT car park. Then take the lower path to your right which run along past a small stream. Then up over The Kelseys and onto the dunes once again. The path runs alongside the golf course and back down into the village of Holywell. 












Monday, 23 January 2017

Chapel Porth to Newdowns Head, Cornwall.

Beautiful cliff walk from Chapel Porth to Newdowns Head and back over St Agnes Beacon. Starting from the NT car park at Chapel Porth (Free to members or £2).
Head up the SW coastal path to your right when facing the sea. After about half a mile you will come to the ruins of Wheal Coates which stands beautifully against this wild coastline. 
Continue on to the coast guard lookout post which you are welcome to view. There are large free NT car parks up here which can also be used as a starting point for the walk. 
Continue on to Newdowns head. When you reach the houses take the turn up and past the houses. Then keep right onto the little track road. After the chapel the track bears left and reaches Beacon Road. Turn right onto this and then enjoy the Beacon a little further on before continuing on this little road to reach the NT car park for Wheal coates. Turn right off the road and keep left on this little path all the way down to the beach at Chapel Porth. Takes around 2 to 3 hours and is about 4 to 5 miles depending on weather you go up to the Beacon. Beautiful views on this lovely walk. 
















Sunday, 22 January 2017

Perranporth beach, Cornwall.

Perranporth beach, Cornwall. Lovely walks on the South West Coastal path. Parking £1 for 4 hours in winter.












Charmouth beach, Dorset.

Charmouth beach, Dorset. Plenty of park next to the beach (charged), picnic benches and a little beach cafe under the cliffs. Cliff and beach walks. Fossils and guided walks available from the heritage centre too. 






Beacon Corner, Puddletown, Dorset.

Beacon Corner, Puddletown for a walk with Phoebe this morning. Lots of lovely routes through the forest. Small Free car park. The forest extends over to another car park on the far side with nature trails. Takes about 45 minutes to drive to, walk can be of varying lengths. There were lots of people biking in the forest as there are many small and steep biking trails as well as lovely level ones. Great place for young people to enjoy off road mountain biking.






Saturday, 21 January 2017

Rockford common, Near Ringwood.

Rockford common near Ringwood today for a lovely walk. This walk starts from the NT car park (Free) at the sand pit near Moyles Court school. Take the take up the hill and keep right past the log piles in the open area. Lots of ponies up here. Our 2 year old granddaughter loved sliding on the icy puddles, but we also took her buggy for her as it was cold when we stopped for a coffee and a fairly long walk for a little one. There are good tracks all over this beautiful area. We came back along the edge the ridge with beautiful views down into the valley below, over the forest to the north and the Avon valley. This circuit takes around 30 -45 mins but much longer walks can be make along the ridge, making a larger circuit, taking 1 to 2 hours.