Latest news with #coastalwalk
Times
20-07-2025
- Times
Win a seven-night self-catering stay for four in Devon at The Lanterns worth £2,250
In Hope Cove, a pretty fishing village along one of the loveliest stretches of the south Devon coast, The Lanterns is a collection of 11 smart, self-catering apartments right on the South West Coast Path. Walks west will take you to South Milton Ley nature reserve, while the path east leads to Salcombe — both offering spectacular scenery at an easy pace. You could just as easily stay close by, too, and get out on the water for paddleboarding or sailing. And it's dog-friendly, so there's no need to leave your pet at home. Your prize is a seven-night stay in one of the two-bedroom apartments for up to four people and two dogs, plus a luxury goody bag. Interiors are coastal chic: oak wood flooring, a blue and white colour scheme, soft throws, patterned cushions and sea-themed artworks. An outside shower comes in handy after swimming. The apartment will be ocean-facing and have either a balcony or terrace. You'll also enjoy dinner for four at artisan pizzeria Primo in Salcombe, as well as a private rum tasting with the Devon Rum Company. The stay must be booked by April 1, 2026 and take place between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates (Christmas, New Year, May 22 to 30 and the month of August). You'll also need to give a minimum of a week's notice. For more information, click here. For your chance to win, simply vote in each category in this year's Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. There are 17 categories in total. Click here to vote. For the full list of prizes, see closes at 23.59pm on August 31, 2025. Open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older, excluding employees and agents of the Promoter and its group companies, or third parties directly connected with the operation or fulfilment of the Promotion and their affiliates, and their immediate families and household members. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Winner and guest responsible for getting to and from Hope Cove at their own expense. Subject to availability, Prize must be booked by April 1, 2026. Prize must be taken between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, except on the following dates: May 22 to May 30, 2026, August 2026, Christmas, New Year and Easter. Winner and his/her guests must travel on same itinerary. All parts of Prize must be used in conjunction with same booking. Travel insurance, food and drink (outside what is previously declared in the board basis), spending money and all incidental expenses are the responsibility of the Winner. Prize is subject to The Lanterns terms and conditions. Your information will be used to administer this Promotion and otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy at and those of the partners. Promoter is Times Media Ltd. Full T&Cs apply — see
Irish Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Salt Path: How a blockbuster memoir strayed from the truth
The Salt Path, a memoir published in 2018, told an inspirational story; how Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lost their home following an unwise investment while the couple were dealing with Moth's diagnosis of a rare terminal illness. It was how they dealt with these blows that was so uplifting: they embarked on a 1,000km coastal walk and a journey of self-exploration. The book sold more than two million copies and prompted a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. And while creative licence is usual and even expected in any memoir, an investigation by Chloe Hadjimatheou, a reporter with the Observer newspaper, claims Raynor – real name are Sally Walker – had embezzled money from a former employer. Hadjimatheou also raises a sceptical eyebrow about the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration that Moth received in 2013, though she does say that nothing she has seen contradicts his diagnosis or the book's account of it. READ MORE So what has been the reaction from the publishers, the film-makers and the couple in the eye of this literary storm – the Walkers, aka the Winns. Statements responding to the allegations came as the week went on including one from Raynor posting on her website. She admitted her deep regret for any mistakes she made while working for her former employer and is devastated by 'unfair and false' accusations that her husband's illness was fabricated or exaggerated. She said the book's account of the way they lost their home is true and that their property in France is 'an uninhabitable ruin'. She noted the couple have no outstanding debts. Chloe Hadjimatheou explains the fallout to her report. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
Sky News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
What's the truth of The Salt Path?
👉 Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app 👈 It's the bestselling book that's in the middle of its own seismic plot twist. Raynor Winn's The Salt Path spent 85 weeks in The Sunday Times Bestsellers List and has just become a film. But the author's life-affirming account of how her husband's illness and losing their money and home put them on a 630-mile coastal walk has been called into question. The Observer has claimed that not all of the couple's story stacks up - something strenuously denied by the author. Niall goes through the claims with Sky News arts and entertainment producer Jayson Mansaray and hears from a journalist who has interviewed Winn, Charlotte Lytton.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- The Sun
The neighbouring coastal villages in the UK that have hidden beaches and even puffins you can spot from the shore
A HUGE stretch of coast in the UK has some beautiful villages you can walk between - and even some saunas and beachfront cafes along the way. Berwickshire in Scotland is located just over the Scottish-English border and is a popular holiday destination for staycationers. 8 8 8 And within the region is short coastal walk that links two seaside villages with beautiful beaches and an abundance of birdlife. Starting at St Abb's - a small fishing village - visitors can explore a rugged harbour, complete with a tiny cafe perched just above the water. The family-run Ebbcarrs Cafe serves up fresh local seafood, homemade bakes and local ales - which can all be enjoyed whilst watching the boats bob up and down on the harbour. After enjoying a refreshing tipple, travellers can head to St Abbs visitor centre to gain amazing views across the harbour - with the waves crashing into nearby rocks. St Abb's Head is also known for its dramatic cliffs and seabird colonies. And if you are here at the right time of the year, between spring and summer, you can see the region's puffins - which come ashore to nest. During the daytime, the puffins can be seen fishing and even burrowing. The village's beach - Coldingham Bay - differs from the ruggedness of the harbour and is located a short walk away from the centre of the village. The one-kilometre sandy beach is popular with swimmers and watersports enthusiasts. And here visitors can also find a cafe set in the sand - called Beach Cafe - which boasts even more incredible views across the bay. Why Carmarthenshire makes the perfect family hol 8 8 One recent visitor said: "We hiked across the cliffs, hillside and beaches from Eyemouth and arrived at this absolutely wonderful stopping point." To the northern end of the beach, there are also a handful of historic beach huts - whilst at the southern end visitors will find a steep, grassy area. For those who enjoy a longer walk, the Berwickshire Coastal Path crosses the beach and takes walkers to Eyemouth. Alternatively, you could head in land too and explore the ruins of Coldingham Priory, which was founded in the 11th century by King Edgar I of Scotland. And to extend your trip, you could stay at Calonia Dene - a unique triangular-shaped holiday lodge park set back from the cliffs, complete with hot tub and sauna facilities. One recent visitor said: "Me and my girlfriend have attended numerous lodge holiday's in the UK and this one is definitely the best!" In Eyemouth, there is also a Parkdean holiday park and a leisure centre, that sits just above the beach complete with a sauna for visitors and Parkdean guests to use. 8 The stretch between St Abbs and Eyemouth takes around 10 minutes to drive, or is about an hour-and-a-half walk. Other beaches nestled between the villages include Mildown Bay. Wedged between the dramatic coastal cliffs, Mildown Bay is next door to the larger Coldingham Bay. Many visitors admire this spot for its diverse ecosystem with seals and other marine creatures often spotted in the bay. Further along again, you will reach Linkim Shore - a very shallow and rocky beach that runs level with the coastal path. Before hikers reach Eyemouth, they will cross Killiedraught Bay - often home to guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins, razorbills, and even dolphins. There is also a UK hidden gem beach that Brits say is 'on another level'. Plus, the UK beach parents say is a hidden gem where kids can go 'dinosaur-hunting'. 8 8
Fast Company
07-06-2025
- Fast Company
How England's southwest coast has been a healing refuge for centuries
Moth Winn was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the age of 53 and in the same week he and his wife, Raynor, lost their home. As the bailiffs arrived, the couple made a remarkable decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall. Their journey was first told in Raynor Winn's bestselling memoir The Salt Path, which has now been made into a film. In The Salt Path, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs portray the hardship and hope the couple experienced as they walked through sunshine and storms with little more than a tent and a handful of cash. But their walk is part of a much older story. Without realizing it, Raynor and Moth joined a centuries-old tradition of seeking healing and transformation along the southwest coast. In the 19th century, people traveled to the coast because doctors believed sea air and seawater could treat illness. This idea became known as 'change of air' treatment and was widely prescribed to urban patients suffering from 'nervous disorders', such as stomach pains and chest issues. These seaside visits were understood as a form of medicine. England's westerly edge The South West Coast Path is the U.K.'s longest national trail. The route has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent—the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest four times. It was officially protected in 1973 to preserve and improve access to the path and now attracts nearly 9 million visitors each year. But its origins lie in the working lives of local people, especially coastguards watching for smugglers and fishermen following pilchard shoals. In the 19th century, the region also became a destination for domestic tourists. It was made more accessible as passenger rail lines were extended to places including Plymouth and Penzance. Some visitors walked to explore unfamiliar landscapes, while others did so on medical advice. The seaside towns of Penzance and Torquay emerged as health resorts and by the first world war they were known as 'havens for invalids.' Between 1800 and 1854, Torquay's population grew from 800 to 14,000, mostly made up of medical residents on temporary stays. Healing in the elements Before the walk, Moth was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) after seeing a doctor about shoulder pain and tremors. CBD is a rare degenerative condition that affects the brain and gradually leads to difficulties with movement, speech, memory, and swallowing. When he began the walk, Moth's mobility had deteriorated and he was experiencing severe pain and numbness in his left leg. For the first half of the film, Jason Isaacs drags his foot along the ground to show this physical strain. The challenge of walking was made harder by the rugged terrain—steep hills, jagged rocks, and harsh winds. As Moth and Raynor walked, something unexpected happened. Moth's symptoms began to ease, his condition improved, and he eventually stopped taking pain relief. He believed the change was linked to the regular movement and the sense of purpose the walk gave them during a bleak period. He described walking as having a restorative power that offered him a new, unlicensed freedom. The idea that walking by the coast could have healing properties has deep roots. In the 19th century, walking was considered beneficial, but the emphasis was on gentle movement in clean air rather than endurance through rough landscapes. The air of Devon and Cornwall was praised for its soothing qualities and the climate for its warmth in the winter. Town planners even built flat promenades in seaside towns to make walking more accessible for people with chronic illnesses and low mobility. Spending time outside was considered particularly valuable for people suffering from tuberculosis. Before tuberculosis was known to be caused by bacteria, medical experts blamed it on bad-smelling air. Doctors suggested that city dwellers suffering with chest pains remove themselves from these dirty atmospheres and immerse themselves in the clean, salt air at the seaside. Nature plays a central role in The Salt Path. Its effect on the body is seen in Gillian Anderson's sun-scorched cheeks and wind-tousled hair. The sounds of birds and the sea accompany panoramic drone shots of the cliffs. The sea is a key character. Arriving at Minehead, the Winns take a photo to begin their journey: of 'the three of us', the couple and the sea. Victorian travel writers also insisted that in the southwest, 'The pedestrian must never wander more than a stone's throw from the sea.' When Moth swims in the sea, he is empowered in his own body and able to move without constraint. The seaside has carried health connotations since the 1700s. In the 18th century, doctors claimed that sudden immersion in cold, salty, and turbulent waters had therapeutic value for chronic illness. Today, open swimming remains a popular practice in the southwest and is praised for its mental and physical health benefits. As the film ends, we learn that 12 years after their walk Moth is still living with CBD and the couple still use long-distance walks to treat his symptoms.
