Discover Culture

Myths & Legends
PoemCombe Martin
Legend tells that the Earl of Rone, an Irish rebel escaping to France was shipwrecked off Combe Martin and later found in the local forest. The story is now commemorated in the annual ceremony of the Hunting of the Earl who is then dragged backwards through the streets on a donkey and repeatedly shot and revived before eventually being thrown into the sea.

Forraburry, near Boscastle
There is a tradition that the sound of bells can be heard coming from the waves, especially on stormy nights. PoemThe bells were being brought to Forrabury for the local church, but when the ship's captain swore, a storm broke out and the ship went down with all hands.

Falmouth and Gerrans Bays
Since 1926 there have been numerous reported sightings of Morgawr, a giant sea-serpent, akin to the Loch Ness monster in this area. Your best chance of seeing Morgawr is from the Coast Path.

Mousehole
It was Christmas and storms had kept the fishing boats in harbour for so long that the people of Mousehole were starving. PoemTom Bawcock, a widower, put to sea and eventually came back with a full catch of no fewer than seven sorts of fish. These were made into stargazey pie with the fishes heads poking out from the crust.

Zennor
A mermaid went to church here and fell in love with Matthew Trewhella, a choir member. She enticed him to follow her to the sea-bed and the sound of their voices can still be heard drifting through the water on still summer evenings. Matthew has never been seen again, but you can see the mermaid on a bench end in the church.

Photo: St Aldhelm's Chapel

PoemSt Aldhelm's Chapel. Worth Matravers
The chapel is said by some to commemorate
the memory of a newly-married couple in 1140.
As they sailed around the headland a storm
blew up, capsizing their boat and drowning them.

 

 

 

Coast Path Celebratory markers
Photo: Minehead Celebratory markerIn 2001 and 2003 landmark features were installed at each end of the National Trail. The South West Coast Path Team co-ordinated both projects with financial contributions from many partners, including walkers who contributed to a special appeal organised by the South West Coast Path Association.

Poole Harbour Celebratory markerIn Minehead the Coast Path sculpture has become a focal point at the harbour end of the seafront. It was designed by local student Sarah Ward and created by Owen Cunningham, and features a giant pair of hands holding a map of the Path.
Supported by: the Countryside Agency, Environment Agency, South West Coast Path Association, West Somerset District Council.

At the mouth of Poole Harbour the Dorset end of the Path is marked by a compass and pair of sails with many details reflecting places and things to be seen along the Path. This piece was the work of David Mayne in collaboration with local people and visitors.
Supported by: The Countryside Agency, EJH Stephenson Charitable Trust, FJB Hotels, National Trust (Wessex Region), Neptune Coastline Campaign, South West Coast Path Association.

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Plymouth Waterfront Walkway
In 2002, Plymouth City Council created a continuous 12-mile walking route along its coastline and appointed a team of artists (Why Not Associates) to mark the route and interpret the many stories along it. This is now part of the South West Coast Path.

A metal welcome mat marks each end of the walk, and between the two a series of features lights up the city's heritage - a wall of stars, a recipe for ship's biscuits, a flying boat's propellor... even a rhinoceros. Try out this unique section of the Coast Path to find out why and what they all mean! A guide booklet and audio description of the route (available on cassette and CD) are obtainable from Tourist Information Centres in Plymouth. A description of the walk and podcasts of the audio description can be downloaded from the following page of this website.

Plymouth's Wall of Stars

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Show of Hands CD: The Path
Show of Hands CD: The PathIn 2003 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the creation of the South West Coast Path. Award-winning Westcountry accoustic duo Show of Hands (Steve Knightley and Phil Beer) joined in by recording a CD of music inspired by sights and sounds along the route. Steve and Phil jumped at the opportunity to compose and record a series of instrumental portraits of special places on the South West Coast Path.

Steve says "We hope we've captured the beauty and grandeur of the West Country coastline and that this music will inspire you to discover - or rediscover its endless fascination."

It can be purchased from here.

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Poems by South West Coast Path Forum members, facilitated by Word & Action.

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