The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest national trail, a 630 mile route through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. It follows the curving coastline through fields and moors, villages and towns, woods and gorse. It crosses streams and rises to some of the highest coastal points in the UK. Footpath signs point the way as you walk, leading you safely along our fragile coastline. I have walked what I estimate is about two thirds of it. Some of it over and over again, re-treading local stretches of the path in Devon and now Cornwall.
When I first hiked the West Cornwall section of the path I fell instantly in love. I had never visited this area of Cornwall before and meeting the land during long days of hiking felt intimate: like meeting someone you were always meant to know. Every section of the path has a personality of its own, and in West Cornwall that personality filled my heart and soul. The more I walked it, the more I loved it.
I am by no means the first artist to fall in love with this corner of Cornwall. Penwith has attracted artists for generations. Its land and light an inspiration to some of the UK’s most important painters and sculptors. When I first walked along the coast here, I gained a new understanding of Barbara Hepworth, seeing in the rock formations and vast landscape the inspirations for many of her sculptures. Today those same features continue to inspire new artists.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to A NOMADIC ROSE to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.