Light Houses, Lakes and Piers. A coastal walk in the South West of England.
- 1life2dream
- Oct 15, 2016
- 3 min read
The UK's Southwest coast is a fantastic place for a scenic walk. If you're looking for cosy coves, rolling waves, pebble beaches, stunning landscapes, an abundance of wildlife or just an opportunity to get fit; this is guaranteed to be a great starting point. The walk along the coastal path from Clevedon to Portishead and back is around 13 miles. Starting at Clevedon Pier and ending at the Portishead Lake grounds (home to the annual raft race) before returning. This paths makes up a smaller part of the 26 mile Gordano Round.
This walk offers some clear views across to Wales and on a sunny day as well as plenty of great places for striking photo opportunities. The meandering path along the coast line is dotted with architectural features and pockets of history. On a good day the azure blue sky rippled with fluffy clouds create an artistic contrast against the weather beaten rocks and murky water. Jutting ledges covered with colourful mosses and lichens is a feast for the eyes and would be enough to tempt any painter to sit for a while. Along the path are a number of pebble beaches strewn with drift wood and cosy coves separated by strips of lush greenery and colourful wild flowers. The pinks and purples of foxgloves standing tall in the summer with the welcome shade of the woodland in the heat on a hot day. The same woodland that offers natural protection from the rain as it gets colder and the winter draws nearer. Whatever the time of year there are plenty of places to stop, take it all in and unwind.
The signs of weathering along the walk are apparent and on a cooler day the breeze can be harsh, but the path's natural beauty with the sound of the waves crashing nearby is unmistakably relaxing. The extreme weather creates many natural points of interest and nature here, continually demonstrates it's resilience against exposure to the elements. Ever changing with the seasons, the path and everything in it seems to mould and shape into something new on every visit.
You can often see a small procession of ships dotted in the midst of the water or the odd lone fisherman out on a jagged ledge, his own world, not a care for the weather. A brief glance at a runner, a dog walker, a rambler, but often just alone with your own thoughts and a chance for peace. Exercising the body whilst calming the mind.
If you are not one to just relax, there are many points of interest along the way. The majestic Walton Park Hotel, a well known wedding venue peers over the clifftop offering outstanding views. The beautiful Ladye Bay a small, lesser known pebble beach offering a quiet place to sit, sunbathe and listen to the waves. If that is not the one for you, then the route is laden with secluded bays including Redcliffe Bay, Walton Bay and Sugar Loaf Bay; each with it's own unique character.
The grade II listed Black Nore light house, painted a crisp white stands as a reminder of the Severn Estuary's link to the shipping industry.
Fedden Village, a converted nautical school looks slightly austere against it's organic background, but has a somewhat appealing quality to it at the same time, as it demonstrates a connection to local history.
For many the highlight of the walk would be the views of the grade I listed Clevedon Pier built in 1869 and later restored and reopened in 1989. It has a romantic quality of a bygone era, a time when Victorians had a love affair with the sea. It remains an iconic emblem and is an example of architectural history, community engagement and conservation.
Whether you visit on a beautiful sunny day or a grey drizzly day, you cannot help but be mesmerized by the natural beauty this coastal path has to offer. Whatever the weather, it will not dampen your spirits but uplift them.
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