Alex Polizzi’s Hotel Inspector TV show recently revealed a new way for visitors to enjoy and support the Coast Path this summer when the Pack O’ Cards pub in Combe Martin (North Devon) became one of the first places to sign up as a Coast Path Passport stamping point.
Alex Polizzi says “I am so excited about the new Coast Path Passport scheme that the South West Coast Path Association are launching this summer. It’s going to be fantastic for walkers and businesses along the Path. I hope you’re all going to enjoy it.”
The millions of visitors who will be walking the famous 630-mile South West Coast Path this summer will now be able to keep a unique record of their journey, thanks to a new Coast Path Passport being launched today in a summer trial, by the charity that looks after Britain’s longest National Trail.
The new Coast Path Passport which is the brainchild of the South West Coast Path Association charity means that the 9 million visitors who enjoy the Path each year can now collect ‘stamps’ along the way reflecting the unique nature of each stretch of the Trail. The Passport will create a lasting memory to treasure, whilst also helping to raise much-needed funds to help care for the Path which is at increasing risk from climate change.
Over 100 ‘Way Makers’ (business supporters of the South West Coast Path Association) have already been signed up as Coast Path Passport stamping points including Visitor Information Centres, museums, cafes, shops and pubs. The Passport will encourage walkers to stop on their journey for refreshments and supplies, helping local businesses get their share of the £520 million that visitors to the Path bring into the local economy each year.
Kristian Andrews, Head of Central Marketing, Digital & Design, St Austell Brewery said: “We’re very proud to be a corporate supporter of the South West Coast Path.
“Working with the South West Coast Path team on their passport trial this summer, and becoming a Way Maker, are both really exciting opportunities for us to help support the charity’s vital work – protecting and championing this iconic stretch of coastline so that everybody can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
“We feel very lucky to own 18 pubs scattered all along the trail, so walkers can pop in to see our teams at these sites anytime and get their passports stamped. What better excuse to stop off for a well-deserved bite to eat too (and a pint of Tribute of course)!”
Each of the unique ‘stamps’ has been hand carved by local craftsman, Marc Hoskin of Wild Work with a different design for each of the 7 sections of the Path, including a moorland pony for Exmoor, a wave for North Cornwall, a lighthouse for South Devon, an anchor for South Cornwall, a seal for North Devon, an ammonite for the Jurassic Coast, and a tin mine for West Cornwall.
Julian Gray, Director of the SWCPA comments, “We’re really excited about the Passport which is based on the world-famous ‘Camino de Santiago’ walk across Northern Spain which uses the same model.
We hope the fun of collecting the stamps will encourage people of all ages to experience the amazing health and wellbeing that the South West Coast Path offers, whether they are walking just one small bit or the whole lot!
It’s also a great way to raise awareness of the work we do as a charity to help protect, care for, and share this amazing environmental and tourism asset which costs almost £1 million a year to do – half of which we raise from our supporters.”
The South West Coast Path Association will be using this summer to trial the scheme with a number of selected stamping points to make sure everything is running smoothly before recruiting more Way Maker points in time for its big 50th anniversary celebrations next year. Passport users and stamping point venues will be asked for their feedback.
For more information about the South West Coast Path Passport and to buy your own passport visit www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/passport.
South West Coast Path Passport Fact File:
- Pocket-sized 52 x page publication.
- Price – £6.50.
- Purchase the Passport online HERE.
- There are 104 stamps to collect.
