A Step in the Right Direction

Guest Blog Post - Langstone Cliff Hotel

A Step in the right Direction – The South West Coast Path #Challenge630

On Sunday 30th November, 20 members of the Langstone Cliff Hotel Team pulled out all the stops to walk 10.9 miles of the South West Coast Path. The able bodied team fuelled and hydrated themselves ready for a 10.30am start. Kicking of the journey from just to the rear of the hotel in Dawlish Warren, the team set off along the long and winding path to the Samuel Jones pub just off Exeter Quay, arriving at just after 2.30pm.

This stretch of the South West Coast Path is a very popular route amongst, their guests as well as locals and tourists alike. To get in on some of the action, we decided ask them to document each step of the way for those looking to follow in their footsteps.

Leaving the hotel

The team started by joining the South West Coast Path just at the rear of the hotel next to the Southern railway line before heading east towards Cockwood.

Cockwood

While the weather was dry, bright and fresh, the team steamed ahead rosy cheeked on the crisp Sunday morning for a solid 30 to 45 minutes before arriving in Cockwood.

Starcross

Not long after passing Cockwood the team we pass through the quaint and picturesque village of Starcross. Here they did a quick pit stop to regroup and rekindle all their energy for the next stretch of the journey.

Powderham

The next landmark on their travels to Exeter city was past the stunning Powderham Estate and park; home to one of South Devon’s most treasured and loved castles; Powderham Castle.

River Exe

After walking a long stretch of the South West Coast Path between Starcorss and Powederham, overlooking the vast opening of the River Exe, they arrived in Topsham.

Topsham

Upon arrival in Topsham, they took a five minute breather to wait for the team to come back together again and rehydrate before setting out on the next five mile stretch from Topsham to the finishing line.

The Final Stretch

While the last few miles weren’t directly on the coast, the team were taken by the dramatic change in atmosphere from vast open coastal countryside between Starcross and Topsham, to a more heavenly and tranquil setting with reems of quaint quietness and intimate foliage.

At around 2.30pm, the team arrived on the sunny Sunday afternoon at Exeter Quay. Fresh faced to say the least and with nothing more than a couple of blisters and some pumped leg muscles, a successful trek had been achieved.

The Rogers family and the whole team at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, would like to thank all of their loyal and trusty guests and local business for their support and sponsorship. In total the hotel raised over £1,000 in both registration fees and donations which will be going directly towards regenerating one of the most loved attractions in the South West of England.

Watch this space as next year they might just be going even bigger and better than this year!