South West Coast Path Association 2025 Impact Report

Impact Report

Welcome to the second edition of the South West Coast Path Impact Report.

The charity has championed, protected and enhanced the Coast Path for over 50 years. Last year we published our first Impact Report. We have committed to update the Impact Report annually to help communicate the public benefits of the National Trail and its corridor.

The report covers six main areas of work:

• Protecting and improving the trail;

• Championing a Coastal Wildbelt;

• Promoting our Natural Health Service;

• Stimulating sustainable tourism;

• Supporting coastal communities; and

• Making a difference.

In 2025 our work continues to focus on:

• Protecting and enhancing the Path corridor in the face of intensifying threats from climate change and nature in crisis;

• Extending the opportunities for everyone to access the coast; and

• Supporting the local economy.

Working across environment, community and economic issues enables us to manage this national resource sustainably, ensuring that the Coast Path is one of the world’s great trails, now and for future generations.

2025 saw the completion of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) in Exmoor, North Devon and Cornwall – thirteen years on from the first section being opened in Weymouth in 2012. The South West Coast Path Trail Partnership will oversee the management of the KCIIIECP in the South West alongside the South West Coast Path, with both National Trails having separate and unique identities.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act gives us new Coastal Access across the Coastal Margin – a once in a generational opportunity to help people connect with nature.

Our Coastal Wildbelt concept - leveraging the new open access rights to also improve nature around our coast – has been scaled up nationally with the support of Defra through the Protected Landscapes Partnership: National Trails UK, National Parks England and the National Landscapes Association working together.

This Impact Report is both a reflection of the progress that the charity and Trail Partnership have made and a call to accelerate action. We are now able to better articulate the impact of our work and the importance of the South West Coast Path and need to continue to leverage this to ensure the transformative power of the Coast Path is accessible to all.

Julian Gray Director, South West Coast Path Association

Path Guardians

Develop and improve the South West Coast Path experience as one of the world’s great trails

Caring for one of the World’s Great Trails

The South West Coast Path was designated a National Trail in 1978, but its history goes back much further. At over 630 miles and an ascent four times sea-level to the top of Everest, the Coast Path receives over 9 million visits a year.

We continuing to grow fundraising and investment for the Trail, with some significant improvements to the route and infrastructure. However the revenue costs to keep the Path open and accessible are increasing year on year.

Protecting and Improving the Trail

We continued our programme to protect and enhance the path through the dedicated efforts of the Trail Partnership and our

2025 Achievements

£1.6 Million spent on maintaining the path and connecting people to nature.

£766k match funding from the Trail Partnership.

5,014 volunteer hours.

£5.5k Find Your Way Appeal funded 28 new signs.

£6k Step Up Appeal funded 343 step boards.

volunteers. Between October 2024 and March 2025, more than 70 volunteers surveyed 97% of the National Trail using tablets. We recorded observations in line with National Trail Quality Standards, providing valuable data to guide maintenance and improvement work. These survey findings directly inform projects across the trail, including the installation and repair of boardwalks, bridges, steps, and signage.

Annual Survey Results

611 miles of path surveyed.

31,153 steps

85% good condition.

4,920 signs

76% good condition.

1,140 gates

86% good condition.

566 bridges

85% good condition.

266 stiles

80% good condition.

Championing a Coastal Wildbelt

Protect and enhance the Coast Path corridor to improve its natural beauty, cultural heritage and biodiversity

Coastal Margin and the King Charles III England Coast Path

The charity has been leveraging the designation of the Coastal Margin for improving nature and connecting people with nature through championing a Coastal Wildbelt. This new right of open access allows us to work with farmers and landowners to improve access and access to nature. Our challenge is to ensure balance between equity of access and positive action for nature. We will need to adress those areas of real and percieved land-use conflicts across recreation, development, farming and nature.

Climate Change

8 significant coastal erosion events affecting the trail.

6

Named storms: Amy, Benjamin, Bram, Claudia, Eowyn, Floris.

Double record-breaking year sunniest and warmest.

• The Coastal Margin is made up of 250,000ha of land: 5.5% of England’s 30x30 biodiversity target to protect 30% of land.

• 11 million people live within 5 miles of the Coastal Margin, creating a new opportunity to deliver Government’s 15 minutes to nature target.

• Coastal Margin is identified in government’s Environment Improvement Plan as a mechanism to deliver 30x30 biodiversity target

Conservation Action

Devised and championed the Coastal Wildbelt for positive nature action and reconnecting people with nature.

IUCN Global Congress recognises trail corridors as protected areas and able to deliver the international 30x30 biodiversity targets.

King Charles III England

Coast Path 2,681 miles long South West section accounts for ¼ of its length and 2⁄3 of the elevation.

Local Nature Recovery

Strategies in the South West identify the Coastal Wildbelt as a priority to improve nature around the coast.

Champion the health and wellbeing benefits of walking along the Coast Path and improve the equity of access and accessibility to and along the National Trail

Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion

Our community engagement work focuses on supporting people to access and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of the coast, with five hubs located in Cornwall, North Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Dorset.

National Lottery Heritage Fund support for the Coast Path Connectors project completed in the first half of 2025. Independent evaluation of our community engagement and equity of access work exceeded all our targets. Trustees of the charity agreed to continue this important work as core activity, issuing permanent contracts to the community engagement team.

Case Study: Improving Lives Plymouth

Improving Lives Plymouth (ILP) social prescribers refer participants to our Coast Path Connector wellbeing walks. In 2025 we trained ILP team members to build their capacity to strengthen community engagement through outdoor activity. We also worked with ILP’s Sensory Solutions team to deliver accessible guided walks for individuals with hearing and sight loss, improving inclusivity and participation.

Coast Path Connectors Project

Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund support, our Community Engagement team worked across five hub areas to improve access and boost health and wellbeing for local communities:

£75 Million saved on public health services.

4,000 participants welcomed on our community and partner walks.

3,000 hours contributed by 50 volunteers.

700

referrals via an NHS health professional or social prescriber, recognising how important walking is for mental and physical wellbeing.

540

walks on the Coast Path led by our community engagement team.

135 walks led solely by volunteers.

26 Organisations involved with our community engagement work.

Inspiring Adventures

Celebrate and engage people in the Coast Path and the work of the charity

Promoting Responsible Coastal Experiences

As the official provider of Coast Path information, we inspire millions to explore and appreciate the trail’s unique landscapes while encouraging responsible and sustainable enjoyment of this valuable natural asset.

The Salt Path film

Provided the opportunity to champion the transformative power of the trail and highlight the work of the charity to new audiences around the world.

Information and Engagement

180 Million

reached through national, regional and local media coverage, including France TV Londres and increased coverage due to the Salt Path film release.

5 Million travellers through Paddington Station, with the opportunity to view the photography exhibition.

Over 1.25 Million

website visits – 42k Salt Path film page visits.

35.5k views from 47 blogs.

Refreshed brand

Evolved our brand to align with the changing needs of the charity. This transition included a contemporary development of our logo, website upgrade, and all touchpoints adapted with the new look. This work flowed through to retail with new products sourced from B Corp companies.

Sustainable Transport Partnerships

Ongoing partnerships with Great Western Railway and Devon and Cornwall Railway Partnership demonstrated how ‘Rail to Trail’ initiatives can support access and exploration of the Coast Path.

• Sponsorship of the South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year exhibition at Paddington Station

• Installed ‘Rail to Trail’ information boards at five key stations across Cornwall, encouraging car-free access to and exploration of the trail.

11k monthly newsletter subscribers.

139k social media followers, building a community of Coast Path enthusiasts.

6k Official Guide to the South West Coast Path published and distributed.

6k Coast Path Passport holders now tracking personal journeys.

12k Trailblazing bi-annual magazine readership.

Powering the South West Economy

Develop partnerships to promote sustainable tourism, celebrating the special nature of the Great South West

Supporting Coastal Communities

The Coast Path drives 5% of the tourism economy of the South West supporting thousands of jobs. Every footstep helps sustain local businesses, from wonderful places to stay, eat and drink, to unique adventures and attractions, each one playing a part in creating lasting memories.

Our Way Maker business network brings together a connected community of coastal experiences, united by shared commitments to sustainable tourism and conservation.

• 496 Way Maker businesses

• 341 Coast Path Passport Stamping Points

Case Study: National Coast Watch Institution (NCI) Stations

2025 saw 24 NCI lookout stations located on the South West Coast Path sign up as Coast Path Passport Stamping Points. The NCI is a charity, and its 60+ stations are operated by 2,800 trained volunteer watchkeepers.

As a charity, they have signed up as ‘friends’, meaning they receive a complimentary Way Maker membership. We have also taken the opportunity to cross-promote each other and the safe exploration of the coast.

Fundraising

to Build Financial Stability: Business Support Economic Impact

£25k Way Maker income.

£6.4k Macs Adventure. £5k Turnstyle Designs via 1% for the Planet.

9.1 Million visitors contributing to local economies.

£530 Million direct economic contribution to the regional economy.

11k jobs supported across hospitality, retail and services.

Making a Difference

Develop diverse and resilient funding channels to support the work of the charity and Trail Partnership

We have successfully diversified our fundraising over the past eight years including:

• Significantly increasing support through grants, trusts and foundations;

• Doubling membership income;

• Introducing appeals and campaigns;

• Creating the Way Maker programme;

• Growing retail activity; and

• Supporting community fundraising.

This has enabled the charity to grow income generation from £520k in 2021 to £1.1 million in 2025, helping us support the protection, enhancement and promotion of the South West Coast Path.

Our members, fundraisers, donors, and corporate partners play a vital role in supporting our work to protect, champion, and care for the Path. Their continued support is essential to everything we achieve – thank you.

£11k community fundraising.

£6k Mile Makers. Protects 1 mile of the Path.

£140k membership income.

£72.8k donations.

£33.4k Gift Aid.

£1.9k

Coast Path Friendly activities giving back to the Trail.

Financial Strength and Transparency

£1,102,892

£1,134,400

Income Sources

51% Grants & Trusts 13% Memberships 23%

Donations,Gift Aid & Legacies

3%

Waymakers & Corporate Support 10%

Shop Sales & Other

How We Invested 66% Path Protection and Promotion 13%

Membership, Support and Fundraising 12%

Connecting People with Nature 9%

HQ Volunteers and Governance

Working in Partnership over 50 years

Working in partnership underpins the creation and evolution of the South West Coast Path.

The 630-mile Coast Path was designated a National Trail in 1978 by connecting smaller coastal trails together. This was driven by the charity, local authorities and the Countryside Commission.

In 2013 a new South West Coast Trail Partnership was created comprising the charity, local highway authorities, National Trust and Natural England. This Trail Partnership co-ordinates the work to protect, conserve, enhance and promote the South West Coast Path.

The Coast Path has strong social capital in the South West. giving opportunities for many other partnerships helping deliver a world class trail experience.

Our Way Maker programme comprises over 500 businesses along the trail, helping support people’s journeys with accommodation, food and drink and activities along the Coast Path. Health and wellbeing organisations around the South West

work in partnership to connect people with nature through our Coast Path Connectors programme.

Businesses support the trail through partnerships with the charity to deliver activities, events and publications, such as the Photographer of the Year competition and supporting the Association as their Charity of the Year. We work in partnership with event organisers and user groups through the Coast Path Friendly programme and community fundraising.

There is also a strong partnership across the Protected Landscapes family in the South West, with the National Trail connecting people to and through Exmoor National Park, and North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon, East Devon, Tamar Valley and Dorset National Landscapes.

Without these partnerships the South West Coast Path will not be there for future generations to enjoy.

Protected Landscapes

National Trails, National Parks and National Landscapes work together as a Protected Landscapes Partnership. The South West Coast Path National Trail connects people with six National Landscapes and Exmoor National Park around the

Looking Ahead Strategic Priorities

Path Guardians

We are committed to developing and enhancing the South West Coast Path experience as one of the world’s great trails. Through rigorous maintenance, innovative improvement, and dedicated stewardship, we strive for the path to not only meet but exceed National Trail Quality Standards, delivering an exceptional experience for every visitor.

Nature and Climate Action Leadership

We champion the protection and enhancement of the Coast Path corridor, safeguarding its extraordinary natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and diverse habitats. The charity and partners we work with are building resilience against climate change impacts and actively promoting nature recovery throughout the coastal margin. Our advocacy influences planning policy to secure lasting protection for the South West Coast Path and its surrounding coastal environment.

Championing Health and Wellbeing

We believe the Coast Path should be accessible to everyone. Through targeted outreach and engagement with new audiences, we work to improve equity of access and remove barriers along the National Trail. We celebrate and actively promote the health and wellbeing benefits that come from walking and connecting with nature, positioning the path as part of Britain’s natural health service.

Expanding Our Community

As the official information source for the South West Coast Path, we engage diverse communities in both the Trail itself and our charitable mission. We are committed to ensuring our Coast Path community truly reflects the full diversity of modern Britain, welcoming visitors from all backgrounds, abilities and experiences.

Partnership Growth

Through strategic partnerships with tourism businesses and conservation organisations, we amplify our impact and extend our reach. These collaborations create valuable funding opportunities while enabling coordinated coastal protection efforts that benefit the entire region.

Trail Partnership

The South West Coast Path Trail Partnership is responsible for the Path on the ground.