South West Coast Path - West Bay to Abbotsbury

This was the fourth stage of 10 days walk along the Jurassic Coast section of the South West Coast Footpath between Exmouth and Poole. By this stage we were a day ahead of schedule and we really should have moved basecamp as the bus journey between Salcombe and West bay was close to 2 hours! Still with the terrain becoming much flatter and the mileage less it was a chance to have a slower day.



Date of Walk: 2010-06-21

Start point: West Bay

End Point: Abbotsbury

Start Time:11:00

End time: 16:00 

Distance: 10 miles

Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat

Weather conditions: Bright sunshine and very warm

Path taken: Followed the South West Coasstal Footpath.

Pubs:

• Illchester Arms, Abbotsbury. (http://www.ilchester-arms.co.uk/) hotel that was very quiet when we visited - Wytchwoods Hobgoblin on cask

Notes:  By comparison to the first three days, this section of the walk was never as spectacular in sights and scenery but with the view of Portland ever getting larger in our sights it had the feeling that we were getting somewhere. The walk started off with one steep climb up the hill out of West Bay and from there on the hills became less and less until we were on the shingle at the start of Chesil beach. The logistics left each days walk
with less and less time because of the frequency and timing of the only bus through, the CoastLinx X53 operated by First Group. This was a double decker bus which negotiated the little lanes in and out such places as Beer. I am certain this service could be improved with the use of smaller buses at more frequent times and running later into the evening. The service was very popular, and the first bus from Salcombe in the morning was at 9:20 and consequently at each stop there was queues of passengers waiting to get on this.... and this wasnt even the height of the holiday season. Come on First Group - take a look at the North Norfolk Coast Hopper which in my opinion is the best service ever!

Equipment: 40L rucksack as a daypack - Panasonic camera 

Accommodation: Salcombe Regis Camp Site (http://www.salcombe-regis.co.uk/)

Public transport: Coast Linx X53 Salcombe Regis to West Bay, West Bay to Salcombe Regis

Route:

View West Bay to Abbotsbury in a larger map