Supporting the South West Coast Path after Landslides
The South West Coast Path is one of England’s mose iconic and beloved walking routes – a 630-mile National Trail that winds its way around some of the most dramatic and beautiful pieces of coastline in the country. Guests staying with us at West Dorset Leisure Holidays often tell us that walking the Path is one of the highlights of their stay, and is a big reason they chose to visit Dorset in the first place. In fact, a huge number of entries to our yearly photo competition are taken on the Path, showing that visitors of all ages are making valuable memories whilst walking.
A Recent Landslide at Stonebarrow
This winter, storms and persistent rainfall have caused a significant landslip at Stonebarrow, part of the Golden Cap Estate near Charmouth. Overnight on the 11th February 2026, a large section of the cliff here collapsed, taking a stretch of the South West Coast Path with it. These drone photographs were taken the day after the landslip and show the size of the area that has slipped as well as part of the Path and fencing that have been lost. Dorset Council immediately closed this section of the Path and are working with the South West Coast Path Association on an official diversion. Due to the nature of the landslip and the geology of the Stonebarrow area, it’s possible that this part of the cliff may move further in the coming weeks.
The South West Coast Path Association
Last year we collected donations from holiday guests and Holiday Home owners during the booking process and pitch fee collections. We were thrilled to raise over £9000 which we split between a number of charities that benefit the coastline here and one of those was the South West Coast Path Association. This organisation works tirelessly to maintain, repair and improve the trail, keeping it safe and accessible. They regularly survey the Path and create diversions where necessary. The money we donated to the SWCPA was assigned for trail maintenance as well as repairs and safety measures in events such as these, and we will be able to see first-hand how the volunteers create a safe alternative route for walkers.
The Association recently shared how it now costs over £1million each year to maintain the path, with the amount doubling in the last five years. Find out more on their website.
We are still collecting donations now, and will choose another group of fantastic charities to donate money to this year.
Coastal Erosion
Cliff erosion and landslides like this are a naturally occuring event on the Jurassic Coast and in simlar coastlines around the world. The moving earth helps to reveal fossils that have been buried for millions of years – in fact, our stretch of coast is known as one of the best fossil hunting locations in the world! Erosion is also what forms the incredible variety of landmarks that can be found along the coast here, such as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Old Harry Rocks, Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland to name just a few. It’s a fascinating part of the world, with plenty of opportunities to learn, or just marvel at the scenery…
Why We Love Walking The Coast Path
There’s something truly exhilerating about walking the South West Coast Path, with the wind whipping in your hair and the slight ache in your calves after a steep climb. But every walker knows that it’s worth it for the views around each corner and the photos that will fill up your camera roll afterwards. Currently England’s longest National Trail, it attracts visitors from across the country and around the world, and it’s worth visiting at any time of the year.
There are plenty of ways to ensure you and your family can stay safe when walking:
- Always stay on designated paths, and follow any official diversions.
- Avoid areas where falls have occurred recently.
- Keep dogs on leads at all times, especially near cliff edges and livestock.
- When walking on the beach, try to stay a minimum distance of at least the height of the cliff away from the base. For example if the cliff is roughly 20m tall, you should not walk within 20m of the cliff face. This may mean that parts of some beaches are unsuitable to walk on if the tide is in.
- Never hammer or dig directly into the cliff when hunting for fossils.
- Always take a charged mobile phone and dress suitably for the weather.
James Loveridge Photography
Most of the photos in this blog post were taken by James Loveridge. If you’ve browsed our website or social media before, you’ll have seen lots of his incredible photos, as he works as part of the Marketing Team here at WDLH.
More information...
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Cliff fall near Highlands End Holiday Park
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