We are super excited to announce that The Bowgie is now a Way Maker on the South West Coast Path Association’s new passport stamping scheme!

All our visitors will know that we’re right on the South West Coast Path – the world famous footpath that goes all the way from Minehead in Somerset, winds around the whole Cornish coast path, tops and tails Devon, and finishes up in Poole in Dorset – which makes it Britain’s longest National Trail.

The South West Coast Path charity is gearing up for its big fiftieth anniversary next year, and we are so excited to be among the first 104 Way Makers across the whole 630 miles to take part in the pilot of this scheme. Being a Way Maker means that we can stamp your ‘Coast Path Passport’ with our very own West Cornwall stamp (we’ve just sneaked over from the North Cornwall section!) – which has been handcrafted by Mark Hoskin of Wild Work.

The idea behind the passports is to encourage you to visit different parts of the path and explore all the amazing landscapes and seascapes it features. The passport and stamp is a nod towards the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route – where walkers making the journey collect stamps for every night spent on their route to the famous cathedral in Galicia in north western Spain. You can find out where the other Way Makers are up and down the path by visiting the South West Coast Path website.

Our very own Tish, Director of The Bowgie, said, “We’re so thrilled to be one of the first points selected in the trial of this new scheme. We think it’s a really great way for walkers to enjoy the coast path, adding a little something extra to look forward to on the route. It’s great for getting more people out and about walking the coast path too, acting as an incentive to get as many stamps on their passports as possible!”

You can buy your ‘Coast Path Passport’ from the South West Coast Path website for just £6.50, which goes to support the charity’s work of improving and restoring the route and providing support and resources for people to explore it. You then collect stamps from the different Way Maker stamping points as you explore the path – so while you fill up your passport, you’ll be enjoying our amazing coastline, supporting local businesses and the charity all at once!

As we’re right on the path, we get a lot of walkers taking on the trail – whether that’s the hardy trekkers or visitors who are just ticking our spot off their list. However you like to explore, we think the passport is great way to encourage people to visit different parts of the path they might not have been to before.

“It’s fantastic to be involved in the trial scheme,” Tish added. “The whole of the South West Coast Path is just stunning and should be enjoyed by everyone, but we’re lucky enough to be in a particularly beautiful spot here on West Pentire Headland. Being a passport stamping point is a brilliant added feature to what we can now offer our customers.”

Look forward to seeing you and your Coast Path Passport soon – we’ll have the stamp at the ready!

Team Bowgie x