Local community groups take the lead to celebrate SW Coast Path Association 50th anniversary

Over the weekend of 1-2 April, Sidmouth will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the South West Coast Path Association and there are lots of opportunities to get involved. 

In fact, the coast path will be experienced by land, air and sea (weather depending) thanks to several local organisations and the generous support from Sidmouth Town Council, Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays and Visit Sidmouth.

On Saturday you can join a FREE guided 10-mile walk taking in the Sid Valley Ring with Steve from the Sid Vale Association and enjoy a FREE cream tea afterwards too. 

The Sid Vale Association hold a countryside walk on the first Tuesday of every month exploring the countryside around Sidmouth and nearby towns. The walks cover 5 miles at a moderate pace avoiding steep hills and lasting about 2.5 hours. Visit www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk for further information.

Alexa from Sidmouth Running Club will be leading a FREE 14 mile walk around the Sid Valley Ring, enjoying the area of outstanding natural beauty and coastal views and finishing with a FREE cream tea. Sidmouth Running Club meets Monday and Wednesday evenings 7pm plus Juniors 5.45-6.45 Wednesday term time. A very friendly, encouraging club for all abilities, visitors welcome.  Visit www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk for further information.

For the youngsters and the young at heart on Saturday there is a junior fun run with obstacles starting from Muttersmoor at 10am, going onto the beach at Jacobs Ladder and finishing at The Ham and a Senior slide and climb in the sea and on land starting at 11am from The Ham organised by Sidmouth Fit.

Sidmouth Fit is Sidmouth's newest fitness community which started in November 2021. They offer early morning, daytime and evening group classes for all ages, abilities and preferences. Their brand new facility at Alexandria Industrial Estate opens this month and will enable them to provide bigger and better group classes ranging from HIIT and Circuits to Team Fit, Box Fit and weights. They also provide personal training, open gym hours and bootcamps. Send them a message through their FB page for more info.

On Sunday the East Devon Ramblers are organising a FREE walk along The Coleridge Trail followed by a FREE cream tea. The local East Devon group of the Ramblers are very active in the area and have around six walks every week throughout the year. They are always keen to welcome new members and would encourage anyone to come along and try a few of their walks as their guest with no pressure to join. They offer a variety of walks from 4 to 16 miles and their programme can be found on their website www.ramblers.org.uk/east-devon Just turn up on the day, there is no need to pre-book or alternatively phone 01395 567450 for further information.

Rather explore on two wheels instead of legs? Sid Valley Cycle Club will be touring inland towns on their way to Seaton. SVCC prides itself on being a friendly and inclusive club welcoming cyclists of all abilities and serving the local community. Organised club runs are on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and often include great café stops to refuel for the journey back! Visit svcc.org.uk for more information.

On the water on Sunday Sidmouth Gig Club are planning, weather permitting, to row to Branscombe while another crew walk there, enjoy a lunch break together before swapping and heading back to Sidmouth on foot or in the gig. Sidmouth Gig Club are a very friendly and social club set up to encourage the amateur sport of Pilot Gig rowing serving Sidmouth and surrounding area. In the Summer months rowing is from Sidmouth beach on Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday mornings, reducing to Sunday mornings during the Winter months. They compete around the country including the Scilly Isles. Email [email protected] for further information.

Also on the water Axe Vale Canoe Club will be paddling from Seaton to Branscombe and back, weather permitting. Axe Vale Canoe Club is based in Seaton and offers a wide range of canoeing disciplines including touring, white water and sea paddling in canoes, kayaks and SUPS. They are a very active club with a Junior section; Wednesdays are club night but offer a variety of courses throughout the week from May onwards. Visit www.axevalecc.co.uk for more information.

In the air you might see the Devon and Somerset Condors who will be hang gliding over the coastal path over the weekend also weather permitting. Devon and Somerset Condors fly from sites along the coastline and offer tandem flights. For further information visit www.dscondors.co.uk

And while all these events are taking place on Sunday Sidmouth Running Club's inaugural Sweetcombe Scramble marathon and JP's Exe to Axe 22 mile race will be held. Both start from Exmouth and follow the coast path (with a loop of the River Otter for the marathon runners) and finish at Axe Yacht Club, and both have options to walk them. Please give them a cheer or an encouraging word if you pass one, it is a very challenging route!

Spaces are limited for the walks and Sidmouth Fit events. If you are interested in any of the events mentioned please visit SRC's website, www.sidmouthrunningclub.co.uk for further information, links and booking details. 

What better way to start the Easter holidays enjoying the SW coast path, sea and countryside with family and friends?