Walking the English Coast

Ruth Livingstone was a busy 54-year-old GP who suddenly realised that, after years of dispensing advice on physical activity, she had turned into a couch potato. Feeling hypocritical, she decided it was time to get active. Walking seemed the easiest option - it was something she could already do. In fact, she found she loved it so much that, to the shock of her friends and family, in 2010 she set out to walk all 5,500 miles of the British Coast. Here she shares how to approach and plan a coastal walk in England - covering everything you need to know from how to read maps and interpret signs, to what (not) to carry, and even how to avoid the dreaded blisters. This comprehensive guide packed with practical tips and personal anecdotes, will give you the confidence to have a go at your own walking challenge, big or small.