Collect National Coastwatch Institution stamps at coast path

The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) has become an official ‘Coast Path Passport’ stamping point partner along the South West Coast Path (SWCP).

The new partnership means that visitors to the trail can now stop off at NCI stations along the 630-mile route to collect different ‘stamps’ in their Coast Path Passport and find out more about the work of both charities.

The NCI has 24 of its 60 stations along the South West Coast Path and its volunteers help to keep people safe on the coast and save lives at sea by maintaining a daily visual and radio watch.

Two of those stations fall within west Dorset, with NCI Lyme Bay based at Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock and NCI Charmouth. 

Stephen Hand, Chairman of the National Coastwatch Institution, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the South West Coast Path Association as we share the same broad aims of wanting people to share our love of the coast, enjoy themselves and take-home happy memories.

“For us that means staying safe and all our stations along the trail are now looking forward to giving a warm welcome to even more walkers, whether they are stopping for a passport stamp, a brief rest, or to check information about the local conditions.” 

The SWCP runs from Minehead, on the North Somerset Coast, to Poole Harbour, at the eastern end of Dorset. 

Overall, there are more than 130 stamping points along the route and all of the stamping points are supporters of the South West Coast Path Association.

The passports cost £6.50 each and are available to purchase from the SWCP online shop.

The stamps themselves come in seven designs depending on which part of the coast path the walker is on.

The stamp for the Jurassic Coast section is the Ammonite, which is an effort to reflect this part of the coastline. 

If you would like to find out more, or purchase a passport, visit: https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/Get-involved/swcp-passport/