Welcome to the Wonderful World of Walking in England. I've been returning every year for some time now to walk different long distance paths and towpaths. I've pretty much given up hills now but there remain all the rivers and canals and I'll be continuing this year along the Thames Path.

Just for the experience I tried a section of the Cotswold Way a couple of years ago with Contours and while they were very receptive to what I needed I found it to be marginally more expensive, of course, than making arrangements myself and also having my luggage follow me was really unnecessary. So I've returned to my practice of leaving the suitcase at a hotel and walking with just a daypack with a change.

It's rare to find walkers on the forums. I'm pleased you're here (and there).

Apologies first of all because I have skim-read this, but it occurs to me that if you are 'into' Thomas Hardy, then you could do a lot worse when in Cornwall that to visit St Juliot close to Boscastle on the north coast.

St Juliot, where he worked as an architect, changed Hardy's life for ever. Here he fell in love with Emma Gifford, who was to become his wife, and he was persuaded by her to spend the rest of his life as a writer. This place had great influence on him, and the church as it stands today is a fitting memorial to his affection and enthusiasm for the place.

Thanks Julia for the info!

Mme, I am chicken to make the arrangements myself, I feel more comfortable going through a company. Kudo's to you!!!

Maybe that will change as you continue doing it, which I hope you do. Either way, it's a wonderful way to spend our days, isn't it.

Good stuff...topping!

ttt, thanks!

A smaller and highly picturesque alternative to Plymouth would be Polperro in South-East Cornwall. Fowey is also lovely. If you want further info on the Dorset, South Devon and South Cornish coasts, see these links:

http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.co.uk...h/label/Dorset

http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Devon

http://postcards-pfte.blogspot.co.uk...label/Cornwall