Last week saw the unveiling by BBC Countryfile’s John Craven of a new statue on The Esplanade in Lynmouth. Called “The Walker”, the statue was commissioned to mark the end of the Coleridge Way, as well as pinpointing the closing stage of the Two Moors Way. And the Exmoor weather played its part too, basking everyone in glorious sunshine.
Designed and constructed by local craftsman Richard Graham, the statue has been made from reinforced 8 mm marine quality stainless steel wire and shows the larger-than-life walker stretching out his hand in greeting.
The project was led by the Lyn Community Development Trust, working with local businesses and Exmoor National Park Authority. Their brief was to construct a model with which visitors could interact, and he is already proving a popular display, with many people shaking his hand as they pass.
It’s certainly set to be an iconic statue – especially as its position marks the conjunction of several walks: the Tarka Trail and the South West Coast Path as well as the Coleridge Way and Two Moors Way.
Exmoor NPA also provided the signpost to highlight the choice of walks available in the area, promoting Exmoor as a premier walking destination. With over 600 miles of Rights-of-Way walkers are spoilt for choice on Exmoor. Strenuous hill climbs, high cliffs and open moorlands contrast with deep wooded valleys, sparkling rivers and streams and quiet lanes and villages. Rarely crowded this living and varied landscape is the perfect place to escape from day-to-day life and enjoy the timeless joy of nature.
The Coleridge Way is a 51 mile east/west route in the footsteps of the romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, through stunning countryside from the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills down to the sea at Lynmouth to the sea. For more details, go to www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/coleridge-way/coleridge-way-home-page
The Two Moors Way spans 102 miles north/south from Ivybridge on the southern boundary of Dartmoor National Park to Lynmouth. A additional 15 mile section down to Wembury on the South Devon coast makes it a Coast to Coast walk. More info available at www.TwoMoorsWay.org.
Exmoor Views 