South West Coast Path Association

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South West Coast Path Association
Type	UK charity (no. 266754)
Founded	May 1973
Headquarters	Bowker House, Lee Mill Bridge, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9EF, England
Focus	The interests of users of the South West Coast Path
Members	4,000
Website	www.swcp.org.uk

The South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) is a United Kingdom registered charity which exists to promote the interests of users of the South West Coast Path, the longest National Trail in Britain at 630 miles (1014 km).

The mission statement of the SWCPA is:

“

To work with others to secure the ongoing completion and improvement of the South West Coast Path and ensure, where possible, that the footpath is aligned on the coast. This work will be for the benefit of all users of the coast path.

We aim to educate and inform all users of the Coast Path by working in partnership to help with the promotion of the social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits offered by the path and the coastal corridor.

”

The SWCPA was founded in 1973 as the South West Way Association and renamed in 1999 when the path itself was renamed. It has about 4,000 members, who receive twice-yearly newsletters and an annual guide to the path (available for sale to non-members).

Over the years the SWCPA has worked with local authorities and the National Trust to improve the alignment and condition of the path. It contributed funds towards the sculptures erected at Minehead and Poole to mark the ends of the path; a half-way marker is under discussion, as of 2007.

[edit] Publications

South West Coast Path Association (2007). 2007 annual guide. SWCPA. ISBN 0907055133. (new edition published in March every year; free to members)
South West Coast Path Association (2006). Reverse Guide. SWCPA. (describes route from Poole to Minehead; available from the Association)
Carter, Philip (2005). The South West Coast Path, an illustrated history. SWCPA.