Tag: South West Coast Path

Lack of public safety on SW Coastal Path

Report 1223

Response ID 328,818,368

Date of incident 5/3/26

Location South West coastal Path – south of Hartland Quay towards Speke’s Mill. What 3 words “qualified.shave.digested” North Devon coast.

Zoe’s Report: “Arriving at the gate on my return journey I was surprised to see cows there. I entered slowly and both dogs were by my side, but it was clear they were interested and I retreated back behind the gate as they were too dense and close. I waited for 15 minutes (since it was getting dark) and saw they had moved a little way off. I crept back into the field and started walking again, but one of the bullocks spotted my dog who was about 5 metres infront of me – the other was behind me. The bullock started running towards us and the whole herd then turned and started running towards us. My youngest dog sprinted around the outside of the herd and drew their attention away a little, but she then looped back around to me. My older dog who stayed by my side did not run away and now the bullocks were coming straight towards us again and now my exit was blocked as my young dog ran back to me and looped the bullocks back to me. The only place I could go was over the rusted barbed wire rotten matchstick fence and perch on the cliff edge.

This was frightening enough until a bullock stepped over the fence to now join me and my dogs on the cliff edge (150m cliff) the bull then snorted and chased my youngest who ran towards the cliff edge and then skirted around ….back to me. I then crawled along a half metre wide section between fence and cliff with my dogs so the bullock couldn’t follow – I then pushed my youngest dog back out into the field to run away …. As she seemed to be the one they were most interested in. I laid low with my older dog and called the police for help as I truly felt my only exit was taking my chances hanging on to the cliff as the bullocks were snorting and running and sliding on their front hooves towards me.

After another 10 mins the bullock stepped back over the fence and left us, but the herd still surrounded the outcrop of the cliff top. After another 10-15 mins the herd moved far enough away that I felt I could make the gate. Thankfully I found my youngest dog waiting by the gate for me. I was rescued and accompanied back across the field by 2 farmers, one of which reported it wasn’t the first time this has happened and they had been pushing the landowner to put proper fencing in. Especially since he has received money in grants for fencing. Thankfully I’m safe, but totally traumatised and am scared to continue along the SWCP.”

Zoe adds: “I seriously would like to see a decent cow proof fence keeping the cattle away from the cliff edge and giving space to people walking the coastal path. Notices for walkers to be warned of animals in fields and updated. An up to date website that walkers can refer to and plan their walk around fields with cows. I was blocked from walking on my return journey of a long walk and an alternative route would have added on many, many miles at night.”

Chased by cattle on an exposed part of the Cornish Coastal Path

Report: 1167

Date: 26/7/2025

Location: Coastal path in North Cornwall, near Castle Point, St Gennys

1 person and dog

Report: “The cows ran to me and surrounded me, chasing my dog into a blackthorn bush over the cliff edge and also surrounding me. I stood my ground but had to shout at them to get a way out.

My dog was stuck in the blackthorn, but was lucky to be unharmed, I managed to get her out. She was less than a foot off from going over the edge of the cliff

The cows should not have been on such an exposed path. I am confident around cows so could deal with them. But the incident was very frightening, they were after my dog and very nearly killed her by forcing her off the cliff.”

Lone walker attacked on the Cornish Coast path

Report Number: 1105

Response ID 314,442,735

Date of incident: 13/05/2025

Lone walker, no dog

Site of incident: Near Cows Beach, South West Coast Path, near Mawnan, Cornwall. What3words location: https://w3w.co/fuzz.paying.connected

Incident report from Robin: I was enjoying the view of the ocean and then became aware of a cow stampeding towards me very aggressively, I put my arms out as it barged into me, I was shoved through barbed wire, rather than being pinned to it and crushed I had no choice but to scramble 10ft down a sheer cliff face full of brambles. I gripped onto roots but most of them gave way. I was stuck as the brambles covered a cliff face full of loose rocks! I was absolutely terrified! The cows stood at the top looking over at me as I struggled. I tried to shoo them away but it didn’t work. I had to perch on a gorse root above 40 foot or more of cliff, I was worried that a cow would fall on top of me. After more than 1 hour they moved slightly on and were distracted by other people walking past on the other side of the field, I then climbed out and escaped, scared that they would charge again.

Comment: I was traumatised, with bruising from being bumped by cow, with cuts from the barbed wire and brambles, mud and slate dust in eyes and a strained back! I think that there should be a fenced off area to prevent the cows walking onto the public footpath!

AJ thinks there should be a fence between cows and walkers

Response ID 310,379,901
Incident number 1049

Date: 28.04.24
Site: On the South West Coast path near Mawnan Smith, Cornwall. By Cows Beach, NT land I think
Group of heifers. 2 walkers, 1 dog

AJ’s report: We walked quietly straight along the footpath at the base of the field. The dog was on a leash; it doesn’t interact with other animals anyway. The cows ran down the hill towards us and continued to follow us. We walked more quickly and had to make strange sounds to keep them at bay. The only thing that kept them back was the leash my friend started to swing around as a last resort. At one point she shouted stop, while showing a stop hand signal, and the nearest cow seemed to understand it. They kept coming towards us, and it looked like they were trying to hunt us down as their eyes were very focused. I went from scared to terrified. I remember having the thought that the situation was going to end badly for us.
We were on a frequently used footpath so think there should be a fence between the cows and walkers. There was a woman on tv tonight who said walkers should respect the cows and that really upset me, we are always respectful and we did nothing wrong. I hope she normally has something more helpful to say and her words were just badly edited.”

Killer Cows comments: We agree with your comment AJ on the need for a fence between cows and walkers. If anyone experiences any cattle incident PLEASE report it to your MP, the area you’re walking through (in this case SW Coastal path) and HSE. So many incidents are unreported and unknown about – therefore it is believed there are few problems with cattle – we know differently!

https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

https://support.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/portal/s/report-a-problem

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Near-miss on Southwest Coastal Path near Coverack

Incident number: 1005

Response ID: 307,647,490

Date of incident: 12.09.24

Location: South West coast path, Coverack Cornwall. TR12

Status: Two walkers with dog on lead on PRW

Davyd’s story

“Following South West coast path from Coverack to Lizard point Cornwall. Walking along public footpath with dog on lead. Started hearing what sounded like a thundering hoofs. I turned and saw about 20 cattle charging directly at us. We ran as fast as possible to the next swing gate over rocky and muddy ground just making it through in time. The whole heard were headbutting the wood gate still trying to get us. My wife was absolutely terrified as we only just made it out before we got trampled by them. I cannot believe that dangerous farm animals are allowed to be grazing on public footpath especially south West coast path. If we were older and could not move as quickly we could of been trampled to death.”

Janet’s walk along the South West Coast Path spoiled by ‘inquisitive’ cattle

We ended up retracing our steps and going through private property to find a road.

On the 3rd July, this year, I was walking with a friend along the South West Coast Path. We had my dog on a lead, and we were on an inland section between Abbotsbury and Chickerell, near Clayhanger Farm. Continue reading “Janet’s walk along the South West Coast Path spoiled by ‘inquisitive’ cattle”