Meet one of our leaders - Nick Unstead

I have always enjoyed travel and have been lucky enough to visit many countries over the years. Being able to explore on foot has great appeal. It provides the opportunity to see the lesser known parts of a country where paths can meander away from the busy tourist hot spots and can give a different perspective. Meeting others along the way is always a treat: a view into another world, often so different from my own, but also so familiar. 

Walking with others as a Tour Leader often has a similar feel, wherever that might be. Always intriguing and sometimes enlightening, it is good to share a common journey on foot. 

This is true of almost every country I have visited including, of course, the UK. 

Sometime overlooked in preference for journeys further afield, the UK provides an enormous range of opportunities to ramblers of all kinds. 

From Coast to Mountain , there is much in between. 

I am lucky enough to live in a part of England where there is much scenic variety and an expansive network of walking routes throughout the county. 

Hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline often in areas of outstanding natural beauty and 2 National Parks; wild places with hidden valleys and open rolling moorland. The highest “peak” in southern England and some of the steepest cliffs, all to be found in the county of Devon. With more roads than Belgium, but not as much chocolate, Devon provides a large and geographically diverse terrain. 

I recently led a Tour in South Devon based at Slapton Ley, just on the South West coastal path network. Our group was staying at the Slapton Field Study Centre, a perfect location with very good facilities throughout. As educational establishments with strong environmental interests, they are well placed to offer local knowledge on flora and fauna as well as sites of interest along the coastal trails. The walks were arranged to follow the SW coastal path network, which provide expansive views of both land and sea.  

With the balmy south Devon Climate and fantastic local facilities, this tour provides much enjoyment for clients and tour leaders alike.