A guide to cosy coastal walks for chilly days

When the days draw in and the wind picks up off the Channel, the West Country’s coastline takes on a different kind of beauty. The buckets and spades are packed away, the car parks thin out, and what’s left is the sound of waves, the crunch of shingle under sturdy boots and the glow of café windows against a darkening sky.

This is the season for walking with your collar turned up and your hands wrapped around a takeaway coffee, for watching storms roll in from the Atlantic and finding refuge in a harbour-side pub once your cheeks are pink from the cold. From the fossil-rich shores of Lyme Regis to the fishing harbours of Cornwall and the wide, wind-swept sands of Weston Bay, these are six coastal walks made for chilly days – routes where you can breathe deeply, walk slowly and discover just how cosy winter by the sea can be.

1. Lyme Regis (Dorset)

This Jurassic Coast gem is magical in winter. Windy walks along the Cobb breakwater and Monmouth Beach come with the crash of waves and the promise of fossils in the cliff strata.

Wrap up warm and wander from the historic Cobb harbour to the undercliff path or up to Ware Cliffs for panoramic views. Afterwards, reward yourself with a hot drink at a local café on Marine Parade – the town retains “hustle & bustle” even in the off season. (In fact, Lonely Planet named the Lyme–Charmouth stretch the best winter beach in Britain in 2023!) The chilly sea air and Golden Cap silhouette will invigorate you, and a cosy pub by the harbour awaits to warm you up.

2. Sidmouth (Devon)

Sidmouth’s red cliffs and Victorian seafront are dramatic on crisp days. Stroll the Esplanade to Jacob’s Ladder Beach, where white cliffs frame the sea. Climb the wooden Jacob’s Ladder to Connaught Gardens for shelter among late-blooming flowers, and maybe a steaming cup at the Clock Tower Café overlooking the waves.

A short coast path walk to Peak Hill rewards with views across Lyme Bay in winter sunlight. Sidmouth’s town is quiet and charming now – perfect for browsing an independent fudge shop or bookstore before you continue your walk. Don’t miss the gentle path along the River Sid; its banks often sparkle with frost on chilly mornings.

3. Porthleven (Cornwall)

On stormy winter days, Porthleven truly comes alive. Atlantic swells pound the harbour walls and the iconic clock tower, sending spray high into the air. It’s perfect for watching storms sweep in, while you enjoy the fire and excellent bar at the 17th-century Ship Inn on the harbour. Bundle up and walk along the coastal path to the old granite mine ruins on the clifftop, or simply wander the harbour as waves crash.

Afterwards, find refuge in a cosy café like Nauti But Ice for hot chocolate, or by the pub’s log fire with a Cornish ale. Porthleven’s fishing boats may be idle, but the village warmth and the spectacle of nature make this walk unforgettable.

4. Polperro (Cornwall)

This postcard-perfect fishing village is delightfully tranquil in winter. Follow the South West Coast Path from the village to Brent Head for bracing sea views and the chance to spot grey seals just offshore. Then meander back through Polperro’s narrow, car-free lanes, which feel almost yours alone on a cold day.

Duck into the Blue Peter Inn, an 18th-century smugglers’ pub by the harbour. Its stone walls, wood beams and crackling fire offer a cosy atmosphere while the storms rage outside. With a locally-brewed ale or a mulled cider in hand, you can imagine the tales of smugglers and fishermen in winters past. As dusk falls, the lamplight on Polperro’s harbor and boats creates pure Cornish winter magic.

5. Port Isaac (Cornwall)

Famous from Doc Martin, Port Isaac in late autumn is peaceful and atmospheric. Walk the coast path to Port Gaverne for a short hike, breathing in crisp salt air and watching gannets dive. Back in the village, explore the cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages. The Golden Lion pub, believed to date from at least the early 19th century, is the perfect cosy retreat: it’s a bustling hive of activity all year round and proudly displays its smuggling past.

Warm up by the fire with a plate of seafood chowder. If you’re lucky, you might catch a local sea shanty group (the Fisherman’s Friends) singing on the Platt on a weekend afternoon. As evening falls, Port Isaac’s harbour, encircled by cliffs, feels timeless – the perfect end to a chilly-day walk.

6. Weston Bay (Somerset)

Weston-super-Mare’s wide bay offers invigorating beach walks in winter. At low tide the sea retreats almost a mile, revealing expanses of firm sand – a reminder that the Bristol Channel has one of the world’s largest tidal ranges (up to ~12 m). Stroll along Weston’s Grand Pier and almost deserted promenade with the wind in your face and views of Flat Holm island on the horizon. With fewer crowds, you can enjoy the Victorian charms of the Marine Parade in peace.

For a longer walk, head north to Sand Bay and Sand Point, where salt marsh and dunes attract wintering birds and offer views across to Wales. Be sure to check tide times – the mudflats are dangerous if you stray too far. After your walk, pop into a seafront café or a traditional chippy near Weston’s Royal Hotel for a warming treat. On especially cold days, the beach’s wet sand glistens with a thin layer of frost at dawn – a striking sight – but by afternoon it’s perfect for a brisk, soul-clearing walk as gulls wheel above.

Each of these coastal walks showcases the West Country’s winter beauty –dramatic seas, tranquil off-season villages, and plenty of cosy stopsto toast your walk. Just remember to bundle up, embrace the elements, and you’ll be rewarded with both stunning scenery and warm West Country hospitality.