WALKING club leader Kathy Oliver is hanging up her boots 17 years after visiting Dunster during a South West Coast Path (SWCP) adventure.

Ms Oliver, from Yate, near Bristol, stayed in Dunster’s Yarn Market Hotel in 2008 during a coast path walking break as part of the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival.

She and her companions enjoyed themselves so much that the hotel later organised more walking breaks for them.

Then, in 2010 Ms Oliver was asked to set up a regular group and Exmoor Walking Holidays was formed.

She led walking groups every three months and, over time, many of the members went on to walk the whole 630 miles of the path from Minehead to Poole, in Dorset.

Ms Oliver said: “In the time I have been involved with the Yarn Market Hotel, I think I have walked the first part of the SWCP, Minehead to Combe Martin, at least 20 times.

“These walks have been in all weathers and different times of the year.

The Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster, organises walking breaks throughout the year.
The Yarn Market Hotel, Dunster, organises walking breaks throughout the year. ( )

“I can remember walking in ankle deep flood water on Porlock Marsh, rain, not tidal water, during a New Year SWCP break.

“On another occasion, walking along the North Hill ridge in a gale with horizontal rain, leaving us soaked through.

“Of course, we have also walked in glorious weather.

“We always made sure that regardless of the weather conditions, we had a cream tea to celebrate finishing the 35 miles of the first section to Combe Martin.

“I produced a certificate for people who had concluded this stage.

“On two occasions, we walked from Minehead to Bude, 126 miles.

“This was three breaks, with a day off between them so that the leader - me - could have a rest.

“That was most enjoyable, but hard walking.”

Now, Ms Oliver said health issues meant she could no longer lead the walks or coast path breaks and she was handing over to new leaders Mark Curran and Phil Terry.

Appropriately, Ms Oliver’s final walking group before stepping down will see her return to the coast path next weekend – just as new movie The Salt Path opens in cinemas.

A walking group staying in Dunster's Yarn Market Hotel explore Exmoor.
A walking group staying in Dunster's Yarn Market Hotel explore Exmoor. ( )

The film, starring Gillian Anderson, who stayed in Dunster during West Somerset location filming, and Jason Issacs, tells the true story of a couple who embarked on a year-long trek of the path when they lost their home and livelihood after the husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

To help celebrate Ms Oliver’s retirement, the Yarn Market Hotel is offering a ‘taster break’ with three days of walking from the famous hands statue in Minehead which marks the start of the coast path to Hunters Inn, in Exmoor’s Heddon Valley.

Walkers will be able to enjoy two nights’ accommodation, three-course dinners, breakfasts, and packed lunch on the Saturday, with a walk leader and transport to and from the start and finish points.

The hotel also offers walking breaks throughout the year, details of which can be obtained by calling 01643 821425 or emailing [email protected].