With the release of The Salt Path on the big screen recently, audiences across the UK are being reminded of the beauty, resilience, and healing power of nature. And right here in Dorset, guests at Chesil Beach Holiday Park can now experience a newly restored section of this very trail thanks to a major investment from Waterside.
Our Very Own Real-Life Salt Path, Rebuilt with Purpose
On 5th May, protective and rebuilding work began on a vital 40-metre stretch of the South West Coast Path, located directly behind Chesil Beach Holiday Park. This scenic footpath had suffered from coastal erosion, forcing walkers and dog owners to bypass the route by walking along protected seabed areas - unintentionally disturbing sensitive wildlife breeding grounds for oyster catcher birds. By restoring this section, the project diverts footfall safely back onto the route and away from fragile areas.
In partnership with Dorset council, at Waterside we took action as part of our Coastal Community Promise, pledging to protect the local environment and ensure continued public access to this cherished part of the Jurassic Coast. Now complete, the works include:
- 20 metres of gabion walling (engineered stone-filled baskets) designed to stabilise the coastline
- Reshaped banks seeded with wildflowers and grass to support pollinators
- New hedging to encourage native wildlife and improve habitat corridors
An Investment in Nature and Access
The project required careful planning, representing a £43,000 investment, £10,000 of which came from Dorset council and local partners. It also required a significant engineering effort, including craning off a holiday lodge and rebuilding its decking once work was completed.
Nature, Access and the Power of Connection
“The Salt Path” follows the story of a couple rediscovering hope and healing through walking the South West Coast Path, a message that resonates strongly with Waterside’s ethos of providing peaceful, restorative getaways. Whether you’re seeking solitude, scenery, or a sense of reconnection, this newly restored route offers all that and more, now safer and more accessible than ever.
As Matt Way, Group Operations Director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have delivered this restoration project. It represents a significant investment and is a testament to our commitment to preserving and enhancing the local footpath and coastline. This isn’t just about improving access for our guests – it’s about safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring that everyone, from the local community to visiting walkers, can continue to enjoy this unique stretch of the South West Coast Path for years to come.” Matt Way, Group Operations Director
A Path to a Better Future
This restoration not only improves access but also protects fragile breeding grounds, especially for species like the oyster catcher bird, by keeping footfall off sensitive seabed areas. It’s a clear example of Waterside’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
So, if The Salt Path inspires you to pull on your walking boots, why not walk a section of the real thing? The coast is calling. And now, it’s easier than ever to answer.
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