New boardwalk improves National Park access

A national park has revealed a brand new boardwalk that aims to improve accessibility and help protect the area of natural beauty.

The stretch of the South West Coast Path through Porlock Marshes, on Exmoor, has been affected by flooding in recent years, and the new boardwalk will help improve access for walkers.

The boardwalk contains a soft curve and has been designed to mimic the landscape.

"We wanted to make the route better but also make it so that you can get through in all but the highest of tides," said Sue Applegate, senior public rights of way and access officer at Exmoor National Park Authority.

"We wanted something that worked with the natural environment, the water ebbs and flows all the time, so it's great to have something in place that lets people walk and keep their feet dry but lets the water come and go naturally," she added.

"Building the boardwalk has improved the surface of the coast path and allowed for the natural flow of water onto this special piece of marshland habitat," said Exmoor ranger and project lead, Charlotte Wray.

The boardwalk was designed by the park's field services team, and the timber was milled from wood gathered from within Exmoor.

The path was funded by donations from holiday rental company, The Best of Exmoor, donations to a fundraiser, and match funding from the South West Coast Path Association.

"The boardwalk is fantastic and now makes this part of the coast path walkable all year round, whilst also protecting and enhancing the important marshland habitat," Lorna Sherriff, national trail officer at the South West Coast Path Association, said.

"Those who love and enjoy Exmoor and contribute to our CareMoor for Exmoor campaigns are helping to support nature, heritage conservation, and access projects that can be enjoyed by everyone," Ms Wray added.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.