Shropshire day trippers help bring in £85m a year to Welsh coast

Figures released today reveal the benefit to the Welsh economy brought by walkers touring the Welsh coast.

The statistics, for 2014, show that they spent £84.7 million, supporting 1,000 jobs.

A large proportion of walkers are day trippers, many coming from Shropshire and the wider West Midlands region.

The report says 43 million day visits to the Welsh coast included walking as an activity.

This ranged from locals taking a short beach stroll to Aberdovey or Barmouth to energetic visitors completing the entire 870-mile long Wales Coast Path over 100 or more days.

The report looks at the impact on walking holidays on the Welsh coast and the way it can be marketed to attract more.

Quentin Grimley, coastal access project officer at Natural Resources Wales said: "It's good to see so many local people and visitors exploring Wales' magnificent coastline.

"The spectacular Welsh coastline offers walkers numerous options. There are strenuous walks along towering cliffs and rugged headlands, to gentle strolls along sandy beaches or on the promenades of our famous seaside resorts.

"Linking them all is the 870 mile long Wales Coast Path which runs right around the country's coast from Chester to Chepstow.

"Our environment is the most valuable natural asset we have and the Welsh coast is an example of this."

A face-to-face survey of 1,483 groups on the Wales Coast Path found that 61 per cent of respondents were visiting on day trips from home. The remaining 39 per cent were staying away from home for one or more nights.

Fifty-nine percent of visits were made by people living in Wales, with 38 per cent coming from England and three percent from elsewhere.

The average distance covered in one direction was nearly three miles.

Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths said: "By maximising the opportunities for tourism and recreation, we are providing the Welsh economy with a welcome boost and, in turn, helping people improve their health and wellbeing.

"I am proud that, in 2012, Wales became the first country in the world to have a dedicated footpath along its entire coastline. This has undoubtedly helped more people to enjoy our coast and contributed to these impressive figures."

Natural Resources Wales works in partnership with 16 coastal local authorities and two National Parks to manage and maintain the path.

1: Ynys Gybi, Anglesey

Just two miles from Holyhead, an RSPB Reserve on this popular route gets you close to the local razorbills, guillemots, and maybe even peregrine falcons – and serves a cuppa before the return.

2: Morfa Nefyn to Porth Dinllaen

Now owned by the National Trust, the peninsula at Porth Dinllaen offers one of the loveliest walks on the Llyn Peninsula: views of sea and mountains, wildlife, a beach and rockpools for the kids

3: Tresaith to Llangrannog, Ceredigion

On one side glitters Cardigan Bay, ahead rise the mountains of Snowdonia. Conveniently located midway between them is National Trust-listed Penbryn beach if the family wants to enjoy a paddle. The Cardi Bach bus runs back

4: St David's Head, Pembrokeshire:

Though popular, this circuit feels as wild as anywhere in Wales, tracking a shoreline which teems with wildlife. Take time to see the Coetan Arthur burial chamber. The locals have known it was special for at least 6,000 years (if the Coetan Arthur burial chamber is any guide).

5: Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire

Not as well-known as Dylan Thomas' Laugharne across the bay, but a seaside walk with its own poetry when the ruins of Llansteffan castle appear. Beyond it at Wharley Point is a seascape to Devon plus St Anthony's Well - which supposedly heals lovesickness.

6: Great Orme Nature Trail, Llandudno

The coastal path celebrates towns as much as wild coasts and this walk loops around the Orme's 200m knobble from Llandudno's Victorian pier. The sea views are wonderful, of course. The surprise is the wildlife: rare silver-studded blue butterflies and Kashmir goats descended from a herd given to George IV.

7: Penmaen to Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

This easy walk has won many a competition for its views. We say it is Wales in miniature. You'll swish down the sand dunes at Penmaen, explore a castle (ruined by fairies, according to legend) then walk across a fabulous beach towards a rock spur like a dragon's back.

8: Deer Park to Marloes, Pembrokeshire

A peninsula walk with a sense of island escapism. Seascapes spread almost 360 degrees and seabirds soar off the nature islands of Skomer and Skokholm. Superb Marloes Sands are worth the extra half-mile walk and if you can stay till dusk you won't find a better sunset in Wales.

9: Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey

While pilgrims come for the holy well of St Dwynwen, whose 16th-century church is a ruin on the island, the views all around can give butterflies - particularly at sunset.

10:Cardiff Bay

The coastal path celebrates cities as much as wild coasts and this circuit around Cardiff Bay has history, nature and action. There's art in the Norwegian church, architecture in the Y Senedd (Welsh parliament building), waterbirds in a reserve, and whoops from the Cardiff White Water Centre.