The Salt Path

One of the most talked about books of the decade, an inspiring true story of hope and the healing powers of the natural world.

OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

INCLUDED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES 2024 LIST OF THE TOP 100 BOOKS OF THE PAST FIFTY YEARS

WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE CHRISTOPHER BLAND PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD

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Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.

Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.

The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.

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‘A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance’ Guardian

‘A tale of triumph: of hope over despair; of love over everything’ Sunday Times

‘Mesmerising. It is one of the most uplifting, inspiring books that I’ve ever read’ i

‘The most inspirational book of this year’ The Times

‘Luminescent. A literary phenomenon’ Mail on Sunday

‘This is what you need right now to muster hope and resilience . . . a beautiful story and a reminder that humans can endure adversity’ Stylist

*’*A beautiful book, it really lives up to the hype . . . an enjoyable, gentle yet moving read’ Pandora Sykes on The High Low

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Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023
Winner, Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize, 2018
Raynor Winn’s books have sold over two million copies across all formats and languages, March 2025