Zoe Langley-Wathen and husband, Mike Langley, are walking the British coastline

Somerset couple preparing to walk the entire 7,300-mile coastline of Great Britain

Paul JonesSeptember 19, 20250 Comment0

AN Ilminster couple – on a mission to prove that adventure has no age limit – are taking on a 7,300-mile challenge for charity.

On October 4, former teacher Zoe Langley-Wathen (54) and her husband, retired carpenter and publican Mike Langley (73), will set off from the western edge of Poole Harbour to walk the entire coastline of mainland Great Britain.

Their trek – entitled HeadRightOut: One Coast Any Age – is expected to take around two years, with Zoe and Mike, proud Ambassadors for clothing brand Páramo, walking every step.

The rules are simple: no ferries and only including islands that are connected to the mainland by bridges or causeways.

And they are raising funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) charity as they go.

At 73, Mike, the proud owner of two new hips, aims to become the oldest person to complete the walk as a thru-hike.

And 54-year-old Zoe, author of the adventure memoir 630 Miles Braver – Midlifing on the South West Coast Path (2025), continues her mission to showcase the transformative power of walking, resilience, and midlife reinvention.

Besides being a Páramo Ambassador, Zoe also promotes the work of AdventureMind, encouraging all ages and abilities to use adventure to benefit their wellbeing, and is the founder of HeadRightOut, which is geared towards midlife and older women building their resilience in the outdoors.

The couple, who are members of the Ilminster Ukulele Club, will document their progress through social media, writing, speaking, photography, and podcasting, offering a raw, real, and uplifting glimpse into life on the trail, and may even take their instruments with them for a song or two on the road.

Zoe Langley-Wathen and husband, Mike Langley, are walking the British coastline

They hope to inspire others to step outside of their comfort zones while raising funds for DSAA.

“This isn’t just a walk,” said Zoe, who lived in Dorset for 30 years before moving back to her home county of Somerset.

“It’s a statement that midlife is not the end of the adventurous road, and that gap years can be for anyone.

“We’ll be walking to promote AdventureMind’s message of the benefits of adventure on mental health and wellbeing, and to support the vital work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.”

Samantha Theron, head of marketing communications at Páramo Clothing, added: “We’re proud to support Zoe and Mike on their epic challenge. Their commitment to adventure and resilience perfectly reflects our values.

“We’ll be with them every step of the way, providing kit they can trust whatever the weather.”