Vicar's Final Gift Saves 34 Acres of English Coastline

A quiet vicar who treasured his daily walks along the Cornish coast made sure no one would ever lose access to the place that brought him peace.

Reverend Anthony Mapplebeck left money in his will to the National Trust's Neptune Coastline Campaign, specifically to protect the coastline he'd spent decades exploring. That gift just secured 34 acres near Fowey in Cornwall, known as Alldays Field, preserving both the natural habitat and public access to this dramatic stretch of England's South West Coast Path.

Born in Surrey but devoted to Cornwall, Rev. Mapplebeck was known as an erudite and reserved man who carried out his duties with quiet dedication. He never married and lived modestly with his mother near the coast he cherished. Parishioners remember him christening babies, supporting bell ringers, and faithfully serving village congregations.

The timing couldn't be better. The newly protected land borders National Trust property on three sides, with the sea forming its southern boundary, allowing rangers to manage the entire area as one connected ecosystem. "By joining this land with what's around it, we can look after the coast as a whole," said Andy Simmons, National Trust Ranger for South East Cornwall.

The purchase secures uninterrupted access along this iconic section of the South West Coast Path, which runs along the southern edge of the field. Walkers will continue enjoying the same dramatic views that brought Rev. Mapplebeck joy throughout his life.

The Ripple Effect

The vicar's gift joins a legacy stretching back to the 1960s. The Neptune Coastline Campaign has helped the National Trust safeguard hundreds of miles of coastline across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each protected acre means more wildlife habitat preserved, more public paths kept open, and more opportunities for people to find the same peace Rev. Mapplebeck found on his walks.

His choice reflects something beautiful about how we can shape the future. He could have left his money anywhere, but he chose to protect the landscape that had given him so much. Former parishioners say it fits perfectly with the man they knew, someone who served his community faithfully and thought about what would matter long after he was gone.

Now every person who walks that coastal path walks in his footsteps, whether they know his name or not.