Near St. Mary’s Bay, Devon – 7/10

This is yet another stile on the English Riviera that will upset the purists; While navigation of this stile is certainly not a problem, its unique design that features a very low step and plenty to hang on to on each side offers almost thoughtless navigation makes it almost a little unnerving. The challenge of navigating stiles is one of the things that hikers prepare for vigorously, so to then approach a stile of this unconventional design almost feels like an anti-climax as one’s feet hardly leave the ground!

However, while the purists may be less than impressed, there is no denying that not only does it serve the exact purpose and function of a stile, but there is no denying that it does so with minimum effort to use and navigate. Also, the design is surprisingly symmetrical and once one gets over the unique visuals, there is something that is quite reassuring about the navigation that lies ahead. This stile certainly defies convention, but convention is very much there to be defied, and maybe this is the future?