Raynor Winn’s story is the quintessential midlife collision – in one fell swoop, she and her terminally ill husband lost a court case, their financial security, their livelihood, and their home. So, what do you do when you’ve lost everything you’ve worked for and were working towards? You start again, that’s what.
About the Salt Path film
It’s no surprise that The Salt Path has been made into a film. Starring the hugely talented Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, and with a female director Marianne Elliott at the helm, it’s going to be a beautiful and emotional watch. True to the real story, it was filmed against the backdrop of the 630-mile South West Coast Path, with key filming locations at Minehead, Porlock, Hartland Peninsula, Clovelly, Newquay, Padstow and Rame Head. (The perfect inspiration for your next holiday or day trip….)
At the premiere, which took place 6 May 2025 in Newquay ahead of the wide release on 30 May, Raynor said, “It’s surreal – I think the book has its own life, so I just hope the film does the same.
“I think that they will find the essence of the book in the film and they have that beautiful coastline which will always be the third character.”
Why we love The Salt Path
The book was immensely popular – it’s sold more than a million copies worldwide, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards, amongst others.
But more importantly than accolades, it’s beautifully written – evocative, lyrical, memorable and wise, it’s a memoir that takes the reader on a journey, both physically (the South West Coast Path is the country’s longest National Trail) and metaphorically, as we cheer on – and commiserate with – Raynor and her husband Moth.
What’s also incredible is that Winn wasn’t a writer before she penned the book.
How we become ‘forged in fire’ in midlife
We feel particularly connected to The Salt Path at NOON because it encapsulates a phenomenon that we see here every week – that midlife can not only knock you off-path, but detonate your life. Raynor’s experience highlights what NOON research has shown: That women in midlife become “forged in fire”.
This is a term we use to describe those of us who face the most challenging circumstances only to end up, on the other side, the happiest we’ve ever been. And like any quest to reach something greater, it’s a odyssey of extreme highs and lows – a rebirth of sorts.
What’s your Salt Path journey?
You may not choose to walk more than 1,000km to find a life better suited to you, but you don’t have to.
Whether you’re newly divorced or widowed, looking to embark on a second career, an empty nester getting used to the space, or grappling with health issues that you don’t want to let define you, you – fellow Queenager – are on a journey, too. And here at NOON, we’re with you all the way.
We’d love to hear if you have your own Salt Path journey. Tell us in the comments.
