It was hailed as a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and resilience—one that touched millions of readers and even made its way to the big screen.
But now, the story at the heart of The Salt Path is under intense scrutiny, and the author, Raynor Winn, is at the centre of some serious allegations.
A Memoir That Captivated the World
When The Salt Path was first published in 2018, it became an instant success.
Written by Raynor Winn, the memoir told the story of how she and her husband, known as Moth, lost their home and decided to walk the South West Coast Path with hardly any money.
The book sold over two million copies and was recently turned into a star-studded film featuring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.
Readers believed they were getting a raw, honest account of surviving rock bottom.
But Was It All True?
Now, reports are calling that narrative into question.
According to The Observer, the story of how Raynor and Moth lost their home may not be what it seemed.
It’s claimed that the couple, whose real names are allegedly Sally and Tim Walker, weren’t evicted because of a failed investment in a friend’s business.
Instead, the investigation suggests their farmhouse in rural North Wales was repossessed after Winn allegedly stole around £64,000 from a former employer—Martin Hemmings—while working as a bookkeeper at his estate agency.
A Secret Deal and a Costly Loan
Rather than facing legal consequences, the Winns reportedly arranged a private repayment deal to avoid criminal charges.
A distant relative of Moth’s is said to have loaned them the money to pay back the Hemmings family—but the loan came with interest.
Over time, that amount reportedly ballooned to more than £150,000.
When that relative’s own business failed, the couple were taken to court, and their home was ultimately repossessed.
Questions Over Moth’s Illness
Another major part of the memoir—the portrayal of Moth’s rare neurological condition—is also being questioned.
Moth was said to have been diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD), a degenerative disease similar to Parkinson’s, which typically has a short life expectancy.
Yet, according to the report, he has lived with the condition for 18 years without visible symptoms.
One neurologist quoted by The Observer even said the timeline “does not pass the sniff test.”
Claims of a Hidden Property
Adding fuel to the fire, it’s also been alleged that the couple weren’t technically homeless at all.
According to the report, they owned a second property in the south of France, purchased in 2007, even as they were said to be roughing it along the coast in the UK.
That detail, if true, could dramatically alter public perception of their story.
A Widow Speaks Out
Martin Hemmings’ widow, Ros, gave a particularly emotional response.
She told The Observer that Winn’s version of events painted her late husband unfairly and erased the pain caused by the alleged theft.
“Her claims that it was all just a business deal that went wrong really upset me,” she said. “It made me feel sick.”
Ros added that she was relieved her husband didn’t live to see the publication of the book or the release of the film.
“It would have made him so angry,” she shared.
The Winns Push Back
Raynor Winn and her husband have responded to the growing controversy with a short statement, calling The Observer‘s article “highly misleading.”
They say they are now seeking legal advice and won’t comment further for the time being.
However, they stood by their book, saying: “The Salt Path lays bare the physical and spiritual journey Moth and I shared—an experience that transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives.
This is the true story of our journey.”
Agents Stay Silent as the Backlash Grows
Both Raynor Winn’s literary and media representatives have so far declined to make any public statements.
As the questions continue piling up, fans and critics alike are left wondering what’s fact and what’s fiction in a story that once seemed so inspiring.
What Comes Next for the Salt Path Legacy?
The fallout from these allegations could be significant—not just for the book’s legacy, but also for its recent film adaptation.
Will the film’s success shield it from the controversy, or will this backlash reshape how audiences and readers view the memoir?
For now, the couple at the centre of it all remain silent—at least publicly.
But behind closed doors, it seems the story isn’t over yet.