A Guide to England’s Coastal Paths
King Charles III England Coast Path is the longest coastal path in the world, weaving through 15 National Parks and National Landscapes, with dramatically changing scenery. The trail is opening in sections:
- North West is from the Scottish border at Gretna Green. It stretches to the Chester and Welsh border, passing through the Lake District to Liverpool and Blackpool.
- North East is from the Scottish border above Berwick, to seaside holiday resorts. Passing sheltered coves and cliffs, and seabird colonies.
- East is from the Wash to the Thames Estuary, exploring sand dunes (don’t walk on them), market towns and villages and stunning seascapes.
- South East stretches from the Thames Estuary to Bournemouth, a huge stretch of coast, plus empty beaches and nature reserves.
- South West is from the Welsh border at Chepstow to Bournemouth, along dramatic coastlines. It links coastal resorts, towns and villages, plus piers, promenades and estuaries.
Check tide times and avoid walking in bad light/weather). Follow the Countryside Code (don’t walk on sand dunes), and keep numbers on hand to report concerns for farm animals, wildlife or marine creatures.
Check for dog beach bans (avoid walks for 2 hours after long drives) and keep dogs away from cliffs, seaweed, palm oil (white waxy lumps), jellyfish and uncapped mine shafts.
Also keep dogs away from seals, coastal birds and coastal flowers (many are toxic). Read how to keep dogs safe at the seaside (and info on dog safety and hiking with dogs).
Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast Walk (St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay)
Alfred Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast Walk lets you cross northern England from St Bees (on the Irish Sea in northwest England) to end when you paddle your toes in the village of Robin Hood’s Bay, on the North Sea in East Yorkshire.
The Cumbrian part is more hilly, giving way to rolling hills of the east, or of course you can do it the other way around. Herdwick sheep of the lakes soon give way to the curly-horned Swaledales as you move on.
If you see a sheep on its back, you’ll have to right it if there is no farmer around. Just gently approach and grab a handful of wool, then place upright, and stay with it, until rain falls off.
You can walk a portion of the walk, or stay in guest houses for a walk that will take a few weeks. There is a train stop at St Bees (Robin Hood’s Bay is a short bus or taxi ride from Whitby).
Who Was Alfred Wainwright?
Alfred was a fell guide writer, who took a pay drop to move the Lake District. After an unhappy first marriage, he married the love of his life (on condition that she walked several paces behind him, and didn’t talk on their walks!)
It seemed to work, as they remained blissfully happy until he died of natural causes, at a ripe old age.
Contours has accommodation (look for the pawprint icon for dog-friendly trails – you can book just part of the walk). Mickledore offers part-of-the-walk holidays too, but not everywhere is dog-friendly.
The Coast to Coast Path is the official 2024 guidebook. It features maps and route planners, plus details on places to stay and camp, plus local pubs. Or go for the older but more interesting guide by Alfred himself, with pictures (updated regularly).
You can report damaged paths or overgrown hedgerows. Alfred was extremely fond of nature and wildlife, and donated profits from his books to animal charities. A local animal shelter is even named after him.
The South West Coast Path: Minehead to Poole
The South West Coast Path unfurls for 630 miles, making it England’s longest national trail. Starting at Minehead in Somerset, the route hugs the coast through Devon and Cornwall, and ends in Poole, Dorset.
You’ll pass wild moorland, secluded coves, colourful harbours and windswept cliffs. Look for fossils on the Jurassic Coast, and watch for dolphins or seals if you’re lucky. Many walkers choose to tackle this route in sections, with each stretch revealing new seascapes and wildlife.
Northumberland Coast Path: Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed
The Northumberland Coast Path goes for 62 miles from Berwick in the north to Cresswell in the south. The walk also takes in Seahouses, which faces out to the Farne Islands.. It’s mostly flat.
If walking to Lindisfarne, set off 2 hours before low tide (walk with the outgoing not rising tide) and avoid poor weather/dusk, and wear good boots. Most people use the hopper bus.
Offshore, seabirds wheel over the Farne Islands (no dogs allowed due to wildlife) while Bamburgh Castle stands bold against the endless sands. There’s a timeless feel to this part of England, with small harbours, quiet paths and wide open space all the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The Norfolk Coast Path (Hunstanton to Sea Palling)
England is surrounded by coast, so it makes sense that there are several coast paths that you can walk. You can just walk a section, or take an entire holiday and walk one over a few weeks.
You could book your own accommodation using sites like Snaptrip. For those watching the pennies, YHA hostels are set in lovely grounds with communal kitchens, and dorms or private rooms from £30 to £60 a night – some even have dog-friendly secure Landpods.
The Norfolk Coast Path offers tidal marshes, sandy beaches and big skies. Starting from the cliffs at Hunstanton, this waymarked route travels through this Natural Landscape.
The flat, soft paths make it an easier long walk. While Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer add classic English charm. Birdwatchers flock to Blakeney Point and Cley Marshes, where grey seals and rare birds gather.
The Peddars Way starts at at Suffolk (near Thetford) and follows the route for 49 miles to Holme-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk Coast.
Isle of Wight Coastal Path (circles the entire island)
Isle of Wight is England’s largest island, and smallest county (apparently depending on whether the tide is in or out – it swaps places with Rutland). Known for its beautiful beaches, Isle of Wight Coastal Path (circles the entire island) runs for 70 miles, circling the entire island.
Pick any stretch to find cliffs (obviously keep children and dogs away), shingle bays and grassy downs, with dramatic views. The section from Freshwater Bay to the Needles is a favourite.
The main resorts for holidays are Sandown and Shanklin, with lovely sandy beaches, and thatched cottages inland. Shanklin Chine has a leafy gorge with waterfalls and secret footpaths.
The Suffolk Coast Path: Rugged Beauty, Sandy Beaches
The Suffolk Coast Path is a 50 mile long distance path known for its diverse landscapes (salt marshes and heathland), running from the port town of Felixstowe (south Suffolk) to Lowestoft (north Norfolk).
Nearby Ness Point is the most easterly point in England, if you want to be the first person in England to watch the sun rise).
Dogs must be on leads near livestock and during bird breeding season from March to July – check signage for updates).
Also don’t walk on sand dunes (home to nesting birds, endangered natterjack toads and seals often hide their pups). Some dog seasonal beach bans apply.
Wildlife Wise is a project run by local people, to educate residents and visitors on how to avoid disturbance wildlife on the Suffolk coast (due to its vast estuaries of mudflats, saltmarsh, reedbeds, sea grass, lagoons, heathlands and freshwater wetlands and sea grass). Unique shingle and sand attract unusual plants and creatures.
Its projects include secure fencing, and a special ‘dogs-off lead’ area so dogs can play free, without disturbing local wildlife – what a great idea!
Orford Ness: Windswept and Wild
This former military site (where England’s first atomic bomb was tested), is now a nature reserve , run by National Trust. You can only reach it by a seasonal foot ferry, and that’s a good thing to prevent over-tourism.
It’s the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, so a habitat for many rare birds and plants. Who love the lagoons, reedbeds and marshes.
