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King Charles III England Coast Path: improving public access to the coast

Find out how coastal access is being improved, where work is in progress and where new rights of access are now available.

From:
Natural England
Published
8 October 2014
Last updated
20 December 2024 — See all updates

Overview of progress

To commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and in recognition of his regard for the natural world, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced on 1 May 2023 that the England Coast Path would be renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Work is well underway on the King Charles III England Coast Path, a new 2,700 mile National Trail around all of England’s coast. Subject to the outcome of the current spending review, it is expected that the path will be completed by Spring 2026 – connecting communities around the English coast from Northumberland to Cumbria.

Current progress by mileage

Natural England submits proposals to government for the King Charles III England Coast Path in stretches.

Once the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approves a stretch proposal, works can begin on signage, groundworks and infrastructure. A date is then agreed for the stretch to legally open to the public.

Status of proposals Number of miles
Total mileage submitted to government
- complete and open for public use
- approved by government and work to establish the route taking place, or awaited
- awaiting government decision		 2680
1381

1025
274
Yet to be submitted 16

Use the maps on the National Trails website to help plan a walk on the open stretches of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

The overview of progress map shows all the proposed stretches. Use this to identify the stretches that:

  • are open
  • are approved but not yet open
  • have proposals published but not yet approved
  • are in development

Coastal margin

As part of this work a ‘coastal margin’ is being identified. The margin includes all land between the trail and the sea. It may also extend inland from the trail if:

  • it’s a type of coastal land identified in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act), such as beach, dune or cliff
  • there are existing access rights under section 15 of the CROW Act
  • Natural England and the landowner agree to follow a clear physical feature landward of the trail

In the coastal margin, you’ll usually have new rights to enjoy areas like beaches, dunes and foreshore. Some areas will not have such rights because they’re:

  • excepted land, such as cropped land or buildings and their courtyards or gardens
  • subject to a restriction, for example for nature conservation reasons or because the land is not suitable for public access, such as a saltmarsh or mudflat

Other parts of the coastal margin may be steep, uneven or unstable. You must take care of your own safety and look out for local notices.

Progress on the King Charles III England Coast Path near you

The new right of access will be brought into effect at different times around the coast.

Use the maps below to find out which stretches of coast Natural England is working on and where the new right of access is available.

Process to open a new stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path

Natural England follows the coastal access scheme when working to open a new stretch of the England Coast Path.

A summary of this process is available:

Guidance for landowners and the public

Updates to this page

Published 8 October 2014
Last updated 20 December 2024 + show all updates

  1. We've updated the statistics in the table.

  2. We've removed the link to the Corton and Dunwich Heath variation report (VR21) as the opportunity to comment has ended.

  3. We've updated the statistics in the table, as part of the Eastbourne to Camber stretch is now open to the public.

  4. Removed the link in the grey box to the Bonchurch modification report (IOW-MR3) as the opportunity to comment has ended.

  5. We've updated the statistics in the table. Parts of the Marsland Mouth to Newquay and Newquay to Penzance stretches are now open to the public.

  6. We've added a link to the Corton and Dunwich Heath variation report (VR21) in the grey box at the top of the page.

  7. We've updated the statistics in the table. The Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Ferry stretch is now open to the public. The Isle of Wight report IOW 3 has been approved.

  8. Removed the link in the grey box to the modification report Longcroft and Whitrigg, Kirkbride, Cumbria (GAL-MR3) as the opportunity to comment has ended.

  9. Removed the link to the Rye Harbour to Camber Sands (EBC 8) report as the consultation period has ended.

  10. We've added a link to the Open Access maps website in the 'Coastal margin' paragraph so it's easy to search for sites that are subject to restrictions.

  11. We've added a link to the Bonchurch modification report (IOW-MR3) as the opportunity to comment on these proposals is now open.

  12. Removed the link to the Dunnerholme, Askam-in-Furness, Cumbria (VR18) report as the consultation period has ended.

  13. We've updated the statistics in the table. The Sutton Bridge to Skegness stretch is now open to the public.

  14. We've updated the statistics in the table. Two sections of the Birkenhead to the Welsh border stretch have opened to the public.

  15. We've added a link to the Longcroft and Whitrigg modification report (GAL-MR3) as the opportunity to comment on these proposals is now open.

  16. Opportunity to comment on the proposals for Rye Harbour to Camber Sands (EBC 8) is now open. The statistics in the table have been updated.

  17. Page updated with link to variation report VR18 as the opportunity to comment on these proposals is now open.

  18. Updated the statistics table following another set of stretch approvals.

  19. We've added a table of statistics that shows the progress of the project so far, by mileage. The table will be updated regularly.

  20. Removed the link to the variation report VR19, East Hill and Cowden Parva, as the opportunity to comment has ended.

  21. Added a link to the variation report VR19, East Hill and Cowden Parva.

  22. Page updated with information about the opportunity to comment on the modification reports for Luccombe (MR1) and Shanklin Chine (MR2).

  23. Opportunity to make representations on the objection to proposals for the Harwich to Shotley Gate stretch now open.

  24. To commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III the England Coast Path is renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path.

  25. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Headon Warren, Isle of Wight (VR1) is now open.

  26. Opportunity to comment on the modification report proposals for Rye and the Rother Estuary is now open.

  27. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Silloth Docks, Silloth (VR13) and the modification report proposals for Raby Cote and Raby Grange, Cumbria (GAL-MR2) is now open. Both are part of the Gretna to Allonby stretch.

  28. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Canal Road, Strood (part of the Iwade to Grain stretch), Mill Creek, Newhaven (part of the Shoreham to Eastbourne stretch) and Ecclesbourne Glen, Hastings Country Park (part of the Eastbourne to Camber stretch) now open.

  29. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Mersea Outdoors to Coopers Beach Holiday Park, Mersea Island (MR1) now open. Part of the Mersea Island stretch.

  30. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Esk Boathouse, Castletown (VR10) and the modification report proposals for Burgh Marsh and Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria (GAL-MR1) is now open. Both are part of the Gretna to Allonby stretch.

  31. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (VR11) now open. Part of the Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth stretch.

  32. Removed the link to the RDPE Establishment Fund as this grant has ended.

  33. Opportunity to comment on the Mablethorpe to the Humber Bridge and Humber Bridge to Easington reports is now open.

  34. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Sheepway Lane to Portbury Wharf (part of the Aust to Brean Down stretch) now open.

  35. Opportunity now open to comment on the report that modifies the proposals for Eastney Peninsula and Kendalls Wharf (part of the Portsmouth to South Hayling stretch).

  36. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals now open for Calder to Seascale, part of the Whitehaven to Silecroft stretch.

  37. Opportunity to comment on the Bawdsey to Aldeburgh reports is now open.

  38. Added Birkenhead to the Welsh border to the CTA box as opportunity to comment now open.

  39. Opportunity to comment on the Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey reports is now open.

  40. Opportunity to comment on the Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge reports is now open.

  41. Opportunity to comment on the Salcott to Jaywick reports is now open.

  42. Opportunity to comment on the Cleveleys to Pier Head, Liverpool reports is now open.

  43. Opportunity now open to comment on the report that modifies the proposals for Hurlstone Point and Glenthorne, Exmoor, (part of the Minehead to Combe Martin stretch).

  44. Deadline for submission of comments on published reports extended to 9 June 2020.

  45. Added Covid-19 statement to page.

  46. Added note advising that reports cannot now be viewed in public libraries and that objections and representations should be sent by email rather than post.

  47. Opportunity to comment on the Isle of Wight reports is now open.

  48. Opportunity to comment on the Tilbury to Southend-on-Sea and Eastbourne to Camber reports is now open.

  49. Opportunity to comment on the Aldeburgh to Hopton-on-Sea and Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch reports is now open.

  50. Opportunity to comment on the Isle of Sheppey and Harwich to Shotley Gate reports is now open.

  51. The opportunity to comment on proposals is now open for the following stretches: Bamburgh to the Scottish Border (including Holy Island); Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth; Cremyll to Kingswear; Iwade to Grain and Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Ferry.

  52. Opportunity to comment on the Silecroft to Silverdale and Silverdale to Cleveleys reports is now open.

  53. Opportunity to comment on the Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea Island stretch reports is now open.

  54. Opportunity to comment on the Marsland Mouth to Newquay stretch reports is now open.

  55. Opportunity to comment on the South Hayling to East Head stretch reports is now open.

  56. Opportunity to comment on the Penzance to St Mawes stretch reports is now open.

  57. Opportunity to comment on the Amble to Bamburgh stretch reports is now open.

  58. Opportunity to comment on the Aust to Brean Down stretch reports is now open.

  59. Opportunity to comment on the Calshot to Gosport stretch reports is now open.

  60. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals for Nethertown and Sellafield, part of the Whitehaven to Silecroft stretch, now open.

  61. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Newquay to Portsmouth, St Mawes to Cremyll and Gosport to Portsmouth stretches.

  62. Opportunity to comment on the Grain to Woolwich stretch reports is now open.

  63. Statement added about how the recent European Court judgement has affected the completion date for this project.

  64. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne stretch.

  65. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals now open for Drigg, part of the Whitehaven to Silecroft stretch.

  66. Opportunity to comment on the variation report proposals now open for Coulderton and Nethertown, part of the Whitehaven to Silecroft stretch.

  67. Added a section about the new ECPEF grant for landowners/managers of approved stretches.

  68. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Weybourne to Hunstanton stretch.

  69. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Highcliffe to Calshot stretch.

  70. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Easington to Filey Brigg stretch.

  71. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Sutton Bridge to Skegness stretch.

  72. Corrected consultation period closing date for East Head to Shoreham.

  73. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for East Head to Shoreham.

  74. Updated page to show consultation for Jaywick to Harwich proposals has opened and consultation for Minehead to Combe Martin proposals has closed.

  75. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Burnham-on-Crouch to Maldon and Portsmouth to South Hayling stretches.

  76. Mersea Island consultation is now open for comments.

  77. Opportunity to comment on report proposals now open for Kimmeridge Bay to Highcliffe and Whitstable to Iwade stretches.

  78. Minehead to Combe Martin consultation now open

  79. Opportunity to comment has opened for 2 more stretches

  80. Opportunity to comment has opened for 2 stretches.

  81. Walney Island consultation is now open for comments.

  82. Added link to Newport Bridge to North Gare proposals.

  83. SoS announcement approves the route for 3 stretches of the England Coast Path.

  84. Consultation opens on proposed changes to approved route at Dunball Wharf and St Audries Bay in Somerset.

  85. Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge consultation opens

  86. Ramsgate to Whitstable consultation opens

  87. Folkestone to Ramsgate consultation outcome published

  88. Outline of government's plan to complete the England Coast Path by 2020.

  89. First published.

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