King Charles III England Coast Path: Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Devon.
Map of the stretch
Natural England has begun to investigate how to improve coastal access along a 129 km stretch of the Devon coast between Combe Martin and Marsland Mouth.
Officers from Devon County Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice and helping to make sure there is full consultation with local interests during the development of the route.
Stage of progress
Stage 5: Open
On 23 November 2023, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced their decision to approve the remaining sections of coast path between Combe Martin and Marsland Mouth.
The reports are still available to view.
Natural England will publish further details of the approved route in due course.
You can see the current status of the collection in the table.
| Report number and title | Date of approval |
|---|---|
| CMM 1: Combe Martin Beach to Seven Hills, Ilfracombe | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 2: Seven Hills, Ilfracombe to Woolacombe | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 3: Woolacombe to Cock Rock, Croyde | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 4: Cock Rock, Croyde to Velator | 23 November 2023 |
| CMM 5: Velator to Taw Bridge, Barnstaple | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 6: Taw Bridge, Barnstaple to Bideford Long Bridge | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 7: Bideford Long Bridge to Westward Ho! | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 8: Kipling Tors, Westward Ho! to Barton Wood | 23 November 2023 |
| CMM 9: Barton Wood to Hartland Point | 13 January 2021 |
| CMM 10: Hartland Point to Marsland Mouth | 13 January 2021 |
Variation reports on approved sections
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of an approved route. The proposed changes are published as variation reports. Anyone can comment (make a representation) on these proposals. Landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the approved route at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (VR11)
On 23 November 2023, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced their approval of changes to the route of the King Charles III England Coast Path at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (VR11).
The change affects the final part of CMM 3: Woolacombe to Cock Rock, Croyde and the first part of CMM 4 Cock Rock, Croyde to Velator. It takes the route of the King Charles III England Coast Path off the narrow busy road between Chesil Cliff House and Oyster Falls and provides a safer road crossing point at Down End Croyde.
The report is still available to view.
Next steps
Stage 5: Open
Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use. The first step is to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is needed, such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room. For further advice see the detailed guide below.
Find out more about the King Charles III England Coast Path
See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.
The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.
Contact the coastal access team
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Coastal access delivery team (South west)
Natural England
Ground Floor, Sterling House
Dix’s Field
Exeter
Devon
EX1 1QA
Email southwestcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 020 8026 7602
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of south west.
Updates to this page
Last updated 23 November 2023 + show all updates
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Page updated to show that the final 2 reports, and VR11, have received Secretary of State approval. This stretch is now at stage 5.
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Updated the page with information about the variation report at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (VR11).
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Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 8 of the 10 reports have received Secretary of State approval.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.
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Changed expected date for publication of the reports to early 2020.
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Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in winter 2020.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 2/3.
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First published.