King Charles III England Coast Path: Gretna to Allonby
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access - including maps, process and timing - in Cumbria.
Introduction
Natural England is working to improve public access along a 62 mile (100 km) stretch of the Cumbrian coast between Gretna and Allonby.
Officers from Cumberland Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice during the establishment of the route.
Some sections are open to the public, some are still under development.
This page has information about the stage of progress for each section of the stretch.
Information about open sections of the route
You can view open sections of the route on the National Trails website.
You can see the status of all parts of this report in the table. Note that the ‘parts’ of the stretch referred to in this table are for the purposes of determination and approval only and do not relate to the 5 chapters in the original report. The start and end points of these ‘parts’ are shown in the map above.
| Report section | Stage 4 | Stage 5 (approved) |
Open to the public |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Scottish Border at Gretna to north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden (Part 1) | 1 October 2021 | Yes | |
| North of Kirkandrews-on-Eden to east of Drumburgh Castle (Part 5) | yet to be determined | ||
| East of Drumburgh Castle to the western edge of Anthorn marsh (Part 2) | 1 October 2021 | Not yet | |
| The western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge (Part 4) | yet to be determined | ||
| Rumbling Bridge to Allonby (Part 3) | 1 October 2021 | Yes |
If you’re planning a walk on the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP), check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may apply at certain times.
On 25 July 2016, Natural England submitted a report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast between Gretna and Allonby in Cumbria.
The maps in Natural England’s original proposals to the Secretary of State are still available to view. They show the route of the KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast as it was proposed at that time. They also show the adjoining land that is coastal margin.
Coastal access rights normally apply to all land that is coastal margin - including any land seaward of the route - unless it falls into a category of excepted land or if an access restriction applies to the land.
Any variation needed after a stretch has opened is achieved through rollback or a variation report that you can comment on. Variation reports are published on GOV.UK and details will be added to this page.
Use the link that follows for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the KCIIIECP passes through your land.
Stage 5: Open to the public
The Scottish Border at Gretna to north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden (Part 1)
This 15.95 miles (25.67km) section of the KCIIIECP is now open to the public.
Coastal access rights came into force along this section of the Gretna to Allonby stretch on 23 November 2023, by order of the Secretary of State.
Following the approval of this section on 1 October 2021, a variation to the approved route became necessary.
Change to the approved route at Esk Boathouse (VR10)
A minor change to the first part of the approved stretch was required. It affects 4 sections of the route and makes significant improvements to accessibility of the trail.
On 20 October 2022, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve this variation report .
Rumbling Bridge to Allonby (Part 3)
This 17.08 miles (27.49km) section of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is now open to the public. Coastal access rights came into force along this section of the Gretna to Allonby stretch on 23 November 2023, by order of the Secretary of State.
Following the approval of this section on 1 October 2021, a variation to the approved route became necessary.
Change to the approved route at Silloth Docks, Silloth (VR13)
Minor changes were needed to 4 sections of the route at this point. It provides walkers with a new path to one side of the vehicular track on which the trail would otherwise have been aligned.
On 8 February 2023, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve this variation report.
Stage 5: Open (not yet available for public use - work to establish the route is being planned or currently taking place)
East of Drumburgh Castle to the western edge of Anthorn marsh (Part 2)
On 1 October 2021 the Secretary of State approved this section of the King Charles III England Coast Path in Cumbria.
Natural England will publish further details of the approved route in due course.
It became necessary to amend our proposals.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Burgh Marsh and Burgh-by-Sands (GAL-MR1)
On Monday 9 May 2022, Natural England submitted a modification report (GAL-MR1) to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for this section of the route at Burgh Marsh and Burgh-by-Sands.
In response to some objections, extensive changes to the first part of this approved stretch are proposed. These affect 2 long sections of the original proposals, as well as part of the proposed optional alternative route. The changes should reduce any impact of tides on the proposed route.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on 4 July 2022. This modification report has not yet been determined by the Secretary of State.
Stage 4: Determine
The western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge (Part 4)
This section of the route has not yet been determined by the Secretary of State.
It’s become necessary to change parts of the proposed route in response to objections. The proposed changes have been published as modification reports.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Longcroft and Whitrigg, Kirkbride, Cumbria (GAL-MR3)
On 14 August 2024, Natural England submitted a modification report (GAL-MR3) to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for this section of the route at Longcroft and Whitrigg.
It proposes realigning several sections of the route from Longcroft Marsh towards the nearby road. The road would then be followed past Beckbrow Cottage to Whitrigg Bridge.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Wednesday 9 October 2024.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Raby Cote and Raby Grange, Abbeytown, Cumbria (GAL-MR2)
On Wednesday 6 July 2022, Natural England submitted a modification report (GAL-MR2) to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for this part of the route at Raby Cote and Raby Grange .
The change proposes realigning part of one route section a short distance to the west of the original route. This would have the effect of more evenly sharing the trail between 2 adjacent land holdings (Raby Cote and Raby Grange).
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed on 31 August 2022.
All objections or representations relating to these modification reports must also be considered by the Secretary of State, before they make a decision about the overall proposals – original and modified – for this part of the stretch.
North of Kirkandrews-on-Eden to east of Drumburgh Castle (Part 5)
This section of the route has not yet been determined by the Secretary of State.
Information about Natural England's original report
On 25 July 2016, Natural England submitted a report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast between Gretna and Allonby, Cumbria.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed on 19 September 2016. The report is still available to view.
The objections were forwarded for consideration by an independent planning inspector from the Planning Inspectorate, appointed by the Secretary of State (‘the appointed person’).
The inspector invited further representations on 9 objections because they were minded to determine that Natural England’s proposals relating to these objections fail to strike a fair balance.
See the notices for more details. The opportunity to submit a representation is now closed.
The inspector decided to hold a hearing to explore some of the issues in more detail. This was held in December 2017.
The inspector made recommendations to the Secretary of State in respect of these objections after considering further representations received.
The Secretary of State will consider all the representations and objections before making a decision about Natural England’s report.
Find out more about the King Charles III England Coast Path
Next steps
When the Secretary of State approves a section of the report, Natural England works with Cumbria County Council on preparing the route 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 required such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will be brought into force along the route and adjoining spreading room.
Work on the Gretna to Allonby part of the KCIIIECP is expected to take a considerable time, given the length and complexity of the stretch.
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 authority managing sections that are open to the public
If you need to contact the authority managing open sections of this stretch of the KCIIIECP, use the contact forms on the National Trails website contact us page.
Contact the coastal access team for sections not yet open to the public
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Coastal access (North west)
Natural England
Murley Moss Business Village
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
Email northwestcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900
See the map below for more information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the north west of England.
Updates to this page
Last updated 10 October 2024 + show all updates
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Page updated to show the opportunity to comment on the report Longcroft and Whitrigg, Kirkbride, Cumbria (GAL-MR3) has now ended.
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We've added information about the modification report Longcroft and Whitrigg (GAL-MR3). This affects the western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge (Part 4) section of this stretch.
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Page updated to show that 2 sections of this stretch are now open to the public.
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Page updated to show variation report 13 (Silloth Docks, Silloth) has been approved.
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Page updated to show the Esk Boathouse variation report (VR10) has been approved.
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Page updated with details about the variation report GAL-VR13 and the modification report GAL-MR2.
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Page updated with details about the variation report VR10 and the modification report GAL-MR1.
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Added table showing the different parts that make up the report. Page updated to show that 3 of the 5 parts have received Secretary of State approval.
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Length of stretch amended from 98 km (62 miles) to 100 km (62.6 miles).
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Information about planned public hearing added.
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Added link to notice on objections issued by the Planning Inspectorate
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Updated page for the publication of Natural England's proposals.
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Delays to route proposals due to severe flooding in the area.
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Update to explain Natural England's progress on this stretch of coast. Now at stage 2.
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First published.