King Charles III England Coast Path: Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in West Sussex and East Sussex.
Stage of progress
Stage 5: Open to the public
The 33 miles (53 km) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne is now open to the public.
Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 19 May 2022 by order of the Secretary of State.
The route is available to view on the National Trails website.
Information about the route
If you are planning a walk on the KCIIIECP, check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may apply at certain times.
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.
The maps in Natural England’s original report to the Secretary of State also show the route of the KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin, as approved by the Secretary of State on 19 December 2019.
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. Affected landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the approved route at Mill Creek, Newhaven (VR16)
On 28 March 2024, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve the variation report setting out proposals to change the approved route of the KCIIIECP in East Sussex at Mill Creek, Newhaven (VR16).
This change affects part of the approved route from Chapter 3 of the original report. A new relief road for Newhaven Port has been constructed over the approved route of the KCIIIECP. As part of the road scheme, the public footpath used by the trail has been realigned eastwards, passing under a new road bridge over Mill Creek. This new public footpath turns seawards on the east side of the new road to join the approved route by the coast.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Thursday 21 July 2022. The report is still available to view.
Use the links on this page to see details of the Secretary of State’s decision to approve Natural England’s proposals and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the KCIIIECP passes through your land.
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.
If you need to contact the authority managing this stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path, use the contact forms on the National Trails website contact us page.
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the south east region.
Updates to this page
Last updated 28 March 2024 + show all updates
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Page updated to show the variation report for Mill Creek, Newhaven (VR16) has been approved.
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Information about variation report VR16 added.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now open to the public.
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Stretch approved by the Secretary of State.
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Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready.
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Opportunity to comment on the report has ended.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.
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Page updated as stretch is now at stage 2 and 3.
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First published.