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Collection

King Charles III England Coast Path: South Hayling to East Head

Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Hampshire and West Sussex.

Updates to this page

From:
Natural England
Published:
25 September 2015
Last updated:
26 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. Page updated to show the opportunity to comment on the variation report VR29 has ended.

  2. Page has been updated to show this stretch is now open to the public.

  3. Page has been updated with information about the variation report for Bosham, Chichester, West Sussex (VR29).

  4. Page updated to show the remaining sections of this stretch have been approved.

  5. Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 1 of the 5 reports has received Secretary of State approval.

  6. Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.

  7. Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in autumn 2019.

  8. Dates amended: publication of report now expected in 2019. Access expected to be ready in 2020.

  9. Updated page to show that work has reached stage 2 and 3.

  10. First published.

Stage of progress

Stage 5: Open to the public

The 35.5 mile (57.2 km) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from South Hayling to East Head is now open to the public.

Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 4 February 2026 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 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 or if an access restriction applies to the land.

The maps in Natural England’s original proposals to the Secretary of State show the route of the KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin, as determined by the Secretary of State on 9 July 2020 and 16 July 2024.

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.

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 Bosham, Chichester (VR29)

On 28 January 2026, Natural England submitted variation report (SHE-VR29) to the Secretary of State setting out proposals to change the approved route of the King Charles III England Coast Path at Bosham, Chichester in West Sussex.

The change affects part of the approved section SHE 4: Bosham to West Itchenor. It proposes realigning a short section of the alternative route at Bosham away from a small, newly established wildflower meadow onto an adjacent public right of way. This minor change will reduce impacts on land management without affecting the enjoyment of the trail or coastal views.

The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

The report is still available to view.

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 that follows for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the south of England.

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