You can learn more about each section on the National Trails website here.
More about it below:
The path effectively creates a continuous walking route around the entire coastline of England, which would take around a year to walk at a relaxed pace.
Where it goes
The path circles all of England’s coast, passing through:
- North-East: Scottish border → Yorkshire coast (e.g. Whitby, Scarborough)
- East: Lincolnshire → Norfolk → Suffolk marshes
- South-East: Kent, Dover, Sussex (Seven Sisters cliffs)
- South-West: Hampshire → Dorset → Devon → Cornwall (dramatic cliffs)
- North-West: Cumbria → Lancashire → back to Scottish border
It links up with:
- The Wales Coast Path at multiple border points
- Existing English trails like the South West Coast Path (now part of it)
The 8 Sections
1. North East & East Coast:
From the Scottish Border above Berwick to the Humber, this coast is famous for beaches, castles and seaside holiday resorts. But there is plenty more to explore including tiny fishing villages in sheltered coves and rocky cliffs home to huge seabird colonies.
2. Lincolnshire Coast
From the Humber to the Wash the Lincolnshire Coast has long beaches and iconic seaside towns as well as quiet expanses of salt marsh with just the wildlife for company.
3. East Anglia
From the Wash to the Thames Estuary the East Anglia Coast includes the sandy beaches and dunes of Norfolk, the fabulous Suffolk coast with its seaside resorts and the historic coast of Essex and Southend-on-Sea.
4. South East
The South East section runs from Woolwich on the Thames Estuary to Brighton on the south coast, passing changing landscapes full of wildlife. Explore coastal towns with long sandy beaches, Roman sites, Napoleonic Martello towers, the White Cliffs of Dover and many wartime remains.
5. South
Running from Brighton to Southampton this section of the south coast has been populated for hundreds of years. The trail takes you past bustling towns and cities with ancient harbours and dockyards, but also also along stunning sandy beaches, through nature reserves and all the way around the Isle of Wight.
6. South West – Channel Coast
The South West Channel Coast is one of the most popular stretches of coast in the UK, with rocky cliffs, long sandy beaches, attractive fishing villages and popular coastal towns it has something for everyone. With natural attractions including The Lizard and Chesil beach as well as manmade marvels including castles and perfectly sheltered harbours.
7. South West – Atlantic Coast
The South West Atlantic coast, running from Aust on the Bristol Channel to Penzance, is a place of rocky cliffs, hidden coves, wild and stormy seas, but also one of history, industrial archaeology, nature reserves, wonderful beaches, surfing and staggering beauty.
8. North West
From the Scottish Border near Gretna Green down to the Welsh Border near Chester this stretch of coast offers a real journey of contrasts, passing the wilderness of the Lake District, the fun of Blackpool and the urban culture of Liverpool.
History & development
- Started: after the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
- First section opened: 2012 (Weymouth Bay)
- Completed/opened: 19th March 2026
- Took ~18 years, spanning multiple governments
- Built and managed by Natural England
Key effort involved:
- Creating 1,000+ miles of new paths
- Negotiating access with thousands of landowners
- Upgrading infrastructure (bridges, boardwalks, signage)
What makes it special
First continuous access to England’s coast
Before this, large stretches were blocked by private land or impassable terrain.
Now you can:
“hit the coast anywhere and turn right or left” and keep walking
Massive variety of landscapes
You get almost every coastal type in one trail:
- Chalk cliffs (Seven Sisters, Dover)
- Wild Atlantic cliffs (Cornwall, Devon)
- Sand dunes and beaches
- Salt marshes and estuaries
- Historic seaside towns and fishing villages
“Dynamic” route (future-proof)
The path can shift inland if cliffs erode or sea levels rise, which is unusual for long trails
Combines many classic trails
It stitches together older routes like:
- South West Coast Path
- Norfolk Coast Path
- Cleveland Way coastal section
So it’s both new and a unification of historic walking routes.
National-scale impact
- Boosts tourism and local economies
- Improves public access to nature
- Seen as a major public access and conservation achievement
But Not fully perfect (yet)
- Around 20% still has access gaps or diversions due to:
- landowner disputes
- erosion
- logistical issues (e.g. ferries)
Similar routes in Wales & Scotland
Wales: Wales Coast Path
- Length: 870 miles (1,400 km)
- Opened: 2012
- First trail in the world to cover an entire country’s coastline
What’s similar:
- Continuous coastal access
- Mix of cliffs, beaches, and wildlife reserves
What’s different:
- More rugged and remote in places
- Shorter and completed earlier
- Was a model/inspiration for England’s path
Scotland: Coastal routes (less unified)
Scotland doesn’t yet have one single official coast path, but has:
- Fife Coastal Path (~117 miles)
- Various regional trails
- Proposed Scottish Coastal Way (not fully realised yet)
What’s similar:
- Incredible coastal scenery
- Long-distance walking culture
What’s different:
- Not fully continuous nationwide
- More wild, less managed, and often more challenging
However, Scotland does have the right to roam, which means you can in theory still walk the entire coast of Scotland as well. This means it is now theoretically possible to walk the entire circumference of the UK.
Form the BBC:
“Taken together, a continuous coastal walk around Britain would therefore total some 9,000 miles (14,484 km). At an average of 15 miles a day, it would take almost two years to complete, assuming no rest days.”
What do you think, would you like to walk it?
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