The 2,700-mile walking route in the UK to be the world’s longest coastal path – with brand new seaside trails
A NEW walking route in the UK is set to be the longest managed coastal path in the world when it eventually opens.
The King Charles III England Coast Path will stretch for more than 2,700 miles around the English coast when all sections along the route open.
Last year, the England Coast Path was renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path to mark the King’s coronation.
Stretching from the Scottish Border all the way down to the Cornish coast, coastal towns, cities, ports and landscapes across England will all be connected along the route.
When the walking route opens, it will be the longest managed coastal path in the world.
Because the route is opening in sections, only certain parts are currently accessible, including stretches through Berwick-upon-Tweed, Newcastle, Folkestone, Brighton and Great Yarmouth.
From the trail, ramblers will be able to enjoy snippets of English landscape, including Scarborough Castle, Robin Hood’s Bay and Penhale Sands between Newquay and Penzance.
Government advisor Natural England has aimed to keep the path as continuous as possible – although there are sections hikers simply can’t walk through.
For example, Brits will need to board a ferry to cross the Mersey, as well as several other quirky challenges keen walkers are sure to face.
According to the National Trails website, the walking route will also “unlock some parts of our coast for the first time” – although further details have yet to be revealed.
Along the route, new fencing, signage and information boards have been installed.
Despite taking 15 years to come to fruition, the King Charles III England Coast Path is very nearly complete.
It is hoped that all 67 sections of the trail will be open to the public by the end of 2024.
A similar walking route, taking holidaymakers along the coast, opened in Wales in 2012, making Wales the only country in the world to a continuous waymarked path around its entire coast.
The Wales Coast Path (Llwybr Arfordir Cymru) stretches for more than 870 miles, with most visitors taking the path one section at a time.
The route starts at the Dee Estuary near Chester, passing sites like Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle, the isle of Anglesey, Bardsey Island, Portmeirion, the Pembrokeshire Coast and the Severn Estuary.
It has also been positively reviewed on TripAdvisor, with a 5/5 star rating from more than 780 reviews.
One person wrote: “A truly wild and wonderful coastline to explore for short and long walks, with stunning views of the sea crashing into granite cliffs.”
Another person added: “A beautiful walk, we met park workers who had been strimming the path to keep it walkable.”
Someone else said: “The coastal path offers opportunities to stay high, or climb down to beaches and inlets.
“We walked for several days across different terrains and never felt bored.”
These continuous coastal paths aren’t the only walking routes that have been garnering some attention in recent years.
A hiking trail that has been picking up plaudits from travellers, with some saying it’s “one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of the UK”.
Located in Snowdonia National Park, the Watkin Path offers a challenging and steep route up Snowdon.
We’ve explained how to navigate and rach the Watkin Path, here.
Three wild swimming spots in the UK
There are plenty of places in the UK where Brit holidaymakers can go wild swimming.
- Lake District – Thirlmere infinity pool is another popular wild swimming spot. There, swimmers can take in the views overlooking the nearby scenery.
- Isle of Skye – Surrounded by beautiful hills and rocks, these crystal clear fairy pools are well known by visitors to the isle. The pools are pretty chilly but are still a beautiful sight for anyone who might want to pay a visit.
- River Thames – The River Thames in central London might not be the best place for a dip, but out of the city in Pangbourne, Berkshire there’s cleaner and more peaceful waters to enjoy.
Meanwhile, these 14 places in the UK offer perfect outdoor swimming locations.
This camping spot has cheap accommodation and opportunities for wild swimming.
