In March 2026, the world’s longest continuous coastal walking route was officially inaugurated by King Charles: the King Charles III England Coast Path. Stretching over 4,300 kilometres, the uninterrupted trail leads along windswept cliffs, timeless castles, and wild natural landscapes. This majestic route has taken 16 years to complete and now connects the entire coastline of England.
Here are some of the most spectacular sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path, along with tips for great stops along the way:
1. From City to Sea (Woolwich, London)
Here the coastal path meets the famous Thames Path, allowing walkers to start in the vibrant heart of London and follow the river all the way to the open sea. Perfect for those who want to leave the urban buzz behind and watch the landscape gradually transform from skyscrapers to calmer waters.
Eat: The Dial Arch
Stay: The Pelton Arms (Greenwich)
2. The Arch of Time (Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove, Dorset)
In the heart of the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, geology becomes art. The natural stone arch of Durdle Door plunges into turquoise waters, while the perfect curve of Lulworth Cove creates an almost Mediterranean scene – set against the dramatic backdrop of English cliffs.
Eat: Lulworth Cove Inn
Stay: The Lulworth Lodge
3. The Fortress in the Sand (Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland)
Few places in the world match the visual impact of Bamburgh. The trail winds past the foot of this enormous Norman fortress, perched on a volcanic outcrop above miles of sandy beaches. With over 1,400 years of history, it feels like stepping into an Anglo-Saxon legend.
Eat: The Potted Lobster
Stay: The Lord Crewe
4. Theatre of Mystery (Minack Theatre, Cornwall)
This world-famous open-air theatre is hand-carved into Cornwall’s granite cliffs, forming an amphitheatre with the Atlantic Ocean as its dramatic backdrop. Watching a performance here, surrounded by sea spray and the calls of seabirds, is an almost mystical experience.
Eat: Porthcurno Beach Café
Stay: The Logan Rock Inn
5. The Tidal Crossing (Holy Island, Northumberland)
Lindisfarne, the Holy Island, is shaped by the rhythm of the sea. The walk leads to a timeless destination that can only be reached on foot at low tide. On the other side await monastery ruins, Viking heritage, and a nature reserve home to rare birds such as little terns and curlews.
Eat: The Ship Inn
Stay: The Lindisfarne Hotel
6. The Final Frontier (Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall)
The southernmost point of mainland Britain is a paradise for flora and fauna. The path crosses heathlands filled with wildflowers and serpentinite cliffs in striking colours. In the clear waters, grey seals and dolphins are often spotted.
Eat: Ann’s Pasties
Stay: Housel Bay Hotel
7. The Castle in the Sea (St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall)
A twin to France’s Mont Saint-Michel, this small island with its medieval castle feels like something out of a fairy tale. The coastal path offers the best views, and at low tide, visitors can walk across the raised stone causeway leading to the island.
Eat: The Godolphin
Stay: St Michaels Resort
8. Maritime History & Architecture (Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire)
The trail is not only about nature – it also offers insight into urban and maritime history. In Portsmouth, walkers pass just metres from HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar and the world’s oldest still-commissioned warship.
- Eat: The Still & West
- Stay: The Ship Leopard Hotel
9. The Dance of the Seals (Horsey Gap, Norfolk)
In winter, the beaches of Horsey Gap transform into an open-air nursery, where more than 3,000 seal pups are born each year – one of the coast’s most fascinating wildlife spectacles.
Eat: Poppylands Tea Room
Stay: The Nelson Head
10. The Endless Horizon (The Wash, East Anglia)
The Wash is England’s largest national nature reserve, a vast landscape of salt marshes and tidal flats that serves as a “highway” for migratory birds. Here, you walk beneath enormous skies, accompanied by pink-footed geese and short-eared owls.
Eat: The King’s Head (Letheringsett)
Stay: The Victoria Inn (Holkham)