The King Charles III England Coast Path

What is the trail?

The trail is a walking route around the coast of England. It is open all year for open air recreation. It is well-maintained, with clear signage.

It has been designed to be easy to use, with few barriers such as stiles. In places the land may be rugged but in others it follows paved promenades, country lanes, roads or paved tracks which may be suitable for people with reduced mobility, wheelchairs and mobility vehicles.  Other motor vehicles are not permitted. The nature of the coast means there are flights of steps in places. The local authority can advise on which stretches are barrier and step-free. Visit the Contact Us page to contact the relevant authority.

In some places, the trail follows existing public rights of way and some of these may be bridleways. You can ride a horse or bike on a bridleway. Some landowners may also allow horse-riding and cycling.

At times the trail may be diverted. All significant diversions are shown on the interactive map on the regional pages for the trail, and will be signed on the ground. Diversions may be temporary, for example when a short-term land management activity takes place or the coast has eroded, or regular, for example where a seasonal diversion is in operation to avoid disturbance to wildlife.

What is the coastal margin?

The coastal margin is the land between the trail and the sea.  The margin may also extend inland from the trail in some places.

You have a right to enjoy open air recreation in the coastal margin. You can leave the path to enjoy areas like beaches.

There are some activities that are not allowed, such as paragliding, hang-gliding, camping, horse-riding, cycling and lighting fires unless allowed by the landowner. You can find a list of these activities on the GOV.UK website.

There are some parts of the coastal margin that are not open to the public:

• Land where the right of access for open air recreation doesn’t apply, for example crops, buildings and the land immediately around them, such as gardens. This land is called excepted land. You don’t have the right to walk on excepted land. You can view a list of excepted land on the GOV.UK website.
• Land that has local restrictions at certain times to protect sensitive wildlife, to avoid conflict with land management activities, or because dangerous operations take place. This includes areas of saltmarsh and mud flats that are not suitable for public access. Access may be excluded or you may be required to keep your dog on a lead or to keep to marked paths. You will still be able to use rights of way. You can view restrictions on Natural England’s Open Access maps website. Look out for signs on the ground.
• Local byelaws may also restrict access, for example on military land.

Other parts of the coastal margin may be steep, unstable and unsuitable for access. You must take care of your own safety.

Be prepared before you travel – check maps before you go and look out for local signs.

How can I find the King Charles III England Coast Path on the ground?

On the ground you will see way-marks with the National Trails acorn.

Where the trail uses an existing public right of way, these will be way-marked. You can find the different types of way-marks in the Countryside Code on the GOV.UK website.

In some places, an existing National Trail will become part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. For example, the South West Coast Path, Norfolk Coast Path and the coastal part of the Cleveland Way. You will see signs on the ground for the existing trail but also signs saying ‘part of the King Charles III England Coast Path’. Where you find the line of the existing trail is different to the line of the King Charles III England Coast Path, you can choose which one to take.

You will see signs on the ground for diversions and restrictions.

Can I ride a horse or bike?

In some places, the trail follows existing public rights of way and some of these may be bridleways. You can ride a horse or bike on a bridleway. Some landowners may also allow horse-riding and cycling.

Can I camp?

There are campsites which can be viewed on the trail’s regional interactive map. It is not legal to wild camp unless the landowner allows it.

Who is responsible for the King Charles III England Coast Path?

The King Charles III England Coast Path is being created by dedicated teams in Natural England, working closely with local authorities. Once a stage is open, responsibility passes to the local highway authority. This is usually the county council or unitary authority. You can find contact details for the relevant local authority on the Contact Us page.