Created to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and his dedication to the natural world, the 2,700-mile England Coast Path will connect the entire coastline of England for the first time.
Managed by Natural England and opening in stages, it will link beaches, cliffs and estuaries into one continuous route. When it’s open, the King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail is set to be the longest managed coastal path in the world.
What is the King Charles III England Coast Path (and where is it)?
The King Charles III England Coast Path will wrap around the entire coast of England, and will be 2,700 miles long when it is complete. It will be an official National Trail, opening up some parts of the English coast to walkers for the first time.
When will the King Charles III England Coast Path be open?
The trail will open in sections as they are finished. Some parts of the English coast had existing coastal paths, including the South West Coast Path, which is currently England’s longest National Trail, and the Norfolk Coast Path.
In August 2025, the final stretch of King Charles III England Coast Path in Yorkshire and the North East opened, making that entire section now complete. The final stretch connected Easington and Bridlington, with industrial landscapes and natural beauty on either side.
Currently, there are 900 miles of coast path still to be completed.
It is hoped that the King Charles III England Coast Path will be completed by spring 2026.
- How much land does King Charles own? Here’s what the monarch actually has in his land portfolio
- Coastal flowers guide: how to identify
Which areas of the King Charles III England Coast Path are open now?
The government’s website has an up-to-date map of the progress made so far on the coastal footpath.
Why has the England Coast Path been named after King Charles III?
In May 2023, to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III, it was announced that the England Coast Path would be renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path in recognition of his work supporting the natural world.
Who looks after the King Charles III England Coast Path?
The coast path is being created by Natural England in conjunction with local authorities and local highway authorities all around England.
- “I just come and talk to the plants, really” – Best King Charles III quotes
- Underground tunnels, cocktail parties and the Red Cross: Everything you need to know about King Charles’ favourite London home
Will you be able to access all the beaches on the King Charles III England Coast Path?
As part of the launch of this coast path, work is being done to identify a “coastal margin” – i.e. the land between trail and sea. This has been achieved thanks to the introduction of the Right of Coastal Access under Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which enables the establishment of the coast path and right of access over the associated coastal margin.
Depending on restrictions for nature conservation, safety, unsuitability for public access or around private houses, gardens or Ministry of Defence land, you’ll often have new rights to enjoy areas such as beaches, dunes and foreshore. Access the National Trails website for comprehensive maps and details on access.
- The right to roam could heal our broken relationship with nature
- Britain's most stunning coastal walks
What happens to the existing coast paths in England?
The existing coast paths around England will continue to exist, but there will be uniform branding around the entire English coast that reflects the King Charles III England Coast Path. There are many existing coast paths around England, with the South West Coast Path the longest at 630 miles and Durham Coastal Path the shortest at just 11 miles.
- Where does the King live? From royal palaces to private residences here's where the monarch calls home. There's even a Transylvanian retreat
- Where is The Salt Path filmed on the South West Coast Path? A guide to the filming locations in the hiking movie starring Gillian Anderson
Top image credit: Getty Images
