10 Best Sections of the England Coast Path
There’s something extraordinary about the King Charles III England Coast Path. Not just its scale, though at 2,700 miles, it’s the longest coastal path in the world! It’s more about this national treasure’s invitation to explore the edge of England. To walk through landscapes and seascapes shaped by tide, time, and weather.
But where do you begin?
Well, here are 10 of the very best places along the route, each offering something different, and absolutely worth the journey.
1. Northumberland Coast – Castles, Islands & Big Skies
If you want something thrilling, historic and wild, then the Northumberland Coast wont disappoint. Here, wide beaches and the elements invite wildlife, while history rises straight out of the sand and rock in the form of numerous coastal castles.
Bamburgh Castle steals the show and is the most dramatic, while the Farne Islands near Seahouses bring the most splendid and entertaining example of sea life with huge colonies of seals, puffins and other fabulous sea birds.
Walking here feels cinematic. One moment you’re marvelling at the beauty of nature on an empty beach, the next you’re craning your neck at a stunning castle that belongs in an epic movie. It’s wild, beautiful, and unforgettable and makes for a nice varied break, with plenty of things to do in Northumberland.
2. Norfolk Coast – Space, Silence & Wildlife
For those who prefer peace, nature and dry weather, then Norfolk’s stretch of sandy coast offers vast, beautiful stillness and the biggest skies the UK has to offer.
Here, the coastline softens as huge expanses of wet sand reflect enormous skies which then merge with the most perfect dunes and salt marshes. At places like Holkham Beach near Wells-next-the-Sea and Cromer, the sense of space is surreal. The tide rolls in and out slowly, reshaping the landscape in quiet, subtle ways under exquisitely diffused light.
This is also one of the best places in England for getting outdoors and watching wildlife. Seals, wading birds, and migratory flocks bring the landscape to life in ways you’d only notice if you stop and patiently observe. And that’s the point.
3. Jurassic Coast, Dorset – Time Written in Stone
If you want an incredibly scenic geological walk through 185 million years of history punctuated by extraordinary coves and headlands then head to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
From beautiful Swanage to the exquisite arch of Durdle Door near Lulworth Cove, this section of coast will take your breath away. Peruse the intriguing Chesil Beach and the layered cliffs of Lyme Regis and West Bay, with every step revealing something ancient and exceptionally beautiful.
Fossils can still be found along the shore, reminders that our coastline has been evolving for longer than we can comprehend. It’s a place that shifts your perspective on time, on nature, and on your place within it.
4. South West Coast Path (Cornwall) – Raw Atlantic Beauty
For those who want to experience the raw beauty of the elements, Cornwall’s stretch of coast path is where the seaside reaches its most powerful and energetic.
Cliffs plummet into the Atlantic. Waves thrash against granite. Hidden, turquoise coves appear and disappear with the tide. The air feels and smells different here, somewhat saltier, wilder, more alive and the light is luminous, colours are enhanced and at twilight everything glows.
Sections of North Cornwall path passing Tintagel, Bude and the St Agnes Heritage Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) are spectacular. Anywhere along the coast of West Cornwall too, especially around the Penwith Peninsula, Porthcurno, Pendeen and Sennen Cove is unforgettable.
Walking this section is as much about the senses as the scenery. The sounds of the ocean, the pull of the wind, the constant movement of light across water. It’s deeply exhilarating and ideal for exercising your hound as it passes by numerous dog friendly beaches in Cornwall.
5. Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire – Coastal Character
Although relatively shorter in length, this stretch of path is possibly the most beautiful part of Yorkshire, showcasing mesmerising cliff views of the Moors coast and the panoramic North Sea scenery, passing through some of the best coastal towns in the UK.
Starting in atmospheric Whitby, with its abbey ruins and fishing heritage, the route follows the rugged cliffs past the fossil haven of Saltwick Bay, before descending into the narrow, winding streets of the historic smugglers’ village of Robin Hood’s Bay.
This walking experience feels rich and full of stories. A place where the coastline feels lived-in as much as wild. Perfect for a day walk, but one that stays with you.
6. Devon Estuaries – Wildlife & Gentle Exploration
In contrast to the more rugged coastlines, the Exe Estuary in Devon offers something softer which leaves you feeling very soothed. This coastal gem is characterised by wild open views, calm waters, picturesque villages and undulating, green landscapes. This trail is ideal for walking or cycling, with the water never far from view. Don’t miss Dawlish Warren and the Special Protection Area which is perfect for observing some of the 20,000 waterbirds, including avocets, curlews, and rare geese that visit every year, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
Kingsbridge Estuary, on the other hand is just as stunning in a more intimate and ambrosia kind of way. The walk promises panoramic views, such as from Snapes Point overlooking Salcombe waters, which is surrounded by scenic, wooded, and hilly landscapes.
Whilst Exe is all about the subtleties of natural beauty and nature at work, Kingsbridge just feels lush and luxurious with its little villages and pretty boats. When planning your itinerary, take note of our guide to the best beaches in Devon, perfect for a stop off for a picnic or quick dip.
7. Suffolk Coast – Quiet Beauty & Untamed Wilderness
The Suffolk coast feels like a well-kept secret with the coastal path winding through a landscape of shingle beaches, salt marshes, and windswept heathland. The horizon feels totally uninterrupted, and quieter than any other coastline.
Places like Aldeburgh, Orford, and Dunwich offer a blend of coastal character and raw, natural beauty. You’ll pass bobbing boats, marshland and thatched cottages as you follow the path through nature reserves like Minsmere, where you’ll notice just how alive this coastline is. You’ll be accompanied by birdsong, the constant coming and goings of marine life, fishing boats and the movement of the sea.
8. Cumbria Coast – Quiet, Raw and Undiscovered
If you want to escape the crowds, head to Cumbria, because this is one of the least explored sections of the England Coast Path, and that’s exactly its appeal. The coastal landscape is wide open, raw and untamed, and runs alongside Victorian seaside villages, historic harbours and industrial heritage.
There are expansive marshes and nature reserves filled with seabirds, huge bays with dunes and cliffs, surrounded by distant views of the mountains in the Lake District. Towns and ports like Maryport and Whitehaven, reflect Cumbria’s maritime and coal mining past, whilst Barrow continues to excel in shipyard building. It’s all about contrasts here and they can be enjoyed all the way to the Scottish Border.
9. Brighton to Seven Sisters, Sussex – Iconic Cliffs & Big Views
Few coastal walks are as instantly recognisable as this one, with the white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters in East Sussex rising and falling dramatically along the coastline, creating a route that’s both challenging and visually stunning.
Its exhilarating starting the walk surrounded by the vibrant energy of Brighton and heading into open landscape, along high cliffs, with the contrast being an exciting part of the experience.
Not only is this a thrilling walk as it rollercoasters along the heights of the cliffs, it is also one of the most recently added sections of the coast path, with Seven Sisters being one of the newest nature reserves to be inaugurated. Beachy Head is a West Marine Conservation Zone protecting a colony of seahorses in the chalk reefs below. It’s also a wonderful place to do some great bird watching as they soar at eye level from below the cliffs.
This is definitely the England Coast Path at its most photogenic.
10. Essex Coast – Estuaries & Hidden Beauty
The Essex coast often surprises people with its sandy bays, and requires time to meander in and out of estuaries, salt marshes, and quiet creeks. It’s a subtler kind of beauty, but very rewarding and peaceful.
The path features places like Wallasea Island, Osea Island and Bradwell-on-Sea, a tranquil, historic area where one of England’s oldest churches sits on the edge of the marshes. Here you will witness bountiful birdlife, salt-harvesting, a ship wreck, and you’ll even pass Tilbury Fort and the spot where Elizabeth the First addressed her troops before the Spanish Armada battle.
More Than Just a Walk
There is no wrong choice, because what makes this path so special isn’t just where it takes you, but what it gives back. Time outside, connection to nature, inner calm, wildlife encounters and sea views that stay with you long after you’ve left. In a world that often feels fast and overwhelming, the England Coast Path offers something rare: A chance to slow down and really feel where you are.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have the longest coastal walking route in the world, right here in England. And it’s not something to admire from afar, but something to be enjoyed… so pick a place and start walking.