As an island nation, it’s fitting that we should have a means of walking along our shores. And thanks to years of work by bodies such as Natural England, access to the coastline is improving. There are now two national coast paths, and many more trails in between.
The 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path, the world’s longest coastal walking route, was officially inaugurated in March 2026; around 80 per cent of it is now open with sections in East Anglia, the North-West and South still to come. When added to the Wales Coast Path (870 miles) and routes in Scotland, there are more than 4,000 miles of named coastal trails in the UK.
I have walked more than 6,000 miles around the coastlines of the British Isles, including the King Charles III England Coast Path. Here’s my pick of seaside hikes that are at their best in spring.
Best for an estuary excursion: Circular route from Old Felixstowe via ferry and Woodbridge, Suffolk
Catch the ferry from the village of Bawdsey across the River Deben (Photo: whitemay/Getty)
