Walkers can circumnavigate England on foot thanks to this year’s launch of the 2,700-mile (4,345km) King Charles III England Coast Path. Most of us won’t tackle its entirety, but how about sampling a short burst? Here’s a selection of scenic rail routes that offer car-free access to coastal hikes.
East Coast Main Line to Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Follow a trail around Berwick-upon-Tweed (Photo: Getty)
Sections of this route from either Edinburgh or Newcastle to Berwick are spectacular: through the windows, distant castles seem to float above shining sea. Along the way are marram-mantled dunes, craggy rocks dotted with cormorants and the Royal Border Bridge, a 38-metre-high Victorian viaduct.
The coast path runs round three sides of Berwick-upon-Tweed and follows the old town walls, which rise above cave-backed beaches. This three-mile circuit is rich in history and wildlife. Detour north as far as you like along the clifftop path, before heading back into Berwick for fish and chips on the outdoor deck at Coulls or a drink in the Curfew micropub. Nearby, The Walls, a B&B in a tall Georgian house, overlooks the River Tweed (doubles from £130). visitnorthumberland.org.uk.
