South West Coast Path transforms ways to explore coastline

The newly inaugurated King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is now the longest managed coastal trail in the world, stretching 2,689 miles around the entirety of England’s coastline.

The South West Coast Path (SWCP), which runs for more than 630 miles, makes up about a quarter of the new route.

Julian Gray, director of the South West Coast Path Association, said: "It’s great to see the benefits of the South West Coast Path, Cleveland Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trails extended around the whole of the English coast.

"The new path is an important part of our Natural Health Service and will connect people with nature.

"Around 1,000 square miles of new open access is also being created with the national Trail.

"This gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make our coast more accessible and better for nature."

Since the England Coast Path project began in 2009, the South West Coast Path Association has worked with Natural England to enhance the trail, moving sections off roads and onto more scenic, safer coastal routes.

Recent improvements between Marsland Mouth and Newquay in north Cornwall include new boardwalks, steps, and bridges.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which underpins the project, gives the public new open access rights between the coast path and low water, and gives the power to 'roll back' the path following coastal erosion.

Recently, these new powers proved vital when a major landslip at Stonebarrow in Dorset forced the path inland.

A new coastal route was reinstated within a month.

Lorna Sherriff, national trail officer for the South West Coast Path, said: "The opening of the King Charles III England Coast Path marks an exciting milestone for coastal access and sees the South West Coast Path, the original Coast Path in England, become part of a larger nationally recognised trail.

"The establishment phase of the new path has allowed us to improve sections of the SWCP that we have wanted to realign for decades, moving the route off roads and onto nearby land to make it safer and more enjoyable to walk.

"Just as importantly, we now have mechanisms such as 'roll back' which allow us to move the path inland if sections are lost to coastal erosion, helping to ensure people can continue to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of this extraordinary coastline."

Work to integrate the KCIIIECP along the South West Coast Path began in 2012, with the first section opening near Weymouth ahead of the London 2012 Olympic sailing events.

Most of the improvement works in the South West have taken place between 2024 and 2026.

Despite joining the KCIIIECP, the South West Coast Path will remain a national trail in its own right.