Route Description

Sand Bay to Brean Cross Sluice

This is the first section of the trail in North Somerset to be opened. The local name for this part of the King Charles III England Coast Path is the North Somerset Tidal Trail. The route begins in Beach Road car park at Sand Bay and takes you through the edge of Weston Wood to reach Weston-super-Mare where the trail joins the beach front promenade. Leaving Weston-super-Mare, the route goes through Uphill Boat Yard to reach the sandy beaches and salt marshes of of Bleadon Levels before reaching Brean Cross Sluice where the trail crosses the River Axe in Somerset.

Brean Cross Sluice to Minehead

This section takes in 62 miles of the beautiful and diverse coast of Somerset. On clear days the fortified promontory of Brean Down offers panoramic views back to Brean Cross Sluice and ahead to Minehead, enabling you to view the entire King Charles III England Coast Path in Somerset. From Brean, the path takes you past Berrow Dunes to Burnham-on-Sea, along the flood-banks of the River Parrett to Bridgwater and back to Steart Point and the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve, before heading along the open coast to Hinkley Point. At Hinkley look for diversion signs while development work is taking place.

Once past Hinkley Point, the diverse beach and cliff formations from Lilstock to Blue Anchor are classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offer an outstanding series of sections through our geological past. On reaching the old port town of Watchet, the route shadows the West Somerset Railway through Blue Anchor and Dunster to end in Minehead, where it joins the South West Coast Path.

For more detailed information head to our Brean Down to Minehead itinerary.

At Brean, Burnham, St Audries and Helwell Bay, please check tide times as the path can be flooded during high tides.

At Brean Cross Sluice and Steart Marshes, please check the Seasonal closures section for route diversions put in place to protect local bird populations in these areas.

Minehead to Combe Martin

The trail runs along the 35 miles of Exmoor’s coastline between Minehead and Combe Martin.  From the heights of the highest sea cliffs in England, Great Hangman, to sea level at Porlock Marsh and Lynmouth.   The route of the King Charles III England Coast Path now follows the Rugged Path along North Hill and drops down via Hurlstone Point, past the former coastguard lookout to Porlock Marsh.  The route carries on through Porlock Weir, where there are many local services (as there are at Lynmouth and Lynton further along the trail) onto the shingle ridge at Gore Point before beginning to gain height at Worthy and traversing the oak woodlands westward.  Beyond Desolation Point the landscape opens out across the coastal heaths of Exmoor, particularly at Foreland Point, Valley of the Rocks, Trentishoe Common, and Holdstone and Girt Down.  Towards the west of the stretch the route drops down to Combe Martin via Cobblers Park with great views across the bay.

The video below, created by Exmoor National Park, shows enhancements to six popular Devon and Somerset sections along 36 miles of Exmoor South West Coast Path as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. Walkers can now enjoy revived ancient paths and more scenic views following the coastline more closely between Minehead and Combe Martin, at spots such as ‘Hurlstone Point’, Cobbler’s Park, ‘North Hill’ and ‘Glenthorne’. Please note that there is no sound on this video.

Marsland Mouth to Newquay (Partial Opening)

From Port Issac to Newquay the coast path now forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path.  These 35 miles of the famous north Cornish coast take walkers through the iconic villages of Polzeath, Padstow and Mawgan Port, around Pentire Point and across Padstow Bay.

With many glorious sandy beaches, spectacular cliff tops walks, historic sites and landscape highlights you won’t be disappointed. The Rumps at Pentire and the Bronze age burial mounds, the beautiful Camel Estuary, Trevose Head and its lighthouse and Bedruthan Steps all add to the Cornish charm.

At the Camel Estuary you can use the foot ferry from Rock to Padstow.

The trail reaches many glorious sandy beaches along the way and also includes some steep climbs and descents, as well as flattish walking along the cliff tops. It’s mostly grassy paths and very little hard surface – so it can be uneven and wet at times but so worth it!  Along the route there are many opportunities for shorter circular walks too.

At the end of the stretch in Newquay the trail stops almost outside Newquay Station for trains to Par and onwards to Penzance, Plymouth or London.  There are bus routes are available along the stretch too. With plenty to do, places to eat and stay in Newquay it’s the ideal stop-over place.

Newquay to Penzance (Partial Opening)

The northwestern coast of Cornwall from Newquay station to St Agnes Head now forms part of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

From Newquay Station these 21 miles of trail offer a wealth of natural wonders including coastal and marine reserves and historic castles and mining heritage. Leaving behind the busy shops and restaurants of Newquay along the clifftops you pass the famous surfer’s Fistral beach and continue around The Gannel, a sandy estuary which can be crossed at various places to reach Crantock beach.

You’ll need to think about the tide and bear in mind the Trenance Bridge may be inaccessible at high tides and that the Penpol boardwalk is only passable 3 – 4 hrs either side of the tide, but you can use the optional route inland via Trevemper Bridge which is available at all states of the tide.

This rugged Atlantic coastline is interspersed with large sandy beaches and bays. Climbing up from Crantock and then down again at Porth Joke the gradient is steep with occasional steps. The route again climbs steeply from Porth Joke around Kelsey Head before running through the dunes at Holywell Bay – with interesting rock formations and St Cuthbert’s Cave.

Further cliffs around Liggar Point and Penhale Point from where you can see Gull Rock and beyond, across the far-reaching views, before continuing to towards the vast Perran Sands beach.

Beyond Perranporth the wonderful cliff walk leads on through the St Agnes Heritage coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to St Agnes Head. The area has a rich tin mining heritage and signs of the old tin industry are found all along this section, contrasting against the stunning natural beauty.

The area is protected for its dune habitats and heathland as well as for the abundant marine and shore life it supports and with seals, coastal birds and unique plants it is truly a special place.

Kingswear to Lyme Regis

This 68 miles (109 km) section of the King Charles III England Coast Path offers a contrast of estuarine and coastal walking, lively seaside towns and expansive farmland.  From Kingswear the trail follows the existing route of the South West Coast Path to Lyme Regis.  There is an alternative route around the Exe Estuary when the ferry is not running.  The trail takes in the estuaries of the Dart, Exe and Otter, the Jurassic Coast between Exmouth and Lyme Regis and the entire length of the 7 mile Undercliff National Nature Reserve between Axmouth and Lyme Regis.  A good proportion of the route is on relatively flat ground particularly alongside much of the railway line between Starcross and Teignmouth, and around Torbay, but there are also challenging sections particularly between Shaldon and Babbacombe.

Portland to Lulworth Cove

The very first section of King Charles III England Coast Path to open was the section from Portland, past Weymouth to Lulworth Cove. This section was opened for the 2012 Olympics to allow people access to the coast to watch the sailing competitions.

Weymouth is famous for its beautiful sandy beach which slopes gently into the sea making it perfect for families. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a day of sun and swimming and of course, the sand is perfect for making sand castles. If your sandcastles are in need of a bit of inspiration you could visit Sandworld and see the amazing sand sculptures on display.

When you have had enough of sand you could explore the lovingly restored Nothe Fort with its stunning view across the Jurassic Coast (quick look for fossils on the way). No trip to Weymouth would be complete without a visit to Portland, via the natural phenomenon of Chesil Beach with its new visitor centre. There are great walks to experience on Portland with fantastic views all round.