King Opens World’s Longest Managed Coastal Walk
The world’s longest managed coastal walking route has been officially opened by King Charles III at the Seven Sisters cliff walk. Despite this milestone, significant portions of the King Charles III England coast path remain closed to the public due to ongoing disputes with landowners, concerns over coastal erosion, and issues related to a disused ferry.
Natural England has received numerous complaints from landowners, including farmers worried that roaming cattle could pose dangers to walkers, and hotel owners reluctant to allow public access across their lawns.
The 2,689-mile (4,328 km) path has been under development for 18 years, spanning the terms of seven prime ministers. However, no definitive date has been set for public access to be granted to all sections. The initiative began under Gordon Brown’s government, with legislation introduced by then environment secretary Hilary Benn.
Natural England noted that while much of the coast path pre-existed, approximately 1,000 new miles of paths have been added. Existing paths have been enhanced through resurfacing, removal of stiles, and installation of new boardwalks.
“Following 16 years of hard work from the Natural England team we are delighted to reach this landmark point for the King Charles III England coast path. It is testament to how public enjoyment, conservation, heritage, history and community can come together, helping make life better for millions of people.” – Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England
Although the legislation passed during Brown’s government granted the government the authority to provide legal public rights over certain private lands, progress has been slow due to negotiations and objections.
Currently, about 20% of the path remains closed to the public. Natural England aims to open much of this remaining section by the end of the year.
Objections and Access Issues Along the Path
Parts of the Jurassic Coast in the south-west remain inaccessible due to objections from local residents concerned about the path’s impact on wildlife, farming, and tourism businesses. The proposed route has also encountered other unspecified challenges.
In the south-west, the Hythe ferry, which connects Southampton and Hythe and forms part of the coastal path, was suspended in August 2024 after structural damage was discovered to its pontoon and supporting framework. This section is closed indefinitely.
Along the north Norfolk coastline, access is restricted while Natural England negotiates with landowners, including a hotel whose grounds are sought to enable walkers to traverse a meadow rather than a roadside path.
Local groups in Norfolk raised concerns about dogs being walked near seal habitats. In response, Natural England agreed to ban dogs from certain parts of the north Norfolk coast path.
In Cumbria, the route between Gretna and Allonby is being revised after landowners objected to the initial plan. They cited safety concerns, potential disruption to land management, risks of startled cattle causing harm, depreciation of farm value without compensation, and dangers of drowning in marshland. The new proposed route will address these issues.
Most of the Isle of Wight’s coastal path remains closed to the public due to coastal erosion and a dispute involving English Heritage regarding the Osborne estate. This estate, once home to Queen Victoria and gifted to the nation by King Edward, houses valuable treasures. The charity opposes the proposed route on security grounds.
Criticism from Countryside Alliance
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, criticized the coastal path’s creation as flawed and alienating to landowners. He stated:
“The idea that the English coast path is a success is farcical. Under the last Labour government ministers embarked on the long and expensive process of primary legislation which finally enshrined a massively complex coastal access scheme in law in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. In Wales, the government decided on a different route and created a simple Wales coast path using existing legislation mostly by agreement with landowners and keeping compulsion as a largely unused back up. The Welsh coast path was declared complete in 2012.
“The legislation imposed ridiculous burdens and expense on those left to implement it whilst alienating landowners who are understandably concerned about losing their rights over large areas of land.”
