7 top-rated walks on the newly opened English coastal path

Many of England’s most breathtaking sights can be found on the coast – here’s where to discover them on foot 

In spring 2026, it became even easier to access the seaside when a brand new coastal path, 2,700 miles long and circling the English coastline, officially opened to the public.

The path, which has been formally named the King Charles III England Coast Path, includes hundreds of miles of new pathways connecting coastal towns, cities and ports across the country. It also includes new infrastructure to improve accessibility, including new boardwalks and bridges. 

But with thousands of miles to choose from, it could be overwhelming to pick your next coastal walk – so we’ve highlighted seven top-rated seaside walks in England according to our last survey of more than 1,300 people, reflecting on more than 2,700 experiences of walking in the UK.

Top walks on the King Charles III Coast Path

South Downs Way: Seven Sisters, South Downs

You’ll find this stunning 4.5-mile route along the South East section of the King Charles III Coast Path. The trail features scenery impressive enough that Which? members gave it a full five stars, including chalk headlands and blooming flower displays. It’s a moderately difficult walk, rated three out of five, but with plenty of clear signage and waymarking, according to our survey respondents.

Botallack mining walk, Cornwall  

The development of the Coastal Path has meant improvements to 228 miles of footpath along the South West, heading west from St Agnes down the south coast of England. Some paths have also been moved closer to the sea. Botallack mining walk in particular is more of a casual wander along one mile of Unesco World Heritage mining coast. It’s rated just one out of five for difficulty, although includes some rugged terrain and steep drops that offer cinematic sights in serene surroundings.

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Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle walk, Northumberland

Which? members’ favourite walk in the North East, this romantic walk is packed with historic sights and epic views – likely why it scored full marks for its staggering scenery. It’s an easy stroll of around two and a half miles, ranked at two out of five for difficulty. Although the North East is famous for its top-quality seaside towns, you’re unlikely to encounter too many other ramblers along the way, and it was considered a quiet and peaceful route.

Lizard Peninsula circuit, Cornwall

Rated the best walk in the UK by thousands of Which? members, this circular walk along ragged shoreline and panoramic sea views is a safe bet if you’re figuring out where to start in visiting the King Charles III Coast Path – although bear in mind that it’s located at the southernmost tip of England. With wildlife-spotting opportunities rated four stars out of five, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and porpoises, basking sharks and seals, along with the famous red-legged Cornish choughs.

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Golden Cap, Dorset

The Jurassic Coast is home to Which? members’ favourite trail in the East of England. This simple circular route snakes through the peaceful pine woods and up to 191 metres above sea level to the summit of Golden Cap, offering wraparound views that are well worth the relatively steep uphill walk. Dorset is particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion, but the King Charles III England Coast Path project means that the trail is more easily ‘rolled back’ – this helps to reduce the length of time parts of trails are closed following landslips or cliff collapses.

Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire Moors

This clifftop route takes around three hours to complete and offers magnificent views of ruins, lighthouses, sandy beaches and bays. Along with its showstopping scenery, it was rated highly for wildlife-spotting opportunities, due to the sheer range, from rockpool-dwelling creatures to gannets, skylarks and swallows nesting along the cliffs’ edge. This is a moderate 7-mile walk rated three out of five for difficulty – keep in mind that the route begins with 199 steps up to St Mary’s Churchyard. Although it's well signposted, some paths are narrow and eroded, so make sure to wear decent walking sandals or walking boots.

Wells Beach and Pinewoods Walk, Norfolk

As part of the King Charles III England Coast Path project, the entire Norfolk coastline is now accessible to the public in one continuous walking trail. But you could hone in on this 7.5-mile circuit, which is Which? members’ favourite East Anglian walk. A fairly level route that departs from Wells, it cuts through pine trees and brings walkers midway to a glorious mile-long stretch of coastline, lined with technicolour beach huts, before looping back. Which? members praised its scenery, peace and quiet, wildlife, along with its decent parking facilities. 

Are dogs allowed on the coastal path?

Natural England, which manages the route, has confirmed that dogs are generally welcome on the path, but must be kept on lead or within sight if off-lead (in areas where this is allowed – for example, away from livestock).

It's been confirmed that additional rules may be in place on a case-by-case basis where necessary to protect natural habitats and wildlife. Look out for signage with instructions in these cases.

Is camping allowed?

Only in official campsites, as wild camping isn’t legal in England or Wales. You can find campsites in each area’s interactive map on the National Trails website.

Read our guide to the UK’s best walks for 2026.