UK opens 2,700-mile coast path
King Charles III officially opened the world’s longest managed coastal walking route — a continuous 2,700-mile path circling England that gives hikers uninterrupted access to the coast. The announcement also elevated spots like the Seven Sisters cliffs to new national nature reserve status, signaling big new options for long-distance coastal trekking (independent.co.uk) (newser.com).
The launch event took place on 19 March 2026 at the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, where the King walked the route alongside Natural England chair Tony Juniper and Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. (GOV.UK ) Natural England described the milestone as the culmination of more than 16 years of planning and delivery and said both new and existing stretches have been brought up to National Trail standard to support coastal communities. (GOV.UK ) The obligation to create a continuous coastal route stems from the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which placed a statutory duty on Natural England under section 298 to establish the path and associated public access rights. (Legislation.gov.uk ) Natural England’s public progress tracker shows 2,065 miles are legally open to the public, 556 miles have been approved with establishment works underway or awaited, and 78 miles remain awaiting a decision by the government. (GOV.UK ) The scheme includes a built-in “rollback” mechanism so the route can be moved inland as the coastline changes, and variation reports state Natural England can alter route lines in response to coastal change without further Secretary of State approval for individual adjustments. (GOV.UK GOV.UK ) The first section of the coast path to open was a 32 km stretch around Weymouth Bay that commenced in June 2012, created in part so spectators could access vantage points for the Olympic sailing events. (BBC News ) The route has been delivered stretch-by-stretch: once the Secretary of State approves a proposal, Natural England begins signage, groundworks and other establishment works, and examples of the staged rollout include a 28-mile Isle of Sheppey section opened in June 2025. (GOV.UK National Trails )
