King Charles III England Coast Path: Gretna to Allonby
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access - including maps, process and timing - in Cumbria.
Map of the stretch
Since April 2014 Natural England has been preparing proposals to improve public access along a 100 km (62.6 miles) stretch of the Cumbrian coast between Gretna and Allonby.
The Scottish Border at Gretna to north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden
Stage 5: Open
This 15.95 miles (25.67km) section of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is now open to the public. Coastal access rights came into force along this section of the Gretna to Allonby stretch on 23 November 2023, by order of the Secretary of State.
The route is available to view on the National Trails website.
If you are planning a walk on the ECP, check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may apply at certain times.
Coastal access rights normally apply to all land that is coastal margin - including any land seaward of the route - unless it falls into a category of excepted land.
Use the links below to see details of the Secretary of State’s decision to approve Natural England’s proposals and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the ECP passes through your land.
Rumbling Bridge to Allonby
Stage 5: Open
This 17.08 miles (27.49km) section of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is now open to the public. Coastal access rights came into force along this section of the Gretna to Allonby stretch on 23 November 2023, by order of the Secretary of State.
The route is available to view on the National Trails website.
East of Drumburgh Castle to the western edge of Anthorn marsh
Stage 5: Approved
This section has been approved but is not yet available for public use. Work to establish the route is currently taking place.
The western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge and north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden to east of Drumburgh Castle
Stage 4: Determine
On 25 July 2016, Natural England submitted a report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the proposals for improved access to the coast between Gretna and Allonby, Cumbria.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at 5pm on 19 September 2016. The report is still available to view.
The objections were forwarded for consideration by an independent planning inspector from the Planning Inspectorate, appointed by the Secretary of State (‘the appointed person’).
The inspector invited further representations on 9 objections because they were minded to determine that Natural England’s proposals relating to these objections fail to strike a fair balance.
See the notices for more details. The opportunity to submit a representation is now closed.
The inspector decided to hold a hearing to explore some of the issues in more detail. This was held in December 2017.
The inspector will make recommendations to the Secretary of State in respect of these objections after the consideration of any further representations received.
The Secretary of State will then consider all the representations and objections before making a decision about Natural England’s report.
You can see the current status of this report in the table.
| Report section | Stage 4 | Stage 5 (approved) |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: The Scottish Border at Gretna to north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden | 1 October 2021 | |
| Part 2: East of Drumburgh Castle to the western edge of Anthorn marsh | 1 October 2021 | |
| Part 3: Rumbling Bridge to Allonby | 1 October 2021 | |
| Part 4: The western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge | yet to be determined | |
| Part 5: North of Kirkandrews-on-Eden to east of Drumburgh Castle | yet to be determined |
Variation reports on approved sections
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of an approved route. The proposed changes are published as variation reports. Anyone can comment (make a representation) on these proposals. Affected landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the approved at Silloth Docks, Silloth (VR13)
On 8 February 2023, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve a variation report (VR13) that changes the approved route of the England Coast Path in Cumbria at Silloth Docks, Silloth.
This change affects the approved Part 3 of the stretch, between Rumbling Bridge and Allonby. It proposes slight changes to 4 sections of the route, providing walkers with a new path to 1 side of the vehicular track on which the trail would otherwise have been aligned.
The report is still available to view.
Proposals to change the approved route at Esk Boathouse (VR10)
On 20 October 2022, the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve a variation report (VR10) that changes the approved route of the England Coast Path in Cumbria at Esk Boathouse.
This is a minor change to the first part of the approved Part 1 stretch between the Scottish Border at Gretna and north of Kirkandrews-on-Eden. It affects 4 sections of this route and seeks to make significant improvements to accessibility of the trail.
The report is still available to view.
Modification reports
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of a previously proposed route, in response to objections. When necessary, the proposed changes may be published as modification reports. Anyone can comment (make a representation) on these proposals. Affected landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Raby Cote and Raby Grange, Abbeytown, Cumbria (GAL-MR2)
On Wednesday 6 July 2022, Natural England submitted a modification report (GAL-MR2) to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for route of the England Coast Path in Cumbria at Raby Cote and Raby Grange .
This change affects Part 4 of the stretch, from the western edge of Anthorn marsh to Rumbling Bridge. It proposes realigning part of 1 route section a short distance to the west of the original route. This would have the effect of more evenly sharing the trail between 2 adjacent land holdings (Raby Cote and Raby Grange).
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Wednesday 31 August 2022.
The report is still available to view.
Proposals to change the proposed route at Burgh Marsh and Burgh-by-Sands (GAL-MR1)
On Monday 9 May 2022, Natural England submitted a modification report (GAL-MR1) to the Secretary of State setting out revised proposals for route of the England Coast Path in Cumbria at Burgh Marsh and Burgh-by-Sands .
This is an extensive change to the first part of the approved Part 2 stretch from east of Drumburgh Castle to the western edge of Anthorn marsh. It affects 2 long sections of the original proposals, as well as part of the proposed optional alternative route. The changes should reduce any impact of tides on the proposed route.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Monday 4 July 2022.
The report is still available to view.
Next steps
Stage 5: Open
Once the Secretary of State has approved 1 or more parts of the report, Natural England will start work with Cumbria County Council on preparing the route for public use.
The first step will be to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is required such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will be brought into force along the route and adjoining spreading room. Work is expected to take a considerable time, given the length and complexity of the stretch.
Find out more about the King Charles III England Coast Path
See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.
The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.
Contact the coastal access team
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Coastal access (North west)
Natural England
Murley Moss Business Village
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 7RL
Email northwestcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900
See the map below for more information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the north west of England.
Last updated 23 November 2023 + show all updates
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Page updated to show that 2 sections of this stretch are now open to the public.
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Page updated to show variation report 13 (Silloth Docks, Silloth) has been approved.
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Page updated to show the Esk Boathouse variation report (VR10) has been approved.
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Page updated with details about the variation report GAL-VR13 and the modification report GAL-MR2.
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Page updated with details about the variation report VR10 and the modification report GAL-MR1.
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Added table showing the different parts that make up the report. Page updated to show that 3 of the 5 parts have received Secretary of State approval.
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Length of stretch amended from 98 km (62 miles) to 100 km (62.6 miles).
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Information about planned public hearing added.
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Added link to notice on objections issued by the Planning Inspectorate
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Updated page for the publication of Natural England's proposals.
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Delays to route proposals due to severe flooding in the area.
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Update to explain Natural England's progress on this stretch of coast. Now at stage 2.
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First published.