King Charles III England Coast Path: Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Devon.
Stage of progress
Stage 5: Open to the public
The 78 mile (126 km) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth is now open to the public.
Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 17 December 2025, by order of the Secretary of State.
The route is available to view on the National Trails website.
Information about the route
If you’re planning a walk on the coast path, check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may therefore 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 or if an access restriction applies to the land.
The maps in Natural England’s original proposals to the Secretary of State show the route of the coast path along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin, as determined by the Secretary of State on 13 January 2021 and 23 November 2023.
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. Landowners and occupiers can make an objection.
Change to the approved route at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (CMM-VR11)
On 23 November 2023, the Secretary of State announced their approval of changes to the route of the KCIIIECP at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (CMM-VR11).
The change affects the final part of CMM 3: Woolacombe to Cock Rock, Croyde and the first part of CMM 4 Cock Rock, Croyde to Velator. It takes the route of the KCIIIECP off the narrow busy road between Chesil Cliff House and Oyster Falls and provides a safer road crossing point at Down End Croyde.
The report is still available to view.
Use the links that follow to see details of the Secretary of State’s decision to approve Natural England’s proposals, together with any modifications, and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the coast path passes through your land.
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.
If you need to contact the authority managing this stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path, use the contact forms on the National Trails website contact us page.
See the map for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the south west.
Updates to this page
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Page updated to show this stretch is now open to the public.
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Page updated to show that the final 2 reports, and VR11, have received Secretary of State approval. This stretch is now at stage 5.
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Updated the page with information about the variation report at Saunton Down, Down End, Croyde (VR11).
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Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 8 of the 10 reports have received Secretary of State approval.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.
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Changed expected date for publication of the reports to early 2020.
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Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in winter 2020.
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Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 2/3.
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First published.