King Charles III England Coast Path: Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Suffolk.
Map of the stretch
Natural England is working to improve coastal access along a 41km stretch of the Suffolk coast between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey.
Officers from Suffolk County Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice during the establishment of the route.
Stage of progress
Stage 5: Open (not yet available for public use - work to establish the route is currently taking place)
On 7 May 2024 the Secretary of State announced their decision to approve a stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path in Suffolk between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey.
Natural England’s proposals are still available to view.
Natural England will publish further details of the approved route in due course.
You can see the current status of the collection in the table.
| Report number and title | Stage 5 (approved) |
|---|---|
| FFB 1: Felixstowe Ferry to Sandy Lane, Waldringfield | 7 May 2024 |
| FFB 2: Sandy Lane, Waldringfield to Kyson Point | 5 May 2023 |
| FFB 3: Kyson Point to Wilford Bridge | 5 May 2023 |
| FFB 4: Wilford Bridge to Ferry Cliff | 7 May 2024 |
| FFB 5: Ferry Cliff to Ramsholt | 7 May 2024 |
| FFB 6: Ramsholt to Bawdsey Quay | 7 May 2024 |
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 route at Sutton Hoo and Methersgate (VR23)
On 14 May 2025, Natural England submitted a variation report (FFB-VR23) to the Secretary of State setting out proposals to change the approved route of the King Charles III England Coast Path in Suffolk, at Sutton Hoo and Methersgate.
The change at Sutton Hoo affects part of the approved section FFB4: Wilford Bridge to Ferry Cliff. Since approval of the route, Natural England has agreed with Suffolk County Council and the National Trust to adjust the route slightly to follow the National Trust’s permissive route for its visitors. This takes walkers away from a sharp turn on the track that has limited visibility for traffic.
The change at Methersgate affects part of the approved section FFB5: Ferry Cliff to Ramsholt. Since publication of Natural England’s proposals, the landowner has opened and signposted a permissive route as part of their own rationalisation of access routes. It is close to the approved alignment and is intended as a replacement for the approved route. It is more direct and simpler to maintain, with a greater length on a public footpath.
The period for making representations and objections about the report closed at midnight on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
The report is still available to view.
Next steps
Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use. The first step is to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is needed, such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room.
For further advice and information see the links that follow:
Find out more about the 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 if you have any queries relating to the establishment of this stretch.
King Charles III England Coast Path delivery team (East)
Natural England
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 8DR
Email eastcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 0300 060 3900
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of Suffolk.
Updates to this page
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We've updated the page to show that the opportunity to comment on the variation report for Sutton Hoo and Methersgate (FFB-VR23) has ended.
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We've added information about the variation report for Sutton Hoo and Methersgate (FFB-VR23).
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Page updated to show the Felixstowe Ferry stretch has been approved in full and work is now at stage 5.
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Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 2 of the 6 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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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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Publication of report now expected in autumn 2019.
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Page updated to show stretch is now at stage 2/3.
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First published.