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.
Stage of progress
Stage 5: Open to the public
The 26 mile (42 km) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey is now open to the public.
Coastal access rights came into force along this stretch of coast on 24 September 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 are planning a walk on the KCIIIECP, 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 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 KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin, as approved by the Secretary of State on 3 May 2024 and 5 May 2023.
Use the links on this page 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 KCIIIECP passes through your land.
Variation reports on approved sections
Sometimes it’s necessary to change sections of an approved route. The proposed changes are published as variation reports.
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.
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.
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 below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of Suffolk.
Updates to this page
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Page updated to show this stretch is now open to the public.
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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.