Guidance

East Anglia: King Charles III England Coast Path

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The King Charles III England Coast Path is the longest National Trail in England. It goes all the way around the coast of England.

In East Anglia, the trail goes on the coast from The Wash to the Thames Estuary, and around Wallasea Island and Mersea Island in Essex.

It’s an area known for long sandy beaches, dunes and heaths, saltmarsh and mudflats, wildlife habitats and varied coastal scenery.

The trail passes through the Norfolk Coast and Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscapes, and close to the Broads National Park. It also goes through the Norfolk and Suffolk Heritage Coasts and Norfolk Deep History Coast.

The trail follows many of the river estuaries to the first crossing point. Parts of this coastline are rapidly changing due to coastal erosion, and there may be diversions.

About the trail

In East Anglia, the King Charles III England Coast Path goes between:

• The Wash, West Norfolk
• Tilbury, on the Thames Estuary in Essex

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year. There may be some seasonal changes to the route, such as ferries. 

Areas on the coast can be very exposed to the weather, which can be changeable. Be aware of risks such as storms and strong winds, tides and waves. Check the weather forecast and tide times before you set off.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol. You’ll see this and signs for the King Charles III England Coast Path along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Some sections of the trail join and follow other National Trails or local named trails, which you may also see signs for. Look out for any places where the trails separate.  

Explore beyond the trail 

In most places you can explore the land between the trail and the sea, known as the ‘coastal margin’. This area is shown in pink on Ordnance Survey maps.  

Follow the rules on exploring land in the coastal margin to find out which areas you can access or not. For example, some areas of saltmarsh and mudflat are not suitable for public access.

Accessibility on the trail

The King Charles III England Coast Path is designed to be as accessible as possible, with minimal use of barriers such as stiles. However most of the trail is on natural surfaces with varied terrain.

On the coast, the trail may have steep climbs and descents, and long flights of steep steps in places.

In some places, the trail goes on:

• paved promenades, pavements and other surfaces - which are suitable for prams, wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility
• bridleways – which are open to cyclists and horse riders

In East Anglia, the trail may be on the beach, flood banks, field edges and saltmarsh.

In Essex you can find information from Essex Highways about accessible sections of the trail. These sections are:

• suitable for wheeled users – including people using manual and motorised chairs (independent and accompanied), mobility scooters and all-terrain vehicles
• suitable for people with children in pushchairs and walkers with restricted mobility
• step-free, level or mostly level, and free of man-made barriers

What you can experience on the trail   

There are many things you can experience on the coast path in East Anglia, including:

• wildlife – such as red squirrels on Mersea island , seal colonies in Norfolk, unique shingle habitats, birds, mammals, plants, butterflies and invertebrates
• historic and heritage sites – such as Tilbury and Coalhouse and Forts, Landguard Point, The Dengie Peninsula, Constable Country.
• nature reserves – such as The Wash, Thurrock Thameside, Holkham, Blackwater Estuary, Hamford Estuary Orfordness and The Dengie National Nature Reserves
• local culture, food and entertainment

In East Anglia, the trail goes through: 

• Kings Lynn
• Great Yarmouth
• Felixstowe
• Southend-on-Sea
• Clacton-on-Sea

Sections of the trail

Some sections of the trail are not yet fully open. Check the map on the National Trails website to plan your route.

Essex

The trail follows the south side of the River Thames to Woolwich. To continue following the trail, you can drive or use public transport to get to Tilbury on the north side of the river. There is no longer a ferry service.

From Tilbury, the trail follows the Thames estuary past historic forts, port infrastructure and marshland landscapes. It goes past Tilbury and Coalhouse Forts, and Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve.

The trail continues through Canvey Island, Two Tree Island, with a range of wildlife, and then passes through Southend-on-Sea past the pier.

The trail then follows remote creeks and marshes around Wallasea Island.

The trail follows the River Crouch to Battlesbridge, and the wide flat Dengie Peninsula and Blackwater Estuary to Maldon. Then it goes through the Blackwater Estuary National Nature Reserve and Old Hall Marshes Nature Reserve.

Next, the trail crosses a road causeway to reach Mersea Island, where it goes around the island. You should check tide times for The Strood causeway before you set off, as the road to Mersea Island may be underwater at very high tides.  

Beyond Mersea Island, the trail follows the Colne estuary to Colchester, then Brightlingsea and Jaywick around Arlesford and Brightlingsea.

The trail continues past Clacton-on-Sea and around Hamford Water to Harwich, past its port, and then the River Stour to Cattawade, near Manningtree.

Suffolk

From the Stour Estuary, this section of the trail goes round the Orwell Estuary, and quiet coastal marshes and villages.

At the top of the Orwell Estuary near Ipswich, the trail climbs steps to follow a roadside pavement across The Orwell Bridge (which is 45 metres high) close to Ipswich, before returning to the coast along the estuary.

The trail returns to the coast past the large port of Felixstowe and through the Felixstowe promenade. It then goes beside the Deben estuary, past Woodbridge and Sutton Hoo. 

The Suffolk coastline has unique habitats such as the rare lowlands heaths, and shingle landscapes at Shingle Street and Orford Ness Havergate National Nature reserve. The trail follows the Butley Creek, the Alde and Ore rivers inland, and goes on to Aldeburgh.

From Aldeburgh, the trail passes Sizewell, close to the Minsmere reserve, the ‘lost’ village of Dunwich and through the busy town of Southwold. This section of the coast is impacted by coastal erosion, so there may be diversions in place. There is a long-term diversion inland around the Sizewell C nuclear power station construction site in Suffolk where the beach may be inaccessible at times.

From Southwold, the trail continues to the fishing port of Lowestoft, the most easterly point in the British Isles and beyond to Hopton-on-Sea.

East Norfolk

The southern part of the Norfolk coast, from Hopton-on-Sea to Winterton-on-Sea, has dunes and beaches, seaside towns, many World War II defences and maritime heritage.

Great Yarmouth has a busy port and quays, a historic pier and seafront known as ‘the Golden Mile’ – with wide beaches and protected dunes.  

The trail continues north to Winterton-on-Sea, past Caister-on-Sea.

There is active coastal erosion near Hemsby and Winterton-on-Sea, which means that there may be diversions or changes to the route of the trail.

North and West Norfolk

The trail goes from Winterton-on-Sea to The Wash, and is mostly quiet and remote. It goes through historic ports, seaside towns and coastal villages.

This varied coastline is always changing due to coastal processes, and has sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs, and saltmarshes in the north. It includes Norfolk’s Deep History Coast, which holds the earliest evidence of humans in Britain.

The trail goes through the Winterton-Horsey Dunes National Nature Reserve, which is a large, vegetated dune system that is home to a colony of grey seals.

The trail continues to beaches and through quiet villages to Cromer and Sheringham. It then goes past the saltmarshes and beaches of the North Norfolk coast, with several bird reserves. The trail passes along the edge of saltmarshes and has long sections of boardwalk and raised banks, which means the trail can be used at all states of the tide.

Beyond Hunstanton and the historic port of Kings Lynn, towards Sutton Bridge, the trail is remote with views over The Wash estuary.

Maps for the trail

You can find: 

• a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

Seasonal changes, diversions or closures on the trail

You may find minor diversions, due to unplanned events such as coastal erosion. There are also seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail.

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on:

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures
• planning your trip
• what to prepare before you set off – such as checking tide times
• what to do on the trail

Contact 

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:  

• report a problem  
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail  
• find out about volunteering opportunities  

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.