Guidance

South West: 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 the South West, the trail goes from Aust on the Bristol Channel to Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire.

It goes past rocky cliffs, beaches, nature reserves, coves and castles, and passes through very hilly landscapes.

The trail goes through many National Landscapes – the Quantock Hills, North Devon, Cornwall, South Devon, East Devon, and Dorset.

It also goes through Exmoor National Park, many heritage coasts, and a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including North Devon Biosphere, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, and The Jurassic Coast in Dorset and East Devon.

About the trail  

In the South West, the King Charles III England Coast Path goes between:    

• Aust, near Bristol 
• Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire 

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 also find circular and linear walks on:  

• the National Trails website – walks on the South West Atlantic Coast and walks on the South West Channel Coast  
• the South West Coast Path association website

When to visit  

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

• ferries that only run during part of the year, or have a seasonal timetable   
• alternative routes designed to protect wildlife, ensure your safety or allow land management activities   

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.   

At Brean, Burnham, St Audries and Helwell Bay, you should check tide times before you set off. The trail can be flooded during high tides.

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 follow other National Trails or named trails. You may see signs with the names of these trails, or signs may say the trail is “part of the King Charles III England Coast Path”. Look out for where the trails join or separate.   

Ferries on the trail

There are a number of ferries that you have to take to cross estuaries along the trail. You can find information about ferries on the South West Coast Path Association website.

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 

Between Minehead and Brean Down, there’s 93km of the trail that has no stiles. 

At Avonmouth, there’s a 1.4 mile (2.3km) accessible alternative route which avoids a set of metal steps over a gas pipeline. This route is also open to cyclists.

Circular and ‘storywalks’ 

You can find information about walks on the South West Atlantic Coast, including:  

• family-friendly walks 
• circular walks – which include information about gradients and barriers  
• ‘storywalks’ - which include accessibility information, 8 are suitable for all wheels, and 12 of the walks include an audio narration

What you can experience on the trail  

There are many things you can experience on the coast path in the South West, including: 

• wildlife – such as coastal birds, Cornish Chough, puffins, dolphins and seals  
• historic and heritage sites – such as Victorian piers, the Minnack Theatre, Tintagel Castle, Lands End and The Lizard Point  
• nature reserves – such as Portbury Wharf, Bridgwater Bay and the Undercliffs  
• local culture, food and entertainment   

In South West, the trail goes through: 

• Weston-Super-Mare 
• Newquay 
• Penzance 
• Plymouth 
• Exeter 
• Bournemouth

Sections of the trail

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

Aust to Minehead  

The trail starts at Old Passage, Aust. Heading south, the trail goes through Avonmouth. It then crosses the River Avon on the motorway bridge, to pass through Portbury Wharf nature reserve.  

From Portishead seafront, the trail follows a rocky coastline through to Clevedon and onwards towards Weston-super-Mare. From Sand Bay, this part of the trail is known as the ‘North Somerset Tidal Trail’. It goes through Weston Wood to Weston-super-Mare, where the trail joins the beach-front promenade.  

Leaving Weston-super-Mare, the trail goes through Uphill Boat Yard to reach the Bleadon Levels, before reaching Brean Cross Sluice where the trail crosses the River Axe. You can follow the trail around Brean Down to continue south to past Berrow Dunes to Burnham-on-Sea.

It then goes inland along the flood banks of the River Parrett to Bridgwater, and back to Steart Point and the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve.  

The trail then goes along the open coast to Hinkley Point. However, there are diversions inland whilst construction takes place at Hinkley Point. Look out for and follow the diversion signs.  

The trail then climbs at East Quantoxhead, where the Quantock Hills reach the sea.  

On reaching the old port town of Watchet, the trail follows the West Somerset Railway through Blue Anchor and Dunster, to end in Minehead.

Minehead to Combe Martin

The trail goes along 35 miles of Exmoor’s coastline between Minehead and Combe Martin, most of which is in the Exmoor National Park.

The trail follows the ‘Rugged Coath Path’ along North Hill and drops down by Hurlstone Point to Porlock Marsh.

The trail continues through Porlock Weir, and onto the shingle ridge at Gore Point. It begins to climb up at Worthy into wooded slopes and the coastal heaths of Exmoor, including Foreland Point, Valley of the Rocks, Trentishoe Common, and Holdstone and Girt Down. Towards the west of this section, the trail drops down through Cobblers Park to Combe Martin.

Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth

The trail goes along diverse coastal landscapes, including the Taw Torridge estuaries, the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, and the very hilly Hartland Peninsular.  

From Coombe Martin, the trail passes through Illfracombe and Woolacombe over hills. It drops down to bays before turning inland to follow the Taw and Torridge Rivers to Barnstaple and Bideford. From Bideford, the trail follows the cliff tops past Clovelly to Hartland Point.  

The 10-mile section between Hartland Point and Marsland Mouth is considered one of the most challenging sections of the trail in the South West.

Marsland Mouth to Newquay

From Marsland Mouth, the trail goes through the coastal villages of Bude, Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Polzeath, Padstow and Mawgan Porth.

The trail passes by Crackington Haven, Tintagel Castle and the Rumps at Pentire with its Bronze age burial mounds. It also goes through the Camel Estuary (including the ferry), past Trevose Head lighthouse and the Bedruthan Steps.

The trail is mostly grassy paths, which can be uneven and wet at times. It goes along many sandy beaches, has some steep climbs and descents, as well as flatter walking along the cliff tops.

Newquay to Penzance

Between Newquay and Penzance, the trail goes through the Gannel and Hayle estuaries and along headlands such as St Ives, Pendeen Watch and Cape Cornwall. The trail goes around the western coast of Cornwall, which is a generally rugged coastline with sandy coves, and includes Land’s End.

A large part of the coastline on this section is part of the Cornwall National Landscape. The section also includes parts of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

Leaving Newquay, the trail passes Fistral beach and continues around The Gannel, a sandy estuary which can be crossed at various places to reach Crantock beach.

At Crantock, the Trenance Bridge may be inaccessible at high tides. You can only walk along the Penpol boardwalk during the 3 to 4 hours either side of high tide. However, but you can use the optional route inland over Trevemper Bridge, which is accessible at all states of the tide.

The trail climbs up from Crantock and then down again at Porth Joke. The gradient is steep with occasional steps. The trail again climbs steeply from Porth Joke around Kelsey Head, before going through the dunes at Holywell Bay.

There are further cliffs around Liggar Point and Penhale Point, with far-reaching views, before the trail continues towards Perran Sands beach.

Beyond Perranporth, the cliff walk leads on through the St Agnes Heritage coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to St Agnes Head.

From St Agnes, the trail continues through St Ives and along the Botallack UNESCO World Heritage mining coast, past Land’s End on to Penzance.

Penzance to Plymouth

This section of the trail goes from Penzance and Cremyll, and there are a number of ferries that are part of the trail.

Between Penzance and St Mawes, the trail goes past Mounts Bay, including St Michaels Mount. The terrain is varied with multiple sandy beaches at Praa Sands, at the western end of this section, and Maenporth and Swanpool close to Falmouth.

This part of coast includes the Lizard, which is the most southerly peninsula in England. You can cross the Helford estuary by ferry.

At Falmouth, you need to take the Falmouth to St Mawes ferry to cross the Carrick Roads estuary.

The landscape between St Mawes and Cremyll is rugged, with headlands such as Nare Head, Dodman Point, Gribbin Head and Rame Head. There are also sheltered coves and beaches, such as Porthluney Cove. The trail passes through Mevagissey and close to St Austell.

At Fowey, you need to take the Fowey to Polruan ferry.

The trail passes Polperro and Looe, and continues around Rame Head to Cremyll where you can catch the ferry to Royal William Yard in Plymouth.

Plymouth to Lyme Regis

This stretch of coast runs between the historic ports of Plymouth and Lyme Regis. It follows rural clifftops and crosses estuaries, mostly by ferry.

From Plymouth Barbican landing, you can take the Mountbatten ferry across the River Plym, to continue on the trail towards Lyme Regis.

The trail takes in the estuaries of the Dart, Exe and Otter, and goes the Jurassic Coast between Exmouth and Lyme Regis.

At the River Erme, between Mothercombe and Wonwell, there is no ferry. You have to cross the river on foot, which you can usually do one hour either side of the lowest tide.

Between Salcombe and East Portlemouth, you can take the Salcombe Ferry and then continue the trail around Start Point. The trail goes along Slapton Sands to Dartmouth, where you can cross the River Dart by Ferry to Kingwear.

There is an alternative route around the Exe Estuary when the ferry is not running. 

From Kingswear to Lyme Regis, the trail mixes estuary and coastal walking with seaside towns and farmland. The trail goes through Paignton and the Torbay Headland. Much of the trail is relatively flat, but there are challenging sections, especially between Babbacombe and Shaldon where you cross the River Teign to Teignmouth by ferry.

The trail is on fairly flat ground alongside most of the railway line between Starcross and Teignmouth, and around Torbay.

From Teignmouth, the trail continues to Dawlish Warren where it then follows the River Exe inland to Countess Wear, near Exeter, and then back to the Exmouth at the coast.

From Exmouth, the trail passes through the Jurassic Coast, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 7-mile Undercliff National Nature Reserve between Axmouth and Lyme Regis. 

Lyme Regis to Barton on Sea

The trail continues through the Jurassic Coast, passing cliffs with fossils and protected areas such as the Chesil Beach and The Fleet Special Protection Area.

The trail goes around the Isle of Portland and through Weymouth. It passes the Durdle Door, Kimmeridge Bay and goes round Durlston Head to Swanage. It goes along Studland Bay to South Haven Point, where there’s a ferry to Sandbanks.

After passing along Bournemouth seafront, the trail goes around Henistbury Head and Christchurch Harbour to Barton-on-Sea.

Maps for the trail 

You can find:   

• a map of the South West Atlantic Coast and a map of the South West Channel Coast 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

Diversions or closures on the trail  

You may find minor diversions, seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail.

At Brean Cross Sluice and Steart Marshes, check the interactive trail map for seasonal closures (marked as route diversions) which are put in place to protect local bird populations in these areas.

The route then goes along the open coast to Hinkley Point. However, whilst long term construction takes place at Hinkley Points, the coastal route is closed and diversions are inplace inland around the site.  Look out for and follow the diversion signs.

At Crantock the Trenance Bridge may be inaccessible at high tides and that the Penpol boardwalk is only passable 3 to 4 hours either side of the tide, but you can use the optional route inland via Trevemper Bridge which is available at all states of the tide.

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 
• 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.