7 Most Beautiful Coastal Walks in the UK

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The English coastline is a treasure trove of beautiful walks. From the rugged cliffs of Cornwall to the sandy beaches of Norfolk, there are many coastal paths that will take your breath away. For those who love the beach, there are some coastal walks in the UK that you won’t want to miss.

In some of England’s best coastal walks, you’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of both the water and green countryside. It’s no wonder that walking among the cliffs and waves has become a popular pastime in recent years, with people travelling from all over the world to experience this breathtaking scenery.  

The Best Coastal Walks in England

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful family stroll or an adrenaline-filled adventure, one of these gorgeous strolls along the coast with beautiful ocean views is bound to take your fancy. These are the 7 most beautiful coastal walks in the UK.

1. Needles Coastal Walk, Isle of Wight

The Needles Coastal Walk is a beautiful coastal path that runs from near the Needles, a prominent chalk landform off the western tip of the Isle of Wight.

There are two different options you can walk here. One delightful walk takes you from one end of Alum Bay to the other. The other path will take you from Needles Park, up to the Needles Battery, and continue along the beautiful chalk cliffs of the island.

It’s a fairly easy path with a gentle incline and includes some stunning history and beautiful views along the way. The full walk there and back down to the Needles car park will take around 2.5 hours. But it will definitely be more if you want to stop and take lots of photographs and explore the history of the Batteries. 

You can also use a combination of ferry and bus to explore much of the route by public transport. This makes it a good option for those who wish to walk there, but perhaps don’t fancy the long walk back again.

2. Solent Way, Southampton

Solent Way is a long-distance route that follows the Solent, a body of water between mainland England and the Isle of Wight. It is an easy-to-follow path recommended for families and those who wish to get away from busy city life.

The path runs through villages and quiet roads in the New Forest National Park. It takes you through the cities of Southampton, Portsmouth and Ryde. From Southampton City Centre, the path will take you all the way to Beaulieu.

Overall, it’s a 60-mile trail, but you can easily split it into two or three days depending on your level of fitness. Or, you could simply walk part of the trail if you’d prefer.

Since the trail is flat with only a few steep hills, it’s accessible for most people. It’s definitely one of the best coastal walks in the UK, and there are even some short detours to museums and wildlife sanctuaries that are worth exploring too.

3. Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door, Dorset

This is one of the most beautiful English coastal walks in Dorset. It’s perfect for those who love to see rugged coastlines and natural beauty.

Starting in Lulworth Cove, the trail passes through Durdle Door and along magnificent cliffs. There are lots of amazing views across the Jurassic Coast. The path takes around 45 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace.

The route also links to sections of the South West Coast Path so you can walk as far as your feet and time permits.

You can also catch a bus to Lulworth Cove from Weymouth that will take you back to the start of the trail.

4. Beachy Head, Eastbourne

The Beachy Head walk takes you on an epic adventure through the South Downs Way. Discover spectacular views of the Seven Sisters cliffs, the English Channel, and the iconic lighthouse on this East Sussex walk. 

Wander over the historic landscape and towering white cliffs. The area is home to the highest chalk cliffs in England, so it’s one for your UK bucket list.

This does make the walk a little dangerous though, as the cliff edges are generally unprotected. So, make sure you stick to the paths and don’t get too close to the edge.

The Beachy Head walk starts in East Dean, which is located between the towns of Eastbourne and Seaford. You can park at the Forestry Commission’s Butchershole Car Park for easy access to the start of the walk.

Given the height of the cliffs, there is a fair amount of uphill hiking. You need a basic level of fitness and be prepared for a bit of calf burning. The walk takes about an hour and a half. 

5. Northumberland Coastal Path

While the stunning coast of Northumberland in the North East of England can be appreciated by car there is another way to enjoy the beautiful views.

Walk the Northumberland Coastal Path through quaint fishing towns and villages, over sandy beaches and rocky headlands, past castles and a sacred island and enjoy this historic landscape and the wildlife that lives in it.

The path stretches for 100 km (62 miles) from Creswell in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north. It’s recognised as one of the best coastal walks in the UK.

The route has been divided into 6 stages ranging from 10 km to 20km. Each is manageable in a day or more. It is recommended to plan 5 to 7 days to walk the entire route from Creswell to Berwick.

Accommodation can be booked at the various endpoints of each stage or a base established at Alnwick which has good bus links to the starting points of each stage. There are also plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat along the way.

The path is classed as an easy to moderate walk.

6. Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay

One of the best coastal walks in the UK is from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay. This one-way, linear walk follows the Cleveland Way, one of England’s National Trails, along the dramatic Yorkshire coast. The walk is approximately 7 miles and will take about 3-4 hours. 

It’s easiest to get to Whitby by car. Then, take the bus from Robin Hood’s Bay back to Whitby to get back to your car. You can get to Whitby by public transportation. It’s accessible by train on the Esk Valley Railway, or by the Coastliner Bus from Leeds or York. 

The walk is a moderate difficulty – the path is well-marked and it’s easy to navigate. However, there are a lot of small hills as you follow the coastline up and down, so it’s not necessarily a flat walk.

This hike is excellent if you enjoy the idyllic scenery of a beautiful English coastal walk. But it’s even better as you get to bookend the walk with visits to Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. 

These are two of the most picturesque, charming places to visit on the Yorkshire coast, so walking between the two destinations makes for a great day out.

7. South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest coastal trail at 630 miles long. Starting in Minehead in Somerset, it continues through north Devon, around the entire coast of Cornwall, back into south Devon and on into Dorset, passing through Portland, and ending at Poole harbour.

Walking the entire South West Coast Path takes a minimum of a month. But most people will want to take a bit longer or do it in stages, a week or a weekend at a time. There are also lots of sections that lend themselves well to day hikes.

Some are challenging and strenuous, some suitable for all the family with a tea shop or pub at the end of it. You can even combine a walk on the South West Coast Path with culture; the Tate at St Ives and the Minack Theatre are both on the trail.

Easily one of the best coastal walks in England, the South West Coast Path has many spectacular sections – perhaps the best is in Dorset. The section between Exmouth and Poole follows the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast.

It takes in landmarks like the fossil-rich beaches of Charmouth and Lyme Regis, the astonishing Chesil Beach, the stone arch at Durdle Door and the near-circular bay at Lulworth Cove.

Final Thoughts on The Best Coastal Paths in the UK

Overall, the UK is full of stunning coastal beauty. There are so many places along the coast where you can go for a walk, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy stunning ocean views.

So, whether you’re heading up to the north, or down to the south, I hope these coastal walks in the UK have given you the best inspiration for your next countryside adventure.

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