The new 2,700-mile coastal path in the UK set to be the longest in the WORLD
THE UK isn’t short of coastal paths but a new 2,700-mile path will become the longest of its kind in the country and even the world.
The King Charles III England Coast Path will give Brits and tourists access to the country’s entire coastline for the first time.
Natural England will celebrate the path’s official opening next week, which has been in the works for 16 years.
Around 80 per cent of the path is already open, with the final sections due to open by spring next year.
When the path is completed, it will be the longest managed coastal path in the world and eventually link with the 870-mile Wales Coast Path and 3,260 miles of the Scottish coast.
The path was named to commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation.
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The new path means that walkers and tourists will be able to see and access hidden coves that were not previously accessible.
For example, new bridges and steps have been introduced in parts of the path.
On the Isle of Wight, new steps to a ‘secret beach’ have been built.
The steps are part of a 2.8-mile route that starts at Gurnard Luck before heading through Lynda’s Woods and reaching the beach dubbed locally as a secret spot.
On the National Trails’ website, you can see which parts of the path are open near you and also if there are any current issues that mean the path is temporarily inaccessible, for example, due to storm damage.
The site has different pages for different parts of the route, and once you go into a page, you will be able to see a map with the route on it.
You can also use filters to find nearby hotels and B&Bs as well as attractions and places to grab a bite to eat.
For example, looking at the South East coast page and map, you can walk directly along the coast through Dover, and if you want to explore more of the area, then head to Western Heights – an English Heritage fortification site that dates back to the Napoleonic Wars, which is free to visit.
Alternatively, in the South West, head on to part of the South West Coastal Path through Outer Hope, which is near Salcombe.
You could stay at The Cottage Hotel and Restaurant with sea-view rooms and cream teas out on the terrace.
The hotel sits on the cliffs just above the harbour beach in Hope Cove, so you can get to the sand and sea within a few minutes.
The map of the coastal path also highlights holiday parks, ideal for summer camping trips.
For example, in Devon near Exmouth, you can head to Cofton Holidays which has lodges, cottages, caravans and a campsite.
The holiday park runs a number of events and shows and has a high ropes course, an indoor pool and an arcade and games room.
The path ventures through popular seaside towns too, such as St Ives in Cornwall.
Other highlights on the 2,700-mile path include the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
If you are looking for a day walk that is already fully open, you could venture from Shoreham-by-Sea to Brighton.
Setting off from Shoreham-by-Sea, you will walk next to the River Adur estuary where you can spot birds before heading past the old lighthouse in Shoreham Harbour.
The trail then follows on to Hove Esplanade to Brighton, where you can see the remains of West Pier.
Finally, in Brighton, you can enjoy the beach, pier and bustling town.
Or you could travel up north, to walk to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, which was once a vital port for shipping grain.
You can learn more about the town in the Newbiggin Maritime Centre, and in the town, there are a number of shops and places to grab a bite to eat.
And if you happen to be there in April, make sure to catch the Kite Festival with live music gigs, film showings and of course, lots of colourful kites taking to the skies.
In other UK travel news, these are the beautiful UK hiking trails that have delicious tea rooms and beautiful castles along the way.
Plus, these are the most beautiful walks in the UK.