Is the England Coast Path open? Open sections of the England Coast Path are well signed with distinctive acorn waymarkers. We list and describe open sections below: the 2,700 miles England Coast Path aims to stay as close to the sea as possible. In many places, you will be walking immediately alongside the coast. In some section parts, the path heads inland, but only for short distances. The best Coastal Walks In England!
Away from towns and villages, you will usually find the England Coast Path has natural, unmade surfaces with some parts that may be muddy in wet weather. Closer to where people live you might find smooth-surfaced paths; in towns and villages, the walk may take you on promenades or pavements alongside roads. For England Coast Path maps, see under the heading England Coast Map at the end of this article.
Contents
Best Coastal Walks In England
Open Sections of England Coast Path: 2022 List
England Coast Path Section 2: Brean Down to Minehead
England Coast Path Section 12: Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove
England Coast Path Section25: Camber to Folkestone
England Coast Path Section 26: Folkestone to Ramsgate
England Coast Path Section 31: England Coast Path Grain to Woolwich
England Coast Path Section 45: Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling
England Coast Path Section 46: Sea Palling to Weybourne
England Coast Path Section: 50 Skegness to Mablethorpe
England Coast Path Section 54: Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge
England Coast Path Section 55: Newport Bridge to North Gare
England Coast Path Section 56: North Gare to South Bents
England Coast Path Section 57: South Bents to Amble
England Coast Path Section 61: Allonby to Whitehaven
England Coast Path Section: 62 Whitehaven to Silecroft
England Coast Path Section: 64 Walney Island
You can read descriptions of fully open sections, including county locations and mileages, at the bottom of this page.
England Coast Path Route Sections 1 to 67: Completion Status 2022
For progressive route opening tracking over the years we are using references ECP 1 to 67. As routes fully open, they are added accordingly.
1 England Coast Path Aust to Brean Down
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
2 England Coast Path Brean Down to Minehead
This path section is fully open.
3 England Coast Path Minehead to Combe Martin
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
4 England Coast Path Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
5 England Coast Path Marsland Mouth to Newquay
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
6 England Coast Path Newquay to Penzance
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
7 England Coast Path Penzance to St Mawes
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
8 England Coast Path St Mawes to Cremyll
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
9 England Coast Path Cremyll to Kingswear
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
10 England Coast Path Kingswear to Lyme Regis
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
11 England Coast Path Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
12 England Coast Path Rufus Castle to Lulworth Cove
This path section is fully open.
13 England Coast Path Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge Bay
Route proposals are in development
14 England Coast Path Kimmeridge Bay to Highcliffe
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
15 England Coast Path Highcliffe to Calshot
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
16 England Coast Path Calshot to Gosport
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
17 England Coast Path Isle of Wight – East Cowes to Wootton Bridge
Route proposals are in development
18 England Coast Path Isle of Wight – Wootton Bridge to the Medina
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
19 England Coast Path Gosport to Portsmouth
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
20 England Coast Path Portsmouth to South Hayling Island
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
21 England Coast Path South Hayling Island to East Head
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
22 England Coast Path East Head to Shoreham-by-Sea
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
23 England Coast Path Shoreham-by-Sea to Eastbourne
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
24 England Coast Path Eastbourne to Camber
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
25 England Coast Path Camber to Folkestone
This path section is fully open.
26 England Coast Path Folkestone to Ramsgate
This path section is fully open.
27 England Coast Path Ramsgate to Whitstable
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
28 England Coast Path Isle of Sheppey
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
29 England Coast Path Whitstable to Iwade
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
30 England Coast Path Iwade to Grain
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
31 England Coast Path Grain to Woolwich
The whole route section is approved and opened in 2022
- The Grain to Woolwich stretch connects the sea and the Thames Estuary to central London for the first time; the almost 50-mile route forms a continuous walking trail on the south bank of the Thames to the coast at Grain in Kent.
- The route links with the existing Thames Path at Woolwich to create a continuous ‘source to sea’ National Trail along the length of the River Thames.
32 England Coast Path Tilbury to Southend-on-Sea
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
33 England Coast Path Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea Island
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
34 England Coast Path Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
35 England Coast Path Burnham-on-Crouch to Maldon
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
36 England Coast Path Maldon to Salcott
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
37 England Coast Path Mersea Island
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
38 England Coast Path Salcott to Jaywick
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
39 England Coast Path Jaywick to Harwich
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
40 England Coast Path Harwich to Shotley Gate
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
41 England Coast Path Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Ferry
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
42 England Coast Path Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
43 England Coast Path Bawdsey to Aldeburgh
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
44 England Coast Path Aldeburgh to Hopton On Sea
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
45 England Coast Path Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling
This path section is fully open.
46 England Coast Path Sea Palling to Weybourne
This path section is fully open.
47 England Coast Path Weybourne to Hunstanton
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
48 England Coast Path Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
49 England Coast Path Sutton Bridge to Skegness
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
50 England Coast Path Skegness to Mablethorpe
This path section is fully open.
51 England Coast Path Mablethorpe to Humber Bridge
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
52 England Coast Path Humber Bridge to Easington
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
53 England Coast Path Easington to Filey Brigg
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
54 England Coast Path Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge
This path section is fully open.
55 England Coast Path Newport Bridge to North Gare
This path section is fully open.
56 England Coast Path North Gare to South Bents
This path section is fully open.
57 England Coast Path South Bents to Amble
This path section is fully open.
58 England Coast Path Amble to Bamburgh
The whole route section is approved, but it is not yet open – has works in progress or planned.
59 England Coast Path Bamburgh to the Scottish Border (including Holy Island)
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
60 England Coast Path Gretna to Allonby
This path section is fully open.
61 England Coast Path Allonby to Whitehaven
This path section is fully open.
62 England Coast Path Whitehaven to Silecroft
This path section is fully open.
63 England Coast Path Silecroft to Silverdale
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
Length 1 of the Silecroft to Silverdale stretch is now open to the public.
64 England Coast Path Walney Island
This path section is fully open.
65 England Coast Path Silverdale to Cleveleys
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
66 England Coast Path Cleveleys to Pier Head, Liverpool
Approved in parts, but it is not yet
open – works in progress or are planned.
67 England Coast Path Birkenhead to Welsh Border
Route proposals have been published, but have not yet been approved.
England Coast Path Cumbria: Open Sections 2022
ECP 61 Allonby to Whitehaven
This 22 mile (35 Km) west Cumbrian section is on the northwest coast, adjacent to the English Lake District. Allonby is a Victorian seaside resort with a wonderful beach. Whitehaven has a historic harbour and busy marina for leisure craft.
ECP 62 Whitehaven to Silecroft
This 32.20 mile (51.9 Km) section of the EPC opened in spring 2021 and takes you around St Bees Head and Ravenglass. Silecroft beach is overlooked by the majestic Black Combe Fell, with an elevation of 600 metres.
ECP 64 Walney Island
A 16.2 mile (26.1Km) stretch of the ECP – opened in early 2020. Walney is the eighth largest island in England. This section of the ECP walk circumnavigates Walney Island, starting and finishing at Jubilee Bridge. There some splendid vistas – to the north there are views of Black Combe and Coniston Fells, to the south, there are views of Morecambe Bay to Blackpool and to the east, Piel Channel and the Furness coast.
England Coast Path Yorkshire & North East: Open Sections 2022
ECP 54 Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge
A 68 miles (110Km) stretch of the England Coast Path (ECP) that takes you along the dramatic cliffs of the North Yorkshire coast, through the victorian resort of Scarborough, magnificent Whitby, Saltburn and Redcar into the heart of Middlesbrough. Part of this stretch comprises the coastal part of the existing Cleveland Way, so you will find the path is waymarked as the Cleveland Way, and also the England Coast Path.
ECP 55 Newport Bridge to North Gare
A 10 miles (16 Km) stretch of the England Coast Path (ECP). The Tees Newport Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge across the River Tees, near the Tees Transporter Bridge. North Gare is one of the three sandy beaches along the County Durham coast near Seaton Carew. There are low sand dunes and is part of the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve.
ECP 56 North Gare to South Bents
This 44 miles (71km) stretch of the England Coast Path starts at the River Tees at Middlesborough, and goes along the County Durham coast to South Bents, north of Sunderland, and can be walked in 2 to 3 days.
ECP 57 South Bents to Amble
45 miles (72 Km) England Coast Path section from South Bents across the River Tyne via the ferry. The path then continues passing Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Blyth crossing the River Blyth and later, River Wansbeck.
Souter Lighthouse built in 1871 at South Tyneside is owned by the National Trust. It was the first in the world to run on electricity. It is located on a cliff of magnesian limestone and provides stunning views across the local nature reserve and the mouth of the River Tyne.
After leaving industrial areas the path continues using the former Northumberland Coast Path from Creswell to the small port of Amble following a beautiful stretch of northeast England coast.
Viewers of the British crime drama series ‘Vera’, will see some of the locations often featured – Whitley Bay, St Mary’s Island and Cresswell.
England Coast Path Kent: Open Sections 2022
ECP 25 Camber to Folkestone
This 29 miles (47 km) walk starts in East Sussex mostly following the south Kent coastline. There are views of heritage buildings, including Martellos – small defensive forts that were built during the 19th century, from the time of the French Revolutionary Wars and beyond during the 19th century. You’ll also have extensive vistas of shingle and sand beaches with unique wildlife habitats.
ECP 26 Folkestone to Ramsgate
This 37 miles (59Km) stretch of the England Coast Path (ECP) has easy access by road, rail and ferry and therefore attracts visitors from the UK and abroad. The route is a showcase for England’s iconic White Cliffs and you’ll enjoy magnificent views across the English Channel to France. The Sandwich Peninsula has an abundance of wildlife and views across extensive mudflats. You’ll enjoy cliff top walks and more level areas around Deal, Sandwich and the lower cliffs at Ramsgate.
There are plenty of welcoming cafes, restaurants and pubs along the way for refreshments.
It’s also a mecca for history buffs: Romans landed at Richborough in AD43, there are medieval castles at Dover, Deal and Walmer. You’ll see the historic Cinque Port of Sandwich, Napoleonic defences of Western Heights at Dover – designed to protect England from French invasion. The English Heritage properties – part of an extensive network of fortifications, include the North Centre Bastion and Drop Redoubt, plus numerous sites from both World Wars.
Ferries taking troops, ammunition and horses across the channel used this section of coastline. There are many viewpoints, including St Martin’s Battery at Dover.
England Coast Path Norfolk: Open Sections 2022
ECP 45 Hopton On Sea to Sea Palling
This 21 miles (34 km) stretch of the England Coast Path (ECP) route includes three recent miles of access between Horsey and Sea Palling.
This walk is a showcase for Norfolk’s varied coastline with its historic towns and villages wildlife and beautiful beaches. It includes Caister, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-Sea.
ECP 46 Sea Palling to Weybourne
A 23 mile (41km) England Coast Path section following a coast full of historical, geological and wildlife interest and is a popular destination area visitors. Sections of the path follows the existing Norfolk Coast Path between Cromer and Weybourne.
England Coast Path Lincolnshire: Open Section 2022
ECP 50 Skegness to Mablethorpe
This area flat area of England has an amazing “sea and skyscape”. Many of the beaches have excellent bathing water, like at Moggs Eye (also known as Huttoft Beach). This is a quiet, rural beach backed by grassy sand dunes. You’ll also be able to explore smaller towns and villages such as Sutton-on-Sea.
England Coast Path Map
England Coast Path Map pdf by Natural England – March 2022 – click here for the link
For CRoW & Coastal Access Maps Click here