King Charles III England Coast Path

Introduction

Diversion information

The King Charles III England Coast Path has short diversions at Chilton Trinity and Express Park in Bridgwater due to construction works for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier. And at Cleeve Hill, Watchet, because of cliff instability. The diversion at Hinkley Point remains in place.

For more information, maps and gpx files of alternative routes see – Closures and diversions.

The King Charles III England Coast Path is a new walking route that will follow the entire coast of England. For the first time people will have the right of access around all our open coast. The path is being opened in sections but will, when completed, be the longest coastal path in the world at 2,795 miles or 4,500 kilometres.

Here in Somerset the England Coast Path is open between Brean Down and Minehead. To see other sections of open path, visit GOV.UK and check the progress map.

The Coast Path in Somerset

The 64-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path between Brean Down and Minehead takes you on an amazing journey along the Somerset coast.

Beginning at Brean it passes the sandy beaches of Berrow and Burnham-on-Sea and follows the River Parrett to the Victorian docks of Bridgwater before turning back to the salt marshes at Steart Point and the Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve. Past Hinkley Point, the beach and cliff formations from Lilstock to Blue Anchor are classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, offering an outstanding series of sections through our geological history. Taking in the seafaring town of Watchet on the way, the route shadows the West Somerset Steam Railway through Blue Anchor and Dunster to end in Minehead, the gateway to Exmoor.

To find out more about walking this stretch of the trail, visit our sample itinerary on the National Trails website and download our short walking guide.

Where you can go

In some places, the King Charles III England Coast Path also allows public access to the coastal margin; areas of land between the path and the sea.

Conservation areas and other sites on the route may restrict access to the coastal margin. So make sure you check first and obey signs along the path indicating where areas have restricted access.

For your own safety remember that many sections of our coast are steep and may be unstable. While shores and estuaries in Somerset can have fast incoming tides and areas of soft sand and mud.

Just because the map says you can go there does not mean it is safe to do so. Always take note of warning signs along the path.

Remember, when using areas of the trail on the beach always check the tide times and at all times on the trail follow the Countryside Code.

Closures and diversions

Express Park in Bridgwater

The King Charles III England Coast Path is closed on two short sections on both the east west banks of the River Parrett. The closures are to allow for land construction works related to the creation of the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier.

For more information and maps of the diversions, visit the National Trails website, Express Park Diversion East Bank and Chilton Trinity Diversion West Bank pages. During the works please follow the diversion signs on the ground.

Cleeve Hill in Watchet

A short section of the King Charles III England Coast Path at Cleeve Hill in Watchet is closed for safety reasons following an inspection of the cliffs on the route.

An alternative route is fully signposted on the ground. All users are reminded not to trespass in this area, to follow the diverted route and to abide by the  Countryside Code.

Visit the National Trails Cleeve Hill Diversion page for more information and access to an online map and .gpx file of the route.

Hinkley diversion

There is a long-term diversion in place on the King Charles III England Coast Path during the construction phase of Hinkley Point C.

While this closure is in place please follow the diversion signs on the ground.

Visit the National Trails Hinkley Point Diversion page for more information and access to an online map and .gpx file of the route.

Dogs on the Coast Path

You are welcome to bring your dog to the King Charles III England Coast Path, but you must make sure that it is under effective control at all times. This means the dog must be on a lead or if not on a lead it must be kept within sight. You must be aware of its actions and confident that the dog will return reliably and promptly when called. Dogs must always be on a short lead around livestock.

At certain times of year in some locations, there may be additional restrictions on where dogs can go. Please obey any signs and stay out of areas where access with dogs is not allowed or keep your dog on a lead when requested to do so. Where restrictions are in place, they have been put there to protect sensitive wildlife or reduce problems around cattle.

To prevent the spread of infections and diseases associated with dog waste, always clean up and remove your dog’s waste from the area. And make sure that your dog has regular worming treatments.

For more information and guidance read our Guide for dog owners and dog walkers.

Trail Passport stamping stations

The Somerset and Exmoor Coast includes the King Charles III England Coast Path from Brean to Minehead and the South West Coast Path from Minehead to County Gate and the border with Devon.

We have produced a Trail Passport to guide you along this 75 mile (120 kilometre) route to help you to collect stamps and record your memories as you walk this fantastic coastal trail.

There are over 35 stamping stations on or near the trail and some of the businesses involved have special offers or free gifts for passport holders.

Passports are available at the National Trust at Brean Down, the visitor centres in Burnham-on-Sea, Watchet, Dunster, Minehead and Porlock, and the Bridgwater Town Council offices.

To see the route, full details of the collection points and stamping stations and special offers along the route, please visit the Somerset and Exmoor Coast itinerary on the National Trail website.

Report a problem on the path

If you encounter problems such as broken or missing signs, blocked routes or other access issues during your walk on the King Charles III England Coast Path, you can use the Explore Somerset map to report it. More information can be found on Report a problem with a public right of way page.

Please locate the issue on the map as accurately as possible as this makes it easier for the wardens and rangers to locate and investigate. Issues will be assessed and where necessary, action taken to try and resolve them. If you supply your email address, you will receive updates when the issue has been assigned and resolved or closed.

Circular and short walks

There are over 30 short and circular walks that take in sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path in Somerset.

You can get individual walk pocket guides from Visitor Centres in Somerset or visit the National Trails Circular and Linear Walks page for:

links to the Storywalks online
walk details and online maps
downloadable pocket guides with route maps and direction
.gpx files

The walks offer a great introduction to Somerset’s coast and exploration of the villages and towns. There are two types of walk:

16 circular routes – with maps and walking notes
19 Storywalks – great for a family day out and you can access them using a smartphone

The 16 circular walks include a range of styles. Some take you off the beaten track to discover the wilder sections of our coast and others visit towns and villages and offer the option to stop for a cream tea or pub lunch. There are also some longer walks for those wanting to make a day of it.

To see the locations for the walks on a map, download our Coastal Walks in Somerset leaflet.

Storywalks

Working with local poet Chris Jelley, we have developed a series of Storywalks for families and small groups on the King Charles III England Coast Path. These walks provide an immersive experience of the areas you are visiting using the internet.

For more information, see our King Charles III England Coast Path Storywalks page.

Coast Path Communities

If you live or own a business on or near to the King Charles III England Coast Path we are here to support you. Throughout next year we hope to be working with local communities and businesses to help them get the most out of their proximity to the path.

We welcome your feedback about events, activities you would like to see happen or ideas for how the trail can contribute to your community. To get in touch email us at rightsofway@somerset.gov.uk with King Charles III England Coast Path in the subject line.

Volunteering on the Coast Path

For those of you who enjoy getting out onto our coastline, you might be interested in the King Charles III England Coast Path Trail Watchers Scheme. This gives volunteers the opportunity to adopt a section of the trail and to help us look after it. To find out more about the Trail Watchers Scheme take a look at our Rights of Way –Trail Watcher information on Somerset volunteering. You can also contact us at ROWvolunteers@somerset.gov.uk.

Useful links

More information about the King Charles III England Coast Path, Somerset and the services on and around the trail.

Walking the Path

More about Somerset

Visitor information

Newsletter - The Coaster

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening on the King Charles III England Coast Path in Somerset through our newsletter – The Coaster. The Coaster provides a focal point for all things on and around the trail.

View online

Downloadable issues

If you would like to receive The Coaster by email, contact us and ask to be added to the mailing list. We also welcome your input for future issues. So if you have a project you would like to see included, an event for the diary or would just like to see your community or attraction get a mention, email us and let us know.

You can reach us at rightsofway@somerset.gov.uk with ECP The Coaster in the subject field.

Social media

Keep up-to-date with what is happening on the King Charles III England Coast Path through our social media pages.

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