British Food and Travel

Britain’s coastline is, quite simply, magnificent. From secluded coves to busy beaches, rugged cliffs to miles of smooth sand, the coastline around these islands has it all. And what better way to explore most of it than on foot? Wales already has its own coast path that reaches around its shores. By 2020, walkers will have even more to explore – the England Coast Path.

Back in 2009, Natural England conducted an audit of the coastline. The organization discovered, to its dismay, that 34% of England’s coast was inaccessible to the public. They decided to do something about that and drew up plans for a path around the entire country. The ambitious project, due for completion in just two years time, will create one of the world’s longest continuous footpaths at a distance of between 2,700 and 2,800 miles.

A large chunk has been completed for some time in the form of the South West Coast Path. The 630-mile route extends from Minehead in Somerset all around the tip of Cornwall to Poole in Dorset.

Elsewhere in England, there are a number of coast paths already in place. The 45-mile stretch of Norfolk Coastal Path links Cromer to Holme-next-the-sea and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Meanwhile, a 66-mile route from Camber Sands in East Sussex to Ramsgate in Kent opened last year. This links with the path around Thanet and up past Reculver to the North Kent coast. When complete, the England Coast Path will finally fill in the empty spaces bringing it all together into one spectacular trail.

Walking between Ramsgate and Broadstairs, Kent.

Natural England and the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are working together to make it a reality. The route is divided among eight teams. Each team is responsible for covering one lengthy segment – negotiating land rights, planning and constructing walkways, and so on.

Part of the Norfolk Coastal Path

And what better way to not only explore the length and breadth of England’s coast, but to also learn about the country’s coastal heritage and the risks it faces today? I am already itching to set off into the great outdoors, with dreams of starting in Cumbria and working my way down to where it meets the Wales Coast Path, trekking around Wales, and then rejoining the England Coast Path, following it all the way around to Northumberland. On second thoughts, that may require more than one pair of walking boots!