North Cornwall coast path improvements completed
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-31)

The path around the South West’s glorious coastline is further enhanced thanks to improvements to the Marsland Mouth to Newquay section in Cornwall.

These works form part of a national programme to create a coastal path around the whole of England. Once completed this will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world and the UK’s longest National Trail.

Stretching from Marsland Mouth on the North Cornwall coast down to Newquay, some 75 miles in total, the path follows the route of the existing South West Coast Path (SWCP) National Trail, beginning at the border with Devon and stretching to the railway station in Newquay.

For anyone walking the path, there is plenty to see, with towns and villages such as Bude, Boscastle, Tintagel, Port Isaac, Polzeath, Padstow and Mawgan Porth. Plus, the path passes by the historic highlights of Crackington Haven, Tintagel Castle, the Rumps at Pentire with its Bronze age burial mounds, the Camel Estuary (including the ferry), Trevose Head and its lighthouse and Bedruthan Steps. In addition, there are glorious sandy beaches to stop off throughout the route.

Making the path line up with the sea

In establishing the new trail, Natural England has sought to improve the alignment of the SWCP where possible or move it closer to the sea. For example, at Penhalt Cliff it has been taken off road on to farmland, improving safety for walkers and drivers. For the first time wider coastal access rights on foot have been established between the trail and the sea, including cliff tops and beaches.

It also brings legal provision for the trail to ‘roll back’ in response to coastal erosion, thereby securing people’s rights into the future and protecting the investment being made now. You will still encounter steep climbs and descents as well as gently undulating walking along the cliff tops.

Boscastle harbour viewed from the coast path

Better alignment, better surfacing, better drainage

Andrea Ayres, Deputy Area Director for Natural England said:

This improved stretch of path takes in some of the best views in the South West and much-loved places that have been attracting visitors for many years.

With the improvements to the path and the additional access rights, we hope it will continue to give people the chance to get out and enjoy nature, as well as continue to bring visitors to the county, since tourism is so vital to the local economy.

While much of Cornwall’s 300-mile section of the South West Coast Path is owned by private landowners and organisations, the path is managed by Cornwall Council. The council and Cormac have worked to deliver the improvements on this stretch.

Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for environment, said:

The South West Coast Path is a wonderful asset popular with local residents and visitors alike, but by its very nature, is susceptible to the elements and coastal erosion.

This funding has meant we have been able to make significant improvements to the path in Cornwall, bringing forward many projects which may otherwise have been many years away from happening.

We’ve been able to move inland sections closer to the coast, improve surfacing and drainage, repair paths and realign hazardous sections. It is fantastic to see completion of the Marsland Mouth to Newquay section and I’m sure it will be enjoyed by all for many years to come.

Julian Gray, Director, South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) said:

The King Charles III England Coast Path creates new open access rights around the coast to help connect people to nature. It also gives us new powers to manage the National Trail in the face of coastal erosion, helping us continue to improve the South West Coast Path as one of the world’s great trails.

What is the King Charles III England Coast Path?

The King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is a National Trail around the entire coast of England. Existing coastal national trails and other regional walks make up parts of the KCIIIECP and this newly improved stretch of the South West Coast Path forms part of the KCIIIECP.

You can plan your walk on the KCIIIECP, which follows the enhanced route of the SWCP between Marsland Mouth to Newquay, by visiting the KCIIIECP or the South West Coast Path pages of the National Trails website (https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/).

Background

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 places a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure a long-distance walking trail around the open coast of England, together with public access rights to a wider area of land along the way for people to enjoy.

Natural England is working at pace to ensure completion of the KCIIIECP. By the end of 2024 it had opened 1,400 miles. Subject to resources we expect to complete the KCIIIECP by spring 2026.

To plan their visit walkers can access route maps of all opened sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path and any local diversions on the National Trails website (https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/). And can check for any restrictions to access on Natural England’s Open Access maps (https://www.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk/wps/portal/oasys/maps/MapSearch/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gfdwMzDyNnA0v_kCBXA08DT38XHy9PQ38DE6B8pFm8AQ7gaEBAdzjIPrN4M3cfC0MnfwNLg0A_CwNPC3MTI0cPbwMDY1OIPB7z_Tzyc1P1C3IjDLJMHBUBQs8ezw!!/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/).

You can promote your business, service, event or place of interest for free on the National Trails website (https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/add-your-business/), inspire people to spend more time in your area and benefit from the economic impact of visitors.

National Trails, marked by the acorn symbol, pass through spectacular scenery, support local tourism and offer a range of routes from short circular walks to long distance challenges.

King Charles III England Coast Path:

We have a map showing progress to complete the King Charles III England Coast Path (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-improving-public-access-to-the-coast).

The King Charles III England Coast Path will be our longest, National Trail, passing through some of our finest countryside, maritime and industrial heritage, coastal settlements and rural locations.

It will also be the world’s longest managed coastal trail (i.e. the trail is maintained to National Trail standards). It will secure legal rights of public access for the first time to typical coastal land including foreshore, beaches, dunes and cliffs that lies between the trail and the sea.

Improvements to existing access to the coastline include:

a clear and continuous way-marked walking route along this part of the coast, bringing some sections of the existing coastal footpath closer to the sea and linking some places together for the first time

targeted adjustments to make the trail more accessible for people with reduced mobility, where reasonable

uniquely amongst our National Trails the KCIIIECP may be moved in response to natural coastal changes, through ‘roll back’ if the coastline erodes or slips, solving the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along the coast – and making a true coastal path practicable

the legal provision for roll back is proposed to sections of the trail where a need has been foreseen but can be retrospectively applied to other parts of the route if deemed necessary

the route of the trail can also be altered through planning proposals and where coastal and flood defence works or habitat creation would impact on the proposed or open route of the KCIIIECP

we have a webpage showing progress near you to create the King Charles III England Coast path (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-improving-public-access-to-the-coast)

we work closely with a broad range of national and regional stakeholders around the country including wildlife trusts, National Trust, RSPB, NFU, CLA, RA, OSS, Environment Agency and local authorities

The Countryside Code (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code) is the official guide on how to enjoy nature and treat both it, and the people who live and work there, with respect.

For landowners

Landowners who have KCIIIECP coastal access rights on their land enjoy the lowest liabilities in England. Here is our guidance on managing your land in the coastal margin (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-your-land-on-the-england-coast-path).

About Natural England

Established in 2006, Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.

We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved,

We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks and National Landscapes , and advising widely on their conservation.

We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.

We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.

We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.

For more information, visit our page on how the King Charles III England Coast Path is improving public access to England’s coast (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-improving-public-access-to-the-coast).

About the South West Coast Path Association

The South West Coast Path Association is a charity (Registered Charity Number 1163422) that works to ensure the South West Coast Path is one of the best walks in the world and protects it for all to enjoy. Supporting the charity helps the South West Coast Path Association to improve the South West Coast Path and keeps the way open to beautiful coastal places.

For more information visit the South West Coast Path Association website (https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/).