Improvements to the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) along 228 miles of Cornwall’s coastline from St Agnes Head along the south coast to the Tamar at Cremyll have finished.
The path around Dorset’s coastline has also seen 21 miles of improvements between Kimmeridge Bay and South Haven Point.
The footpath follows the South West Coast Path (SWCP) for much of its length but with some improvements where the path has been moved nearer to the sea.
The project creates new access rights between the path and low water and there is new provision for the path to be easily moved following coastal erosion events.
Once completed, the KCIIIECP will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world and the UK’s longest National Trail.
Cornwall section
Earlier this year the 75-mile stretch from Marsland Mouth on the North Cornwall coast down to Newquay was completed. This follows the route of the existing SWCP National Trail. Now the remaining 228 miles of path are completed: heading west from Newquay, down to Land’s End and back along the south coast to Cremyll on the banks of the Tamar.
For anyone walking the path, there is plenty to see, with towns and villages such as Falmouth, Penzance and Polperro, along with popular spots such as Land’s End and The Lizard.
For those interested in the county’s heritage, there are castles in abundance, like St Mawes and St Michael’s Mount, alongside remnants of Cornwall’s industrial past at Botallack engine houses and the Levant mine and beam engine, as well as the cliffside Minack Theatre.
In establishing the new trail, Natural England sought to improve the alignment of the coast path where possible or move it closer to the sea. For example, a new route has been created on the western side of the Lizard at Porthkerris instead of the old inland route along country roads. And at Millendreath the new path has been moved away from the road to allow for more scenic views and a safer walking route. Other changes include Downderry, where the main route is impassable during high tides, so an alternative follows the coastal road.
While walkers will still encounter steep climbs and descents – as well as gently undulating walking along the cliff tops – there are now more accessible areas. This includes the path between Swanpool and Gyllanvase Beach and the path around Tregantle Fort. Another change is a new 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.
Andrea Ayres, deputy area director for Natural England, said: “This huge stretch of path along two coasts takes in some of the best views in the South West. These much-loved places have been wowing visitors for many years, as well as being loved by local residents.
“We hope the improvements to the path, and the additional access rights, will mean even more people will get out and enjoy nature. This will provide vital health and wellbeing benefits for local communities, as well attracting visitors to the county, with tourism playing a vital role in the South West 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, together with the National Trust, have worked to deliver the improvements around the county.
Julian Gray, director, South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA), said: “It’s great to see the final sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path open in Cornwall, which creates new open access rights around the coast to help connect people to nature.
“The establishment of the KCIIIECP has brought significant investment and improvements to the route of the coast path and also gives us new powers to manage the National Trail in the face of coastal erosion. We will continue to work with our trail partners to protect, improve and champion the South West Coast Path as one of the world’s great trails.”
Dorset section
For anyone walking the path, there is plenty to see, not least Kimmeridge Bay which is one of the most loved locations on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and Studland Bay, recently designated a Marine Conservation Zone, which marks the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast. The path follows the coast of the Isle of Purbeck with its dramatic landscape features and coastal views and throughout this stretch of the path there are many beaches.
Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve is a great place to see wildlife, which might include bottlenose dolphins, sunfish, jellyfish, seals and a variety of seabirds. A live cliff camera records Durlston’s guillemot colonies – they are both the most easterly and second largest on the South Coast. The country park has, for lovers of history, a castle, along with parking and cafe, the Anvil Point lighthouse and the Great Globe stone sphere plus magnificent views.
At Chapman’s Pool there was a significant landslip meaning walkers had to take a lengthy diversion. Natural England worked closely with Dorset Council and the landowner to agree a new route that would solve the long-standing difficulties of maintaining a continuous route along this section of the coast.
Tim Hall, Wessex Coast and Seas senior manager for Natural England, said: “We’re pleased to open this new section of the England Coast Path today, 21 miles of spectacular views boasting some of our region’s most iconic wildlife and landscape.
“It will provide both the local community and visitors from further afield more opportunities to access the coast and connect with nature.”
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for Place Services, said: “This is wonderful news for Dorset. It not only provides a safe and scenic route for people to enjoy this stunning part of the Jurassic Coast, but it also gives our residents and visitors even more opportunities to connect with nature.”
