The Coastal Path

        
   We remain cooped-up and confined by the dreaded Covid-19 and you are probably suffering from  'quarantine fatigue' and tired of reading about it. For now, I suggest you take a long virtual walk along a trail that will soon be ready; long portions of which already are. It encircles England so an online tour allows you to avoid the bad weather and the putting on of your 'wellies'. The virtual tour can also be more scenic since you can learn where the bad industrial stretches are and avoid them.
   These two departure points are all you need to keep you busy for the rest of the day and they will allow you to take the actual trek when we can again travel. The entire route is about 4500 km, so you might want to start training. Or you can use these links to find the pubs along the shorter seaside segments.

England's Coast

   This website divides the coast into eight sections and allows you to choose the type of vacation you would like to take.

The entire English coast is about to be accessible for the first time through the designation of the longest waymarked walking route in the world - the new England Coast Path National Trail.  To celebrate this 2021 is being marked as the Year of the English Coast.  

Start by exploring our 8 unique coastal regions, or by choosing the type of holiday experience that suits you. Once you know where you want to go, plan your trip with our unique itinerary builder with information on places to stay, eat and things to do. Don't forget to watch each region's highlights video for inspiration!

Across the coast in England communities will be hosting a wide range of events and activities to showcase our stunning coastline to visitors. Everyone is welcome, there's never been a better time to plan your break to the coast!

See also the associated blog.

The Coastal Path

   There are some fine pictures on this website which divides the coast into four parts. 

Choose the England Coast Path Region you would like a description for from the list below.

The England Coast Path is opening in sections. Open sections are described here. The path aims to stay as close to the coast as possible. In many places that means you will be walking right alongside the coast. In some places the path heads inland, usually only for short distances. The open sections of the path are well signed, look out for the distinctive acorn waymarkers. Away from towns and villages you will usually find the path has a natural, unmade surface, some areas will get muddy in wet weather. Closer to where people live you might find smooth surfaced paths, and in towns and villages you may be walking on promenades or pavements alongside roads.

England Coast Path – North East

England Coast Path – North West

England Coast Path – South East 

England Coast Path – South West 

If you choose the last path (the south west one) you learn that:

The very first section of England Coast Path to open was the section from Portland, past Weymouth to Lulworth Cove. This section was opened for the 2012 Olympics to allow people access to the coast to watch the sailing competitions.

Weymouth is famous for its beautiful sandy beach which slopes gently into the sea making it perfect for families. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a day of sun and swimming and of course, the sand is perfect for making sand castles. If your sandcastles are in need of a bit of inspiration you could visit Sandworld and see the amazing sand sculptures on display.

When you have had enough of sand you could explore the lovingly restored Nothe Fort with its stunning view across the Jurassic Coast (quick look for fossils on the way). No trip to Weymouth would be complete without a visit to Portland, via the natural phenomenon of Chesil Beach with its new visitor centre. There are great walks to experience on Portland with fantastic views all round.

Sources:  

  If you are suspicious of the tourist-type links above see:
"The Longest Coastal Walking Route in the World Will Open in England Next Year," Evie Carrick, Travel & Leisure, May 5, 2020 (video)

"England is set to give long-distance hiking trails in the U.S. a run for their money with its new Coast Path, which is expected to stretch over 2,700 miles, surpassing both the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail in length. In addition to some extra mileage, the route takes hikers along the English coast, making it the longest coastal walking route in the world."

"The World's Longest Coastal Path to Open in England This Year," Sasha Brady, Lonely Planet, March 9, 2020.

"England to Debut World’s Longest Coastal Path by Middle of Next Year: The Nearly 2,800-mile-long Walking Route Runs all the way Around the English Coast," Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, April 21, 2020.

The Usual Bonus:

For songs to sing along the way see my: Trail Tunes for Old-Timers.
If you would rather walk across Canada see: The Trans Canada Trail or, as it is now known,
The Great Trail.