cliff tops on the
Cleveland Way,
North York Moors National Park Background Following the establishment of the
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1952, the Welsh naturalist and author
Ronald Lockley surveyed a potential route around the coast. This was subsequently constructed and opened in 1970 as the
Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Lockley's 1953 report for the
Countryside Commission was well received and largely adopted. Some sections of the route followed existing rights of way, but most of the land was privately owned, requiring negotiation. The majority of landowners supported the project, and many benefitted from the installation of new fencing. In 2000, the government legislated to introduce a limited "
right to roam". The
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) was implemented gradually from 2000 onwards, granting the public a conditional right of access to certain areas of the English and Welsh countryside, including some coastal land. Developed land, gardens and various other areas are specifically excluded. Agricultural land is accessible only where it falls within the types defined in the Act. People exercising the right of access must respect land management needs and the protection of nature. The new rights were introduced region by region across England, with implementation completed in 2005. In 2004, the
Ramblers started their campaign, advocating for a coastal pathway.
Path history on the
Saxon Shore Way The King Charles III England Coast Path has been made possible by the introduction of the Right of Coastal Access under Part 9 of the
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Act provides for the creation of both the England Coast Path and, in most cases, a right of access over the associated 'coastal margin'. This includes – where appropriate – any land, other than the trail itself, that forms part of the coastal margin and carries public access rights. Such areas are known as 'spreading room'. The right does not extend to private houses and gardens, or to
Ministry of Defence land. The legislation also introduces 'roll back', meaning that if a section of coastline erodes, the route of the path can be adjusted inland accordingly. Natural England's Coastal Access Scheme was approved by the
Secretary of State on 9 July 2013 under section 298(2) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, and was presented to Parliament pursuant to section 298(6) of the Act. In December 2014, encouraged by the success of the
Wales Coast Path, the government announced that more than £5 million of additional funding would be provided over the following five years to enable completion the England Coast Path by 2020, around a decade earlier than previously anticipated. In the UK,
public access to the
foreshore below the
high tide line has long existed. The intertidal zone is generally regarded as being owned by
the Crown, although there are exceptions. In England, ownership of land typically extends only to the
high water mark, with the Crown deemed to own the land below it. Progress slowed due to COVID-19 and a
European Court judgement in April 2018 regarding environmentally protected sites. Natural England hoped to have all stretches approved and work underway by the end of 2024. In May 2023, to mark the coronation of
King Charles III, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Thérèse Coffey announced that the England Coast Path would be renamed the King Charles III England Coast Path. New branding was introduced to reflect the colours of the
English flag, with signage being gradually introduced across new stretches of the path. On 19 March 2026, King Charles III attended a reception hosted by the
South Downs National Park Authority to mark the opening of the coastal path; at that date it was about 80% complete. ==Existing coastal trails==