First Section of New Coast Path opens on Exmoor

The celebrations marking the opening of the Exmoor stretch of the KCIIIECP yesterday, were led by Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority and Cabinet member for Climate change in Devon, at Cobbler’s Park in Combe Martin.

The King Charles III England Coast Path is a National Trail around the whole coast of England, taking in existing coastal national trails like the South West Coast Path (SWCP) but offering new public access to link up and improve existing Exmoor routes, enabling people to better experience and value the benefits of this very special landscape.

While the wider coastal access rights between the trail and low water (the coastal margin) will come into force in due course, there are six places on the 36 miles Exmoor stretch of the Coast Path where the route has changed: 

1) North Hill (4 miles have become coast path) – The official coast path is now the ‘Rugged Coast Path’ with stunning sea views. - the inland route will remain a public bridleway.

2) Hurlstone Point – the official coast path now affords scenic views around Hurlstone Point - the former route down Hurlstone Combe will remain a public footpath and an alternative route in poor weather conditions.

3) Worthy – (2/3 mile have become coast path) the official coast path skirts around Gore Point with spectacular coastal views, the current more inland route will remain a public footpath.

4) Glenthorne – (2 miles have become coast path) the official coast path takes a more coastal route down towards Glenthorne Beach and then curves through woodland with improved views of the coast before climbing back up through ‘The Towers’ to rejoin the existing route - the former route will remain a public footpath.

5) Lee Abbey - (1/3 mile new off road Coast Path) There are two changes to the existing route which will take the official coast path route off the road.

6) Cobbler’s Park – (¼ mile new Coast Path on the edge of the village) the official coast path route will take a new line at the top of the Park with superb views (the former route remains a public right of way).

Sue Applegate Public Rights of Way and Access Officer for Exmoor National Park Authority said:

“I am delighted that this stretch of The King Charles III England Coast Path is officially open. It’s a continuous, easy to follow and well-maintained trail so local people and visitors can get to enjoy the coastal natural environment whether they fancy an hour’s stroll or a few days hike. Our team and our colleagues at the National Trust, along with South West Coast Path Association, have all been working really hard to support Natural England to get these new sections of Coast Path open, with additional help from local contractors and our volunteers. There are places where we’ve been able to take the route off road or closer to the sea with improved views and great opportunities for circular walks. Thank you to Combe Martin Parish Council who have embraced their new section of Coast Path by naming it 'Seldon’s Way' after a former Councillor, Steve Seldon who sadly died earlier this year. Steve Seldon served for 12 years on Combe Martin Parish Council 2000-2012, taking responsibility for footpaths in the area and was passionate about looking after them for everyone to use.

Claire Newill, Principal Manager for Natural England Wessex Area Team said:

"It's wonderful to see this stretch of the South West Coast Path, from Minehead to Coombe Martin, which will become part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. Walkers will enjoy being closer to the sea with better views. The path can 'rollback' to adapt to future coastal changes, protecting this national asset in perpetuity.

“Thanks to Exmoor National Park Authority and the National Trust for making these improvements possible. This will be the first section of King Charles III England Coast Path to open in the South West and we look forward to more sections opening in coming months."

Rob Manicom, National Trust Area Ranger for the Holnicote Estate said:

"After many years of planning and implementation of path improvements it’s great to see this officially open. Staff, volunteers and contractors have all worked hard to create new paths and upgrade existing paths to help improve the coast path experience. The route offers walkers access to some of this country's most scenic and unspoilt sections of our coastline and is a brilliant addition for visitors to Exmoor."

The King Charles III England Coast Path will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world. It will be fully walkable by the end of 2024 – connecting communities from Northumberland to Cumbria via Cornwall. This event sees the opening of the improved route of the existing South West Coast Path national trail, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. The ‘coastal margin’ and associated rights have not yet come into force, but will secure rights on foot for the first time to cliff tops, beaches, dunes and foreshore (subject to certain restrictions and exemptions). At the same time, however, the trail can move if needed in response to natural changes at the coast such as erosion, cliff falls and flooding. This is known as ‘rollback’.

Advice for landowners who have coastal access rights on their land

Establishment costs have been funded through Grant In Aid to Natural England and by £8 million of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding from 2018 to end 2021.

The English coast has been divided into 67 stretches - See the ‘national map’