Most of us say we love longs walks on the beach, after all, it’s a mainstay for everyone’s Instagram profile. But how do we find the right walk? While Wales may be famous for its beaches, England is an absolute wealth of natural beauty when it comes to treks along the coast. Here are some of the best coastal walks England has to offer!
White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
Distance: 6.4km
Time: 1hr
These cliffs are recognised the world-around, and for good reason. Walking along the cliff edge, you’ll be struck by just how white they actually are (to the extent that it looks like someone freshly paints them when everyone is sleeping). It’s not just natural beauty to look out for here though, as there’s a massive industrial shipping complex going on below, a port to plenty of European destinations.
A national institution in their own right, the White Cliffs of Dover means something a little different to everyone. Go and visit the site that inspired many a great poet.
Brownsea Island, Dorset
Distance: 1.5km
Time: 20mins
One of the shorter walks on this list, but a little more difficult to arrive at by traditional means – you need to hop on a boat to get there, it’s an island after all! Your seafaring will be rewarded with something unique to the whole of the UK, as it’s basically its own Red Squirrel sanctuary.
You’re bound to see one of the furry little fellas running around the place, but if squirrels aren’t your bag, there’s plenty more natural beauty to be found condensed into its 500 acres. A personal favourite of mine would be the lagoon.
Old Harry Rocks, Dorset
Distance: 5.5km
Time: 2hrs
This setting is supposedly named after old pirate, Harry Paye, these chalk coated cliff edges are a sight to behold. An easy walk, with not much of a climb at all, except for the steady climb up Ballard Down.
The drops over the cliff are nothing to be sniffed at, though, so don’t be walking too close to the edge!
Blakeney, Norfolk
Distance: 5km
Time: 1hr 45mins
This is a walk for the animal lovers out there. The area is awash with rare birds, but the real stars of the show are the seals who chill on the beach. The wide expanse of salt marshes and reedbeds to one side and the boats floating calmly in the harbour on the other, you can truly get lost in a place like this, in all the best ways.
The lifeboat house is a must-see for this jaunt and if you’re walking along the coast, you certainly won’t be able to miss its big blue presence overlooking the water.
Whitehaven, Cumbria
Distance: 11km
Time: 4hrs
Cumbria is a UK must-see that should be on everyone’s bucket list – Whitehaven is certainly no different. This walk is another of the longer ones in the list and probably the most difficult, but towards the top you’ll be greeted with an absolutely stunning panoramic view of Lakeland Fells and maybe even Snaefell if you’re lucky enough.
Saltom Pit is worth checking out as it was the very first under-sea coal mine in existence and has since been restored to allow people to check it out!
Morecambe Bay
Distance: 13.5km
Time: 4hrs
Famous for its shrimp, Morecambe Bay is a beauty in its own right, comprised of sandy beaches, grassy marshes and views across the bay that are simply to die for. The tide is striking here, it comes in at a rapid rate so this is worth bearing in mind if you want to walk around on the hardened sand, do so with caution!
This route isn’t very well signed, but that said, if you follow the shore you’re not going to get lost anytime soon.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland
Distance: 2.4km
Time: 40mins
Lindisfarne Castle is a stunning piece of 16th century architecture and with a walk around the entire building you can get a real sense for what a fortress this place must have been. It’s not just about the castle though, if you look out at sea from your vantage point you may spot a few puffins, seals or even a dolphin if you’re lucky enough!
There are also a few quirky lighthouses to take a glimpse of, if that’s your thing. There’s even a white brick pyramid to be spotted, this is used by sailors as a daymark – so it’s cheaper than a lighthouse and looks a bit better!
Stonebarrow, Dorest
Distance: 2.9km
Time: 1hour
One of the more difficult ones, so do some research about the route if you’re not an experienced navigator and definitely worth taking a steady pair of walking boots. This trek is a bit off the beaten track and features a fairly steep incline on the way up – but the views at the top will make it all worthwhile.
The area is absolutely teeming with rare flora and fauna thanks to its agricultural history and you’re more than likely to spot a few butterflies!
Formby, Merseyside
Distance: 4.8km
Time: 1hr 45mins
Formby is one of your more easier beach walks here, but it’s certainly one of the longer ones with the expanse of sand dunes along the way. Getting atop the sand dunes can yield some stunning views, including but not limited to… Snowdonia, Blackpool Tower AND the Liverpool wind turbines.
The truly magical aspect of this walk, though, comes after the tide pulls in. If you’re lucky, you can catch some thousand-year-old footprints in the sand thanks to the Mesolithic landscape. That’s the footprints of ancient men, women, children and all kinds of animals – including a few extinct ones!
Prawle Point, Devon
Distance: 4.8km
Time: 1hr 30mins
The absolute tranquility of this walk is its selling point. Prawle Point originates from the old English phrase for lookout hill, and it’s not hard to see why. The whole area is an abundance of lush greenery, from wildflowers to rarer plants that are harder to spot year-round anywhere else!
The rich in history of the area is another interesting facet – you might even see a ship wreck or two if you keep your eyes peeled after the tide goes out!
Have we missed one out?
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