walking

The King Charles III England Coast Path

When it is completed, the King Charles III England Coast Path will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world. The 2,700 mile coast path (4,500km) will encircle the entire English coastline, taking in beaches, clifftops, cities, nature reserves and harbours through a range of unique landscapes and natural environments, with all the history and culture they have to offer. Sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path are already open, and further sections around the country such as in Lincolnshire will complete in the next few months.

Lincolnshire's coastline, what’s it like?

The biggest of skies and the widest of beaches. A long sweeping coastline backed by coastal marshes and the unspoilt rolling hills of the Wolds. The Lincolnshire coast is not as well-known as it should be. For example Gibraltar Point, a nature reserve of international significance for its migrating birds, sits on the very edge of the hustle and bustle of the busy Skegness resort. Resorts like Skegness and Cleethorpes are very popular and attract large numbers of visitors, but much of the coastline consists of vast unspoilt sandy beaches and nature reserves that are little visited.

The Greater Lincolnshire coastline forms part of the North East section of the KCIIIECP. When completed the total stretch of the KCIIIECP in Greater Lincolnshire will be 200km/124 miles. It will run from the Humber Bridge in the north to Cross Keys Bridge in the south.

Perfect for nature lovers the Lincolnshire coastline is located on the East Atlantic Migration Flyway and is one of the premier birdwatching areas in the UK. Huge whirling flocks of waders in the autumn, skeins of brent and pink footed geese in the winter and reed beds that are home to bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers and an assortment of migrating birds.

Ancient churches like the little thatched church at Markby to the landmark Boston Stump in that fascinating medieval market town. There are spectacular new buildings too such as the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point.

sections now open

Sutton Bridge To Skegness

This is a quiet and remote walk which is largely dominated by sea embankments, with salt marsh towards the sea and flat farmland landward which is all reclaimed from the sea. From Sutton Bridge the coastal path heads along the River Nene towards the shores of the Wash once more. Along the way, you’ll pass two lighthouses – with the Guy’s Head lighthouse on this shore (and the Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse on the east shore). You'll explore parts of Boston and pass scenic views of Freiston Shore.

Sutton Bridge Lighthouse

Skegness to Mablethorpe

The first stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path completed in Lincolnshire is the 16 miles (26 km) between the two traditional seaside resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe. This section of path sits mostly along the sea defences, with the occasional section on the beach, it runs from Skegness Pier to Mablethorpe North End Car Park.

coming soon...

An additional walking route between Mablethorpe and the Humber Bridge are expected to follow to complete the Lincolnshire stretch of the King Charles III England Coastal Path. 

who developed the Coastal Path?

The delivery of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) is being led by Natural England. The path is being opened in sections building on some of the best existing coastal paths and developing new ones, and will eventually link to coastal trails in Wales and Scotland.

Once complete in Greater Lincolnshire it will be managed by a partnership led by Lincolnshire County Council, and a National Trail Officer ‘on the ground’.

You can find out more about the wider trail and access rights on the National Trails website. 

Details of the stretches that are opened, approved, under establishment works can be found at www.gov.uk

Highlights & Information

Humber Bridge to Mablethorpe

Humber Bridge

Visible as a landmark for miles round, the Humber Bridge is Grade I listed, recognised for its  architectural significance. Completed in 1981 this 2.22km (1.38m) single span road suspension bridge crosses the Humber Estuary with four lanes of traffic and has pedestrian and cycle paths on either side.

Water’s Edge Country Park

Water’s Edge Country Park and the adjacent Far Ings Nature Reserve both have the mighty Humber Bridge as a backdrop. Far Ings is good for spotting bittern and marsh harriers. Water’s Edge has woodlands, wildflower meadows, ponds and a visitor centre.

Far Ings

Far Ings Nature Reserve

Water’s Edge Country Park and the adjacent Far Ings Nature Reserve both have the mighty Humber Bridge as a backdrop. Far Ings is good for spotting bittern and marsh harriers. Water’s Edge has woodlands, wildflower meadows, ponds and a visitor centre.

Barton Upon Humber

Barton Upon Humber is an historic market town at the southern end of the Humber Bridge. It has two medieval churches, St Peter’s and St Mary’s located just 170 yards apart. Anglo Saxon St Peter’s is the older of the two.

Grimsby

The Grimsby Dock Tower (1852) at the entrance to the docks was based on a tower in Siena, Italy, its intricate design conceals a gigantic water tank. It provided the water pressure to power the machinery of the docks.  Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre is an award winning attraction with original trawler interiors which takes you back to the 1950’s heyday of this famous fishing port.

Cleethorpes

Cleethorpes was developed as a Victorian coastal resort, today Cleethorpes Pier houses the ‘world’s biggest fish and chips restaurant’. The seafront at Cleethorpes includes a Ramsar site and Special Protection Area for migratory birds, making it a very accessible area for birdwatching.

Humberston Fitties Beach, North East Lincolnshire

The Greenwich Meridian

The Greenwich Meridian passes through Humberston, where the Fitties can also be found. The Humberston Fitties were developed during the 1920’s after the First World War, when the area was divided into plots which were characterised by haphazard development. Buildings were constructed using inexpensive materials resulting in some very individualistic structures. The Fitties holiday chalets are now a conservation area.

Donna Nook

The reserve at Donna Nook has a thriving colony of grey seals who in the winter months come on land to give birth. Over 2000 pups were born in 2023.

Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve

Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve has now become two thirds larger than the original reserve and one of the largest in England. It has always been noted for its wild flowers – orchids, sea lavender, thrift and sea buckthorn, but also migrant birds and the rare natterjack toad.

nearby

Louth

Louth is known as the Capital of the Wolds. It’s a delightful market town with lots of independent shops, places to eat and stay. At its centre is the spectacular St James with its magnificent steeple, the second tallest in England, with its own nesting peregrines. On the edge of town is Hubbards Hills, a pretty steep sided river valley that is good for birding.