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.
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 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.
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.
King Charles III England Coast Path Lincolnshire sections
Anderby Creek To Marsh Yard & Huttoft Car Terrace Walk
Anderby Creek To Wolla Bank Walk
Aubourn & Bassingham Long Walk
Aubourn & Bassingham Short Walk
Bag Enderby In The Footsteps Of Tennyson Long Walk
Bag Enderby In The Footsteps Of Tennyson Short Walk
Beesby, Binbrook and North Ormsby Horse Ride
Binbrook Paths, Ponds & A Priory Walk
Boston River & Rail Short Walk
Chapel St Leonards (Inns On The Edge) Walk
Dunholme, Nettleham & Scothern Walk
East Thorganby, Beesby and East Ravendale Horse Ride
England Coast Path Skegness to Mablethorpe
England Coast Path Sutton Bridge to Skegness
Folkingham, Pickworth & Walcot Walk
Holbeach St Matthew & Moulton Marsh Long Horse Ride
Holbeach St Matthew & Moulton Marsh Short Horse Ride
Louth Navigation to the Fitties Long Walk
Louth Navigation to the Fitties Short Walk
Louth Two Churches & A Canal Via North Cockerington Walk
Louth Two Churches & A Canal Walk
Mumby To Hogsthorpe Walk One (Inns on the Edge)
Mumby To Hogsthorpe Walk Two (Inns on the Edge)
North Somercotes 500 Acres Walk
North Somercotes Mill Field Walk One
North Somercotes Mill Field Walk Two
North Somercotes Short Church Walk
Pointon, Sempringham & Birthorpe Walk
Ruskington One River Walk Long
Ruskington One River Walk Short
Ruskington Two Dorrington Walk
Ruskington Two Hurn Pastures Walk
Scothern, Dunholme & Nettleham Dunholme Walk
Scothern, Dunholme & Nettleham Nettleham Walk
Scothern, Dunholme & Nettleham Scothern Walk
Skegness & Burgh Le Marsh Walk
Skegness Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Walk
Spalding Leisure Wheel Walk Long
Spalding Leisure Wheel Walk Short
Stamford Four Counties Walk One
Stamford Four Counties Walk Two
Tattershall & Coningsby Walk Long
Tattershall & Coningsby Walk Short
To Legsby & Linwood Via Linwood Warren Market Rasen Walk
Two Churches and a Canal Long Walk
Two Churches and a Canal Short Walk
Two Sea Forts and a Canal – Canal to Blow Wells Walk
Viking Way 01 Barton On Humber To Barnetby Le Wold Walk
Viking Way 02 Barnetby Le Wold To Caistor Walk
Viking Way 03 Caistor To Tealby Walk
Viking Way 04 Tealby To Donington On Bain Walk
Viking Way 05 Donington On Bain To Horncastle Walk
Viking Way 06 Horncastle To Bardney Walk
Viking Way 07 Bardney To Lincoln Walk
Viking Way 08 Through Lincoln Walk
Viking Way 09 Lincoln To Wellingore Walk
Viking Way 10 Wellingore To Marston Walk
Viking Way 11 Marston To Woolsthorpe Walk
Viking Way 12 Woolsthorpe To Sewstern Walk
Viking Way 13 Sewstern To Oakham Walk
West Keal & Old Bolingbroke Walk Long
West Keal & Old Bolingbroke Walk Short
West Thorganby, West-East Ravendale and Wold Newton Horse Ride
Westgate Jenny’s Woods & Sir Joseph Banks Country Park Walk
Whisby Nature Park Coot Lake Walk
Whisby Nature Park Grebe Lake Walk