Country Living - 12 of the best coastal walks in the UK for 2021

Posted on 10 May, 2021

Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

Written by Anya Meyerowitz and Edited by Roshina Jowaheer

We may often fall short when it comes to weather, but few countries can rival the UK when it comes to coastal scenery. From the soaring cliffs of Cornwall to stunning Scottish bays, the UK coastline is nothing short of enchanting, and the best way to explore it? By foot, of course, on one of the best coastal walks in the UK.

If you've found yourself Googling 'coastal walks near me', you've come to the right place as we've rounded up the best beachside rambles, from Kent to Pembrokeshire.

While staycations are off the table at the moment, when the government gives us the green light, we'll be ready to head for the seaside and spend a few days exploring our surroundings on long, leisurely coastal walks.

Britain's best coastal walks offer bracing sea breeze, the rhythmic melody of waves crashing against the rocks and the opportunity to spot soaring seabirds. Whether you're trundling up golden sands, hiking upwards in search of clifftop views, or taking your time to immerse yourself in the wildlife and fascinating historical stories along the route, there's a coastal trail for everyone.

Maybe you want to travel further afield or are constantly asking your fellow walking enthusiasts, "what are the best coastal walks near me?". Well, we've curated a collection of the most scenic coastal walks in the UK that will have your heart soaring and your lungs expanding.

From the infamous white chalk stacks that make up Dorset's Old Harry Rocks - thought to be named after a local notorious pirate, Harry Paye - to the volcanic soils that allow rare plants to thrive on the remote Isle of Mull, we're pretty certain you'll be impressed by these coastal walks - whether you fancy a scenic meander or a more advanced route.

And, after all that fresh sea air, you'll need somewhere to lay your head at night, so we've picked out the perfect properties to pair with these terrific UK coastal walks.

Covid-19: As with all holidays in the UK, you should check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales before travelling.

White Cliffs of Dover, Kent

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The White Cliffs of Dover have been immortalised within poetry, song lyrics and novels, making them worthy of a spot within the best coastal walks in the UK shortlist. Part of the North Downs formation, this region of English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France, boasts cliff faces reaching heights of 350 feet. Their striking appearance is thanks to a blend of chalk highlighted with black flint.

You'll likely pass grazing ponies en-route - there to protect the chalk grassland - as well as spotting a wide range of sea birds.

Where to stay: It's easy to forget just how close to home you are when relaxing on the timber terrace of Rocksalt on a sunny day, brightly-coloured fishing boats peppering the horizon around you.

The contemporary restaurant here offers seasonal menus dedicated to local produce, a sophisticated bar serves food virtually all-day and four charming bedrooms.

Read our hotel review of the Rocksalt Rooms here

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Blakeney, Norfolk

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Blakeney is a coastal village and civil parish in Norfolk and the North Norfolk Coastal Path travels along its quayside. Here, you'll be able to spot seals at Blakeney Point, as well as a wide expanse of salt marsh and brilliant birdlife.

The North Norfolk coast is a great place for blustery walks. We particularly recommend following the route which takes you through the lesser-known stretch of the Blakeney National Nature Reserve.

Where to stay: The Victoria Inn is ideally situated just a few minutes’ walk from the golden sands of Holkham's beach and at the gates of the impressive Holkham Hall.

It's the perfect base for discovering the county’s windswept coastline, seaside towns and villages and boasts a welcoming, family feel.

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Whitehaven, Cumbria

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The coastline around Whitehaven is some of Cumbria's best, and the town itself is fascinating too. Inspired by Sir Christopher Wren's reconstruction plans for London after it was ravaged by the Great Fire in 1666, it's the perfect place to grab a hot drink and warm up after a windy coastal walk.

A particularly exhilarating coastal walk takes you on a route between Whitehaven and St Bees, both of which are steeped in history and abundant in wildlife - keep your eyes peeled for Black guillemots, puffins and terns along this stretch of coast.

Where to stay: Situated in 400 acres of deer park and woodland, and just under 30-minutes from Whitehaven, the prestigious Armathwaite Hall Hotel features a spa with an infinity pool and a modern gym.

The AA-Rosette restaurant has lake views and the spa features a hydrotherapy pool, a sauna and a steam room. There is a large outdoor hot tub and a holistic beauty salon with treatment rooms, too.

Read our hotel review of Armathwaite Hall Hotel here

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Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

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No roundup of the best coastal walks in the UK could be complete with mentioning Old Harry Rocks, the infamous white chalk stacks thought to be named after a local notorious pirate, Harry Paye.

This cliff-top walk is one of the best ways to take in the Jurassic Coast and those who visit in spring and summer can expect to see distinctive, and rare, pink pyramidal orchids.

Where to stay: Stunning sea views are on offer at the cliff-top Pines Hotel overlooking Swanage Bay, at the end of the 95-mile stretch of Jurassic Coast. With private steps down to the beach, The Pines will set you up with a hearty breakfast and easy access to begin your walk.

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Formby Point, Merseyside

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When we think of the best coastal walks in the UK, we probably think of places like Devon and Dorset, but Formby Point in Merseyside is a spectacular expanse of beach, sand dunes and pines on the edge of a metropolis.

Many National Trust coasts are remote, but Formby is within easy reach of Liverpool, making up part of the Liverpool Bay area.

Where to stay: Overlooking the Mersey Estuary, the Royal Hotel is a five-minute walk to Waterloo Merseyside Train Station. In front of The Royal Hotel is 'Another Place', an Antony Gormley art installation, which consists of 100 life-size iron men.

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St. Lawrence, Isle of Wight

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Over half of the island is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which makes the 67-mile path a delight high above the Solent one of the prettiest coastal walks in the UK. It is less than two miles along the top cliff from St. Lawrence to Niton.

There is only one stiff climb, one stile and, except immediately after heavy rain, very little mud. A relatively easy walk and exhilarating at all times of the year, this coastal walk has the bonus of gorgeous sunsets over the English Channel.

Where to stay: In four acres of landscaped cliff-top gardens, Luccombe Manor Hotel is just five minutes from Shanklin Old Village and benefits from direct access to the sandy Shanklin Hope Beach via the Appleby Cliff Steps.

You can enjoy a number of on-site facilities while here, including an outdoor hot tub and heated spa pool.

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Stackpole, Pembrokeshire

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From ancient Cambrian limestone wrapping around blue sea, to grasslands covered in thrift and lakes in waterlilies, this walk takes in a diverse range of landscapes. Alongside the dramatic views, walkers may see gannets nesting and feeding off the coast, and the lucky explorers among us may even spot chough, too.

Where to stay: Situated in Pembroke, within 750 yards of Freshwater East and 4.3 miles of Pembroke Castle, Portclew House is an ideal place to stay come rain or shine.

In the summer you can enjoy a well-deserved sundowner on the terrace while in the colder months, the sumptuous dining room boasts a roaring fire.

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Burg, Isle of Mull

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Though it's not the easiest coastal path to navigate, those who embrace it will reap the rewards of breathtaking views across Staffa and the Teshnish Isles. The Isle of Mull is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides and sits off the west coast of Scotland.

This fascinating part of the country is home to 200-million-year-old fossils, an Iron Age farm, and boasts volcanic soils that see rare plants thrive here, and provide grazing lands for red deer and wild goats.

Where to stay: How about a real Scottish castle? Situated on the Northern tip of Mull near Tobermory, Glengorm Castle overlooks the Atlantic and has views over 60 miles out to the Hebrides.

The castle was built in 1860 and is set in dramatic scenery on the headland of a vast area of coastline, forestry, lochs and hills. While here, you can enjoy billiards on site, or fishing in the surroundings.

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Runkerry Point, County Antrim

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If it's dramatic clifftop views you're after, then the coastal walk around Runkerry Point won't disappoint. Intrepid walkers can gaze out across the famous stepped stones of Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Legend has it that these are the remains of a bridge built across the Northern Channel by Finn MacCool, an Irish giant, so that he could fight Benandonner, his Scottish counterpart.

Where to stay: Within 10 minutes’ walk of the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site, the Ballylinny Holiday Cottages offer beautiful country views.

There is also a tennis court and a children’s playground on site and the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world, is just a five-minute drive away.

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Church Bay, Anglesey

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Anglesey's low, flat landscape abounds with green fields, but it's the 125 miles of coastline that draws keen walkers here year-after-year. Though the low shoreline of dunes and fields in the south are well worth exploring, it's the pebble coves and sandy bays along the north and east coasts that form the basis for the most popular walk from Church Bay to Moelfre.

Highlights include views of Holy Island, sea stacks and caves, the Cemlyn nature reserve and Point Lynas lighthouse.

Where to stay: With a rating of 9.9 on Booking.com, The Anchorage is set on the beachfront in Amlwch and offers a cosy, welcoming stay.

The beachfront location makes the hotel the perfect location from which to catch a glimpse of the rare sea birds, wild flowers and butterflies, all of which abound along the coast.

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Sandwood Bay, Sutherland

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Sandalwood Bay Beach offers walkers almost two miles of spotless white sand, backed by rolling dunes and a moody loch flanked by rocky headlands. In short, it's a breathtaking coastal path.

It is within sight of Cape Wrath, near the north-western most tip of the Scottish mainland, and to reach Sandwood's pristine sands you have to walk almost five miles along a rough moorland track.

Where to stay: B&B Philosophy is worth the visit and not just for the eggs at breakfast, collected fresh from the free range hens at the property each morning.

Surrounded by rolling hills, the family-run property is within striking distance of a variety of coastal walks in the area.

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Porthcurno, Cornwall

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Though the path from Porthcurno to St Ives is certainly not the only coastal walk in Cornwall, it's certainly one of the most raved about. And it's not hard to say why as you wind your way along the soaring cliffs, sandy bays and long-abandoned tin mines - now home to wild plantlife that's perched on the cliff edge here.

Early in the walk, you'll pass the Minack Theatre, an open-air amphitheatre fashioned out of the cliffs in the 1930s; the small but perfectly formed sandy cove of Porth Chapel; and Porthgwarra, a minute fishing village.

Where to stay: Located in Hayle in Cornwall, 3.1 miles from St Ives, The Old Quay House Hotel boasts panoramic views across the Hayle Tidal Estuary Nature Reserve.

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To read the original article, please visit: www.countryliving.com/uk/travel-ideas/staycation-uk/g34835676/coastal-walks/

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