Best coastal walks in the UK
Walking on Britain’s beautiful coast truly is a treat for the senses. There’s nothing like the feel of bracing sea breeze, the sound of crashing waves and the sight of seabirds wheeling in the sky above you. The seaside often brings back childhood memories and is a place where we can make new memories with our loved ones. A walk by the sea is special in all manner of ways.
We’re blessed in Britain to have a coastline that’s open to exploration by each and every one of us. There’s so much to discover on coastal walks in the UK - golden sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages clifftop vistas, dazzling wildlife and historical intrigue. In fact, there’s so much to choose from that we’ve compiled the best coastal walks in the UK below to help you get a grip on what’s on offer. All these routes are within a short drive of our Haven holiday parks, so no matter where you choose for your walking holiday, we’ll have high-quality accommodation ready for you.
Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
Not far from two of our excellent holiday parks - Blue Dolphin and Reighton Sands - Flamborough Head is a scenic promontory on the Yorkshire coast of England. Skirted by dramatic white cliffs (the only chalk cliffs in the north of the UK) that are a haven for seabirds including Atlantic puffins, kittiwakes and gannets, the area makes for a scenic walk with several different routes to try.
The most popular route starts at Danes Dyke and follows part of the Headland Way, a 20-mile long-distance path running from Bridlington to Filey. The walk takes in Flamborough village, the lighthouse and the coastal path between North and South Landing for outstanding views.
Whitehaven to St Bees, Cumbria
Cumbria isn’t only about hills, lakes and valleys, it is also home to a long and diverse coastline. This newly opened stretch of coastal path is 6.5 miles long and while it might be challenging, it is packed with historic heritage. Starting with the charming Whitehaven Marina, there is the ‘Candlestick’- Wellington Pit’s soaring chimney, abandoned mines and quarries, a 12th-century priory and a top-secret World War Two radar station to be seen.
There are many ups-and-downs along Cumbria’s wild coast and the path climbs steeply to St Bees Head Heritage Coast, so make sure to take it slowly and stop by the quiet bays at Saltom, Barrowmouth and Flenswick. When you eventually arrive at St Bees reward yourself with a drink or two at the lovely Oddfellows Arms before catching the train back to Whitehaven.
Ayr to Dunure, Ayrshire
History lovers will go wild for this walk that takes in two castles- Greenan Castle on the way along and Dunure Castle at the end. These two ruined castles are an impressive sight, especially with the crashing sea as a backdrop, a view that stirs up a real sense of emotion.
This might be one for experienced walkers as conditions can get a little difficult, but there’s plenty to reward your efforts - tiny harbours, rugged beaches, and clifftop viewpoints in abundance.
Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle Circular, Northumberland
Cut off from the British mainland, Holy Island (Lindisfarne) in Northumberland is a scenic and mysterious tidal island lying just off the coast. This enigmatic island off Northumberland’s coast becomes inaccessible when the tide washes over its causeway twice a day, so make sure to check safe crossing times for the Holy Island Causeway.
The circular route makes an anti-clockwise circuit of Holy Island, including all the highlights such as Lindisfarne Castle and some wild coastal walking. Our historic Haggerston Castle park is just across the causeway on the mainland, making this walk an ideal day out when you stay here.
Weymouth to Lulworth Cove, Dorset
This 13-mile walk encompasses many different terrains and even a short ferry trip. This walk, starting at Ferry Bridge, will take you to Weymouth Pavilion on the rowing boat ferry, along Weymouth’s seafront promenade, then over spectacular cliffs and past secluded beaches towards the wonderful Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
There are some pretty steep ascents on the way but coastal walks in west Dorset don’t get better than this!
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Stackpole & Barafundle Bay Circular, Pembrokeshire
One of the best coastal walks in the UK, this six-mile section of South Wales’ coastal path meanders over magnificent headlands with views down past rugged cliffs to the turbulent ocean below. Along the way you will visit a tiny harbour, a dramatic blue pool, Stackpole Estate and its famous Lily Ponds, before finishing up at the excellent Barafundle beach with magnificent cliffs rising either side.
The walk is mainly flat barring a couple of very short climbs to ascend the cliffs, and at the end you can enjoy a swim before recovering with a drink at the charming St. Govan’s Country Inn. Our Pembrokeshire parks at Kiln Park, Lydstep Beach and Penally Court are just a short drive away, making this walk a perfect addition to a Haven holiday in South Wales.
Doniford to East Quantoxhead Circular, Somerset
This 9-mile stretch of the coast path from Doniford to East Quantoxhead is for keen walkers. It has everything from quintessential English villages to historic churches and pretty wildflower meadows. You will also discover geological marvels such as limestone pavements and red rock formations as well as amazing coastal views.
We recommend this walk for families, and nature lovers staying at our nearby Doniford Bay Holiday Park.
Perranporth to St Agnes
This is a dramatic five-mile walk beginning at Perranporth near our excellent Cornish holiday park, Perran Sands. Walk along the ore-bearing cliffs between Perranporth and St Agnes passing the remains of Nobel's dynamite works, Britain's best-preserved spitfire base and a traditional tin producer that remains active at Blue Hills.
The one-way walk can be made circular via a return bus journey unless you fancy returning via the same route you came.
Six Harbour Villages, Chichester, West Sussex
This is a 10-mile circular walk starting from the car park at Fishbourne Parish Church that goes to Bosham, taking in some of the finest scenery south coast scenery on the way. Cross the channel by ferry to ltchenor and then along to Birdham, Dell Quay and Apuldram, ending up back in Fishbourne.
This walk can be completed any time that the ferry is running (usually daily during the summer months, from Easter to the end of September). Don’t forget that our holiday park at Church Farm is just a stone’s throw away, so base yourself there and enjoy!
Skegness to Mablethorpe Coastal Walk, Lincolnshire
The 16-mile stretch of coastal path from Skegness to Mablethorpe was made open to the public in February 2019. The route encompasses the bustling town of Skegness, rolling sand dunes, clay pits and beaches, in addition the world’s first official cloud watching area at the Anderby Creek Cloud Bar.
This new trail is a gift for walking enthusiasts and instantly became one of the best coastal walks in the UK, so make sure you take full advantage of its opening by planning a day and basing yourself at our Golden Sands and Cleethorpes Beach holiday parks.
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset at Burnham-on-Sea
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset’ is available at Burnham-on-Sea. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
“Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Burnham-on-Sea only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Burnham-on-Sea with a monthly site fee of £750.00 (includes purchasing discount of £20) and monthly letting income of £606.00. The monthly difference equates to £124 which will be billed to the owner's account monthly. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £32,795
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 22 April 2024, price is available at Skegness only.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.