Chalk cliffs, tidal shores, and a steady walk along England’s Channel coast
The England Coast Path (South East sections) is a long-distance self-guided walking route following the shoreline of Sussex and Kent, linking coastal routes, landscapes, and places between Shoreham-by-Sea, Eastbourne, Rye, Folkestone, Dover, Deal, and the Isle of Thanet. As part of England’s National Trail network, it traces the edge of the English Channel through cliffs, beaches, estuaries, and working harbours, creating a continuous path along one of the country’s most varied coastlines.
Walking here is defined by openness and continuity. Much of the route stays close to the sea on promenades, cliff paths, and shoreline tracks, with generally easy terrain and steady gradients. Progress feels unhurried, shaped more by tide, wind, and distance than by elevation or technical ground.
The character of the coast shifts gradually along the way. In Sussex, the path rises onto chalk headlands and sweeping downland cliffs around the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, where wide views stretch out across the Channel. Further east, the landscape softens into shingle beaches, estuaries, and nature reserves near Rye Harbour, before becoming more urban and historic around Folkestone, Dover, and Deal.
In Kent, the White Cliffs return, creating some of the most recognisable coastal scenery in England. Old ports, small harbours, and seaside towns sit naturally along the shore, connected by paths that often feel quieter than the roads above. Saltmarsh, mudflats, and tidal inlets attract birdlife and create long stretches where the dominant sounds are wind and water.
Unlike inland or upland trails, the appeal of the England Coast Path lies in its rhythm. It is a route shaped by the meeting of land and sea — a continuous coastal journey where settlements, history, and open shoreline unfold gradually, one headland at a time.
Trail Overview
Distance
Approx. 300+ miles / 480+ km across the South East (walkable in sections)
Typical time on foot
20–25 days for the full South East stretch, though commonly walked in shorter stages
Start
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Finish
Isle of Thanet / Thames Estuary, Kent
Terrain
Clifftop paths, promenades, beach sections, estuary tracks, farmland, and seaside towns
