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Royal coastal route extended across East Sussex

Explore Kent & East Sussex County Council A group of walkers are gathered, some standing, some sat on a wooden bench, high above the sea from Hastings to Fairlight Cove. A small black dog sits next to one of the walkers sat on the bench.Explore Kent & East Sussex County Council
The King Charles III England Coast Path aims to stay as close to the sea as possible

Another 28 miles (45km) of the King Charles III England Coast Path have opened in East Sussex.

Bookended by Eastbourne and Rye Harbour, the new section forms part of what will be the world's longest managed trail when all 2,700 miles (4,345km) are joined up.

Natural England has worked with East Sussex County Council, Wealden and Rother District Councils, Ramblers and Sussex Wildlife Trust to develop the new part of the trail.

Sarah Davies, Natural England's principal officer for Sussex and Kent, said: "The East Sussex shoreline provides a fantastic opportunity for people to connect with nature, witnessing habitats of national and international renown."

Explore Kent & East Sussex County Council A view of the route to Eastbourne from Beachy Head, showing the coastline stretching around the grey-blue sea, with a white Ferris Wheel and a white pier and groups of buildings of different heightsExplore Kent & East Sussex County Council
The route offers spectacular views

What's on the route?

Starting at Eastbourne Pier, the route then follows Normans Bay and Cooden Beach towards Bexhill Promenade and the Grade I-listed De La Warr Pavilion and on to Hastings.

Continuing along the coast, the path joins Hastings Country Park before turning inland towards Fairlight and Winchelsea, then Rye Harbour.

Throughout the route, the many Martello Tower forts that have dotted England's coastline since the Napoleonic Wars can be seen.

David Pearce Natural England Martello Tower, a round brown stone building, surrounded by a few boulders and grasses, stands in front of and above the seaDavid Pearce Natural England
Martello Tower forts have dotted England's coastline since the Napoleonic Wars and now form part of the route
Barry Yates The view from Gooders Hide at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Gentle sunrays reach down to the water on the nature reserve, with patches of grasses in the water as flocks of birds fly overheadBarry Yates
Maps and advice on route planning can be found on the National Trails website

The route between Eastbourne and Rye Harbour means completed sections of the Coast Path across the South East make up a near 240-mile (386km) course from Chichester to Brighton and Hove, beyond Eastbourne and Rye Harbour, to the Medway Towns, and on to Woolwich in south-east London.

The King Charles III England Coast Path aims to stay as close to the sea as possible.

Andy Le Gresley, team manager for rights of way and countryside at East Sussex County Council, said: "It's great news for walkers and visitors that this latest section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has opened.

"This new stretch of National Trail, running along the scenic East Sussex coast, links a wide variety of famed local attractions as well as several unique natural habitats."

The National Trails website includes maps and advice on route planning.

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