By Neil Constable, Programme Manager, King Charles III England Coast Path Team
This blog post is a personal reflection by Neil on the official launch of the trail at Seven Sisters in Sussex on 19 March. Neil describes his 16-year involvement in developing the route, which now spans over 2,000 miles and will become the world's longest managed coastal walking route. He recounts meeting King Charles III at the event, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, and the significance of the trail in providing public access to England's coastline.
I have worked on the King Charles III England Coast Path, or the England Coast Path as it was called back then, since 2010. I was initially involved in establishing the first 20 mile stretch of this remarkable new National Trail in Weymouth Bay. Weymouth had been picked as one of a handful of coastal sections to improve the existing coast path and establish the wider coastal access rights, to enable people to view the 2012 Summer Olympic sailing events from the beaches and cliffs.
That was sixteen years ago and since becoming the project’s Programme Manager in 2013, I, and over 200 members of staff, have worked to establish over 2,000 miles of what will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world.
And so, on the 19th of March at Seven Sisters, I was privileged to share and celebrate the official launch of the trail with colleagues, partners and of course His Majesty, King Charles III.
Sussex by the Sea
The day started in Eastbourne with more than a degree of relief that (for once) the sun was shining and the weather for the day set fair. This Victorian seaside town really typifies a large part of what this project has been about – connecting the coastal villages, towns and cities around our country. Over 10 million people live in coastal communities around England, and the path is a fantastic way for people to get outdoors and enjoy their local stretch of coast, whether it be for the nature, history or simply the joy of being outdoors.
From Eastbourne, it’s a twenty minute drive to Seven Sisters, and I enjoyed taking in the expansive views of the South Downs National Park, before dropping back down again to the base of operations for the day, the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre in the Cuckmere valley.
Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven provide one of the UK’s most famous coastal locations, with the iconic view of the white cliffs appearing on postcards, guidebooks and numerous films including Atonement & Mr Holmes.
The stretch of the coast path that Seven Sisters sits on opened back in 2022 and though access to this area has been around far longer, the King Charles III England Coast Path feels particularly relevant to this section.
The fragile chalk cliffs, remnants of 80-million-year-old fossilised marine microorganisms, are particularly susceptible to erosion, with this area losing around 60cm of cliff per year. The coast path’s unique ability to rollback therefore ensures a right of access in places such as Seven Sisters, and other dynamic coastal areas, for generations to come.
Meeting King Charles III
It was at this point that I met with the other members of my group for the day. Together we would meet with His Majesty to discuss the launch of the coast path named in his honour.
I was joined by senior leaders in Natural England, members of the King Charles III England Coast Path team and former colleagues and partners who were instrumental in the creation of the path.
Then came the moment itself: a conversation with the King about the trail, how much is complete and even cold-water swimming.
Later His Majesty walked a section of the path meeting with colleagues who have led the work to establish the trail in the South East, Jenny Bowen and Laura Whitfield. The walk culminated in the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the moment and officially launch the nation’s longest national trail.
Reflections
As I travelled back to Devon that evening, I reflected that getting to this point had represented a third of my working life. Worth it? Absolutely; the best thing I’ll ever get to do.
The King Charles III England Coast Path is there to be enjoyed by everyone. Of course, it’s not just about the path but also establishing a right of access on foot between the trail and the sea – in effect establishing for the first time the rights to be on a cliff top, a beach, the foreshore, known as the Coastal Margin.
For the first time people will have the right to access the beauty and variety of most of our nation’s coastline. All in all, a day to remember.
For more information on King Charles III England Coast Path, please visit the Trail’s National Trail Page
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