Outdoors · Walking
Coastal walks in the UK: 12 of the best, with pubs at the end
The UK has 11,000 miles of coastline and a national footpath that follows almost all of it. You don't need to do the whole thing — pick a 4-mile section with a pub at each end, take your time, and you've got the best day out the country can offer for free. This guide is a sample of the best coastal walks across the four nations, sorted by distance and ability.
Short and gentle (under 5 miles)
Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove (Dorset, 2 miles): the single most photographed bit of coast in England, with a cream tea at each end. Bamburgh to Seahouses (Northumberland, 3 miles): castle, beach, kippers. Mwnt to Aberporth (Ceredigion, 3 miles): seal spotting from the cliffs. Cushendun to Cushendall (Antrim, 4 miles): basalt sea caves and a brilliant pub at the finish.
Durdle Door, Dorset
2 miles, easy, World Heritage coastline.
Bamburgh, Northumberland
3 miles, beach the whole way, castle as a backdrop.
Mwnt, Ceredigion
3 miles, dolphins and seals from the clifftop.
Cushendun, Antrim
4 miles, sea caves, Game of Thrones country.
Half-day classics (5–10 miles)
St Ives to Zennor (Cornwall, 6 miles): the wildest stretch of the SW Coast Path, with the Tinners Arms at the finish. Solva to St Davids (Pembrokeshire, 7 miles): cliff-top walking past harbour villages. Loch Coruisk circular (Skye, 8 miles): the boat-in-walk-out classic. Whitley Bay to Tynemouth (North East, 6 miles): suburban-coastal hybrid with the best fish and chips finish on the island.
Big days out (10+ miles)
The Seven Sisters (Sussex, 14 miles end-to-end): chalk cliffs, no shade, take more water than you think. Sandwood Bay (Sutherland, 8 miles return on rough track): the most remote beach in mainland Britain. Land's End to Sennen Cove (Cornwall, 12 miles): the most iconic chunk of the SW Coast Path.
Planning a coastal walk that works
Check tide times before any walk that crosses a beach or causeway — Holy Island, St Michael's Mount, Cramond, the Worm's Head at Rhossili all cut off twice a day. Park one car at each end if you can, or use the Coastliner buses that run along most major coastal paths. And book lunch — every good coastal pub is rammed by 1pm on a sunny weekend.
Frequently asked
What's the best coastal walk in the UK for beginners?+
Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove (Dorset, 2 miles) and Bamburgh to Seahouses (Northumberland, 3 miles) are both short, flat-ish, and have a pub or café at each end.
Is the South West Coast Path doable in sections?+
Yes — almost every walker does it that way. Most sections are 4–10 miles, and the South West Coast Path Association publishes free section guides with bus links.
Can I take a dog on UK coastal walks?+
Almost always yes, on lead in nesting season and around livestock. See our dog-friendly days out guide for beaches that allow dogs year-round.
What's the most beautiful coastal walk in the UK?+
Subjective, but consistent answers are Pembrokeshire's Stackpole to Barafundle Bay, the Antrim Coast (Giant's Causeway to White Park Bay), and the Outer Hebrides' machair walks on Harris.
Do I need walking boots?+
Trainers are fine for most short coastal walks in summer. For anything over 6 miles, on cliffs, or after rain, proper walking boots and a waterproof jacket are worth it.
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