The King Charles III England Coast Path: Where to stay along England's epic new coastal trail

In March 2026, HRH King Charles III climbed the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters in East Sussex to officially cut the ribbon on his new namesake coastal trail, a project more than a decade in the making. When fully complete (there’s no set date yet), the route will string stretches of the UK’s most beautiful corners in around 2,700 miles of coastline, making it the longest managed coastal path in the world.

As of right now, more than 2,200 miles are open, with happy walkers already stomping about. In reality, that’s too much mileage to take on in one day – few walkers are likely to tackle the route end to end. So we’ve broken the route down into a few sections and called out the places to stay – from tracing Northumberland's castle-studded coastline before a session in the spa, walking across a wind-whipped stretch of Cornwall before a quiet sleep in a small fishing village or doing a spot of shopping near a groovy overnighter in Kent. These are the best places to stay on the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Where to stay along the King Charles III England Coast Path

East Sussex and Kent

The stretch closest to those setting off from London – chalky cliffs, beautiful rolling hills and squint-and-you’ll-just-see views over to France (in some areas, phones might even pick up a French signal). From the Seven Sisters and red-and-white striped Beachy Head to the White Cliffs of Dover, this is perhaps the most quintessentially English part of the coastline (and a spot that’s been seen on screen plenty).

Where to stay in Camber Sands
The Gallivant is a short hop from the path. It's a relaxed beach hotel (with a certain beach club feel) and it remains one of the smartest places to stay on the Sussex coast. Get lost in the beachy dunes of Camber Sands – then return for briny oysters, a glass of Kent wine and a very quiet sleep. For more local hotel recommendations, visit our guide to the best hotels in Rye.

Where to stay in Margate
Margate's creative edge keeps sharpening. The groovy seaside town has produced no shortage of cool places to bed down (and eat), but Fort Road Hotel, the Turner Contemporary-facing place to stay, is one of the strongest (plus there is a founder of Frieze art fair connection, and some serious art on the walls).

Where to stay in Deal
A street back from the promenade, The Rose is a colour-pop Georgian townhouse feels refreshingly down-to-earth. There are only a handful of bright rooms to snag, so planning ahead is wise. Deal's antiques and independent shops along High Street make it a charming stop for stocking up on bits to bring home. For more hotel recommendations, visit our guide to the best hotels in Kent.

Norfolk and Suffolk

The coastline starts to turn a little wilder, and wider, as the path heads east where reedbeds replace cliffs, salt marshes meet vast beaches, and fishing villages swap with bird reserves and broad skies. It can be a little tougher to access by public transport, so spending a bit of extra time on either side might be a help. For more hotel recommendations, visit our guide to the best hotels in Norfolk.

Where to stay in Langham
A short drive inland from the North Norfolk coast, The Harper – a polished conversion of a former glass-blowing factory – is a comfortable base for walkers looking to check out Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney and Holkham. A taxi is needed to get to and from the coast.

Where to stay in Southwold
The Suffolk is a little restaurant-with-rooms overlooking Southwold's famous pier and beach huts, with a very good whole grilled fish on the menu. The path passes practically outside the front door.

Where to stay in Thorpe Market
Art fans adore spending a night at The Gunton Arms – a smart pub with rooms whose art collection rivals some of the world’s best museums. From Tracey Emin, Lucien Freud, Damien Hirst, Paula Rego, Gilbert and George and many more.

Cornwall and South Devon

The cliffs and blue beaches are a visual draw, of course, but there’s also a strong restaurant scene, a buzzing artists and makers movement, charming old fishing traditions (sea shanties included) and pockets of folklore that feel moody and mystical.

Where to stay in Devon
Hope Cove House is a cheerful, 10-room hotel in one of South Devon's prettiest villages (and only 10 minutes from smart Salcombe). Several beautiful patches of the South West Coast Path are nearby, making this one of the easiest walk-and-stay combinations. For more recommendations, look to our guide to the best hotels in Devon.

Where to stay in St Mawes
Hotel Tresanton, Olga Polizzi's long-standing Cornish classic still feels as stylish as when it opened its doors in 1998. Quite literally just above the water in St Mawes, it’s close enough for walking the Roseland Peninsula and some of Cornwall's less heart-pumping coastal walking. For more local recommendations, visit our guide to the best hotels in Cornwall.

Where to stay in Dorset
Overlooking Chesil Beach and the craggy Jurassic Coast, this former coaching inn, The Seaside Boarding House, has become one of the south coast's most dependable (and delicious) addresses. Bedrooms look out to sea, and the walking begins almost immediately outside, just set off after squeezing in a proper lunch. For more recommendations, look to our guide to the best hotels in Dorset.

Yorkshire and Northumberland

God’s own country, where big skies draw eyes from sea to star. Expect ruined abbeys, almost-empty beaches, fishing villages and castles peeking out at the North Sea. It also remains one of the quieter stretches of the whole country, with long walks between villages and most certainly fewer crowds than Cornwall. For more recommendations, visit our guide to the best hotels in Yorkshire.

Where to stay in Whitby
One of the most exciting recent hotel openings on the Yorkshire coast over the past few years, Saltmoore mixes North Sea access with smart interiors, good food and a serious wellness space. Fish and chips in Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay are not far either.

Where to stay in Alnwick
Set within a former convent in the centre of Alnwick, The Cookie Jar is sweet hotel is a short drive from some of the most spectacular sections of the path, including Bamburgh Castle and the beaches around Holy Island. Pop into Barter Books – a packed-to-the-brim bookshop inside a former Victorian train station – for some reading while you sit for a break from the walking.