England Coast Path (South East Sections) Walking Holidays and Outdoor Adventures

White Cliffs, Seaside Towns, and Wildlife-Rich Shores

‍Where England’s most famous coastlines meet new walking horizons.

The England Coast Path — officially the King Charles III England Coast Path — is one of the most ambitious walking projects in the world. When complete, it will trace 2,700 miles (4,345 km) around the entire coast of England. In the South East region, the trail is being opened in stages, with long stretches already accessible along the Sussex and Kent coastline.

Walking holidays here combine chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, fishing harbours, and historic towns with wildlife-rich estuaries and sweeping sea views. From the Seven Sisters cliffs to the White Cliffs of Dover, this evolving National Trail captures the very best of England’s southern shoreline.

Trail Overview

• Distance (South East total when complete): ~308 miles / 496 km
• Current Open Sections:
  • Shoreham-by-Sea → Brighton → Eastbourne (via the Seven Sisters & Beachy Head)
  • Eastbourne → Rye Harbour (via Hastings)
  • Folkestone → Dover → Deal → Sandwich → Thanet
• Start Point (western South East): Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
• End Point (eastern South East): Thanet, Kent (linking onwards into the Thames Estuary)
• Time Required: The whole South East section will take around 20–25 days when complete, but shorter 2–5 day walking holidays are easy to arrange.
• Waymarking: Acorn symbol (National Trail)
• Terrain: Coastal cliffs, promenades, shingle beaches, farmland, estuary paths
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate — generally flat, with some cliff climbs and longer exposed stages

Explore the Route

Shoreham to Eastbourne
A stunning opening stretch linking seaside towns with the South Downs National Park. Highlights include Brighton’s lively seafront, the quiet villages of Rottingdean and Seaford, and the iconic chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.

Eastbourne to Rye Harbour
Passing through the fishing town of Hastings, this stage blends coastal walking with historic character. The route continues through nature reserves and shingle landscapes toward Rye Harbour, one of England’s most wildlife-rich estuaries.

Kent Coast: Folkestone to Thanet
Perhaps the most dramatic part of the South East coast, this section takes in the White Cliffs of Dover, the port town of Deal, the Roman history of Richborough near Sandwich, and the sweeping beaches of Thanet.

Stay and Explore

The South East section of the England Coast Path is lined with walkable seaside towns and villages. Popular hubs include Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye, Dover, Deal, and Broadstairs. Accommodation ranges from boutique seafront hotels and B&Bs to budget-friendly hostels and campsites.

Many walkers combine this trail with the South Downs Way or Saxon Shore Way, creating longer itineraries with both inland and coastal scenery. Luggage transfer services are increasingly available, especially along the Kent and Sussex coasts, making it easy to book a self-guided walking holiday.

Adventure Highlights

• The Seven Sisters cliffs and Beachy Head
• The White Cliffs of Dover and Channel views to France
• Seaside towns: Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Rye, Deal, Broadstairs
• Wildlife-rich estuaries: Rye Harbour & Pegwell Bay
• Historic sites: Hastings Old Town, Dover Castle, Richborough Roman Fort
• Easy public transport links along most of the coast