Autumn might just be the best season for walking by the sea. The beaches are quieter, the air has a proper chill to it and there’s usually a pub, café or fish and chip shop waiting at the end of the walk. Add in low autumn light, migrating birds and the occasional storm rolling in off the Atlantic and you’ve got plenty of reasons to swap the summer sun lounger for your walking boots.
We’ve picked some of the best coastal walks the UK has to offer – from the cliffs of Devon and Dorset to the wide beaches of Northumberland and the rugged coastline of Pembrokeshire. They’re not all long-distance hikes either. Some are perfect for a few hours out, followed by lunch somewhere warm.
East Soar to Bolt Head, Devon
The coastal walks Devon is best known for tend to involve a fair amount of up and down, and this circular route near Salcombe is no exception. The 4.5-mile East Soar to Bolt Head walk follows the South West Coast Path around one of the county’s most dramatic stretches of coastline, passing jagged rocks, Starehole Bay and the Salcombe estuary.
Autumn is a particularly good time to tackle it. The paths are quieter and the changing vegetation adds some colour to the landscape. It’s a moderate walk, with some uneven ground and a steep climb, so decent footwear is essential.
Afterwards, head into Salcombe for lunch or a drink by the harbour.
Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay, Dorset
For coastal walks Dorset style, the route from Studland towards Old Harry Rocks is hard to beat. The chalk stacks and cliffs are particularly atmospheric under an autumn sky, while the beaches are generally much quieter once the summer crowds have disappeared.
You can make this as short or long as you like, but it’s worth allowing time to wander around Studland Bay before heading back. Continue towards Swanage for lunch, or stop at a pub in Worth Matravers if you’ve worked up a proper appetite.
This is one of the classic south coast walks, but autumn makes it feel rather different from the busy summer version.
Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
Few cliff walks come with a castle quite like this. From the fishing village of Craster, follow the coast towards the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, then continue along the beach to Low Newton-by-the-Sea before returning inland. The route is around 7.7 miles and combines coastal footpaths with stretches of beach. Autumn brings migrating seabirds and much less foot traffic, while Craster’s famous kippers provide a good excuse to linger before or after the walk.
Low Newton is worth a stop, too. The Ship Inn is right by the village green and makes an excellent place for a warming lunch.
Stay in the stunning surrounding Northumberland countryside or base yourself in a cottage in Seahouses and explore more of the coast from there.
Stackpole and Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
The Pembrokeshire coastal path is one of the great British walking routes, and autumn is a good time to experience it without the summer crowds. Around Stackpole, the path takes in clifftops, woodland, beaches and the famous Barafundle Bay.
This is a good option if you like your beach walks with a bit of variety. You can combine the coast with inland sections around the Stackpole Estate, then head towards nearby Bosherston for a drink or something to eat.
Pembrokeshire also works particularly well for a walking break with the dog. There’s a good choice of dog-friendly accommodation along the Pembrokeshire coast, making it easier to bring your dog on a walking break, with options around Tenby, Saundersfoot and St Davids.
Harlyn Bay and Trevose Head, Cornwall
For the best coastal walks Cornwall has to offer, autumn is a particularly good time to tackle the north coast. This six-mile circular route near Padstow links Constantine Beach, Booby’s Bay, Trevose Head, Mother Ivey’s Bay and Harlyn.
There’s a good mix of beach walks and cliff-top sections, with plenty of opportunities to stop and look out across the Atlantic. Autumn also brings migrating seabirds and some spectacular sunsets, while the beaches are much easier to explore without the summer crowds.
Padstow is close enough for lunch, but the smaller villages around the route are worth exploring too with plenty of Cornish cottages and hotels available for a decent break.
Seven Sisters, East Sussex
The Seven Sisters are an obvious choice for the best UK coastal walks, but there’s a reason this stretch of Sussex keeps appearing on lists of the best coastal walks the UK has to offer. The cliffs make this a proper walk rather than a gentle seaside amble, with several climbs and descents along the route. Start at Seaford and walk towards Eastbourne, or shorten the route and turn back once you’ve had your fill of chalk cliffs and sea air.
Afterwards, spend some time in Seaford or head into Eastbourne for dinner. For a shorter outing, Birling Gap gives you a taste of the landscape without committing to the full route.
A few tips for autumn coastal walks
The beauty of autumn walking is that you don’t need perfect weather. You do, however, need the right kit. Waterproof layers, decent walking boots and a fully charged phone are essentials. The South West Coast Path Association also recommends carrying a map or guidebook, plenty of water and warm layers, as weather can change quickly and mobile reception can be patchy in places.
Check the tide times before setting off if your route includes beaches or tidal sections. It’s also worth checking opening times for pubs and cafés. Some coastal businesses reduce their hours once summer is over.
And don’t feel you have to camp or stay in a remote cottage to make a walking break work. Staying in a hotel can be just as convenient, particularly when you’re planning several days of walking.
More coastal inspiration
There are plenty more routes to add to the list. To name just a few you could attack:
- The Fife Coastal Path
- Northumberland Coastal Path
- Isle of Wight Coastal Path
- Wales Coastal Path
- Norfolk Coastal Path
- Gower Coastal Path
- Ceredigion Coastal Path
- Jersey Coastal Path
They all offer plenty of scope for autumn walking. The South West Coast Path alone stretches for 630 miles, so you could spend years working your way along it.
For more inspiration, link this article to A Shore Thing – 10 Best Autumn Coastal Walks UK and Autumn Pubs Walks by the Coast. The second is particularly useful for readers who like the idea of earning their Sunday roast or pint by the sea.
