The UK has just over 11,000 miles of coastline, encompassing UNESCO World Heritage sites, dinosaur fossils, surfing beaches, pirate coves and cliffs. For now, walkers cannot officially walk the entire periphery; there’s no continuous trail and some stretches are off-limits, but there are some fine stretches to get a handle on this island nation. From a route which encompasses some of the best-preserved Neolithic ruins in Europe to an island-hopping adventure across the Isles of Scilly, here’s a selection of some of the most dramatic coastal trails as recommended by walking experts HF Holidays.
Designated a World Heritage Site in 1986, Harlech Castle is one of Northern Wales most impressive coastal fortresses.
Photograph by Adobestock
1. Meirionnydd Coast, North Wales
Which is more astonishing — that around 200 different types of shell comprise the substrate on Wales’s Shell Island, or that someone took the time to count them? Either way, also known as Mochras is a beauty to behold, with its diverse detritus and specklings of wildflowers. Mochras is one of the many attractions that dot the miles of broad, sandy beaches uniquely set against the mountainous backdrop of Eryri National Park (formerly Snowdonia).
To explore the area, embark on this epic eight-day adventure, which starts at Penrhyndeudraeth and trails south across sand dunes, fishing villages and estuarine habitats towards the Dyfi Valley. Harlech Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval fortification, is a particular highlight along this coastal trail — dedicate one to two hours to walk the walls and learn about its illustrious history at the on-site exhibition. On free days, walkers may choose to explore the opulent Italianate village of Portmeirion and the subterranean chambers of Llechwedd Slate Caverns.
The UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney encompasses 5,000-year-old ceremonial stone circles, chambered tombs, communal living quarters and sacred burial sites.
Photograph by Adobestock
2. Orkney & Shetland, Scotland
Abundant wildlife, maritime heritage, unique culture and local crafts — you can expect all of this and more on Orkney and Shetland, two of Scotland’s northernmost archipelagos. Providing stepping stones to Northern Europe, these isles have helped to elucidate early migration patterns on the continent — the Shetland site of Jarlshof stands testament to that, where 4,000-year-old discoveries include Bronze and Stone Age settlements, Norse longhouses and medieval smallholdings. Orkney, meanwhile, is home to one of Europe’s most significant prehistoric settlements, the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney, with its 5,000-year-old ceremonial stone circles, chambered tombs, communal living quarters and sacred burial sites.
Experience the best of both isles on this eight-day adventure, which includes Marwick, Orkney and Muckle Roe, Shetland. The nine-mile clifftop coastal path from Marwick Bay to the Brough of Birsay is a particular highlight for wildlife lovers, as it overlooks RSPB Marwick Head Nature Reserve. Here, keen twitchers may spot gulls and skuas patrolling the skies, while grey and common seals bob in the waters below. The walk is followed with a visit to explore the mysterious Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, which, together with Skara Brae and Maes How, form the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
Evidence of Cornwall’s mining history can be found strewn across the landscape. Skeletal chimneys, such as Wheal Coates, stand atop cliffs carpeted with heather and gorse, as poignant reminders of a bygone era.
Photograph by Adobestock
3. North Cornwall, Southwest England
The lives of the Cornish people have always been inextricably linked to the sea. As such, coastal walks here offer the chance to get up close to the county’s storied, industrial mining heritage. These relics of Cornwall’s past have become county emblems — particularly along the rugged northern coast covered on this eight-day adventure. Starting at the sandy, surfing beach of Treyarnon Bay near Padstow and ending at Cape Cornwall, just four miles north of Land’s End, this coastal trail offers all the classic sights of the Cornish coastline, including quiet coves, traditional fishing villages and a mosaic of rare coastal habitats, including saltmarshes, sand dunes and even Atlantic temperate rainforest.
Along the route, look out for the early 20th-century tin mines of Geevor and the 19th-century tin mine Botallack, the latter of which was made famous by BBC’s Poldark series. It’s worth keeping an eye on the blue horizon, too, where fin, minke and humpback whales may be spotted in ever-increasing numbers.
The jagged moorland, quaint country villages and picturesque coastlines of northern Somerset and Devon have inspired many novels by various writers and poets.
4. Somerset & North Devon, Southwest England
Stretching a mammoth 630 miles through Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, the South West Coastal Path is the UK’s longest national trail and perhaps one of the most picturesque of all, encompassing wild countryside, sweeping seafront panoramas, pretty ports and historic county towns.
Tackle a portion of the epic coastal trail on this eight-day adventure, which begins at the quaint seaside resort of Minehead in Somerset and ends at the secluded sands of Croyde Bay in northern Devon. Porlock Weir, a bustling harbour village surrounded by steep wooded slopes, verdant farmland and heather-covered moorlands, is a particular highlight along the trail. Walkers will also enjoy visiting Lynton and Lynmouth, two sister villages dubbed ‘the Switzerland of England’ due to their distinct Alpine appearance. They also provide the gateway to Devon’s Valley of the Rocks, a dramatic dry valley known for its rugged, prehistoric landscape and spectacular views of the Bristol Channel.
The Isles of Scilly offer a touch of the tropics with secluded coves and crystal clear waters.
Photograph by Adobestock
5. Isles of Scilly, Southwest England
With its white-powder-sand beaches and sparkling sapphire waters, the Isles of Scilly are often touted as Britain’s somewhat chillier answer to the Caribbean coast. So remote is this archipelago, lying 28 miles off the southwest coast of mainland Cornwall, that little has left its mark: only five islands are inhabited, while the other 140 provide a haven for seabirds and other wildlife.
Drink it all in by hopping between the islands on this seven-day adventure, which traverses the archipelago via a series of dramatic coastal trails. Here, walkers can discover peaceful, secluded bays on Bryher, breathtaking landscapes dotted with wildflowers and archaeological ruins on St Agnes and St Martin’s, and wild heathland, rocky coastlines and 16th and 17th century castles on Tresco. The latter is also home to Abbey Garden, a botanical paradise with more than 3,000 species of plants and trees, and Valhalla museum, which houses figureheads salvaged from shipwrecks from around the islands’ shores.
Plan your trip
HF Holidays, a B Corp Certified British heritage brand, offer more than 260 walking holidays across the UK, Europe and beyond. Options range from guided walking holidays, led by experienced leaders, to self-guided adventures with easy-to-follow routes, maps and 24-hour support. There’s also a selection of carefully-curated trails that vary in duration and include easy rambles and more challenging climbs. For more information, visit hfholidays.co.uk
This paid content article was created for HF Holidays. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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