WIREDGOV

A 34-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has opened across the Furness Peninsula in Cumbria.

• The path will connect Foxfield to Greenodd and bring the total of walkable Coast Path miles in the North West to approximately 208.
• The route passes through charming coastal communities, internationally important nature reserves and historic industrial landscapes, with sweeping views across Morecambe Bay backed by the Lake District fells.
• The new section will also create access away from previously unavoidable shores, enabling people to remain safe from the tide and protect rare wildlife on the sands and muds.

A major new 34-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path, running from Foxfield to Greenodd around the Furness Peninsula, has officially opened today (Thursday 23 July). This marks a key milestone in the delivery of the 70-mile Silecroft to Silverdale stretch, one of the most spectacular sections of the route anywhere in England.

The route passes through charming coastal communities, internationally important nature reserves and historic industrial landscapes. It has sweeping views across Morecambe Bay - the largest expanse of intertidal sand and mudflats in the UK - backed by the Lake District fells.

Furness Peninsula

The new section follows the eastern edge of the Furness Peninsula, passing the coastal communities of Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, Bardsea and Ulverston before crossing the Leven Estuary.

Along the way, walkers can look out for the distinctive slag banks at Askam-in-Furness and Barrow-in-Furness, a striking reminder of the area’s industrial past, alongside Barrow’s famed historical and current shipbuilding industries.

At Canal Foot, the route passes the end of the Ulverston Canal. Built in 1796, it was once the shortest, widest and deepest in England and links directly to the town itself, famous as the birthplace of Stan Laurel.

Many of these miles create new access away from previously unavoidable shores, enabling people to remain safe from the tide and protect rare wildlife on the sands and muds. Walkers may spot curlew, oystercatcher, redshank and dunlin feeding, and in autumn and winter the bay hosts significant flocks of knot and pink-footed geese arriving from the Arctic.

Restoring Wildlife

The section also passes alongside internationally important wildlife habitats, including the sand dunes of the National Trust’s Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, famous for its natterjack toads and coralroot orchids. Also, Natural England’s Duddon Mosses National Nature Reserve, an internationally important, raised peatland habitat where birds of prey such as buzzard and barn owl make use of the open landscape.

The opening brings the total of walkable King Charles III England Coast Path miles in the North West to approximately 208 (335km), equivalent to more than 3,190 football pitches laid end to end. It is the latest step in completing the 200-mile Cumbrian stretch from Gretna in the north to Silverdale on the Lancashire border.

Claire Argent, Natural England Deputy Director for Cumbria said:

The Furness Peninsula is one of those places that genuinely takes your breath away, whether you’re watching the light change across Morecambe Bay, listening for curlews over the estuary, or discovering the layers of history tucked into these coastal communities.

This new stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path gives people the chance to experience all of that on foot, safely, sustainably and responsibly, whilst learning about and caring for our wonderful landscapes and nature. We’re proud to see this route taking shape and look forward to completing the full 200-mile Cumbrian stretch.

Cllr Adrian Waite, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Transport at Westmorland and Furness Council, said:

Improving access to the outdoors is so important and I am delighted to see this section of the path officially opened. Work on the ground has included securing consents and permissions, specifying work, getting quotes, managing the contractors and liaising with landowners. We will have put in more than 300 signs and waymark posts, 10 sets of steps, 23 bridges, around 60 gates, five kilometres of fencing and the same of surfacing, as well as other associated works.

This has been a huge job, some of it on existing public rights of way or permissive access routes and some completely new access, and our countryside access team has done wonders to make this happen. I am sure the Furness section will be well used for many years to come.

Cllr Doug Rathbone, Chairman of Westmorland and Furness Council, said:

Promoting access to the countryside through this fantastic project really supports our commitment to improving health and wellbeing in Westmorland and Furness. The King Charles III England Coast Path is 2,689 miles long and I can say hand on heart that the unique mix of scenic beauty and industrial, cultural and natural heritage makes this section around the Furness peninsula from Foxfield to Greenodd as enticing as any. I’m now looking forward to getting out and using it.

The King Charles III England Coast Path, when complete, will be a 2,700-mile National Trail around the entire English coast, the longest managed coastal walking route in the world. The North West KCIIIECP team at Natural England is working to open the full coastline between the Scottish border near Gretna and the Welsh border in Cheshire, a total of 355 miles (571.4km).

Walkers are reminded to follow the Countryside and Coastal Codes when enjoying the new route. Also, to exercise caution near Morecambe Bay, where fast-moving tides and quicksands mean that venturing onto the sands and saltmarshes without an experienced guide is dangerous.

Further information:

• Route maps of all open sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path and information on any local diversions are available at National Trails.
• Access restrictions can be checked at Natural England’s Open Access maps.
• The Countryside Code and the national Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code can be found here while Morecambe Bay Partnership’s Coastal Code can be found here.
• Walkers wishing to cross Morecambe Bay’s sands and saltmarshes should only do so on an organised walk with the Guide Over Sands Trust, which holds a royal appointment.
• The Cumbrian Coast Line provides train services for the Duddon Estuary crossing between Green Road and Foxfield stations as part of the KCIIIECP route.
• Follow progress to complete the King Charles III England Coast Path here.
• Businesses wishing to be listed on the National Trails website can do so for free.

About Natural England

• Established in 2006, Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
• More information.