Best Staycations
20 February 2026
There is no better way to experience the British coastline than on foot. The rhythm of walking, the salt air, the constantly shifting views: coastal walks offer something that driving past the same scenery simply cannot replicate. And Britain's coastline, all 19,500 miles of it, provides an extraordinary variety of walking, from gentle clifftop strolls to demanding multi-day treks.
What elevates a coastal walking break from good to exceptional is what happens at the end of the day. Returning to a well-chosen hotel, kicking off your boots, and sinking into a hot bath with aching legs and a clear head is one of life's genuine pleasures. This guide pairs the finest coastal walks in Britain with the best places to stay nearby, because you deserve both the walk and the reward.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is, in our estimation, the finest coastal walk in Britain. It runs for 186 miles around the Pembrokeshire peninsula, but you do not need to walk the whole thing to appreciate its brilliance. Even a single day section reveals a coastline of extraordinary beauty: sheer limestone cliffs, hidden coves, sea stacks sculpted by Atlantic storms, and a wildflower display in spring and early summer that is unmatched anywhere in the British Isles.
The section from St Davids to Solva, approximately thirteen miles, is a superb day walk that takes in the cathedral city, dramatic cliff formations, and the pretty harbour village of Solva. The walking is moderately demanding, with a number of steep descents and ascents as the path dips into and out of valleys.
For accommodation, the Pembrokeshire coast is exceptionally well served. Roch Castle Hotel sits on a volcanic crag with panoramic views of St Brides Bay and is within easy reach of the finest sections of the Coast Path. Crug Glas, a Georgian farmhouse near St Davids, offers a more intimate experience with suites that look out across the Celtic Sea. Grove of Narberth, a Georgian country house set in thirty-five acres of garden and woodland, provides a luxurious base from which to explore the southern sections of the path. Twr y Felin Hotel in St Davids combines contemporary art with coastal proximity. Penally Abbey, perched above Tenby, offers access to the southern stretches with views across Carmarthen Bay.
The South West Coast Path, Cornwall
The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles from Minehead to Poole, but the Cornish sections are the most celebrated. The stretch from St Ives to Zennor, approximately six miles, is a classic that delivers rugged cliff scenery, Bronze Age field systems, and a sense of wildness that feels genuinely remote despite being in one of the most visited counties in England.
Further east, the Lizard Peninsula offers gentler walking with equally dramatic scenery. The path around Kynance Cove, with its serpentine rock formations and turquoise water, is one of the most beautiful short walks in Cornwall.
Primrose House St. Ives is an excellent base for the western Cornish coast, with views across the rooftops of the town to Porthmeor Beach. Little Pembroke Newlyn, a cabin with coastal character, offers a more intimate experience near the artists' quarter of Newlyn. The Pig at Harlyn Bay, on the north coast near Padstow, provides a gastro-focused base for exploring the dramatic cliffs of the Camel Estuary and beyond. East Trenean Farm in south Cornwall offers a converted barn in a peaceful rural setting within easy reach of the coast path.
The Norfolk Coast Path
Norfolk's coastline offers something quite different from the dramatic cliffs of the west. Here, the walking is flat and expansive, with vast skies, salt marshes, and long sandy beaches stretching to the horizon. The Norfolk Coast Path runs for eighty-three miles from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea, passing through some of the most important wildlife habitats in Britain.
The section from Blakeney to Wells-next-the-Sea, approximately nine miles, is a highlight. The walk passes through the Blakeney National Nature Reserve, where grey seals bask on the sandbanks and migrating birds gather in their thousands. The landscape is hauntingly beautiful: flat, open, and vast under Norfolk's enormous skies.
Blakeney House, a coastal hotel in the heart of the village, provides direct access to this section of the path. Blackwood Norfolk, a Scandinavian-style homestay, offers a contemporary base with a distinctly Nordic sensibility. Morston Hall, a country house hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant, adds a gastronomic dimension to your walking break.
The Gower Peninsula, Wales
The Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea, was the first area in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the walking here justifies that status completely. The coastal path circles the peninsula, taking in Rhossili Bay, regularly voted one of the best beaches in Britain, the tidal island of Worms Head, and a succession of hidden coves and limestone cliffs.
The full circuit is approximately thirty-nine miles and can be comfortably walked in three days, though day sections are equally rewarding. The walk from Rhossili to Port Eynon, approximately eight miles, is the finest single day on the peninsula.
Fairyhill, a country house hotel set in twenty-four acres of garden and woodland, is the stand-out accommodation on the Gower. The cooking is exceptional, the rooms are comfortable, and the setting is peaceful. Oxwich Bay Hotel and The New Gower Hotel offer more accessible options.
The Isle of Wight Coastal Path
The Isle of Wight Coastal Path circles the entire island, covering approximately sixty-seven miles of extraordinarily varied scenery. The southern coast, from the Needles to Ventnor, offers the most dramatic walking: chalky cliffs, landslip forests, and views across the English Channel to the French coast on clear days.
Haven Hall Hotel in Shanklin is our preferred base. The Victorian villa sits on the cliffs above the old village, with gardens that cascade towards the sea. The Bonchurch section of the coastal path, just south of Shanklin, passes through a microclimate of subtropical plants and is unlike anywhere else in Britain.
Practical Advice for Coastal Walking Breaks
Coastal walking in Britain requires respect for the weather and the terrain. Always check the tide times if your route crosses beaches or tidal sections. Carry waterproofs and layers regardless of the forecast. Wear proper walking boots with ankle support, not trainers. Tell someone your route and expected return time if walking alone.
The best coastal walking months are April to October, though winter walks on crisp, clear days can be magnificent. Spring brings wildflowers and nesting seabirds. Summer brings warmth and long evenings. Autumn brings dramatic skies and solitude.
Many of the best coastal walks can be walked as linear routes using local bus services to return to your starting point. This avoids the disappointment of retracing your steps and allows you to cover more ground. Check local bus timetables before you set out, particularly in rural areas where services may be infrequent.
Book your accommodation well in advance for summer weekends and school holidays. Many of the best coastal hotels have limited rooms and fill up quickly. Midweek stays often offer better availability and lower prices, with the bonus of quieter paths.
