A paean to the magnificent English coastline, the recently-opened King Charles III England Coast Path is set to be around 2,700 miles long*. This enchanting trail winds around the breath-takingly beautiful, fascinatingly diverse coast of England to connect towns, cities, ports… and people.
Better still, existing coastal paths and trails are nicely incorporated (including the Lancashire Coastal Way, South West Coast Path, and Saxon Shore Way to name just a few), with links to the Scottish and Welsh borders for endless opportunities to explore.
King Charles III inaugurated his namesake trail in March this year, so we felt it only fitting to round up some of our favourite retreats-on-the-route. Because after all, nobody can walk 2,700 miles without needing a rest!
As such, our list highlights unique places to stay, set either directly on or close to each section of the trail. Marvel at heritage sights and coastal landmarks – such as the clifftop Senhouse Roman Museum at Maryport, or the Napoleonic Martello towers at Pevensey Bay – while bedding down in retreats you’d write several postcards home about.
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Shangri-La House | Norfolk
North East & East Coast
The Hornsea Millstone
Hornsea, Yorkshire, England
A romantic retreat set in a historic windmill, with a sumptuous freestanding bathtub and sweeping open views over the charming, heritage-steeped coastal town
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£559 / week
Evening Star @ Engine Shed
Whitby, North Yorkshire, England
A historic Grade II listed local landmark, charmingly converted to provide unique family accommodation in the coastal heart of Whitby.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£573 / week
Bamburgh Coastal Retreat
Bamburgh, Northumberland, England
A stylish, family-sized haven, elevated over the striking Northumberland Heritage Coastline with a beach in strolling distance.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£1,018 / week
Dunstan Hall
Craster, Northumberland, England
Spirit your loved ones away to a magnificent, Grade II*-listed country retreat, rich in fascinating history and secluded in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to the Northumberland coast.
Bedrooms: 10
Sleeps: 18
From
£1950 (3nts)
Lincolnshire Coast
The Sir Peter Scott Lighthouse
Guy's Head, Lincolnshire, England
A dazzling, dog-friendly Lincolnshire beacon with soothing River Nene views, surrounded by one of the UK’s most important wetland sites… ideal for art-lovers and nature-watchers alike
Bedrooms:
Sleeps:
From
£992 / week
Unimog Army Ambulance
Friskney, Lincolnshire, England
A thrilling stay in a cosily-converted rescue vehicle parked on a Linconshire lake, in a rural area that boasts picture-perfect views of gorgeous Lincolnshire.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£70 /night
RAF Wainfleet - The Tower
Friskney, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, England
Stay in a history-steeped, uniquely iconic Lincolnshire landmark and quirky helicopter, fit for wartime heroes and offering superlative countryside views.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£195 / night
Jetstream
Friskney, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, England
Fasten your seatbelts for a thrilling glamping break aboard a converted military plane, grounded at RAF Wainfleet with beautiful rural scenery and family attractions in easy reach.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 4 (+1)
From
£100 / night
East Anglia
Little Norfolk Beach House
Cromer, Norfolk, England
An exquisitely-restored, design-led Regency apartment for two, nestled on Cromer’s oldest (and most iconic!) street leading directly to the beautiful beach and pier.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£175 - £195 /nt
The Hexagon
Tollesbury, Essex, England
A former West Mersea radar tower with an enclosed dog-friendly garden, and a magnificent viewing platform that looks out over the sweeping Essex marshes towards the sea
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£722 (4nt)
Valetta
Thorpeness, Suffolk, England
Valetta is a unique single-storey former fisherman’s dwelling with rustic styling and sublime sea views, secluded in a Suffolk coastal village with direct access to the expansive beach
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£1,229 (7 nts)
The Wild Duck
Heacham, Norfolk, England
The Wild Duck is a former 19th century boat, uniquely transformed into a luxurious Heacham haven ideal for seaside family holidays.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£562 (3 nights)
Shangri-La House
Waxham, Norfolk, England
An architect-designed ‘happy place' by the sea, set behind the sand dunes in a Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£1351 (7nts offpeak)
South East
Khina Cottage
Broadstairs, Kent, England
At Khina Cottage child-friendly luxury awaits, in a lighthouse cottage delightfully secluded in the charming Kent town of Broadstairs.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£356 (2 nts)
North Vat
Dungeness, Kent, England
A former Dungeness fisherman's cottage, architecturally re-imagined as an award-winning, light-filled black timber retreat with 360-degree views of the nature-steeped shingle beach.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£780 (2 nts)
Beach Retreat
Seasalter, Kent, England
Take a breath of fresh Seasalter air, from a secluded Kent home-from-home where coastal dreams are made relaxingly real.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£170 / night
Elmley Nature Reserve Shepherds Huts
Sheerness, Kent, England
Eclectic accommodation and seasonally-inspired dining on a National Nature Reserve in Kent, with an abundance of wildlife right on your doorstep.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
From
£120 / night
Belle Tout Lighthouse B&B
Beachy Head, East Sussex, England
A historic Lighthouse B&B perched on the white cliffs of Beachy Head, with show-stopping panoramic views and many original features.
Bedrooms: 6
Sleeps: 2 per room
From
£155 / night
South
Chert
Ventnor, Isle Of Wight, England
Welcome to Chert; a groovy, light-filled 70s-inspired retreat, complete with a record player, funky-chic interiors and incredible sea views on the Isle of Wight’s laid-back southern coast.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£454 (3 nts)
The Little Lookout
Littlehampton, West Sussex, England
A former coastguard tower, stylishly transformed into a cool, contemporary retreat with spectacular views from Littlehampton's iconic seafront.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
From
£150 / night
Wonderland House
Brighton, East Sussex, England
A movie-themed, award-winning vintage haven by Brighton seafront, complete with teacup chairs and whimsical décor for a large group break that inspires the playful children in you!
Bedrooms: 6
Sleeps: 24
From
£1,200 (2nts)
Bournemouth Beach Lodges
Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Bournemouth Beach Lodges provide the perfect setting for a refreshing coastal break, just a pebble skim away from seven miles of stunningly sandy beach.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£400 (3nt)
Seabank Selsey
Selsey, West Sussex, England
Prepare for a first-class holiday at stunning Seabank - a railway carriage retreat on the southernmost point of West Sussex.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£450 (2nt)
South West – Channel Coast
Little Nan's Weymouth Holiday Home
Weymouth, Dorset, England
A vibrantly maximalist, detail-rich, multi-award-winning tribute to all things bold, kitsch and fabulous (including EastEnders’ Pat Butcher!), with idyllic Dorset sea-and-harbour views.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 10
From
£495 / night
The Signal House
Beer, Devon, England
A former Devon coastguard and signal house, transformed into a charming coastal retreat on Beer Head’s breathtakingly scenic clifftops, within strolling distance of the secluded Hooken Beach.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
From
£75 pp/pn
Cove
Dartmouth, Devon, England
An award-winning Devon eco-sanctuary with a private sauna and hot tub, exquisitely secluded in a wooded valley with soul-stirring views over Start Bay.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£322 / night
Little Cottage
Praa Sands, Cornwall, England
Little Cottage is a stunning (and not-so-little) design-led Cornish paradise for group holidays and stylish celebrations alike.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 10
From
£2,828 /3 nts
Short House Chesil Beach
West Bexington, Dorset, England
Far from the Madding Crowd; Short House is a delightful seaside cottage on Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£1,229 /wk
South West – Atlantic Coast
Beach Pads
St Ives, Cornwall, England
A trio of breath-taking family-and-dog-friendly retreats infused with history, luxury and artistic inspiration, each with a hot tub and beautifully secluded directly on Cornwall’s award-winning Porthkidney Sands.
Bedrooms: 2 or 4 per house
Sleeps: 20
From
£900 /2nts
The Boathouse, Devon
Lee, Devon, England
A characterful, dog-friendly cottage nestled on the cliffs above Lee Bay Beach, with superlative ocean views and the South West Coast Path practically on the doorstep.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£280 /nt
East Quay Pods
Watchet, Somerset, England
Five ultra-creative, individually-styled retreats that form part of a community-focused arts hub, elevated on the Somerset coast with incredible far-reaching views.
Bedrooms: 1 or 2 per pod
Sleeps: 6
From
£110 - 180 /nt
.jpg)
Coastal Cabins
Bideford, Devon, England
A selection of cosy award-winning hideaways for couples and families, with indulgent on-site facilities and surrounded by North Devon countryside.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: Varies
From
£80 / night
Pentire Penthouse
Newquay, Cornwall, England
Experience an innovative circular penthouse apartment overlooking the golden sands of Newquay's famous Fistral Beach.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8+2
From
£1300 /4nts
North West
The Houseboat, Liverpool Marina
Coburg Dock, Liverpool, England
A super-stylish floating retreat, peacefully moored in Liverpool’s historic Coburg Dock with easy access to attractions and sublime water views from every room.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
From
£1,120 /week
Ravenglass Pullman
Ravenglass, Cumbria, England
Savour a first-class getaway on board an authentic railway coach, exquisitely transformed into a family-and-dog-friendly retreat in the Lake District National Park’s only coastal village
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£569 / week
Lighthouse Cottage
Walney, Cumbria, England
A unique family cottage that's styled for luxurious nautical comfort, with glorious sea-and-wildlife views from the mesmerising South Walney Nature Reserve.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£453 (3 nts)
Station House
St Bees, Cumbria, England
A former Victorian waiting room at St Bees Railway Station, now a unique self-catering holiday home.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£465 /week
*The King Charles III England Coast Path is around 80% accessible at the time of writing (full completion is expected by the end of 2026/2027). Our property list is intended to provide inspiration, and we recommend checking the National Trails website for a full breakdown of routes and updates before booking.
