A new 34-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has officially opened, providing walkers with a scenic route along the Cumbrian coastline. The stretch runs between the villages of Foxfield and Greenodd around the Furness Peninsula.
Part of a National Trail
This new segment is part of the King's 2,700-mile coast path, which aims to create a continuous walking route around the entire English coast. Once completed, it will become the world's longest managed coastal walking route. New sections continue to open across the country, allowing more of England's coastline to be explored on foot.
Route Highlights
The latest route follows the eastern edge of the Furness Peninsula, taking walkers through Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, Bardsea, and Ulverston before crossing the Leven Estuary to Greenodd. Natural England stated that the new section offers views across Morecambe Bay while also guiding walkers away from dangerous tidal shores and helping to protect rare wildlife on the sands and mudflats.
Along the way, walkers pass several nature reserves, including Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, home to about a quarter of Britain's natterjack toads and rare coralroot orchids. The trail also passes Duddon Mosses National Nature Reserve, where visitors may spot birds such as barn owls, buzzards, hen harriers, curlews, oystercatchers, and redshanks.
Historical and Natural Landmarks
The path also passes the historic industrial slag banks around Askam and Barrow, Walney Island's nature reserves, and the Ulverston Canal, which opened in 1796 and was once the shortest, deepest, and widest canal in England.
Adrian Waite, from Westmorland and Furness Council, told the BBC: "This part of the King Charles III footpath is absolutely amazing, if you look at the scenery it's the best you'll see on the whole route."
Claire Argent, Natural England deputy director for Cumbria, added: "The Furness Peninsula is one of those places that genuinely takes your breath away. This new stretch gives people the chance to experience all of that on foot, safely, sustainably and responsibly."
Local dog walker Andrew Tresise also welcomed the new route. He said: "It's a great thing, opens it up, makes it a bit easier to get round the headlands, which is fantastic for walking the dogs. It's quite appealing that you can get right around the country; if I was a bit younger it's something I'd think about."
Starting and Ending Points
Foxfield, where the new section begins, sits on the eastern side of the Duddon Estuary on the edge of the Lake District National Park. The village is known for the Prince of Wales pub and microbrewery, popular with walkers and real ale enthusiasts.
The route finishes in Greenodd, a village on the Leven Estuary where the River Crake meets the coast. Greenodd was once a busy port exporting copper ore, slate, iron, charcoal, and gunpowder. Today, it is known for its independent businesses, tea rooms, local butchers, and the popular Greenodd Bakehouse. Visitors can also explore the nearby Crake Valley and Penny Bridge or enjoy activities including fishing and kayaking along the River Crake and Leven Estuary.
