Dream-worthy walks along the England Coast Path

With its imposing castles and offshore islands that are teeming with wildlife, the Northumberland coast offers beauty and history in equal measure. Daydreamers can imagine taking in the breathtaking views from the imposing walls of Bamburgh Castle that stand proudly overlooking this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, spying rare puffins and seals from the Farne Islands and exploring the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne when the tide is low.

A designated stretch of historic coastline, Durham's wild cliffs and sweeping dunes are home to an abundance of wildflowers, insects and other wildlife. While the flowers bloom in spring and summer, the striking coastal rock formations, Magnesian Limestone Coastal Grasslands and rugged clifftops are beautiful all year round.

Running the length of where the North York Moors National Park meets the North Sea, the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast mixes dramatic clifftops with picturesque fishing villages and towns. If you’re a foodie, you can add the catch of the day from the seaside harbour of Whitby to your taste of Britain wish list. If you're an adventurer, you can look forward to exploring the haunting ruins of its abbey, while the history buffs among you can get inspired by learning more about the history of Robin Hood’s Bay and the region’s rich mining past.

A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for over 50 years, the Norfolk Coast contains everything from the sweeping sand dunes and salt marshes of Holkham National Nature Reserve to the magnificence of Holkham Hall stately home. If you’re a lover of the coast you can visualise exciting days searching for fossils against a backdrop of dramatic colours at Hunstanton Cliffs and building sandcastles on vast sandy beaches. And culture lovers can dream of exploring a host of traditional seaside resorts, including taking in a show at the Grade II-listed Pavilion on Cromer Pier – said to be the world’s only end-of-pier theatre offering entertainment for the full season!

Separating the ‘garden of England’ from the sea, Kent is home to 350 miles of picture-perfect coastline featuring grand chalk and sandstone cliffs, and home to ten glorious Blue Flag beaches. If you’re eagerly anticipating your next visit you can imagine gazing upon chalk stacks at Botany Bay or strolling beneath the famous White Cliffs at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe. Foodies can savour delectable cuisine from top chefs in Whitstable, while animal fans can look forward to spotting wild birds around Romney Marsh and at the RSPB Dungeness Nature Reserve.

Stretching 95 miles from Devon to Dorset, the UNESCO World Heritage coastline showcases 185 million years of history and the incredible power of the natural world. With stunning scenes around every corner, you can imagine spying the natural limestone arch at Durdle Door, or rock pooling on the white pebbles of Lulworth Cove – part of a diverse landscape that is a feast for the senses. Lyme Regis, with its rich fossil hunting heritage, historic harbour and cobbled streets, is steeped in mysticism, while Undercliff, one of the first National Trust Reserves, was created over time via a series of landslips.

If you want to uncover Britain’s rocky headlands, hidden coves and sandy beaches, why not add South Devon’s Coast Path to your British travel list. Once the haunt of smugglers, it’s now home to miles of clifftop pathways for hikers to explore, providing exceptional views and an abundance of instagrammable shots. Sitting in the heart of the South Devon Area of Outstanding National Beauty, the small harbour town of Salcombe and its waters have helped shape the area’s history - from the Salcombe Sand Bar that inspired poet Alfred Lord Tennyson to the ruins of Salcombe Castle, dating back to the reign of Henry VIII.

Prepare to be inspired by the ruins of Tintagel Castle on Cornwall’s north coast, perched high on a rugged rocky outcrop and linked for the first time in more than 500 years thanks to a ground-breaking bridge project by English Heritage. Replicating the original medieval walkway which once linked land and castle, this new footbridge allows you to access the castle just as visitors would have hundreds of years ago. If you’re a fan of Britain’s ancient history and folklore, you can dream of uncovering the area’s connection to the legend of King Arthur and a coastline that has sparked the imagination for centuries – there’s even an eight-foot bronze sculpture of King Arthur himself on a nearby clifftop.

If you’re an art fan dreaming of Britain, you can put Crosby Beach on your wish list. Located to the north of Liverpool, the beach offers miles of sandy coastline and a unique art installation, best enjoyed at low tide. Internationally acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley’s Another Place, a collection of 100 life-size iron figures overlooking the sands, covers a stretch of coastline of nearly two miles, with viewing especially rewarding at sunset. 

With miles of undisturbed coastline, and in close proximity to the renowned beauty of the Lake District, the Cumbrian coast has a number of treats to discover. There are a host of inimitable experiences, from exploring the striking red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head Heritage Coast or visiting the maritime port of Whitehaven to enjoying a scenic ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, on a route that comes peppered with historic castles and ancient ruins (booking in advance is recommended).