A new 34-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path has officially opened today across the Furness Peninsula in Cumbria. The route, stretching from Foxfield to Greenodd, marks a key milestone in the development of the wider 70-mile Silecroft to Silverdale stretch, which is considered one of the most spectacular sections of the entire England Coast Path.
The newly opened path offers walkers sweeping views across Morecambe Bay, the UK's largest expanse of intertidal sand and mudflats, with the dramatic backdrop of the Lake District fells. It guides visitors through picturesque coastal communities such as Kirkby-in-Furness, Askam-in-Furness, Barrow-in-Furness, Bardsea, and Ulverston, before crossing the Leven Estuary. Along the way, points of interest include the distinctive slag banks at Askam-in-Furness and Barrow-in-Furness, remnants of the area's rich industrial heritage, as well as Barrow's renowned shipbuilding industries.
Crucially, many parts of this new section create safer access, diverting walkers away from previously unavoidable tidal shores. This not only ensures the safety of the public but also helps protect rare wildlife on the sands and muds. Walkers may spot various bird species, including curlew, oystercatcher, redshank, and dunlin. During autumn and winter, the bay becomes a vital habitat for significant flocks of knot and pink-footed geese arriving from the Arctic.
The path also runs alongside internationally important wildlife habitats. These include the National Trust’s Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve, known for its natterjack toads and coralroot orchids, and Natural England’s Duddon Mosses National Nature Reserve, an internationally significant raised peatland habitat. Here, birds of prey like buzzards and barn owls can be seen utilising the open landscape.
With this opening, the total walkable King Charles III England Coast Path miles in the North West now stands at approximately 208 miles (335km). This development is the latest step towards completing the full 200-mile Cumbrian stretch, which will eventually run from Gretna in the north to Silverdale on the Lancashire border. Claire Argent, Natural England Deputy Director for Cumbria, emphasised how the new path allows people to experience the breathtaking beauty and rich history of the Furness Peninsula safely and sustainably.