Accessible walks along the UK’s coast paths

Accessible, Coastal, Walking

Posted by Courtney Kelly on 3rd May 2022

Accessible walks along the UK’s coast paths

Here in the UK, we are blessed with a stunning coastline and also the ability to explore it just a stone's throw from the water through the many national coast paths winding their way around the country.

Although some of the terrain along the paths can be hard going, there are plenty of easier sections, many of which pass close to some of the UK's best accessible beaches. Whether you’re in a wheelchair, have a baby buggy to push, or if you simply prefer a less strenuous walk, you’ll still be treated to some beautiful coastal and sea views along these accessible coastal walks. Our collection of accessible cottages (including our top picks for accessible holiday cottages) near the beach will set you up perfectly to get out and enjoy these wonderful coastal walks. 

Read on to discover our favourite coastal walks, trails and paths suitable for all comers.

Accessible cottages near the beach


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Accessible walks on the Wales Coast Path

This stunning accessible coast path runs through some of Wales’ areas of national importance. Whether it’s for the stunning scenery, the rare and beautiful wildlife or the historic landmarks that you will pass, this course traverses the entire length of the Welsh coastline so there’s always plenty to see!

Stack Rocks to St Govan’s

Stack Rocks to St Govan’s

Stack Rocks to St Govan’s is a lovely 3-mile walk that runs right along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, in West Wales. There is parking at either end, and on the weekends a coastal cruiser wheelchair-accessible bus service runs to Stacks Rocks if you don’t fancy walking back to your car.


Aberporth cliff-top trail

Aberporth cliff-top trail

The Aberporth cliff-top trail, just over 0.5 miles, is a high-quality surfaced path that begins at Headland Place, where you'll find a car park with allocated parking and accessible facilities. The high vantage point from the walk along the cliff tops gives fantastic views across Cardigan Bay, as well as the Ceredigion coastline. At the end of the trail, there are wheelchair-friendly picnic benches that are perfectly placed atop the cliffs for dolphin spotting in Aberporth Bay.


Little Orme walk

Little Orme walk

The Little Orme walk is a short stretch of high-quality surface trail along the North Wales Coast Path. The focal point of the walk is the smaller of the two headlands on Llandudno Bay, the larger being Great Orme. The accessible coast path runs to Angle Bay where you can spot seals and dolphins in the water and seabirds taking to the wind.

Accessible cottages in Wales


Great British Coast


Accessible walks on the South West Coast Path

This coastal path runs for more than 600 miles through Cornwall, Devon, Exmoor, Somerset and Dorset. Travelling through well-known beauty spots, and charming towns and villages, there’s so much local culture to take in as well as stunning sea views.

Tarka Trail at Fremington Quay

Tarka Trail

A lovely walking route in North Devon, spanning 180 miles and inspired by Tarka the Otter, the Tarka Trail will take you to Fremington Quay, Instow and beyond as part of the South West Coast Path. Start at Fremington Quay, where there is allocated parking, and follow the old railway line which is nice and flat. 

Watch out for cyclists as you pass under an old railway bridge and proceed to the stone waymarkers from when the line was in use. Alternatively, begin in Instow and take in the views of the yachts on the estuary as you head towards the Little White Town of Bideford. There are plenty of benches along the way for rest stops but rest assured that this trail is a predominantly flat coastal walk.


Glebe Cliffs

Glebe Cliffs

In North Cornwall near the village of Tintagel, famous for its myths and legends, is Glebe Cliffs. This circular walk provides you with a car park as a start-off point. As the name suggests, it is a cliff-top, and there is a slight gradient on the walk back. 

The walk offers some beautiful views out to sea and of Tintagel Island; the route passes through grassland where you can sometimes spot peregrine falcons and kestrels. If you love the beach but worry about being able to access the golden sands or the water, worry no more! Check out our list of Cornwall's best accessible beaches then check out our accessible cottages in the county.

Accessible cottages in Cornwall


Bolberry Down

Bolberry Down

You must check out Bolberry Down in South Devon - this walk is relatively flat and would be suitable for wheelchair users or buggies, as well as walkers who prefer to cover only short distances. The route is just under 2 miles long and is managed by the National Trust who take care to ensure that the path is well maintained and wheelchair friendly. 

The walk is a network of paths that run across the cliff-tops and is particularly beautiful in autumn when the heather and gorse are flowering. If you're on your way down to South Devon, why not stop off at Haldon Forest, which is one of our top UK attractions with increased access?


Durlston Country Park

Durlston Country Park

Finally, we also recommend Durlston Country Park in Dorset. This is a circular walk that starts and ends in the country park’s car park. The walk is considered easy, although there is a fairly steep gradient on the way back to the car park. This can be avoided if necessary - however, it requires backtracking, making the walk longer. The route runs across coastal cliffs, pretty woodland and meadows, past dry stone walls and limestone downlands. There is a hide along the way where you can stop and watch for birds too.

Accessible cottages in the South West


Accessible walks on the Norfolk Coast Path

This coastal path is smaller than many others across the UK but Norfolk is still blessed with some stunning sea views, and there are plenty of easy-access walks to be found along this 45-mile stretch.

Peddars Way

Peddars Way

Among the highlights of this coastal path is the Peddars Way. Where the path runs through the coastal village of Blakeney, there is a nice short walk which you can extend further depending on your abilities or how you feel after completing the first half mile. The path is surfaced, although not tarmacked, and there is a car park with allocated parking on hard ground.


Wells-next-the-Sea

Wells-next-the-Sea

This wall path along Wells-next-the-Sea seafront is surfaced with tarmac so makes for a nice and easy stroll, and offers some lovely views over the salt marshes. The walk is about a mile long and there is plenty of tarmacked parking.

Accessible cottages in Norfolk


Accessible walks along Scotland’s coast

With over 7,000 miles of coastline incorporating the coasts of the north, east and west, as well as numerous sea lochs, Scotland was always going to have some marvellous coastal walks. Here are a few of the best accessible ones we found.

Newburgh on the Fife Coastal Path

Fife Coastal Path

You’ll find the most accessible parts of the Fife Coastal Path near the small fishing harbours and pretty villages in the region. This is a win-win though, as you’ll be able to take in the wonders of these popular holiday destinations and maybe sample some of the amazing seafood Scotland is renowned for. 

The area is well mapped out and popular stops include Pittenweem, Burntisland and St Andrews, the latter being a beautiful university town that offers splendid views of the North Sea.


Loch Ryan by Stranraer

Stranraer and the Ayrshire Coast

This section of coastline in South West Scotland boasts miles of paths suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Again, it’s best to stay near the village and town promenades and harbours, as the further away from here you go, the more unsuitable the paths become. 

Lendalfoot, Girvan and Ballantrae all have nice seafront walks, and if you want to get a bit further away from civilisation, try a mosey around Loch Ryan by Stranraer. Largs is also well worth a visit.


Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye

Staffin Bay, Skye, Scotland

Speaking of getting away from it all, if that’s your aim, take a trip to north-east Skye to find Staffin Bay. This bay which sits at the base of the Quiraing has plenty for any intrepid explorers out there: dinosaur footprints, rock pools, volcanic beaches, along with a standard harbour! There’s a lovely 2-mile route around the bay that follows a well-surfaced path and takes you to the harbour.

Accessible cottages in Scotland


Accessible walks in coastal North of England

Maybe the north doesn’t have coastal paths that are as renowned as its counterparts in the South West or Wales, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some fantastic locations dotted throughout the area with paths suited to those with restricted mobility.

A walk looking towards Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay

Ravenscar, North Yorkshire

Known as the seaside town that was never built (in reference to Victorian plans to build a resort town to rival Blackpool), Ravenscar has benefitted from this failed project. The coastline is now a natural habitat for seabirds and other wildlife. 

Start your walk in the National Trust car park by the Visitor Centre and stroll down the road towards the cliffs. If you need to stop, there are benches along the top of the cliff which provide unmissable views of Robin Hood’s Bay.


Bridlington North Beach

Holderness Coast, East Yorkshire

Maybe not a coastline often talked about in walking circles, this area of North East England still has its fair share of pleasant accessible coastal walks. The best ones are often found along the seafronts and promenades of seaside towns, meaning that the saunters you find here are likely to be flat coastal walks. 

Try Withernsea, Hornsea or Bridlington, with the latter boasting views of two beaches, and the 120-metre-high chalk cliffs of Flamborough, which house a rare colony of gannets.


St Bees Beach

Cumbrian Coast

A lot of what Cumbria has to offer lies inland, in and around the famous waters of the Lake District. However, the Cumbrian coast offers numerous pretty villages that look out onto awe-inspiring vistas of the Irish Sea. 

The best easy-access routes can be found in the towns of Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven, or you can start a small portion of Wainwrights Coast to Coast Walk at St Bees and access the beach and walk by the sea wall.

Accessible cottages in the North of England


A map of accessible walks along the UK’s coast paths

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Stay with us in the UK

If you'd like to take on these trails or perhaps just explore somewhere new, you'll find plenty of accessible holiday cottages to choose from amongst our collection. Make it the perfect base for your next adventure in the UK. Just click the button below to have a browse.

Accessible holiday cottages


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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.