King Charles III England Coast Path: Shotley Gate to Felixstowe Ferry
Find out about the progress of improving coastal access – including maps, process and timing – in Suffolk.
Map of the stretch
Natural England is working to improve coastal access along a 44 km stretch of the Suffolk coast between Shotley Gate and Felixstowe Ferry.
Officers from Suffolk County Council are providing Natural England with expert local advice during the establishment of the route.
Priory Park to Shore Lane, Nacton
Stage 5: Partially open to the public
The 1.99 miles (3.2 km) length of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Priory Park to Shore Lane, Nacton is now partially open to the public.
Coastal access rights came into force along this length of coast on 28 February 2024 by order of the Secretary of State.
The route is currently still undergoing some final construction and requires a secondary legal process to create access through the parkland element.
Information about the route
If you are planning a walk on the KCIIIECP, check our interactive access maps for details of local access restrictions and coast path diversions which may apply at certain times.
There is no access available through areas of land related to Orwell Park until further notice. This is due to ongoing construction work. There is no diversion in place and the route is not on the National Trails website.
Coastal access rights normally apply to all land that is coastal margin - including any land seaward of the route - unless it falls into a category of excepted land (such as parkland) or if an access restriction applies to the land.
The maps in Natural England’s original proposals to the Secretary of State show the route of the KCIIIECP along this stretch of coast and the adjoining land that is coastal margin.
Use the links on this page to see details of the Secretary of State’s decision to approve Natural England’s proposals and for guidance on your rights and responsibilities if the KCIIIECP passes through your land.
Bristol Hill to Priory Park and Shore Lane, Nacton to Felixstowe Ferry
Stage 5: Open (not yet available for public use - work to establish the route is currently taking place)
On 31 August 2021, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approved the remaining sections of coast path between Shotley Gate and Felixstowe Ferry.
The reports are still available to view.
You can see the current status of the collection in the table.
| Report number and title | Date of approval |
|---|---|
| SGF 1: Bristol Hill to embankment west of Orwell Bridge | 31 August 2021 |
| SGF 2: Embankment west of Orwell Bridge to Priory Park | 13 January 2021 |
| SGF 3: Priory Park to Shore Lane, Nacton | 31 August 2021 |
| SGF 4: Shore Lane, Nacton to Sea Road, Felixstowe | 13 January 2021 |
| SGF 5: Landguard Point to Martello Tower, Felixstowe Ferry | 13 January 2021 |
Next steps
Stage 5: Open
Work is now underway to prepare the new stretch of coast path for public use. The first step is to contact owners and occupiers of the affected land to discuss the design and location of any new infrastructure which is needed, such as signs and gates.
When preparations are complete, new access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room. For further advice see the detailed guide below.
Find out more about the England Coast Path
See information about all stretches in preparation around England’s coast.
The coastal access scheme gives details of the process being followed to improve access to the coast.
Contact the coastal access team
Contact Natural England with any comments, suggestions or queries you have about improving coastal access.
Coastal access delivery team (East coast)
Natural England
Dragonfly House
2 Gilders Way
Norwich
NR3 1UB
Email eastcoastalaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone 020 8026 4874
See the map below for information about progress on improving coastal access in other parts of the east of England.
Last updated 28 February 2024 + show all updates
-
Page updated with information about the partially opened length between Priory Park and Shore Lane, Nacton.
-
Updated page to show that the remaining 2 reports are now approved.
-
Added table showing the reports which make up the collection. Page updated to show that 3 of the 5 reports have received Secretary of State approval.
-
Page updated to show this stretch is now at stage 4.
-
Changed expected date for publication of the reports to early 2020.
-
Removed the sentence giving a date for when access is expected to be ready. Publication of the report is expected in autumn 2019.
-
Publication of report now expected in summer 2019.
-
Page updated to stretch is now at stage 2/3.
-
First published.