Section 208 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
South Bents to South Shields
7.6 miles (12.3 km). About 2½ hours, moderate.
Start: NZ 407 612. Finish: NZ 359 674. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
About 92 m of climbing and 94 m of descent; highest point 34 m.
Getting there
The section starts at South Bents.
- Bus stops
- Bents Road, 70 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 611Bents Road, 180 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 610SOUTH BENTS BRANSDALE AVENUE, 280 m from the start. Directions NZ 405 610
- Car parks
- Whitburn Bents (pay), 200 m from the start. Directions NZ 408 614Car park, 360 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 615Car park (free), 680 m from the start. Directions NZ 407 619
Getting back
The section finishes at South Shields. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Long Row, 40 m from the finish. Directions NZ 359 674River Drive-Number 62, 160 m from the finish. Directions NZ 360 675Mile End Road, 300 m from the finish. Directions NZ 361 676
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: gravel and tracks 56%, paved or flagged 33%, grass 7%.
About 15% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 10 flights of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 16 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.