Section 8 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Thornhill to St Bees
3.9 miles (6.3 km). About 1½ hours, easy.
Start: NX 991 074. Finish: NX 960 117. 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 144 m of climbing and 166 m of descent; highest point 47 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Thornhill.
- Station
- Nethertown, 730 m from the start. Directions NX 985 078
- Bus stops
- West Cottage, 190 m from the start. Directions NX 990 075Nethertown Farm, 190 m from the start. Directions NX 990 075
- Car parks
- Car park, 300 m from the start. Directions NX 989 072Car park, 870 m from the start. Directions NX 990 083Car park, 890 m from the start. Directions NX 991 083
Getting back
The section finishes at St Bees. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Station Road, 610 m from the finish. Directions NX 966 118
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 39%, grass 15%, paved or flagged 11%, gravel and tracks 9%; the rest (26%) isn't recorded.
About 8% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 7 gates.
Steepest climb: about 35 m in a kilometre (1 in 29), starting 2.1 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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