Coast with the most

THERE'S never been a better time to lace up your walking boots.

The first few stretches of the 2,795-mile England Coast Path have opened. But if you can't wait another four years for the rest to become accessible, there are plenty of other great coastal walks around the UK. Here's our pick of the best ...

WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER, KENT

Route: South Foreland Lighthouse Walk

Distance: 3 miles

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Best for: Spotting lighthouses This route offers fantastic views of the chalky white cliffs, the English Channel and - on a clear day if you're lucky - France. There's also a spectacular Victorian lighthouse overlooking St Margaret's Bay at the end of the scenic South Foreland Lighthouse Walk.

This ramble forms part of the Saxon Shore Way - a 163-mile footpath connecting Gravesend and Hastings. This section of the clifftop was an important part of England's defences in World War Two.

See: .

Stay: The White Cliffs Hotel is less than a mile from the lighthouse and has double rooms from £130 per night. See or call 01304 852229.

PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE

Route: Historic Millennium Trail (from Spur Redoubt to The Hard)

Distance: 1.8 miles

Best for: History

Follow the chain motif that marks this route along Portsmouth's historic waterfront. It starts at Spur Redoubt in Southsea and finishes on The Hard, taking in Old Portsmouth, the Camber and Gunwharf Quays. The promenade is lined with traditional column-mounted lanterns, and highlights include a "caponier" - a fortified passageway for troops.

See: . Stay: G! Boutique has B&B doubles from £80. Go to or call 02392 822 226.

GOLDEN CAP, DORSET

Route: Langdon Hill, Golden Cap and St Gabriel's Chapel

Distance: 4.5 miles

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Best for: Dinosaurs

Dorset's Jurassic Coast is home to the UK's highest density of fossils and the whole family can have fun spotting them while walking on its cliffs. Climb the 626ft Golden Cap for great views of the surrounding area. From here you can choose from 25 miles of signposted footpaths. Follow the route that takes you down to St Gabriel's and the ruins of its 13thcentury chapel.

See: .

Stay: The Acorn Inn in Evershot has B&B doubles from £115. See or call 01935 83228.

BECKFOOT, CUMBRIA

Route: Maryport to Beckfoot

Distance: 9.5 miles

Best for: Birdwatching Think of Cumbria and the Lakes probably spring to mind. But this county is also home to the 180-mile Cumbria Coastal Way that runs from Morecambe Bay to Carlisle. Taking in two tidal estuaries as well as coastline, it is a fantastic route for twitchers, and you can spot seabirds and migrant geese as you walk. Try the stretch from the lighthouse at Maryport to Beckfoot, with views of the Solway Firth.

See: . Stay: George's Cottage is from £340 for three nights' self-catering. See or call 01228 599960.

TREFIN, PEMBROKESHIRE

Route: Trefin to Strumble

Distance: 12½ miles

Best for: Workout with a view The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path hugs the Welsh coastline for 186 miles - and the section from Trefin to Strumble gives you a great taster of it. The route feels remote, especially as you approach Strumble, and there are some spectacularly high cliffs which make it more strenuous. Look out for the little beach at Aberbach, where legend has it that a local farmer caught a mermaid.

See: . Stay: Eithinog cottage costs from £460 for seven nights. Sleeps four. See or call 01437 772760.

GLENAPP, AYRSHIRE

Route: Glenapp to Girvan (Ayrshire Coastal Path)

Distance: 13.8 miles

Best for: Escaping the crowds

You'll be gazing on one of Britain's finest panoramic coastlines as you tackle this section of the 100-mile Ayrshire Coastal Path. The trail starts in Glenapp, with its castle tucked away on the coast and surrounded by peaceful woodland. Get a flavour of the whole trail by walking north to Girvan, following wild clifftop tracks and sandy beaches, passing ruined castles and small fishing villages along the way.

See: .

Stay: Glenapp Castle has doubles from £295. See or call 01465 831212.

BURNHAM OVERY STAITHE, NORFOLK

Route: Burnham Overy Staithe to Wells-next-the-Sea

Distance: 6 miles

Best for: Variety of landscape You get salt marshes, flowery sandhills, shell beaches and pine forests on this stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path. The national trail is well signposted and runs through the dramatic landscape of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These villages have a fascinating history - as the marshes expand and push the sea further away, the former warehouses and fishing sheds are left stranded high and dry.

See: .

Stay: In Wells-next-the-Sea, The Globe Inn has B&B doubles from £110. See .

BUDE, CORNWALL

Route: Northcott Mouth to Crooklets Beach and back

Distance: 2.1 miles

Best for: Rockpooling This stretch of the South West Coast Path is a leisurely amble over the ruggedly beautiful Maer Down between two sandy beaches. You'll have dramatic sea views to your right and there's a nature reserve nearby. Kids will love rockpooling in the coves of Northcott Mouth and the rocky outcrops at Crooklets Beach, where facilities include a play area, skate park, beach café and showers.

See: southwestcoastpath.org.uk/ print-walk/687.

Stay: The Beach at Bude is a lovely boutique hotel. Doubles start from £125. See or call 01288 389800.

PENDINE, CARMARTHENSHIRE

Route: Pendine to Amroth (Wales Coast Path)

Distance: 6 miles

Best for: Following in Dylan Thomas' footsteps The poet Dylan Thomas used to drink at Brown's Hotel in Laugharne and there are some great walking routes nearby. The Wales Coast Path from Pendine to Amroth passes Morfa Bychan. This secluded cove is dominated by a large obstacle used for practising the D-Day landings. Plus, when the tide is out, you'll see tree stumps in the sand - the remains of a forest, drowned at the end of the Ice Age.

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Stay: Brown's Hotel has B&B doubles from £95. See or call 01994 427688.

BEAL, NORTHUMBERLAND

Route: Holy Island & The Northumberland Coast

Distance: 28.5 miles

Best for: A walking holiday

Ideal for those looking for more than just a day's walking, Inn Travel has a number of walking holidays, including the fournight, self-guided Holy Island & The Northumberland Coast trip. It sets off from the coastal village of Beal and includes stays in two lovely guesthouses. You'll pass the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, St Cuthbert's Way and Bamburgh Castle and take in sweeping views of deserted beaches.

See: .

Stay: Four nights' B&B is from £355. See or call 01653 617000.