As we celebrate our 70^th anniversary year, Exmoor National Park Authority is proud to unveil the Exmoor section of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP), the first section to open in the South West.

Improvements have been made along a quarter of the length of this 35 mile stretch, so that walkers at popular Devon and Somerset spots such as ‘Hurlstone Point’, ‘North Hill’ and ‘Glenthorne’ can enjoy revived ancient paths and more scenic views.

The celebrations marking the opening of the Exmoor stretch of the KCIIIECP yesterday, were led by Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority and Cabinet member for Climate change in Devon, at Cobbler’s Park in Combe Martin.

The King Charles III England Coast Path is a National Trail around the whole coast of England, taking in existing coastal national trails like the South West Coast Path (SWCP) but offering new public access to link up and improve existing Exmoor routes, enabling people to better experience and value the benefits of this very special landscape.

While the wider coastal access rights between the trail and low water (the coastal margin) will come into force in due course, there are six places on the 35 miles Exmoor stretch of the Coast Path where the route has changed:

1) North Hill (4 miles have become coast path) – The official coast path is now the ‘Rugged Coast Path’ with stunning sea views. – the inland route will remain a public bridleway.

2) Hurlstone Point – the official coast path now affords scenic views around Hurlstone Point – the former route down Hurlstone Combe will remain a public footpath and an alternative route in poor weather conditions.

3) Worthy – (2/3 mile have become coast path) the official coast path skirts around Gore Point with spectacular coastal views, the current more inland route will remain a public footpath.

4) Glenthorne – (2 miles have become coast path) the official coast path takes a more coastal route down towards Glenthorne Beach and then curves through woodland with improved views of the coast before climbing back up through ‘The Towers’ to rejoin the existing route – the former route will remain a public footpath.

5) Lee Abbey – (1/3 mile new off road Coast Path) There are two changes to the existing route which will take the official coast path route off the road.

6) Cobbler’s Park – (¼ mile new Coast Path on the edge of the village) the official coast path route will take a new line at the top of the Park with superb views (the former route remains a public right of way)