10 Best Walking Holidays by the Sea

1. FOR FOLKLORE AND GEOLOGY
Causeway Coast Way, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Photo: Absolute Escapes
Dramatic cliffs and jaw-dropping scenery await you as you walk along the Antrim coastline from Ballycastle to Portstewart. The route is relatively easygoing but the sights are spectacular; you’ll cross the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, see Northern Ireland’s tiniest church, admire Dunseverick Castle and visit the Giant’s Causeway with its interlocking basalt columns. A tour and tasting at Bushmills distillery is an optional extra. B&B accommodation is provided en route, along with baggage transfers, route guides and maps. The Causeway Coast Way, five-night self-guided walking break runs from March to October. From £370 per person based on two sharing. Absolute Escapes (absoluteescapes.com).

2. FOR HISTORY AND HERITAGE
Coastal trails, Northumberland

Photo: Inntravel
Discover a wonderful stretch of unspoilt coast taking in Holy Island, St Cuthbert’s Cave, Dunstanburgh Castle and the Farne Islands when you set out on this gently paced walking holiday along the paths, bridleways and dunes of the north Northumbrian coast. B&B accommodation is in a converted chapel in Seahouses and in a rural barn conversion near Beal. Two picnic lunches, luggage transfers, route notes, maps and taxi back to your car at the end of the trip are included. Holy Island & The Northumberland Coast, four-night self-guided walking break runs from March to October. From £355 per person based on two sharing. Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk).

3. FOR INTENSIVE FITNESS
Nordic Walking, Salcombe, Devon

Photo: Blue Chip Holidays
Guests at Seaescape, a three-bedroom retreat on the edge of Soar Mill Cove near Salcombe, can explore a beautiful section of the South West Coast Path while learning the art of Nordic Walking, a whole-body workout in which you propel yourself along using special poles. Pre-book a private guide (who will provide you with poles) and you’ll head out into a glorious landscape that comes into its own at this time of year when the summer crowds have dispersed. Three-night self-catering stay at Seaescape, from £314 based on five sharing. Blue Chip Holidays (bluechipholidays.co.uk). Nordic Walking can be arranged for £80 per person.

4. FOR DAZZLING CLIFFS
Local trails, South Downs, Sussex

Photo: HF Holidays
Escape to the South Downs and enjoy a series of guided walks in England’s newest National Park. There’s a choice of three walks each day, graded ‘easier’, ‘medium’ and ‘harder’, which take in coastal landmarks, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. Full-board accommodation is provided in Abingworth Hall, a comfortable hotel in the Sussex countryside, along with transport to and from the walks and the services of guides. Abingworth Guided Walking holidays vary from three to seven nights and run on selected dates year-round. A four-night stay departing 29 February costs from £325 per person based on two sharing. HF Holidays (hfholidays.co.uk).

5. FOR A WINTER WONDERLAND
Local trails, North West Highlands, Scotland

Photo: Wilderness Scotland
The Scottish Highlands in winter are a sight to behold, and this walking holiday allows you to experience stunning scenery without ice axes and crampons because all routes are low-level and on easy terrain. The fully catered and guided trip is based at a waterside inn in the sleepy village of Plockton, and daily walks include forest and coastal hikes that have Skye, Applecross and Torridon as their backdrop. If the nights are clear, you might even be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. Winter Highlands – North West, four-night guided walking break runs on selected dates during the winter months. From £695 per person based on two sharing. Wilderness Scotland (wildernessscotland.com).

6. FOR THE CREAM OF CORNWALL
Padstow to St Ives, South West Coast Path, Cornwall

Photo: Nearwater Walking Holidays
This stretch of the South West Coast Path takes you from food-lovers’ paradise Padstow to the artistic enclave of St Ives. Along the way, you’ll see the relics of Cornwall’s great mining heritage as well as the dramatic headlands of Trevose and Godrevy. The route is classed as moderate to difficult and you’ll walk an average of 11 miles each day. B&B accommodation and baggage transfers between overnight stops are included. Padstow to St Ives, seven-night self-guided walking break runs all year round. From £575 per person based on two sharing. Nearwater Walking Holidays (nearwaterwalkingholidays.co.uk).

7. FOR LITERARY LOVERS
Dylan Thomas Birthday Walk, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire

Photo: Visit Carmarthenshire
In 1944, Dylan Thomas wrote Poem in October about a walk he took on his 30th birthday to Sir John’s Hill in his hometown of Laugharne. In honour of the poem, a short walk has been created that takes you from the castle up to the headland, giving magnificent views of the Taf Estuary. You’ll have time to linger at the poet’s home – The Boathouse – and visit his famous writing shed. The perfect base for your holiday is Brown’s Hotel, the poet’s favourite watering hole. Visit discovercarmarthenshire.com for details. B&B at Brown’s Hotel costs from £79 per night (browns.wales).

8. FOR BIRDWATCHING
Southwold to Aldeburgh, Suffolk Coast Path, Suffolk

Photo: Walking Breaks
This self-guided walking tour divides this section of the Suffolk Coast Path into easy stages of between six and nine miles per day. You'll pass Dunwich Heath and the RSPB bird reserve at Minsmere, and you can hike with a small day-pack (containing your binoculars) because your bags will be delivered to your destination each day. Hotel accommodation, route notes and maps are included, along with a taxi back to your car in Southwold (or to Woodbridge station if you're travelling by train) at the end of your holiday. Suffolk Gentle Northern Coastal Walk, three-night self-guided walking holiday runs year-round. From £338 based on two sharing. Walking Breaks (walkingbreaks.com).

9. FOR A LEISURELY PACE
Local trails, South Hams, Devon

Photo: Foot Trails
Balmy Devon is perfect for a winter break, and the South Hams area offers a picturesque backdrop. A quiet rural guesthouse will be home during your stay and, though there is no fixed walking schedule, you’ll be offered a selection of local trails of varying lengths to follow at your leisure, taking in the likes of Blackpool Sands and Agatha Christie’s beloved Burgh Island. Bed and breakfast is provided, along with transport to the start of your trails when required. You’ll be kitted out with waterproof maps and trail guides, a map holder, information on local haunts and wildlife, recommendations for lunch stops and even some energy-boasting sweets. Devon – Far Side of Wessex, three-to six-night self-guided walking holidays run year-round, with two-night itineraries available in winter. From £195 based on two sharing. Alison Howell’s Foot Trails (foottrails.co.uk).

10. FOR A CIRCULAR TREK
Round-island walk, Isle of Wight

Photo: Visit Isle of Wight
A mild climate makes the Isle of Wight a great destination for the winter walker. The island has 57 miles of coastline that can be covered on fairly easygoing paths in five to seven days, taking in the multicoloured sand cliffs at Alum Bay, the famous Needles and the chalk cliffs at Freshwater Bay. You’ll stay in guesthouses, inns, farmhouses and B&Bs, and your bags will be delivered in advance to your accommodation each day. Maps and route notes are provided. Isle of Wight Coastal Path, six-night self-guided walking holiday runs year-round. From £480 based on two sharing. Celtic Trails (celtic-trails.com).

For more walking holiday inspiration, check out our ‘Walks’ section, or keep an eye out for ‘Walk of the Month’ in the magazine.