King inaugurates nature reserve and coastal path at Seven Sisters cliffs
The launch of England’s longest managed coastal walking route has been marked by the King
Last updated 19th Mar 2026
The King donned sturdy shoes to celebrate the opening of the newest national nature reserve at Seven Sisters cliffs in East Sussex and launched the King Charles III England Coast Path.
The Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve is the 13th declared in the King's initiative to establish or expand 25 national nature reserves by 2028.
So far, 65 square miles of nature-rich land, including the chalklands of Seven Sisters, have been designated, a size equivalent to twice that of the city of Brighton.
During his visit, King Charles trekked two kilometers along the coastal path, now the longest managed walking route globally, interacting with passers-by and carrying a walking staff.
Rambler Sharon Willmoore, who encountered the King during her walk, said she was "amazed" by his appearance, remarking:
“Not what we were expecting at all, just out for a nice walk and someone said the King was along there.”
Natural England is officially launching the coast path, a 2,700-mile route connecting through the Seven Sisters reserve.
Polly Martin from National Trails UK, celebrating the path's launch, noted:
“We’re hoping the coast path named after the King will make people more aware of the importance of national trails.”
The path traverses the scenic Seven Sisters cliffs, sites of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling, and settings for films like "Atonement" and "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire."
The new 1,500-hectare (3,700-acre) nature reserve spans the cliffs and the Cuckmere River within the South Downs National Park, offering globally rare habitats such as chalk grasslands and floodplain meadows.