A new walking trail stretching across 25 miles of the Kent coast has opened.

The route connecting Ramsgate to Whitstable is part of the King Charles III England Coast Path project created by Natural England.

Eventually, it will connect the country’s entire coastline into one long trail taking people through towns, cities and ports.

The path in Kent is the latest section which opened for the first time today.

It includes the 19-mile coastline around Thanet, which is the longest continuous stretch of coastal chalk in Britain.

So far the walk stretches across 1,000 miles and has been designed to help connect people with nature and provide health and wellbeing opportunities.

Once complete, the trail will be 2,700 miles-long.

Jim Seymour, Natural England deputy director for Kent and Sussex, said: “It’s really exciting that this spectacular coastline with its chalk cliffs, wintering birds and popular seaside towns, takes the completed path to 1,018 miles.

“At a time when the benefits of connecting with nature are clearer than ever, it’s fabulous that so much of the King Charles III England Coast Path is open for people to enjoy.

“This stretch should also benefit the local economy in north east Kent by bringing walkers past the many local businesses on this route; to shop, for refreshments and to stay.”

The Kent section takes walkers along the north east coast offering views of chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, and seaside resorts.

It starts in Ramsgate going past the entrance to the wartime tunnels and beside the town’s Main Sands.

It continues to the clifftop via the Grade II-listed cliff stairs and rock gardens before going through the King George VI Memorial Park.

At Broadstairs, the path passes the promenade overlooking Viking Bay before heading downhill towards the harbour.

Carrying along the undercliff promenade beside Stone Bay beach, the trail goes up to the clifftop again.

It then follows the clifftops towards Botany Bay and continues to Margate passing Dreamland.

The trail goes through the quieter sandy beaches at Westgate and Birchington and then follows the Northern Sea Wall.

This stretch is flat, bordered by a shingle beach and grazing marsh.

New fencing around the saline lagoons next to the sea wall now provides safer nesting and roosting spaces for birds.

From Reculver Country Park, the trail then reaches Herne Bay with its historic pier, picturesque seafront, and 80 foot Victorian clock tower.

Continuing past Tankerton, and the multi-coloured beach huts, people will then arrive in Whitstable.

Clair Bell, Kent County Council (KCC) cabinet member for community and regulatory services, said: “The opening of the Whitstable to Ramsgate stretch, the latest section of the King Charles III England Coast Path, provides further opportunities for Kent residents and visitors to access the outdoors and connect with the wealth of nature and heritage on their doorstep.

“It also provides the opportunity for businesses to promote their offer to users of the National Trail.

“This section of the coast offers some of Kent’s finest beaches and heritage including Botany Bay, the remains of St Mary’s Church at Reculver, the Royal Port of Ramsgate and the Turner Contemporary gallery at Margate.

“There are a host of opportunities and interesting diversions for residents and visitors alike.

“The commencement of access rights offers the chance to explore new areas of the coast, boosts the local economy and contributes to the health and wellbeing of residents.”

The new path will secure legal rights of public access to typical coastal land.

This includes beaches, dunes and cliffs, allowing walkers to access some places they’ve never been before.