Much of the foreshore is owned by the Crown who allow public access and many of the beaches outside of Crown ownership already permit public access. As with inland open access ground, some areas of the coast path will be deemed as excepted land where public access is not permitted.

In the United Kingdom, the question of beach ownership is governed by centuries-old laws involving the Crown Estate. Generally, the "foreshore"—the area of the beach between the high-water mark and the low-water mark—is owned by the monarch through the Crown Estate, unless it has been specifically sold or granted to another entity. Approximately 45% of the UK's foreshore is currently held by the Crown, while the rest is owned by local authorities, the Ministry of Defence, or private organizations like the National Trust. While the "dry sand" above the high-water mark can be private property, most of the UK coastline is managed to allow for public access and recreation, such as walking and swimming. The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 further strengthened these rights by creating a continuous "Coastal Path" around England. However, while you have a right to be there, certain activities like metal detecting or commercial filming often require a permit from the Crown Estate or the specific landowner. In Scotland, the "Right to Roam" (Land Reform Act 2003) provides even broader legal access to beaches for the public.