As a specialist in English Coast to Coast walks we offer a huge range of itineraries to suit every walker. Each itinerary we offer is detailed day by day on the right and the stages that make up the coast to coast are described in more details below.
The variety of the landscapes you pass through on the Coast to Coast is what makes this walk such an enthralling journey. This brief description of the Coast to Coast covers the main sections of the walk and each itinerary we offer details your overnight stops and daily distance walked.
Arrive Starting Point: St Bees
The attractive village of St Bees is served by regular trains to Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, from where you can connect to all UK destinations. Journey time from London is between 4h30 and 5h30. Parking is very limited.
St Bees to Ennerdale—14 Miles
After dipping your toes in the sea and pocketing a pebble from St Bees beach a delightful day of walking awaits. High cliffs, quiet country lanes and distant views of Lakeland.
Ennerdale to Shap—48 Miles
Three of four days of walking on arguably the finest fifty miles of trail England has to offer will take you through the best of the Lake District. Overnight stops at the Lakeland towns of Rosthwaite, Patterdale and perhaps Grasmere are a welcome respite from the hilly terrain.
Shap to Kirkby Stephen—20 Miles
Having left the lakes behind you are now in rolling farmland, without the steep ascents and descents of the last few days. Limestone crags and open pasture are a feature of this section, as are several prehistoric sites.
Kirkby Stephen to Richmond—35 Miles
Predominantly in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the two or three days it takes to walk this section will take you across the Pennines, the great watershed of England. Wild moorland and expansive views reward you for your efforts as you walk across this enchanting landscape. Richmond is a busy fortified market town which grew up around the castle.
Richmond to Ingleby Cross—23 Miles
The flattest section of the Coast to Coast traverses the no mans land between the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. A fairly uneventful stage but pleasant none the less.
Ingleby Cross to Glaisdale—50 Miles
The wild open spaces of the North York Moors have a unique atmosphere that feeds the spirit and lifts the soul. Delightful villages and remote inns welcome you at the end of each days’ walk.
Glaisdale to Robin Hoods Bay—19 Miles
Many walkers consider this varied section of the walk the very best of the Coast to Coast. Enchanting woodland, open moors and cliff top walking bring you to the charming village of Robin Hood’s Bay and the end of your journey.
Departing Robin Hood’s Bay
Scarborough is a 30 minute taxi or 60 minute bus journey from Robin Hood’s Bay and regular trains connect to York and other UK destinations.
Walking Direction
Due to baggage transfer restrictions we can only offer this walk from West to East i.e. St Bees to Kirkby Stephen and/or Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood’s Bay.
Navigation
The route way marked sporadically so at least one of your party should be able to navigate with map and compass.
Grade
This holiday is graded Moderate to Strenuous and is most suitable for those walkers with previous long distance experience. The route is a mixture of paths, tracks and minor roads. Some of the paths can become very muddy and boggy where progress can often be slow.
Accommodation
One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We always try and book your accommodation as close as possible to the line of the trail. Occasionally a short transfer may be required and this is always included in the price of your holiday.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable and the total number of single rooms in your party should not exceed two.
Solo Walkers
We welcome solo walkers on the Coast to Coast, although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants.
Baggage Transfer
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Dogs
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers do not accept pets.
Recommended Reading
We supply the Trailblazer Guidebook—Coast to Coast Path by Henry Stedman but you may also wish to buy the following titles.
A Coast to Coast Walk (Wainright Pictorial Guides) - Alfred Wainwright. The guide that started it all! Coast to Coasting—John Gillham and Ronald Turnbull. A lovely coffee table book.
Abbey Farm - St Bees
Abbey Farm is a great B&B located at the start of the Coast to Coast in St Bees. Janet and Steve Pearson offer a very warm welcome to Coast to Coast walkers.
Shepherds Arms - Ennerdale Bridge
Shepherds Arms is a gem of country house hotel and inn offering home cooked produce and real ales and comfortable rooms.
Royal Oak - Rosthwaite
The Royal Oak is an old 18th Century farmhouse and offers a homely atmosphere with snug bar and sitting room with open fire along with rooms with unique and individual charm.
Old Water View - Patterdale
Old Water View has been welcoming visitors for over 100 years and was one of Wainwright's own personal favourites. It offers comfortable accommodation with lots of extra little personal touches.
Brookfield House - Shap
Brookfield House offers comfortable accommodation with spectacular views across the fells. They are renowned for their personal attention.
Barn House - Orton
Barn House is a friendly, family-run Bed and Breakfast situated just outside Orton who cater very well for walkers.
Old Croft House - Kirkby Stephen
The Old Croft House is a Grade II listed Georgian town house situated in the market town of Kirkby Stephen in the beautiful Eden Valley.It is full of character and is somewhere a little bit special and different to stay.It has many unusual features with a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere offering an ideal retreat for walkers.
Keld Lodge - Keld
A warm welcome awaits you at Keld Lodge.Their philosophy is based on the traditional values of welcoming the hungry, sometimes weary traveller, with warm hospitality, good wholesome food, and an exceptionally high standard of bed & breakfast, and a friendly welcome.
Cambridge House - Reeth
This 5 star guest house offers clean and high quality accommodation in a fantastic setting with views over Swaledale and a short walk away from Reeth village.They also offer tea and cake to welcome all guests on arrival and there is a boot room/drying room for those inevitable wet days.
Frenchgate Guest House - Richmond
The Frenchgate Guest House is a Victorian era townhouse situated within short walking distance of Richmond's historic market place. They pride themselves on quality of their service.
Somerset House Farm - Ingleby Cross
A warm welcome awaits you at this converted 200 year old farmhouse.The fully licensed bar is the perfect place to relax after your walk.
Newlands House - Great Broughton
Andrea & Paul offer excellent accommodation, delicious home cooking, high standards of comfort and cleanliness, combined with good value and a warm Northern welcome.
Red House Farm - Glaisdale
Award Winning Cottages and Bed & Breakfast in a quiet unspoilt valley in the North York Moors National Park. Red House Farm is located in Glaisdale Dale just 400m from the village of Glaisdale.
Clarence Dene B&B - Robin Hood's Bay
Clarence Dene offers offers a very high standard of accommodation and comfort with panoramic views over the picturesque bay.
The best way to travel to or from the Coast to Coast is by public transport as this minimises transfer times and generally works out less expensive.
Getting to St Bees
By Air: The closest airports to the start of the walk are Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. From Glasgow the travel time is 3h00. From Manchester and Newcastle the travel time by train is approximately 4 hours to St Bees. Travel time from London Airports is between 4h30 and 5h30.
By Rail: There are frequent rail services to St Bees via Carlisle or Preston. Journey time from London is between 4h30 and 5h30. From Glasgow travel time is between 2h40 and 3h20.
By Car: St Bees has very limited parking facilities, the only free public parking is available at the railway station (only 18 spaces available) but is not intended for C2C walkers. A few of the B&B’s have parking available at a small fee per night.
To get back to your car in St Bees if you are finishing in Kirkby Stephen the train takes 2h30 to 3h30 via Carlisle. If you are finishing at Robin Hood's Bay and have left your car in St Bees you can catch a bus to Scarborough and then a train via Manchester to St Bees (6 hrs).
Getting to/from Kirkby Stephen
By Air:The closest airports to Kirkby Stephen are Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. From Glasgow the train takes 2h30 to 3h00. From Manchester you can get a train to Kirkby Stephen (3-4 hrs) or from Newcastle you can get a train via Carlisle (3-4 hrs)
By Train: Kirkby Stephen is served by regular services via Leeds & Carlisle. Journey time from London Kings Cross to Kirkby Stephen is 3h00 to 04h00. Journey time from Glasgow is 2h30 - 3h00.
By Car: Kirkby Stephen is 12 miles from Junction 38 of the M6. There is very limited parking available in Kirkby Stephen. The Pennine View Campsite has secure parking for a fixed daily rate and you can contact them on tel: 017683 71717 to reserve a place.
Getting from Robin Hoods Bay
By Air: The closest airport is Newcastle or Manchester being just over 4 hours away by train. Glasgow and London airports are about 5h30 and 5h00 away.
By Train: Robin Hood's Bay does not have a railway station so you must first go to Scarborough by bus or taxi. At Scarborough you can connect to all UK destinations. Journey times from Robin Hood's Bay are approximately: Newcastle (3h30), Glasgow (5h30), Manchester (3h00), London (5h00), Kirkby Stephen (5h00), St Bees (7h00)
By Car: We wouldn't recommend leaving a car in Robin Hood's Bay. Some provide parking for a fee but it is very limited.
Where to Park?
If you do decide to drive we recommend that you park in Kirkby Stephen at the Pennine View Caravan Park.
If you are walking the whole walk you can leave your car and then catch the train to St Bees for your first nights accommodation. When you finish in Robin Hood's Bay you can then catch a train back to Kirkby Stephen via Scarborough.
If you are walking the west section you can leave your car in Kirkby Stephen and catch the train to St Bees for your first night. Your walk then finishes in Kirkby Stephen.
If you are walking the east section you can park at Kirkby Stephen and return by train via Scarborough at the end of your holiday to collect your car.
Useful Websites
National Rail Enquiries
Traveline Journey Planner
Planning Wainright's Coast to Coast can be daunting, especially if this is your first long distance walking holiday. We are often asked the following questions and I hope that you will find the answers useful.
How fit do I need to be?
We offer a range of itineraries so you can choose your preferred daily distance so hopefully you will find an itinerary that suits your preferred level of activity. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.
What is the best way to get to the Coast to Coast start/finish?
The best way to travel to the start and finish of the Coast to Coast is by train. Our travel information page has further details on getting to and from the start/end of your walk.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as Wainwright's Coast to Coast is extremely popular especially over April/May and September. You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.
When is the best time of year?
Traditionally April/May has always been the most popular time of year because the theory goes that the weather is better. Although I believe any time between late March and October offers a wonderful experience.
Which direction should I walk?
We recommend you walk from West to East as all the guidebooks are written in this direction and this is also our personal preference.
Am I able to take my dog?
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers we use do not accept pets.
What happens if I can’t walk a stage?
You can use public transport, bus or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
Additional Nights
Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk to sample more of the wonderful walking and attractions available on the Coast to Coast. Rosthwaite is a good choice as there are many walks around Borrowdale and you could visit Keswick which is close by.
There is plenty to do in the busy village of Grasmere or if you prefer somewhere quieter Patterdale is a good option. In the Yorkshire Dales, Reeth is a good choice for an extra night as there are many short walks from the village. Richmond is also a popular stop with its cobbled streets and market place. Some people like to have an extra night in Robin Hood’s Bay at the end of the walk to relax and enjoy the satisfaction of having finished this iconic walk.
Tailor Made Holidays
We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange your tailor made walking holiday.
The Coast to Coast Walk is available from 4th April to 15th October. To make a provisional reservation select "Book" for the section you are interested in. Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.
You can start your holiday on any date during the season. If your itinerary includes Grasmere, it may be easier to get availability if you do not start your walk on a Tuesday or Wednesday due to restrictions with weekend availability in Grasmere. Also, if Grasmere is on your itinerary it may be easier to confirm if you add in an extra night here (which we recommend anyway) due to restrictions with 1 night bookings in Grasmere.
Because every Coast to Coast Walk we book is unique, availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:
- You provisionally book the tour/s you are interested in on your preferred dates and pay a 20% deposit online or by phone.
- We confirm availability and book all your accommodation and options and send final confirmation as soon as everything is confirmed (max 10 working days).
- If we are unable to accommodate you on your confirmed dates/tour or an alternative of your choice your deposit is fully refunded.
The Coast to Coast is very popular so please book as far ahead as possible and bear in mind bank holidays book up a long way in advance.
There is now very limited availability throughout the whole of September 2013, please book in advance to ensure your holiday is available.
No accommodation in Grasmere will allow one night stays on a Saturday night, we would therefore have to book you two nights in Patterdale and we will arrange transfers for you.
Appleby Horse Fair means Kirkby Stephen is full 7th - 9th June 2013.
The Keswick area is full from 13th July - 02nd August 2013.
Due to a festival in Keld the weekend of the 6th - 10th September is also full.
Available
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Code |
Tour Name |
Duration |
Grade |
From |
Book |
| WESCTC |
Coast to Coast Walk |
6 - 16 Days |
|
£445 |
Book |
| WESCTC1 |
Coast to Coast Walk |
14 Days & 13 Nights |
|
£775 |
Book |
| WESCTC2 |
Coast to Coast Walk |
15 Days & 14 Nights |
|
£815 |
Book |
| WESCTC3 |
Coast to Coast Walk |
16 Days & 15 Nights |
|
£875 |
Book |
| WESCTC4 |
Coast to Coast Walk |
17 Days & 16 Nights |
|
£935 |
Book |
| WESCTC5 |
Coast to Coast Walk |
18 Days & 17 Nights |
|
£985 |
Book |
| WESCTC6 |
Coast to Coast Walk - West |
8 Days & 7 Nights |
|
£445 |
Book |
| WESCTC7 |
Coast to Coast Walk - West |
9 Days & 8 Nights |
|
£495 |
Book |
| WESCTC8 |
Coast to Coast Walk - East |
9 Days & 8 Nights |
|
£495 |
Book |
| WESCTC9 |
Coast to Coast Walk - East |
10 Days & 9 Nights |
|
£560 |
Book |
What's Included/Excluded?
Included
- Hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation in en-suite rooms.
- Door to door baggage transfer.
- A detailed info pack, guide book and map for the group leader.
- Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.
Excluded
- Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal Equipment.
Options
- Single room supplement - If you require a single room in your party there is a single room supplement payable for each single room required.
- Extra nights - You can of add extra nights anywhere along the way. We would suggest Grasmere and Richmond if you are walking the whole way.
