Coast to Coast (Wainwright’s) – 17 nights / 16 days walking

About this trail

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and is a massively rewarding walk to do. Your route starts at St Bees and you follow the Irish Sea coast, before embarking upon a journey over the Cumbrian mountains and through the Lake District and picturesque Borrowdale. Traversing the Westmorland plateau you reach the northern section of the Yorkshire Dales passing through Swaledale to reach the bustling and historic Yorkshire town of Richmond, complete with impressive castle.

A flatter section of the route follows as you cross the Vale of York, before your journey starts to climb and you reach the North York Moors – the third and final national park on this walk. Travelling through sections of isolated moorland for many miles you eventually reach the coast, and the town of Robin Hood’s Bay – your final destination on this walk.

Terrain and navigation

The route encompasses a mix of rugged mountains, rolling hill country, moorland and low-lying farmland. There are some strenuous, steep sections in the Lake District, but nothing that can’t be tackled by a fit and agile person. Some of the sections are remote and you can walk for some miles without encountering habitation. Despite its fame and popularity, it is not always well waymarked and, in particular if the weather deteriorates, the ability to map read and navigate is important.  The highest point is Rampsgill Head in the Lake District.

Route elevation

Highest point: 771 metres
Total ascent / descent: 7935 metres /7927 metres

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information of any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if and when required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the hike.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Grasmere

Once the home of poet William Wordsworth, Grasmere is a charming village with its own lake where you can hire a rowing boat. Around Easter and from the end of July to the beginning of September, Grasmere Village Hall is home to the Lake Artists Society Summer Exhibition, with some 300 exhibits by local artists and sculptors.

Kirkby Stephen

Kirkby Stephen is a traditional market town with historic buildings, cobbled yards and interesting shops. Located in the Upper Eden it is part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and it is surrounded by a pastoral rural landscape and wild uplands with breathtaking views in every direction.

Richmond

Richmond is the largest settlement along the route and home to the Georgian Theatre Royal, Britain’s oldest working theatre, built in 1788 and which is today a thriving community playhouse and a living theatre museum, offering guided tours. Richmond is a busy market town built up around a well-preserved 11th century castle and a contrast to the solitude that you will encounter along the route, with plenty to see and do and places to eat.

Robin Hood’s Bay

At the end of the walk Robin Hood’s Bay is a great place to rest and recuperate while basking in the success of your completed walk. It’s a popular village with plenty of shops and places to eat and drink, as well as lovely local walks up and down the coast. Time your visit right and you may catch the locally famous folk club in action.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year especially on some of the more remote locations on this route. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: On the east coast, Newcastle Airport is ideal. In the west, Carlisle does have a small airport with some domestic and European flights.  Larger airports, including for inter-continental flights, are located at Glasgow and Manchester.

By Rail: St Bees is served by a rail station There are rail train stations at Whitby five miles north of Robin Hood’s Bay, a branch line with six trains a day to Middlesbrough, and at Scarborough to the south which has more frequent direct services to Hull, Manchester, York and Leeds. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By bus: Buses stop in Robin Hood’s Bay. You can find details on getting to and from Robin Hood’s Bay using Google Maps. Click on “directions” in the left hand tab and enter your starting point.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.