England Coast to Coast

Day 1 - Arrival

Today make your way to Penrith on the edge of the Lake District, where you’ll meet your guides and fellow travellers at the train station. You’ll transfer over to the west coast and settle into your accommodation near Whitehaven for the next two nights. Before dinner, your guides will deliver a welcome brief to chat through the adventure ahead. Enjoy a delicious dinner and get ready for an exciting first day of hiking tomorrow. (D)

Day 2 - St Bees Head to Ennerdale Bridge

We’ll begin this morning on the beach at St Bees Head by dipping our boots into the Irish sea and marking the start of our journey from coast to coast. We’ll leave the sandy shore behind as we take to the tops of the red sandstone cliffs, with seabirds wheeling in the sky around us. After four miles, we turn inland and head east for the first time, passing through fields and country lanes with some road sections. After stopping for a pub lunch at Cleator we tackle our first hill of the trip, walking up and over the bald crown of Dent (352m). We’ll enjoy views of the fells of the Lake District, which wait on the horizon before finishing for the day at Ennerdale Bridge. We’ll transfer back to our hotel with a great first day behind you. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 15 miles / 24 km | approx. 8 hours

Day 3 - Ennerdale to Honister

We transfer back to Ennerdale Water where we start our hike today, enjoying gorgeous views of the Lakeland Fells as we go. The first couple of miles take us along the lake shore, before continuing on through Ennerdale Forest, gradually hiking further and further up the valley into the heart of the hills. We’ll arrive at Black Sails Hut, a remote youth hostel in the hills where we will enjoy our packed lunch. From Black Sail, we climb steeply up alongside Loft Beck. Although one of the steepest ascents of the trip, it’s usually managed in about 30 minutes, and the views back down to Ennerdale make it well worth the effort. Descending this afternoon to Honister Slate Mine, we’ll meet up again with the support team and transfer to the next hotel by the beautiful shore of Ullswater at Glenridding. (B, L, D)

Walk Details: 11 miles / 17 km  | approx 7-8 hours

Day 4 - Grasmere to Glenridding

We’re now in the heart of the Lake District National Park, and today’s section will start from the home of one of England’s most revered poets – William Wordsworth. We’ll visit his old house at Dove Cottage to learn about his life and love of the Lakes before taking to the hills in his footsteps. We hike a high pass up and over Grisedale Hause, then down into Grisedale Valley where the crags and hills stretch out above us. The last section of the hike crosses a low hillside providing a superb view over Ullswater. We finish by walking back to the door of our hotel in the gorgeous village of Glenridding, with an opportunity to stop in at some of the local village shops afterwards. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 9 miles / 14 km | approx 5 hours

Day 5 - Ullswater to Shap

A relaxed start to today’s journey as we board a refurbished historic steamship for a scenic cruise across Ullswater with the Fells of the Lakes spread out behind you. The boat will drop us off on the far shore, and we start walking south along the banks of Fusedale Beck, a small river that winds through the moors and hills. An ascent from here allows us to take our last look back at the Lakeland Fells. We finish the day exploring the historic ruins of the 12th century Shap Abbey and its 15th century tower. A short transfer will take us in to the Yorkshire Dales and to the picturesque village of Ravenstonedale, our home for the next three nights.  (B, L, D)

Walk details: 12 miles / 19 km | approx 6 -7 hours

Day 6 - Shap to Ravenstonedale

This morning we’ll head back to Shap to pick up the hike where we left off. As we venture further in to the Yorkshire Dales National Park the scenery changes. The hills become rounder with the limestone plateaus, rolling meadows filled with wildflowers and miles of miles of traditional drystone walls. We’ll stop for lunch in the little village of Orton to visit the family run village chocolate shop. This afternoon, you can continue the hike with your guide and end up back at the hotel. Alternatively, you can transfer back to the hotel to spend the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation or enjoying exploring the adorable wee village of Ravenstonedale and the surrounding countryside in your own time. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 6 or 15 miles / 9 or 24 km | approx 4-9 hours

Day 7 - Ravenstonedale to Gunnerside

Today we’ll cross the spine of England as we reach the halfway point of the trip. Set out on foot from Ravenstonedale hiking through the fields, crossing styles and drystone dykes, arriving in the market town of Kirkby Stephen where we break for lunch. A short transfer then takes us across the Pennine hills to the stone hamlet of Keld. From here, we’ll set out to hike the Swaledale Valley, one of the most picturesque areas of the Dales. Following the winding river, you’ll pass through fields of wildflowers as sheep dot the hills on either side. We’ll arrive at the village of Muker where we’ll enjoy a traditional afternoon tea before hiking to the village of Gunnerside where we end the walking day before transferring back to our hotel. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 12 miles / 19.5 km | approx 6-7 hours

Day 8 - Reeth to Richmond

This morning we’ll transfer to the town of Reeth where we pick up the trail again at the east end of the Swaledale Valley. Along the hike, we’ll pass through native forests and past the 12th century Marrick Priory, once home to a small community of Benedictine nuns. In the early afternoon we reach the historic and beautiful town of Richmond, still dominated by the towering keep of Richmond Castle, one of the finest and most complete 11th century fortresses in the country. We’ll enjoy a visit to the castle before settling into our hotel overlooking the town’s market square. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 10 miles / 16 km | approx 5-6 hours

Day 9 - Richmond to Lord Stones

From Richmond, we start with an easy walk along the River Swale past the ruins of Easby Abbey to St Giles. Here we meet the support van and transfer to the ruined 14th century Mount Grace Priory, which sits at the foot of the Cleveland Hills. Here we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and a look around the ruins before resuming the walk, setting off into our third national park of the trip – the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. We ascend to the top of Beacon Hill, providing an excellent viewpoint of the moors that lie ahead. We descend from the hill and cross the heather covered moors looking out for the bird life that makes this area home. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 12.5 miles / 20 km | approx 6-7 hours

Day 10 - Lord Stones to Blakey Ridge

A good breakfast today sets you up for the challenging day ahead. We traverse several low hilltops, ascending and descending along a section whimsically known as the ‘rollercoaster.’ We’ll continue across the moor before we pick up the line of the long disused Rosedale Ironstone Railway which was constructed in 1858 to link mining operations in the area. We’ll follow the railway through the wild landscape of the moor to Blakey Ridge and the famous Lion Inn, located at the highest point on the Yorkshire Moors, where we’ll enjoy a welcome drink to toast the end of day. Afterwards, we will have a short transfer to our hotel in the village of Goathland. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 12.5 miles / 20 km | approx 7-8 hours

Day 11 - Blakey Ridge to Grosmont

Beginning from Blakey Ridge, we set out across the moor again and then descend into the beautiful and wonderfully-named dale of Great Fryup. We make for the village of Glaisdale and Beggar’s Bridge which was built by Thomas Ferris in 1619 and is now a Grade II listed structure. We’ll stop to learn the history here and then make our way on to Grosmont and lunch. At Grosmont, we then jump aboard a heritage steam railway and enjoy a short ride through beautiful scenery to the famous Goathland Station, used as a location in many films and TV shows including Harry Potter. Disembarking, we walk up through the pretty village back to our hotel. This afternoon there will be the opportunity to wander around the village and the local shops. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 12 miles / 19 km | approx 6-7 hours

Day 12 - Littlebeck to Robin Hood’s Bay

Our final day of walking starts from Littlebeck, where we walk through gorgeous woodland to the waterfall of Falling Foss. From there we strike out for the coast, which is now just a few miles away. We reach our lunch stop at Hawsker, and can tuck in knowing that there is not far to go. From Hawsker a short hike takes us finally to the coast and the last few miles are along the beautiful sea cliffs, until we reach Robin Hood’s Bay. We’ll walk through the village and to the water where you can dip your toes in the North Sea, having hiked coast to coast across England. We’ll enjoy a celebratory drink at the Bay Hotel Bar, before heading to our lovely hotel at the top of the hill to relax and enjoy a celebration meal together. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 13 miles / 21 km | approx 7 hours

Day 13 - Travel to York, Depart

After a relaxed final breakfast, you’ll leave the coast today and start the journey home. After a last look out at the North Sea, your guides will transfer you to the train station in York where you will say goodbye to the group. From here you can start your journey onward to home taking the memories of your adventure with you. (B)