England: Coast to Coast
DISTANCE
63 miles (101 km).
Average daily mileage:
8 miles (13 km)
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
DURATION
8 walking days
Accommodation
Boutique Inns and Luxury B&Bs and Hotels
Travel Information
Price
£2400 pp
England Walking Tour Overview
With a smooth red sandstone pebble tucked in your pocket from the beach at St. Bees, you set out on one of England’s most long-distance walks—the Coast to Coast Walk. Tradition calls for carrying a stone from the Irish Sea all the way across northern England, casting it into the North Sea when your adventure ends at Robin Hood’s Bay.
Along the coast-to-coast trail, you’ll traverse three remarkable national parks: the rugged fells and shimmering lakes of the Lake District, the rolling meadows and limestone valleys of the Yorkshire Dales, and the wild, heather-topped expanses of the North York Moors National Park.
Between walks, enjoy evenings in welcoming pubs and visits to lively market towns, each brimming with history and charm. By week’s end, your stone may be gone, but the journey will leave you with experiences that stay for a lifetime.
Coast to Coast Walk Highlights
This iconic walking tour of England follows a popular walking route that attracts hikers from around the world. Every step of the way on this much-loved coast-to-coast path offers breathtaking scenery and historical attractions that are sure to make for a memorable walking tour of the UK.
Follow the most scenic stretches of Alfred Wainwright’s legendary Coast to Coast Walk, a National Trail from the Irish Sea on the west coast to the North Sea on the east coast.
Stand atop the clifftops of St. Bees Head and look out over the vast, blue waters of the Irish Sea.
Explore the dramatic landscapes of Cumbria’s Lake District, whose beauty once inspired the poetry of William Wordsworth.
Cross stiles and wander the storybook meadows of Muker, where wildflowers bloom among stone barns, grazing sheep, and drystone walls.
Discover Richmond, England’s second-largest cobbled market town, rich with history and timeless character.
England Walking Tour: Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cleator (2 miles/3.2 km)
Walking England coast to coast begins in Whitehaven, a town on the west coast rich with history, before transferring to the village of Cleator on the River Ehen. Settle into your lodge, explore the gardens or nearby St. Leonard’s Church, and meet your local host for orientation. A hearty three-course dinner featuring fresh Cumbrian produce awaits.
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: St. Bees to Cleator to Borrowdale Valley (9.7 miles/15.6 km)
Start at St. Bees, a sandstone village by the Irish Sea, and pick up a pebble to carry across England—an old Coast-to-Coast tradition. Hike the cliffs of St. Bees Head, home to seabirds and wildflowers, then follow trails through farms and villages before ending in Cleator. Later, transfer to Borrowdale Valley, surrounded by lush meadows and oak-clad hillsides.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Rosthwaite to Grasmere OR Grasmere Loop (8.3 miles/13.4 km OR 5.3 miles/8.5 km)
Choose a rewarding climb through Borrowdale and Greenup Gill, passing waterfalls, crags, and sweeping views before descending into Grasmere—home of poet William Wordsworth. Or, opt for a gentler circuit around Grasmere Lake and Rydal Water, with opportunities to visit Wordsworth’s homes.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Dunmail Raise to Glenridding OR Aira Force Loop (6.5 miles/10.4 km OR 5.8 miles/9.3 km)
Walk from Dunmail Pass past Grisedale Tarn and down into the green valley of Patterdale, ending at lakeside Glenridding. Alternatively, enjoy a more relaxed walk along Ullswater’s shores to the 65-foot Aira Force waterfall, inspiration for Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Muker to Reeth, Yorkshire Dales (10.1 miles/16 km)
Transfer to the Swaledale Valley in North Yorkshire and explore Muker Meadows, famed for wildflowers, sheep, and traditional drystone walls. Cross rivers and pastures to reach Gunnerside, then continue through farmland and along the Swale to Reeth, a charming storybook village. End the day in Richmond, a historic market town with a Norman castle and cobbled square.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Reeth to Richmond OR Free Day in Richmond (10.5 miles/16.9 km)
Take a rest day to explore Richmond’s cobbled market square, castle, and Georgian theatre—or walk from Reeth back to Richmond via Marrick Priory, the “Nuns’ Steps,” and the hamlet of Marske, passing open fields and woodland before descending into town.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: North York Moors: Seavey Hill to Glaisdale (7 miles/11 km)
Head into the North York Moors, where purple heather blankets the rolling hills. Walk across Danby High Moor and Glaisdale Rigg, enjoying sweeping views over Fryup Dale and Glaisdale Head. Finish in Glaisdale before transferring to Helmsley, a market town with riverside walks, shops, and a castle.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Littlebeck to Robin Hood’s Bay (11 miles/17.7 km)
Your final leg begins in Littlebeck’s woodlands, with highlights like the Hermitage cave and Falling Foss waterfall. Cross moors and farmland before joining the Cleveland Way for a dramatic clifftop approach to Robin Hood’s Bay on the east coast. Wander its narrow lanes, then cast your pebble into the North Sea to mark journey’s end.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Departure
Departure after breakfast
Included Meals: Breakfast
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Distance
Total: 63 miles (101 km)
Duration: 8 walking days
Average daily mileage: 8 miles (13 km)
Longest day: 11 miles (18 km)
Shortest day: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Duration
8 nights
7-8 days walking
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour has been hand-picked to provide guests with a luxurious experience of England.
All of our selected B&Bs, Inns, and Hotels will give you a warm welcome with a hearty breakfast for you in the morning to set you off on your day’s walk.
Difficulty
Moderate
This self-guided walking tour of England is rated moderate, with daily distances averaging 7–11 miles. Expect steady ascents and descents, with the most challenging climbs on days 3 and 4 in the Lake District—where you can choose between a demanding mountain hike or a gentler lakeside route. Terrain varies from gravel paths and country lanes to moorland trails, boggy stretches, and farmland pastures (sometimes muddy and shared with sheep, cows, or horses). Daily luggage transfers are included, though walks themselves cannot typically be shortened. Since most routes are exposed to the elements, waterproof boots and breathable rain gear are essential. A bit of navigational confidence and pre-trip fitness will make the journey more rewarding and enjoyable.
Highest elevation gain in one day: 1800ft (549m)
Average daily elevation gain: 1040ft (317m)
Travel Information
Best time to go: March – September
Arriving By Train:
Whitehaven is only serviced by one train station. Whitehaven Railway Station is accessible by connecting trains from Carlisle or Barrow-in-Furness, which can be reached by train from London.
Arriving By Plane:
Recommended airports: Manchester Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport
To reach your starting point by plane, take a flight to one of the airports closest to the Lake District. Flights from around the world are available to Manchester Airport. Liverpool John Lennon Airport also offers international flights; however, fewer are available to it than to Manchester Airport.
From there, you can catch a train, hail a taxi, or hire a car to reach Whitehaven by road.
Arriving By Car:
There is plenty of long-stay parking available in Whitehaven. Whitehaven is easily accessible from most of England by the A595.
Private Transfer:
We are happy to arrange private transfers to your starting accommodation.
Please contact us for further details.
Price
£2400 pp
Two people sharing a room
Luxury accommodation with a private bathroom
Pricing includes:
- 8 nights of luxury hotel, inn, and select B&B accommodation
- Luggage transfers each walking day
- Transfers on appropriate walking days
- Route notes and maps
- Local backup on call
Please contact us to enquire about the single supplement for this tour if you plan on travelling alone.
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