Lake District village

The Lake District is still as beautiful as it was 100 years ago. Our coast-to-coast hike begins in Lake District National Park, crosses the wooded valleys of Yorkshire Dales National Park, and ends with a hike over the dramatic North York moors.

Photo by Brian McGilloway

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England Coast to Coast

Hike Across Three National Parks and an Historic and Literary Landscape

One of the world’s great hikes is the coast-to-coast journey across England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. We’ve perfected this classic walk, hiking its most spectacular stretches as we cut a swath across England’s historic and literary landscape and through three magnificent national parks. We start in the impossibly romantic Lake District, the sublime landscape that provided inspiration for Wordsworth and Coleridge, hike into the stone-built villages of the Yorkshire Dales (James Herriot country), then enter the purple-heather countryside of the North York Moors, hiking from Bronte country to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea. The good cheer of village inns and rural pubs where we relax with fellow hikers adds to the charm of this rewarding journey.

Highlights

  • Hike through three fantastic national parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and North York Moors
  • Visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, the castle town of Richmond
  • A wealth of Roman roads, storybook villages, friendly country pubs
  • Overnights in village inns where we are warmly welcomed

Details

  • 14-day trip begins and ends in Manchester
  • 13 nights in village inns, historic hotels, and B&Bs
  • All meals included except lunches
  • 13 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 6-8 hours a day, van support

Tour Costs

$4795 (9-12 members)
$5195 (6-8 members)

Single supplement: $395

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

Jun 13-26, 2010  Chris Gillings
   Peter Goddard
Jul 4-17, 2010  Hugh Westacott
   Chris Gillings, Peter Goddard
Aug 1-14, 2010  Hugh Westacott
   Peter Goddard, Avril Goddard

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
England Coast to Coast route-map

Days 1-6
Irish Sea / Ravenglass / Lake District National Park

At the village of Ravenglass, we christen our boots in the Irish Sea (a tradition for coast-to-coast hikers), then set out on a rolling coastal path with stunning views out to the Isle of Man. Entering Lake District National Park, with its stone walls overhung with berry bush, glistening green fields where white sheep graze, and still, blue tarns, we ascend Styhead Pass, with stunning views of England’s highest mountains. After hiking through the beautiful valley of Borrowdale, we continue to the famous village of Grasmere to visit Dove Cottage, home of the poet William Wordsworth, then continue over an ancient Roman road, the highest engineered by the Romans in England.

Days 7-9
Yorkshire Dales National Park

Entering Yorkshire Dales National Park, we cross the main watershed of England. In this timeless landscape where All Creatures Great and Small was set, we follow the River Swale through enchanting meadows, wooded valleys, and some of the most charming villages in England.

Days 10-12
North York Moors National Park

We experience a dramatic change of scenery as we walk along a moorland escarpment. The views are bewitching, with purplish heather-strewn heaths fading into a patchwork of golds and greens. On a clear day we can catch a glimpse of the North Sea.

Days 13-14
Robin Hood’s Bay / York

The last leg of our journey brings us past the evocative ruins of Whitby Abbey and along blustery cliffs down to the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay to let the North Sea lap our boots and congratulate ourselves on a job well done. Depart for Manchester via the medieval city of York on Day 14.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure