Coast to Coast

A. Wainwright Coast to Coast

A. Wainwright planned a expedition across England from coast to coast in 1971 which has encouraged others to follow and take part in their own cross country marathons. A. Wainwrights route starts from St. Bees Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea. As discribed by A. Wainwright in 'A Coast to Coast Walk' (2003) The grandest territory in the north of England is traversed by it; indeed, two thirds of the route lies through the area of three National Parks. The walk commences on the sea cliffs of St. Bees Head, passes through the heart of Lakeland, and crosses the Westmorland limestone plateau, the Eden Valley and the Pennine watershed, where it accompanies Swaledale and then aims across the Vale of Mowbray to the Cleveland Hills and North York Moors to end on the sea cliffs of Robin Hood's Bay.

Surely there cannot be a finer itinery for a long distance walk! For sustained beauty, variety and interest it put the Pennine Way to shame! We are luck enough to be situated directly on route at the end of day four as the first accommodation in town once arriving within Shap.