Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walking Holiday

Devised by Alfred Wainwright, the Coast to Coast Walk is one of Britain’s most celebrated long-distance walking routes, crossing northern England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea using established footpaths and rights of way. It is a true journey rather than a linear trail, offering remarkable variety across three National Parks and some of the country’s most iconic walking landscapes. In August 2022, the route was formally announced as the UK’s next National Trail, with improvement work under way ahead of its official launch. Traditionally, the walk begins at St Bees, where many walkers mark the start by dipping their boots in the sea and carrying a pebble eastwards. It finishes at Robin Hood’s Bay, where the pebble is returned to the North Sea, marking the completion of a memorable coast to coast crossing.

From St Bees, the route follows gentle cliff-top paths before heading inland into the Lake District National Park, with its dramatic fells, deep valleys and expansive Lakeland views. After crossing the Eden Valley and passing through the market town of Kirkby Stephen, the walk climbs to Nine Standards Rigg, recognised by its line of ancient stone cairns set high on the escarpment. The path then enters the Yorkshire Dales National Park, intersecting with the Pennine Way near Keld and continuing through rolling dales, limestone valleys and quiet villages. Beyond Richmond, the scenery softens into farmland and former mining moors before the route climbs once more into the wide, open landscapes of the North York Moors National Park, leading eventually to the coast and the final approach to Robin Hood’s Bay.