Coast to coast cycling in northern England

This ‘must-do’ trip on quiet country lanes, cycleways and paths is a wonderful way to see the varied and beautiful landscapes of northern England, following the National Cycle Network route from the Irish Sea across to the North Sea. After dipping our back wheel in the sea at Whitehaven, we head eastwards into the solitude and space of the Lake District, Cumbria and the North Pennines.

The trip is well-paced and ends 140 miles later as we cross the fabulous millennium bridge in Newcastle before dipping our front wheel in the North Sea at Tynemouth to celebrate our achievement.

Accommodation is in well-appointed bed and breakfasts, inns or small family-run hotels. Breakfasts are provided and evening meals are taken in restaurants or pubs close to the accommodation.

If you’re looking for a cycling holiday on quiet roads, traffic free paths and National Cycle Network routes - then the Coast to Coast is the holiday for you.

Skedaddle Self-Guided

If you can’t find a date to suit or want to go it alone, there are self-guided options - 2, 3 or 4 day trips.

For these options, we book all your accommodation, take you to the start point, transfer your luggage and then provide you with route notes and an itinerary for you to do the C2C at your own pace.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day One - Arrival into Newcastle - transfer to Threlkeld (Keswick)
Newcastle is our chosen rendezvous point for the Skedaddle Coast to Coast ride. With its excellent road, rail and air connections getting to and from Newcastle is easy. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at secure parking in Newcastle, or if the train is your preferred transport mode, we will be happy to collect you from the nearby station. From here we transfer by our support vehicle to our first night’s accommodation in Threlkeld, where we arrive late afternoon. Tonight's evening meal is taken at the accommodation where at a suitable point a general overview of the next few days of riding will be given.

Day Two - Whitehaven to Threlkeld - 35 Miles
After an early breakfast we make our way by minibus to Whitehaven. Whitehaven harbour marks the start of our ride and it’s only a few pedals before we leave the somewhat industrial Cumbrian coast and reach some of the prettiest countryside in the UK. Initially following the Cumbrian Cycle Network, we follow the route of a disused mineral railway to Kirkland. From here we follow the quiet country lanes along an undulating route via Loweswater and Low Lorton to Whinlatter Pass. For those wishing to learn a little about the surrounding forest, the audio-visual presentation at the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre is well worth a look.

From here an excellent descent takes us through Braithwaite and Portinscale on the banks of the River Derwent to Keswick. Keswick is in a picturesque setting between the dramatic peak of Skiddaw and the lovely Derwentwater. This is a bustling town and the main centre for the Northern Lake District. Leaving Keswick we follow another railway line, this time alongside the River Greta. We quickly pass near the sacred Castlerigg Stone Circle; a Bronze Age meeting place, followed by the village of Threlkeld. It is here you will once again spend the night and sample yet more of the local produce on offer.

Day Three - Threlkeld to Alston - 40 Miles
Setting off today, the views are absolutely breathtaking. To the northwest stands Blencathra (868 metres) and to the southeast Great Dodd (856 metres) towers above Deepdale. The route is now one of quiet traffic free country lanes through hillsides dotted with small farms. The next place of interest is Greystoke Castle, former home of Lord Greystoke, on which the legend of Tarzan is based. If you're feeling a little peckish, or just fancy a rest and a cup of tea, then Greystoke Cafe is a must.

Penrith follows, before we continue on to Edenhall and Langwathby. From here the route gets a little harder as we reach the highest café in England at Hartside (580 metres), if you know anyone who has already done the C2C, this is The Climb! Hopefully, because of the altitude it does not take the kettle too long to boil and we can enjoy a strong cup of northern tea and well deserved piece of cake. The day ends with a superb descent that leads you all the way to Alston, and your accommodation for the evening. With some great pubs, Alston is the perfect place to celebrate a day in the saddle.

Day Four - Alston to Stanhope - 24 Miles
Today we encounter the hilliest and highest points of our trip. From Alston we backtrack to Leadgate onto the route which undulates into Garragill. From here it's a short, but tough climb up and over into the old lead mining village of Nenthead. Climbing again we reach the highest point on the route, Black Hill (609 metres). After crossing Killhope top, we reach Allenheads. Not only boasting the highest village in England, it’s also home to one of the quirkiest pubs – The Allenheads Inn. Containing rooms full of bric-a-brac and nic-naks it’s a challenge to negotiate your way to the bar…never mind from it!  Just a few more miles before we get to Rookhope. From Rookhope there are two options - either off road up and across Stanhope Common or on road along to Stanhope.

Day Five - Stanhope to Tynemouth - 37 Miles - Transfer back to Newcastle
From Stanhope we join the Waskerley Way which is a traffic free trail that takes in the rugged, expansive scenery of the North Pennines, and contours thankfully, pre-dominantly downhill to the once thriving steel town of Consett.

With the hardest cycling behind us we head towards our goal of Tynemouth. The route then follows a pleasant green route leading over numerous bridges and old railway viaducts and affording great views of the countryside. On reaching Gateshead and the impressive Baltic Arts Centre we cross the Blinking Eye Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne into Newcastle. Waving to the ‘workers’ in the Skedaddle office, at the aptly named Byker, we start our cycling of the final few miles of the coast to coast alongside the River Tyne to Tynemouth. Not far to go now as we head into the heart of the former ship building area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend - literally the Wall's end, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum here.

Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the Fish Quays of North Shields, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and be able to sample some of the finest fish and chips in the North East. You are now at the very mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth. A dip of the front wheel in the sea near Tynemouth Priory and… Congratulations - you’ve just Skedaddled the Coast to Coast!

Equipment
We provide everything except personnel equipment, clothing and a bike (although you are able to hire these). Please contact us if you are unsure whether your bike will be suitable.

What the price doesn't include
(A)    Bike & helmet hire (if required, £90).
(B)    Personal clothing and equipment.
(C)    Insurance (if required, £16).
(D)    Evening meals and bar bills.
(E)    Single room option (if required £120).
(F)    A riding guide.