Follow the Coast to Coast Walk from St Bees towards the historic villages and beautiful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Experience the most dramatic section of Wainwright’s legendary Coast to Coast route on this self-guided walking holiday from the Irish Sea at St Bees to the market town of Kirkby Stephen. The western half of the trail showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in northern England, taking you across the rugged heart of the Lake District National Park and into the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
If you're short on time, new to long-distance walking, or prefer to explore the route in manageable stages, this itinerary is an ideal way to sample the best-loved landscapes of the Coast to Coast. It’s also perfect for hikers who simply want the thrill of crossing the Lake District on foot, experiencing the quiet valleys, shimmering lakes, towering peaks and traditional fellside villages. You’ll start your journey by dipping your boots in the Irish Sea at St Bees, then head east with the prevailing wind at your back. The route leads through dramatic valleys such as Ennerdale, Borrowdale, and Patterdale, with the chance to take optional high-level detours to iconic Lakeland summits like Helvellyn. As the Lake District fells give way to the gentler landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, your walk concludes in Kirkby Stephen, a charming town with rail links and a great place to relax after an inspiring week on the trail.
Looking to take things at a gentler pace? Our 9-day version of this trip (trip code WSK) breaks up the longer stage between Shap and Kirkby Stephen, offering a more relaxed alternative.
Scroll down to explore all our Coast to Coast walking options.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Hostel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
St Bees, Kirkby Stephen, Ennerda
St Bees, Kirkby Stephen, Ennerdale Bridge, Borrowdale, Grasmere, Glenridding, Shap
Great walk, beautiful scenery, excellent accommodation, luggage transfers went without a hitch. Electronic map made it almost impossible to get lost. English weather!
I had a very well planned and arranged trip on the East Coast to Coast from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood's Bay. The accommodations arranged were comfortable, friendly, and well situated along the trail. The bag transport worked very well, as did the return transfer to Kirkby Stephen where my car was waiting. The advice on dining was right on and the maps, instructions, and attractions along the way were super. Well done!
Walking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Robin Hoods Bay, Kirkby Stephen
Robin Hoods Bay, Kirkby Stephen, Keld, Reeth, Richmond, Osmotherley, Blakey, Egton Bridge
Hi there, I thought another day in Scotland would have been better. Maybe gone to Glasgow and then combined the last 2 days in the UK together. The last 2 days were a wee bit of a disappointment compared to the first part of the trip. Our TD was wonderful she is so knowledgeable and really knows her stuff.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
London, Edinburgh, York, Stratfo
London, Edinburgh, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cardiff, Waterford, Killarney, Dublin, Liverpool
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Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets, from Shakespeare to Robert Burns. On this journey across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, you’ll admire medieval castles and cathedrals, wander past the famous Chester Rows and kiss the Blarney Stone. The idyllic settings of the Lake District, Dingle Peninsula and the Cotswolds give way to vibrant capitals and the little-known train station with the world’s longest name.
An amazing walking holiday across stunning scenery in the Lakes District. Very well supported by the team, with delightful accommodation, good maps and luggage handling. Thank you!
Superb navigation app along with well-chosen route friendlly accomodation with a particular mention to Hillingford B&B in Ramsey. All cases transferred smoothly. We added extra days in Douglas and were grateful for the room upgrade at the Ellan Vannin hotel which was quite busy. The route itself was great but the oath in need of some signage maintenance
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Isle Of Man, Douglas, Castletown
Isle Of Man, Douglas, Castletown , Port Erin, Peel , Jurby , Ramsey , Laxey
Discover the best of England with the "Leisurely United Kingdom" tour, a 13-day guided sightseeing adventure starting and ending in London. Designed with seniors in mind, this easy-paced tour takes you through picturesque towns such as Inverness and Durham, offering a perfect blend of scenic beauty and cultural discovery. The itinerary emphasizes comfort and relaxation, with well-chosen hotels, inclusive transport, and satisfying meals. What sets this tour package apart is its focus on gentle exploration, making it ideal for those who wish to absorb the essence of the United Kingdom without the rush.
Had two goats ( and ) that made my contiki the best experience possible. The driving and greetings every morning were absolutely phenomenal and the guide yapped so much I gained knowledge of each and every single city:). Which I am super grateful for, I can now offer history lessons to anyone. Nah but seriously an absolute legend who made travelling Europe the ultimate dream. Radiated good vibes every second of the day which allowed me to feel completely safe in countries I’ve never been to. Not a second went by where I felt like my needs, welfare and happiness were not met. They both truly made this experience enjoyable and stress free so big thanks to them. Having had them as my on road team I know I’ll be back on more contiki’s in the future. Forever wishing them the best as well as in his next race.
Beautifully varied and wonderfully unspoilt, Dorset's award-winning Jurassic Coast offers 95 miles of idyllic sandy beaches backed by ancient craggy cliffs and meadows carpeted with seasonal wildflowers. In 2001, it gained UNESCO recognition as England's first Natural World Heritage Site charting 185 million years of the earth's history, with rocks and fossils dating to Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous times.
This 6-night Jurassic Coast walk is the perfect introduction to Dorset's wild and beautiful landscape, where the quietly rolling Purbeck Hills stand in stark contrast to the huge falcon patrolled chalk cliffs, and where every climb is rewarded with fantastic sweeping sea views. In the main, your route follows the coast-hugging long-distance South West Coast Path, pitching and swooping from one downland hollow to the next before a gentle descent into Lulworth Cove by way of the panoramic Burning Cliff and the world-famous rock-arch, Durdle Door. The 280-acre Durlston Country Park is a haven for wildlife (including rare red squirrels) and, with over 250 species of birds, is an ornithologist's paradise. On your final stretch of the Jurassic Coast walk, if you're lucky, you may spot bottlenose dolphins and playful seals emerging from the waves beyond Swanage where the procession of sculpted cliffs and towering chalk stacks known as Old Harry Rocks, marks the end of the Jurassic Coast.
As well as outstanding natural beauty, the region is also rich in archaeology with ancient forts and crumbling castles proudly guarding quintessential rural villages tucked into tranquil corners and crammed with traditional sandstone cottages, tempting tearooms and atmospheric old coaching inns serving great local food. The places you'll be staying in are among the best in the region, including a hotel with excellent leisure facilities and within walking distance of the Georgian Esplanade in Weymouth and a family-run property that looks out toward Swanage bay. Breakfasts are included everywhere; with so many dining options on your doorstep, we've left other meals up to you.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Weymouth, Dorset, Isle Of Portla
Weymouth, Dorset, Isle Of Portland, Corfe Castle, Swanage
On this unique journey through the most ancient and remarkable cities in Britain. Explore London, the famous capital remains one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, and diversity infuses daily life, food, music, and fashion. Visit the city’s landmarks, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben. Continue to Durham, and en route stop in Cambridge, known for the world’s most famous universities. Then head to York, one of the oldest cities in England. Continue your journey by crossing into Scotland. Discover the major highlights of Scotland. The tour will start in Scotland’s Capital city, Edinburgh, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the historical city. Admire the Edinburgh Castle. Travel through the highland, stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry, and admire its Scottish Baronial architecture. Continue your journey to spend the night in the Highland capital of Inverness and prepare for a day of glorious Scottish scenery on your drive along the shores of Loch Ness. We proceed to Glasgow and explore the eclectic streets of Glasgow. We then head to Dublin via Belfast. We explore the iconic sights of Dublin. We will continue to Stratford, the hometown of Shakespeare, and finally arrive in London, where your tour ends.