Wonderful combination of coastal and countryside walking with interesting historical connections and not too strenuous. Dorchester in particular was worth the extra day's stay.
Walking the Cleveland Way was a wonderful experience. The variety of countryside, moorland and coast, makes it extra special. The accommodation along the way was high quality with friendly hosts, and the luggage service worked like a dream. We met so many lovely walkers along the way and often dined with them in the evenings. It was such a
special trip.
Spanning coast to coast across the north of England, Hadrian’s Wall is a spectacle of emperor Hadrian’s reign in the once-Roman province of Britannia. These days, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wall and nearby ruins provide the trail for a seven-day exploration of pre-British history on two feet. Walking from the western outpost of Carlisle to the eastern reaches of Port Gate near Newcastle upon Tyne, you’ll spend a week following one of the richest examples of Roman history in the United Kingdom. Stop in traditional English villages, discover the well-preserved sections of the Wall and explore the surrounding countryside on a walking trip full of history and rolling landscapes.
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.
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!
Fabulous trip, if too rushed at the beginning. If we could set off on day 1 from Inverness earlier in the day it would be preferable. Days were a bit rushed, too, leaving hardly any time to explore/do anything in Kirkwall, since they rool up tge sidewalk at 4:30 or 5pm. Marco did great job of altering itinerary to accommodate those who wanted time in town. An additional day, however unwieldy for the tour operator, could easily solve it. On last day, the later departure from Kirkwall helped too. The walks and Neolithic sites were great, made incredible by the fantastic sunny weather we were lucky enough to have. The guides providing dinner reservations for the group was helpful too, as the place seemed quite busy.
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
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.
The Hadrian's wall trip was a perfect mix of hiking and touring the highlights of Northern England and the Lake District. Our guide Paul Cannon was very knowledgeable of the area being a native of the region. The places we stayed were inviting and comfortable.Overall the trip was all we expected and more.
