Coast to Coast Frequently Asked Questions
We are a family owned and operated business with over 20 years experience operating self-guided holidays on the Coast to Coast. We have walked the route many times, visited the accommodation and stayed at many places. We provide a personal, professional and friendly service. Prior to your holiday we are contactable during working hours and we aim to answer any queries within 24 hours. While on your holiday we are contactable by telephone 24 hours a day.
- Accommodation with breakfast.
- Luggage transfer between accommodation.
- Route information and itinerary.
- Detailed instructions to find your accommodation and any transfers.
- Guidebook and route map with downloadable GPS waypoints.
- 24 hours a day contact with us should you need to contact us in an emergency or have any questions.
We book you in selected walker friendly B&Bs, Guest Houses, small Hotels and Village Inns along the route. We book places that regularly accommodate Coast to Coast Walkers. We visit the accommodation and take note of feedback from our customers. In smaller villages there may only be one accommodation to book, in larger villages we work with several places. We book rooms with ensuite or private bathrooms. We aim to book ensuite accommodation every night but for one or two nights we may have to book rooms with a private bathroom (a bathroom located on the hallway outside of your room but for your use only).
We aim to book your accommodation on route or within walking distance of the route. At one location there is no on route accommodation, so short transfers to and from the route are provided. In a few locations on route accommodation is limited so we may have to book the nearest available and transfer you the short distance between the route and accommodation. Any transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. We provide detailed instructions to find your accommodation, including any transfer information.
A Guidebook and Harvey Route Map are included in your holiday pack. The Coast to Coast route is available to download onto your GPS or Smartphone App. For information we navigate with a guidebook and map and compass, but we also carry a GPS. For Smartphones we have evaluated and can recommend the OS Maps App with the Wainwrights Coast to Coast route downloaded. Remember if using them have your Smartphone and GPS fully charged. Protect Smartphones against wet weather and being accidentally dropped. Always carry your guidebook, map and compass just in case your GPS or Smartphone fails. You may find a waterproof map case useful to protect your map and guidebook.
- Packed lunches. These are available to purchase from your accommodation or local shop if available.
- Evening meals. These are available to purchase from village pubs, cafes or your accommodation.
- Travel to and from the route.
- Travel Insurance, which we recommend, to cover you against cancellation, having to curtail your holiday due to injury/illness, etc.
Ultimately, the itinerary you require is determined by the distance you and the other members of your group can walk in a day, e.g. the average daily distance is 19 miles in our 11 nights/10 days itinerary, whereas the average daily distance is 10.5 miles in our 19 nights/18 days itinerary. You may want to walk the route as quickly as possible or allow time to admire the scenery and take photos. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help with this.
Yes, you can. You can add rest days in any location, but the most popular are:
Grasmere – although only a few days into the route it is a pretty Lake District village with shops, cafes and pubs. It was once home to William Wordsworth. There are regular bus services running through the village. You can travel to Keswick in the North or Ambleside and Windermere to the South. You could also travel by boat along Lake Windermere. It is very popular with visitors.
Kirkby Stephen – is almost mid route. It is a small market town with shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. It is a popular rest day location.
Richmond – is two thirds of the way along the route. It is the largest town on route with shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. You can visit the ruins of Richmond Castle and the Church. Richmond is the most popular choice for a rest day.
If you are having one rest day the popular choices are Kirkby Stephen and Richmond.
If you are having two rest days the popular choices are Grasmere and Richmond.
For three rest days the popular choices are Grasmere, Kirkby Stephen and Richmond.
St Bees – is a good choice if you want a day to get over travel.
Robin Hoods Bay – at the end of the route is a picturesque coastal village. Known for its steep, winding streets, historic buildings, and stunning coastal scenery. It’s a popular tourist destination, offering a blend of relaxation and exploration. Dating back to the 1500s, with a rich history of fishing, smuggling, and shipbuilding. There is an hourly bus service through the village which links it to the popular seaside harbour town of Whitby just a few miles to the north.
Rest days during your itinerary should be made when you book your holiday.
It may be possible to add rest days in St Bees and Robin Hoods Bay after you have made your booking but we recommend booking them when you book your holiday.
Yes, buses and/or taxis (all payable locally) are available. We provide details of transport options in your itinerary.
We start taking bookings in Spring for the following year. We recommend booking early if you are a group booking or if you have specific requirements, otherwise book when you have your plans (date, itinerary and number of people in your party) confirmed. May and early June are very popular, so early booking is recommended. The first two weeks of September are also a popular time. Booking a few weeks in advance of your holiday start date may also be possible. We always suggest making a booking (submit your booking form and pay your deposit) and we will try to book you in, if a booking is not possible, we will contact you to ask if you have any flexibility in your itinerary or dates and if you don’t, we will refund your deposit.
We operate holiday services on the trail from April through to mid-October. The weather in Northern England is varied & unpredictable. You can find the average temperatures and rainfall in the UK weather and Northern England on the Met Office website
The Coast to Coast long distance walk has been a firm favourite with hikers since it was first described by Alfred Wainwright in 1973. In 2022 the Coast to Coast became a National Trail. Work is underway to make this happen with improvements being made to the line of the trail, signage and surfacing as well as access for all. The work to create the Coast to Coast Path National Trail is ongoing but you can still walk the Coast to Coast and follow the route described in the guidebooks and route maps.
The final length of the trail is yet to be fixed as small changes are still taking place, but the estimated final length of the route is 192 miles. When completed in March 2026 the route will be shown as the Coast to Coast Path National Trail on the OS Maps App online maps and new versions of paper copies of Ordnance Survey Maps.
It’s a challenging route with plenty of ascent and descent. You need to be physically fit and able to navigate well. Navigation skills are essential.
More Information?
For more information or to make an enquiry, please don't hesitate to call or email us.
