Arrive in St Bees on the Cumbrian coast and meet your guide, leader and fellow walkers at the accommodation for a welcome dinner. The group gathers by the Irish Sea for the traditional pebble ceremony, collecting the stone that will be carried across England and deposited in the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. This is a chance to settle in, review the route ahead and prepare for the first day on the trail. Accommodation: Overnight in a welcoming and friendly guesthouse in St Bees.

Meals:  Nil

The walk begins on the red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head, England’s most westerly point on the northern coast and home to England’s only colony of black guillemots. From the coast, the route turns inland through farmland and quiet Cumbrian villages, with the western Lake District fells gradually coming into view. The day finishes at the foot of Dent Fell, with a celebratory English afternoon tea with prosecco to toast your first miles on the Coast to Coast. Accommodation: Overnight in a small hotel in Cleator.

Meals:  B

After a short transfer to Ennerdale, you will walk the full length of one of England’s wildest and most remote lakes. The route continues beyond the lake through the narrowing valley, passing remote Black Sail Youth Hostel and historic Honister Slate Mine area before descending into Borrowdale. Overnighting in Borrowdale allows you to experience one of the Lake District’s most famous “dales” or valleys. Accommodation: A small hotel or B&B in the heart of the valley.

Meals:  B

Today’s walk follows a classic Lake District route crossing from Stonethwaite beside Greenup Gill to the high pass of Greenup Edge. Views open back towards Borrowdale before the route descends by Easedale into Grasmere, the home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. This bustling village offers pubs, cafés, galleries and the well-known Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Accommodation: Two nights in a small hotel or guesthouse in Grasmere.

Meals:  B

Enjoy a rest day in Grasmere, one of the Lake District’s most attractive villages. You may choose to visit Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum at the Jerwood Centre, home to a collection of manuscripts and art relating to the Romantic movement, walk around Grasmere or Rydal Water, explore the village shops and cafés, or take a shorter optional walk around the villages. This day provides time to recover before the final Lake District pass crossing. Accommodation: A second night in Grasmere.

Meals:  B

Leaving Grasmere, ascend to Grisedale Hause, one of the Lake District’s finest mountain passes, with Grisedale Tarn set below the surrounding fells. The descent into Patterdale brings views of Ullswater, the valley where Wordsworth was inspired by the “host of golden daffodils”, before reaching Glenridding. From here, enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Ullswater on a Victorian Steamboat to Pooley Bridge before transferring to Kirkby Stephen. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or small hotel in Kirkby Stephen.

Meals:  B

A short transfer takes you to Tailbridge Neck before the route climbs to Nine Standards Rigg, the Pennine watershed and a symbolic high point of the Coast to Coast as you cross the “backbone of England”. The ancient and mysterious cairns on the summit mark one of the most distinctive sights on the route. Descend through remote moorland towards Ravenseat Farm, home of the “Yorkshire Shepherdess” and continue to Keld, where the Coast to Coast meets the Pennine Way. Accommodation: Overnight in a hotel in Keld.

Meals:  B

After a short transfer to Reeth, the route follows the River Swale through lower Swaledale, with riverside meadows, ancient woodland, open fields and views across the Yorkshire Dales. The hike through the valley offers a real insight into traditional Dales life with its sheep farms and patchwork of fields bounded by ancient stone walls. The approach to Richmond through Whitcliffe Wood is one of the walk’s great arrivals. Richmond is the largest town on the Coast to Coast and has the old world charm of cobbled streets sitting below an imposing Norman castle. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or small hotel in Richmond.

Meals:  B

Enjoy a free day in Richmond after the walk from Reeth, the longest day on the trip. Choose to relax and unwind or visit Richmond Castle, explore the ancient market square, walk along the River Swale to Easby Abbey, visit the Georgian Theatre Royal or spend time in the town’s cafés, pubs and independent shops. This day gives you time to rest before entering the North York Moors. Accommodation: A second night in Richmond.

Meals:  B

Transfer to Clay Bank Top and begin walking across the North York Moors. The route climbs onto Urra Moor, the highpoint of the North Yorkshire Moors, and follows open moorland and escarpment paths, with wide views across the surrounding countryside. Continue along the old Rosedale Railway route to Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn, one of England’s highest and most remote pubs serving travellers since 1553. Accommodation: Overnight in the inn at Blakey Ridge.

Meals:  B

Today’s walk descends from open moorland into the valleys of the Esk and its tributaries. The route passes the distinctive “Fat Betty” waymarker, skirts Great Fryup Dale, descends Glaisdale Rigg and follows wooded riverside paths towards Egton Bridge. This attractive village is one of the quiet gems of the eastern Coast to Coast. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or B&B in Egton Bridge.

Meals:  B

Transfer to Littlebeck for the final walking stage to Robin Hood’s Bay. The route passes through ancient woodland near Falling Foss waterfall before crossing open moorland and joining the Cleveland Way along the clifftops. The final descent into the old harbour at Robin Hood’s Bay brings you to the North Sea, where you complete the traditional pebble ceremony by placing your St Bees pebble back in the sea to mark the end of the crossing. Enjoy a celebratory pint in the Bay Hotel, and then afterwards transfer (1hr 15 mins) to the medieval city of York. Accommodation: Overnight in a city centre hotel in York.

Meals:  B

Arrangements end after breakfast in York. York is one of England’s great historic cities, with Roman, Viking and medieval hseritage, including York Minster, the Shambles and the ancient city walls. There is much to see and do, and we recommend staying an extra night if you can. Please ask your travel consultant about additional nights’ accommodation when you book.

Meals:  B