When individuals image a UK street journey, it’s often all Cornwall cliffs or Scottish highlands. However there’s a route throughout northern England that quietly delivers a few of the nation’s most underrated surroundings, character-filled cities, and correctly satisfying pub stops.
It loosely follows the well-known Wainwright strolling route, however this one’s on wheels – much less blisters, extra nation lanes.
Beginning on the Irish Sea at St Bees and ending within the salty spray of Robin Hood’s Bay, this coast-to-coast route takes you thru three nationwide parks, a number of accent shifts, and extra sheep than you’ll be able to depend.
This English coast to coast street journey is for individuals who like winding roads, low-key landscapes, and a little bit of climate. Let’s go!
Begin: St Bees – the place boots hit sand (and tyres hit tarmac)
St Bees isn’t flashy. It’s a sleepy village tucked into Cumbria’s west coast, with an extended, pebbly seaside and the sort of large skies that make you are feeling such as you’ve already left the noise behind.
It’s the place the basic Coast to Coast stroll begins, and when you received’t be doing the complete 190 miles on foot, it’s value marking the second.
Stroll right down to the shore, perhaps dip a toe within the Irish Sea for custom’s sake, and seize a espresso on the Seashore Café earlier than getting on the street.
In the event you’re feeling formidable, close by St Bees Head has a clifftop stroll that offers you pink sandstone cliffs and a puffin colony in the proper season.
Both approach, the journey begins right here.
Cease 1: Kirkby Stephen – valleys, viaducts, and classic outlets
Reduce throughout the Lake District Nationwide Park (sure, you’ll be able to detour for a fast hike or lakeside lunch if time permits), and make your approach in the direction of Kirkby Stephen.
It’s a market city with correct character and 0 pretence.
It’s the sort of place the place you’ll discover artisan cheese subsequent to a tractor provide store, and a railway station that appears like one thing out of an outdated novel.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway nonetheless runs by way of right here, crossing dramatic stone viaducts and supplying you with the sense that trains was a lot cooler.
Issues to do:
- Wander the river stroll alongside the Eden.
- Pop into Platform 3 Café for soup and scones.
- Take a look at the church crypt the place there’s a uncommon “Loki stone” (sure, Viking mischief in rural Cumbria).
Keep in a single day if you need an actual break from every little thing. There are B&Bs with views that stretch for miles, and never a lot site visitors to disturb your peace.
Cease 2: Richmond – Yorkshire attraction with a fortress to show it
As you cross into the Yorkshire Dales, the hills begin to roll and the roads begin to slender.
It’s prime countryside territory – dry stone partitions, cows who couldn’t care much less, and hikers in costly waterproofs.
Richmond is among the oldest market cities in England, and it wears its historical past flippantly.
The cobbled sq. is stuffed with unbiased outlets, the pubs serve up pints with zero fuss, and there’s a fortress smash perched proper in the midst of city prefer it’s no large deal.
A couple of issues to not miss:
- Richmond Fortress – climb the tower for views throughout Swaledale.
- A wander by way of Easby Abbey, a brief riverside stroll from the city.
- Pie and mash at The Famous Pie Store.
If it’s market day, you’re in luck. If not, the city nonetheless hums with an infectious low-level power.
Cease 3: North York Moors – heather, excessive roads, and heartland England
This stretch is much less a few single vacation spot and extra about driving by way of it slowly.
The North York Moors Nationwide Park is commonly skipped for the Dales or the Peaks, however it’s – particularly in late summer time when the heather turns the entire panorama purple.
Take the again roads. Let the sheep set the tempo. Pull over at viewpoints that aren’t signposted.
The moors have an odd, wild magnificence that makes you are feeling removed from all over the place, even while you’re technically solely a pair hours from the coast.
Nice spots for a cease:
- Rosedale Abbey: tiny village, nice tea rooms.
- The Lion Inn at Blakey: an outdated teaching inn in the midst of nowhere, wonderful place for a pub lunch.
- Goathland: higher recognized to some as “Aidensfield” from Heartbeat, however even if you happen to’ve by no means watched 90s UK TV, the village is value a glance.
And if the climate turns (it often will), simply lean into it. That is moorland magic – rain, mist and all.
Ultimate cease: Robin Hood’s Bay – end on the fringe of the world
Subsequent the street winds down by way of Whitby, which is certainly value a cease for fish and chips and a gothic Dracula second if you happen to’ve received time.
You’ll then hug the coast till the street drops into the steep, cobbled streets of Robin Hood’s Bay.
This place is tiny and dramatic. Clifftop homes tumble right down to a seaside that disappears at excessive tide.
Smugglers used to run contraband by way of hidden tunnels right here. Now, walkers dip their boots within the North Sea to mark the tip of the England Coast to Coast route.
You need to too. Stroll the seaside. Watch the tide roll in.
Then rejoice with a pint at The Bay Lodge, proper on the shoreline. It’s not fancy, however it looks like a end line.
Keep in a single day if you happen to can – sundown over the ocean right here is one thing else, and the city is at its greatest as soon as the daytrippers go away.
Street journey suggestions for going coast to coast
- Give it 3–5 days. You could possibly technically rush it in a day or two, however why would you? The attraction is within the wandering.
- Don’t over-plan. It is a route that rewards detours – spontaneous tea stops, vintage outlets, even a fortress you didn’t know existed.
- Anticipate all weathers. Even in summer time, pack layers. The moors specifically have their very own guidelines.
- Get off the primary roads. A sat nav will attempt to hold you environment friendly. Politely ignore it generally!
- Keep in pubs or B&Bs. The attraction of this route is present in individuals, conversations, and breakfasts that can gas you till dinner.
Ultimate ideas
Driving coast to coast throughout northern England isn’t about dramatic moments. It’s about small ones.
Villages with one pub and no cellphone sign. Moors that stretch to date they don’t really feel actual. Pints earned on the finish of an extended stroll.
You begin on one sea and finish on one other, and someplace in between, you decelerate sufficient to note how good all of it is.
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