Bike Tour Sea to Sea Across Northern England

Tour description

A six centre self-guided bike ride Sea to Sea across Northern England. 6 nights bed and breakfast in en-suite guesthouse accommodation, 5 days biking including bike hire with delivery to the start and pick-up at the end of the ride. Also included; transfer of luggage each day, emergency back-up, tour details and phone app navigation.

Sample schedule

START: Whitehaven or Workington FINISH: Newcastle or Sunderland the North of England.

ARRIVAL DAY: At Whitehaven you will be fitted out with your bike. Your first night’s accommodation is close to the official start of the c2c route. The hire bikes will be delivered to the guesthouse and help given with any adjustments required. There are many places to eat in the town from fish and chip shops to traditional pubs and restaurants. Overnight: Whitehaven, Cumbria.

DAY ONE: Whitehaven to Braithwaite approx. 27 miles (43 km). A nice easy start to this route takes you along a disused railway line that is very flat, allowing you time to get used to the bikes. Then minor country roads lead into the beautiful Lake District National Park and the first big hill of the tour at Whinlatter Pass. Very steep in places you are rewarded with breathtaking views and there is a café at the top. From here it is all downhill into Braithwaite and your next overnight stop, with the choice of a pub or hotel for an evening meal. Overnight: Braithwaite, Cumbria.

DAY TWO: Braithwaite to Penrith. Distance approx 26 miles (42 km). Today the ride is easy with no big hills. Quiet country lanes take you past the very popular tourist town of Keswick. It is well worth spending a bit of time here. Leaving Keswick you’ll follow another disused railway line that is a real pleasure, with the Lakeland fells all around you. A section of rolling countryside on minor roads and cycle tracks take you through picturesque villages like Threlkeld and Greystoke before reaching your destination for today, Penrith. A large market town, Penrith has plenty of shops and cafes, plus pubs and restaurants that will provide your meal tonight. Overnight: Penrith, Cumbria.

DAY THREE: Penrith to Nenthead. Distance approx 27 miles (43 km). A short climb along a minor road takes you out of Penrith back into the beautiful Eden Vale countryside. Easy going for the first part, this section passes through rolling farmland and the pretty village of Langwathby before reaching the foothills of the Pennine Hills. Ahead is the second big hill known as Hartside, a long steady climb (steep in places). It has 3 things going for it, the view, another café at the top and 4 miles downhill on the other side. A bit more effort is required to reach your next overnight stay in the village of Nenthead, where meals can be ordered from the Inn. Overnight: Nenthead, Cumbria.

DAY FOUR: Nenthead to Waskerley. Distance approx. 25 miles (40 km). Starting with a climb to the highest point of the tour, this is the most challenging section (but on the right day a never forgotten bike ride), passing through the town of Allenheads before reaching some very remote wild valleys. The last climb of the route takes you to the beginning of a cycle track called the “The Waskerley Way”. This exhilarating ride across the moors takes you to a remote farm complex converted into a guesthouse. This is your accommodation for tonight, where meals can be ordered at the guesthouse. Overnight: Waskerley, Co. Durham.

TYPE OF HYBRID BIKE WE USE ON THIS TOUR: Please ask for details.

Travel Description

RAIL TRAVEL from LONDON to WHITEHAVEN: There is a frequent rail service from London Euston to Whitehaven (change Carlisle).

RAIL TRAVEL from NEWCASTLE to LONDON: There is a frequent rail service from Newcastle upon Tyne to London Kings Cross.

ARRIVING and DEPARTING by EUROLINES or NATIONAL EXPRESS COACH: This is by far the cheapest option for long-distance travel in England, Scotland, and Wales. There are very convenient buses from each major airport. National Express carries over 16 million passengers to 1000 different places in the UK every year, and thousands more from destinations across Europe and Ireland. You can purchase an e-Ticket where you print your travel ticket online in a matter of minutes OR you can obtain an m-Ticket and have your travel ticket sent to your mobile phone - no paper ticket required. You then present this to the driver on arrival.

ARRIVING BY CAR: Please ask for details.

Tour Start Location

Tour End Location