Cycle C2C across England Whitehaven - Newcastle

Tour description

A five centre c2c self guided bike trip across Northern England from Whitehaven to Newcastle. 5 nights bed and breakfast in en-suite (wherever possible) guesthouse accommodation and 4 days cycling.  Includes emergency back-up, luggage transfers, tour details and phone app navigation. Also includes rental of a 21-speed all terrain bicycle.
This is the ultimate Sea to Sea, C2C or Coast to Coast cycling tour across Northern England, offering a great diversity of scenery, history and culture. You and your bikes can be transported to the start or back to Whitehaven after the tour. This is Britain’s most popular long-distance cycle ride, 163 miles across Northern England from Coast to Coast. Enjoy the (relatively!) gentle route through the Lakes District before the challenging crossing of the Pennine Hills. Your efforts are rewarded with a long downhill finishing stretch into the vibrant city of Newcastle.

Sample schedule

START: Whitehaven is on the West Coast of England near Carlisle.

FINISH: Newcastle is on the North East Coast between York and Edinburgh.

DAY ONE: Whitehaven to Keswick approx. 31 miles (50 km). After breakfast you begin the ride by heading down to the harbour for the traditional dipping of your rear wheel into the Irish Sea. Leaving Whitehaven the route starts with a nice easy 8 mile traffic-free section along a disused railway line. Then quiet country lanes take you into the beautiful Lake District National Park and the first big hill of the tour at Whinlatter Pass. Very steep in places this 3 mile climb is rewarded by fabulous views and a café at the top. Fully refreshed, the final stretch starts with a steep descent followed by a flat approach to the popular tourist town of Keswick. An evening meal can be obtained from the many, pubs, hotels and restaurants in the town. Overnight: Keswick, Cumbria, England.

DAY TWO: Keswick to Edenhall. Distance approx 25 miles (40 km). Leaving Keswick the route follows a very enjoyable 3 mile section along another disused railway line to Threlkeld. Surrounded by the spectacular Lakeland fells, these cycle tracks and country lanes take you the 14 miles to the busy market town of Penrith, with many of opportunities for refreshments or lunch. From here a short climb takes you back into the countryside through the rolling green farmland of the Eden Vale to your destination today, the Edenhall Country House Hotel. Meals can be ordered in the restaurant or public bar. Overnight: Edenhall, Cumbria, England.

DAY THREE: Edenhall to Allenheads. Distance approx 30 miles (48 km). Continuing along quiet country lanes for 7 miles you reach the foothills of the Pennine Hills and the big 3 mile hill climb at Hartside. However, this does have 3 things going for it, the views, another café at the top and 4 miles downhill on the other side. Another climb is followed by a steep 2 mile descent, and yet another 2 mile hill climb up to the highest point of the cycle ride. This is the toughest day of the route (but on the right day a never forgotten bike ride) finishing in the isolated town of Allenheads. Order your evening meal in the inn or cafe. Overnight: Allenheads, Cumbria, England.

DAY FOUR: Allenheads to Newcastle. Distance approx. 38 miles (60 km). A one mile hill leads out of the village, but is followed by five miles of descent down a remote wild valley. The last uphill of this tour takes you up onto the moors on a track (there is an on-road alternative if the weather is bad) where (would you believe it) there is a refreshment trailer on the top! You end the tour with an exhilarating downhill section across the moors to finish in the bustling town of Newcastle. There are plenty of places for refreshments along the Quayside to Tynemouth and the end of the cycle route. Enjoy a night out in Newcastle.  The city centre (renowned as one of the premier night spots in Europe) has many pubs, clubs and restaurants. Overnight: Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, England.

FINAL DAY: Departure. After breakfast you can continue your journey from Newcastle by train, ferry or air.

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

Travel Description

RAIL TRAVEL from LONDON to WHITEHAVEN (NOT included in tour price): There is an hourly train service from London (Kings Cross) to Whitehaven (usually changing at Carlisle).

RAIL TRAVEL from NEWCASTLE to LONDON (NOT included in tour price): There is an hourly train service from Newcastle 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