Cycling the c2c in Northern England

Tour description

A Four centre self-guided c2c cycle tour across Northern England from Whitehaven to Newcastle. 4 nights bed and breakfast en-suite (wherever possible) guesthouse accommodation, 3 days cycling with car parking and transport to the start of tour. Includes; emergency back-up, luggage transfers, tour details and phone app navigation.

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 bike will be transported from Newcastle to the start of the route at Whitehaven. This predominately traffic-free route is Britain’s most popular long-distance cycle ride across Northern England from Coast to Coast. Enjoy the (relatively!) gentle route through the Lake District before a challenging crossing of the Pennines Hills. Your efforts are rewarded with a long downhill stretch to finish in the vibrant city of Newcastle. The following morning after breakfast you pick-up your car from the hotel to continue your journey home.

Sample schedule

START: Whitehaven or Workington.

FINISH: Newcastle upon Tyne.

ARRIVAL DAY: You will be met at the hotel in Newcastle to be transported with your bike to Whitehaven. Your first nights’ accommodation is close to the official start of the c2c route. There are many places to eat in the town from fish and chip shops to traditional pubs and restaurants (meals not included in the tour price). Overnight Whitehaven, Cumbria.

DAY ONE: Whitehaven to Penrith approx. 51 miles (82km). After breakfast you begin the ride by heading to the harbour for the traditional dipping of your front wheel into the Irish Sea. Leaving Whitehaven is a traffic-free section along a disused railway line, which is ideal to warm up. Then miner country roads with a few small hills take you into the Lake District National Park. The first big challenge is a climb over Whinlatter Pass to the busy tourist town of Keswick. Leaving Keswick is a very enjoyable section crisscrossing the river Geata on old metal railway bridges to Threlkeld. Cycling round the foot of the spectacular Lakeland fells you reach your destination for today Penrith. There are many places to eat in this busy market town from fish and chip shops to traditional pubs and restaurants (meals not included). Overnight in Penrith, Cumbria.

DAY TWO: Penrith to Stanhope. Distance approx 43 miles (69km). Rejoining the route on quite country lanes you reach the foothills of the Pennines. Ahead is the big hill known as Hartside, this 3 mile climb has 3 things going for it; the fantastic views, a café at the top and 4 miles downhill on the other side. Descending down from Hartside can be tricky, so please make sure your brakes are in good order. You have a choice of 2 routes at the bottom one less hilly than the other before reaching Nenthead where there is a café and a pub. Another climb takes you to the highest point of the c2c route at Black Hill. A steep downhill takes you into Allenheads where there is another pub and café for refreshments before tackling a climb onto a wild and remote moorland section. Then a long exhilarating downhill leads to your next overnight stop Stanhope. Your evening meal can be obtained from various take-a-ways in the town or a taxi will take you to a nearby hotel or pub for a sit-down meal (not included). Overnight Stanhope, Co Durham.

DAY THREE: Stanhope to Newcastle. Distance approx. 46 miles (74km). There is a steep awakening for today’s ride with a 2 mile climb up a hill aptly named Crawleyside. On a clear day the views from the top are breathtaking, make the climb worthwhile. At the top there is ‘believe it or not’ another café to have a cup of tea and celebrate no more hills to climb. From here there is another exhilarating downhill section along the Waskerley Way. This very pleasant ride is traffic-free all the way to the end of the route. Ridding alongside the River Tyne the route takes you right into the heart of the bustling city of Newcastle. With impassive bridges and building all along the Quayside there are plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments, this is a great place finish the tour. You have a choice now, whether to continue on to Tynemouth (which is 10 miles each way) or make your way to the hotel. There is an Indian restaurant within walking distance of the hotel or you can get a bus into the city centre (not included). Overnight Newcastle, Tyne & Wear.

FINAL DAY: Departure. After breakfast you pick-up your car from the hotel car park to continue your journey from Newcastle.

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