WHY CHOOSE AUSWALK FOR THE COAST TO COAST
For starters, we’ve actually walked the track and take the time to curate what we actually offer. The Coast to Coast follows clear walking tracks throughout but there are lots of tracks going in all directions. In areas like the Lakes District National Park, walking tracks are not signposted at all, it is apparently against their “ethos”. Not to worry, our very comprehensive day-by-day walking notes that we’ve created, together with our marked copy of a detailed walking map, will ensure that you can walk the Coast to Coast with full confidence, and no fear of becoming lost, even when it is foggy and misty.
AVAILABILITY OF THE COAST TO COAST WALK EAST
The walk is available from March to October. Outside that time please check with us.
August is one of the best months in which to walk the Coast to Coast. The weather is often relatively stable, the heather is in flower, and it is often less busy at this time than one might expect! However, we also recommend spring and autumn as the best time to walk the Coast to Coast track as the weather is pretty good for walking.
HOW TO GET THERE AND GET AWAY
We offer this walk from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood’s Bay, from west to east so the walk starts in Kirkby Stephen. The closest airports to the Kirkby Stephen are Manchester and Newcastle, then it’s a 4-hour train ride from there. Of course, London is the most popular entry route into the UK. You can take a train which takes 5 to 6 hours from Euston Station central London northwards to Kirkby Stephen.
If you are thinking of driving there’s a free unrestricted car park (overnight stay) that can be found at the north end of the town and unrestricted parking on most side streets. Sometimes our accommodations have parking available at a small fee per night. Please speak to us about helping you facilitate this.
Travelling to the Start of the walk
We offer this walk from Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood’s Bay, from west to east so the walk starts in Kirkby Stephen. The closest airports to Kirkby Stephen are listed below; then it’s a 3 – 4-hour train ride from there. Of course London is the most popular entry route into the UK. You can catch a train which takes 4.5 hours from London Kings Cross Station northwards to Kirkby Stephen (via Leeds).
To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.
By Air: The easiest option would be to fly into the UK, any of the major cities will suffice as the UK’s excellent train network will ferry you to Kirkby Stephen. The main UK airports for international flights are Heathrow Airport www.heathrowairport.com, Gatwick Airport www.gatwickairport.com and Manchester Airport www.manchesterairport.co.uk.
The nearest airports to Kirkby Stephen are: Manchester airport www.manchesterairport.co.uk, Durham-Tees Valley Airport www.dtva.co.uk and Newcastle Airport www.newcastleairport.com
By Ferry: International ferry services run to UK ports from France, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. There are also local ferry services that run from the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and the Scottish Isles. Visit www.aferry.co.uk/ferryports.htm
By Rail: The easiest way to get to the start of the track from London is by train. Kirkby Stephen has good train services. For easy train bookings in the UK (and beyond), we recommend using the LOCO2 website https://loco2.com/en. They have an excellent smartphone APP too. Just enter your station of origin, your destination, date of travel etc., and options will be presented (times, fares etc.). You can pay online. Electronic tickets or ticket pick up at the station (from the dispenser machine). Trains from London Kings Cross Station (North Easter Railway) connect with the Cumbrian Coast Line (Northern Rail) at Leeds which services Kirkby Stephen. There are several trains daily. Trains to Kirkby Stephen from London will take approx. 4.5 hr.
By Coach: National Express Coaches link most major towns and cities in the UK. For details of departure times and to book tickets call 0871 781 8181 (or +44 (0) 871 781 8181 from overseas) or visit https://beta.nationalexpress.com/.
By Bus: Various buses run to Kirkby Stephen from nearby towns. Please visit http://www.traveline.info/ for up to date bus journey schedules.
By Road: If you have your own vehicle and are thinking of driving up to the walk then there is a free unrestricted car park at the north end of town and unrestricted parking in most side streets. Sometimes our accommodations have parking available at a small fee per night. If this appeals to you, please contact the Auswalk office about this as soon as possible. For advice on driving to St Bees, please visit www.theaa.com which has a very useful route planner.
Travelling from the End of the walk
By Air: The nearest airports to Robin Hood’s Bay are: Durham-Tees Valley Airport www.dtva.co.uk, Leeds Bradford Airport www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk, Newcastle Airport www.newcastleairport.com
By Rail: The nearest train station is north of Robin Hood’s Bay at Whitby (10 km away) or Scarborough (32 km away). For easy train bookings in the UK (and beyond), we recommend using the LOCO2 website https://loco2.com/en.
By Coach: National Express Coaches link most major towns and cities in the UK. For details of departure times and to book tickets call 0871 781 8181 (or +44(0) 871 781 8181 from overseas) or visit https://beta.nationalexpress.com/.
By Bus: You can get a bus from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby train station which takes about 20 min (Arriva Bus Services) – route X93 or Scarborough train station which takes about 35 min. There are several buses a day. See http://getdown.org.uk/bus/bus/x93.shtml for the schedule.
By Taxi: Several local Robin Hood’s Bay taxi companies offer good deals for small groups to Whitby. Ask your accommodation for current contact details. Whitby and Scarborough’s stations are served by a taxi rank or a cab office. Check availability before travelling, and pre-book if necessary. For further information visit www.taxinumber.com
By Road: For advice on driving from Robin Hood’s Bay, visit www.theaa.com which has a very useful route planner.
Returning to the Start of the Trail:
To return to the start of the walk, from Robin Hood’s Bay you will need to take a bus (Arriva Bus X93) to Scarborough and from here take a train to Kirkby Stephen (approx. 4 hrs). Please note that there are different options for this journey, depending on the date and time you wish to travel. We recommend visiting the LOCO2 website https://loco2.com/en.
Getting away from Robin Hood’s Bay. The closest airports are again either Newcastle or Manchester. Please check National Rail or the Trainline website for timetables. You will have to catch a bus to Scarborough, a 45-minute journey and then a 4-hour train ride to London (or approximately 3 hours to Manchester or Newcastle).
If you left your car in Kirkby Stephen you would need to take a bus from Robin Hood’s Bay to Scarborough and from here take a train back to Kirkby Stephen, a 4-hour journey (note: there are various other permutations to this like multiple buses that can get you there). Again please check National Rail or the Trainline website for timetables.