How long does it take to walk the Coast to Coast?
The Coast to Coast is revered as one of England’s finest long-distance walks. This iconic path crosses three national parks, showcasing a variety landscapes from fells and lakes to woodlands and moorlands. Starting at St Bees in the Lake District, walkers navigate deep sided valleys, lakeshores, and mountain passes. The Yorkshire Dales follow, renowned for its intricate field patterns and dry stone walls, offering a gentler terrain. Richmond marks the end of the Dales, leading to the Vale of York and the remote heather-clad hills of the North York Moors. This unforgettable journey challenges with steep climbs and rewards with stunning scenery. Its enduring popularity among global walkers is testament to the brilliance of its creator, Alfred Wainwright. The Coast to Coast is not only one of our most popular walks, it’s also one of our longest. Which brings us on to one of the most commonly asked questions by those considering the 192 mile route – How long does it take to walk the Coast to Coast? Well, the answer depends really on the individual. Some will want to have a reasonably comfortable time of it while others will be looking for more of a challenge. Other factors such…
Alternatives to the Hadrian’s Wall walk
Hadrian’s Wall Path, established in 2003, is a celebrated coast to coast route that closely follows the iconic Hadrian’s Wall. Built on the order of Emperor Hadrianus between AD122 and AD128, this defensive fortification aimed to safeguard the most northern extreme of the Roman Empire. The path runs from Wallsend near Newcastle, through Northumberland’s picturesque countryside, reaching the historic city of Carlisle and concluding at Bowness on Solway. Being the first National Trail aligning with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall Path underwent meticulous planning to preserve the Wall’s integrity. It took a decade to open it to the public, longer than the Romans took to build the Wall. Despite a few bumps and hollows, Hadrian’s Wall Path is considered one of the easier national trails, offering a week or so of exploration on well maintained paths amid captivating historical remains and breathtaking landscapes. Year on year, Hadrian’s Wall is one our most popular routes, and it’s easy to see why. We urge anyone aiming to walk this incredible trail to book as early as you can. This gives us the best chance of securing our most preferred accommodation. It’s also helpful to let us know if you have…
Walking the North Wessex Downs on The Ridgeway
I was delighted to be able to walk this trail for my fam trip this year for two reasons. Firstly The Ridgeway is new to Mickledore and I wanted to visit some accommodation hosts and familiarise myself with the route. The second reason was that all the Mickledore trips I’ve been on so far have been in the north of the country and I wanted to travel in the other direction and see some different scenery! I chose to walk the western half of the route over the North Wessex Downs from Avebury to Goring as I wanted to take my dogs and currently only this section has suitable dog-friendly accommodation. I am fascinated by the history of the trail and the white chalk horses carved into the hills of this area and was excited to be able to visit some. Arriving in Avebury We arrived early to the World Heritage site of Avebury for our first night’s accommodation so that we could explore as there is so much to see here. I would definitely recommend doing this. It is a popular spot at the weekends and the weather was great so Avebury was busy with tourists. Many are there…
History of the Sycamore Gap Tree on Hadrian’s Wall
Affectionately known as the Sycamore Gap Tree, the iconic and photogenic lone sycamore that stood prominently on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland captured the imagination of countless visitors, photographers, nature enthusiasts and of course Hadrian’s Wall walkers. The tree’s history is not only intimately tied to its natural surroundings but also to its cultural significance as a symbol of resilience and continuity. It is believed to have stood for around two hundred years. Scientifically known as Acer pseudoplatanus, the species is native to central Europe, Italy and western Asia. It is thought to have been introduced to the UK by the Romans. It is characterised by its distinctive five-lobed leaves and winged seeds, known as samaras. Sycamores can grow quite large, potentially above 12 metres, and have a broad, spreading canopy, again potentially 8 metres or more. The Sycamore Gap Tree was a perfect example of the species. Nestled in a dip near Crag Lough, approximately two miles west of Housesteads Roman Fort, it stood in solitary splendour in one of the most picturesque settings in the Northumberland National Park. Just a little background for readers who perhaps aren’t too familiar with Hadrian’s Wall. Often referred to as the Roman Wall,…
What to see at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall
Housesteads Roman Fort offers a fascinating insight to the life of Roman soldiers stationed at this northern outpost from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD. As one of the best-preserved and most iconic forts on Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads provides visitors with a rich historical experience, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a profound sense of a turbulent past. Also known as Vercovicium, Housesteads Roman Fort, one of fifteen forts along the length of the wall, was established within a decade of AD 122, when work began on Hadrian’s Wall itself. The wall’s strategic location marked the most northern extreme of the Roman Empire and it served as a defensive structure against invasions from the north. The fort housed a garrison of Roman soldiers and played a crucial role in maintaining order along Hadrian’s Wall. Upon entering Housesteads, visitors encounter the well-preserved remains of the fort’s layout. The typical Roman fort plan includes barracks, a headquarters building, granaries, a hospital, and other essential facilities. The commanding officer’s house, or praetorium, stands prominently, showcasing the hierarchy and organisation inherent in Roman military structures. The barracks at Housesteads reveal the harsh conditions in which Roman soldiers lived. The standardisation of Roman military architecture…
Experience the Enchantment – 10 Reasons to Walk Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall Path is an iconic trail stretching 84 miles across Northumberland and Cumbria. Steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, this path presents an unforgettable adventure for avid walkers and history enthusiasts alike. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should lace up your boots and experience the enchantment of Hadrian’s Wall. Centuries of History Hadrian’s Wall, built on the orders of Emperor Hadrianus between AD122 and AD128, serves as a living testament to the Roman Empire’s architectural prowess. Walking the path you’ll journey through centuries of history, immersing yourself in the tales of Roman soldiers and the turbulent past of northern Britain. Rich Cultural Heritage Beyond the stones and ruins lie charming towns and villages, each steeped in history and with its own unique character. Immerse yourself in the local culture, savour local cuisine, and learn about the customs that have shaped these lands for generations. Stunning Landscapes Hadrian’s Wall Path winds its way through a variety of landscapes, from lush countryside to rocky outcrops and rugged moorlands as it makes its way to the vast Solway Plains. Each turn reveals a new panorama, ensuring that your journey is not just a historical exploration, but a…
Anne-Marie’s West Highland Way Adventure
As the new kid on the block at Mickledore, I was both surprised and delighted to be asked to go and walk the West Highland Way for my familiarisation trip. As a soft Southerner, who will normally only go on holiday if there is at least a small chance of warm sunshine, the thought of going North for a holiday was something that had never really crossed my mind and quite frankly terrified me, but everyone said I would have an amazing time so I was willing to give it a try and have my opinions of holidays in Scotland changed. So, I gratefully accepted and set about finding someone to come with me. I couldn’t take my husband as he would need to stay at home looking after my kids and all my friends had to stay at home to look after their husbands and their kids. After asking 10 friends who couldn’t take a week away, I sat down and thought, who do I know who has no husband and no kids … Now, I have one friend with no husband or kids. A wonderful (and very sensible) friend who I went travelling with 30 years ago, Sarah….
Top 6 Highlights on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path follows the rugged South Wales coastline for 186 miles and delivers a breathtaking combination of dramatic clifftops and sublime sandy beaches. Add to that the obvious sea birds, the off shore islands, a dazzling display of flowers and plants, historic towns and traditional fishing villages, and you have the setting for one of the nation’s most loved long distance walking holidays. As well as offering the route in its entirety from Amroth to St Dogmaels we also offer 3 shorter holidays allowing you to complete the route over time in more manageable sections should you choose. They are the South Coast: Amroth to Milford Haven. The Central Coast: Milford Haven to St David’s and finally the North Coast: St David’s to St Dogmaels. Whether you choose to do all three in turn, the whole thing in one single holiday or simply choose just one section as your Pembrokeshire Coast experience, you are guaranteed of a thoroughly enjoyable and hugely rewarding experience. To help whet your appetite, we’ve put together just six highlights on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, it could quite easily have been sixteen. This is by no means a definitive list, if we wrote it…
The Dales High Way – An Absolute Corker!
What a route! I can truly say hand on heart that the Dales High Way was an absolute corker. 94 miles following the glorious high ground over the West Yorkshire Moors, the Dales limestone country and the Howgills Fells. Saltaire to Skipton The route starts in Saltaire and we were so eager to start we opted for an evening walk before we started our journey. Although so close to a busy urban area, Saltaire itself has a maze of woodland and canal paths along with an extremely pretty nature reserve/public garden. All of this beautiful open space is exactly why Saltaire was built. Titus Salt a manufacturer, politician and philanthropist in Bradford wanted a better place for his workforce, to get them out of the slums of Bradford, and thus Saltaire was born. Along with the Salt Mill Titus Salt also made his wealth from the weaving industry and produced a durable cloth from alpaca and silk. You can find a bronze alpaca sculpture in the park to celebrate this. Myself and my friend Hana had opted to walk the route in 6 days so our first day will be from Saltaire to Skipton (just shy of 19 miles and…
Sand and Sea Breezes on the Northumberland Coast Path
This article was written by Sarah Hodgson during her time with Mickledore and reflects her first-hand experience of the route. I joined the Mickledore sales team in October 2022, and was delighted to be given the opportunity to walk the Northumberland Coast Path. To give me and my partner plenty of time to enjoy the dramatic scenery and vibrant history along the trail, I chose the 6 day walking itinerary and opted for a rest day in Berwick Upon Tweed at the end. The daily distances and flatter coastal terrain also appealed, as although we are used to walking in the Lake District fells, this was to be our first long distance walking holiday, and we wanted to ease ourselves gently into what we hope to be first of many walking holiday adventures together. Day 1: Arrival in Warkworth We set off nice and early on Saturday morning, leaving our home on the edge of the Lake District to make the journey to Berwick Upon Tweed, which is located at the end of the trail and where we had arranged to leave the car for the week. After a pleasant two and a half hour journey along quiet roads through…
Hayley’s Family Hike on the Isle of Wight
This article was written by Hayley Finn during their time with Mickledore and reflects their first-hand experience of the route. This year I wanted to walk the Isle of Wight with my wife, I’ve never been to the island and I wanted to get some sunshine after weeks of unseasonably wet weather in Cumbria. Fans of my previous blog around the Gower in Wales will know my wife Anna has long Covid so we book the longest itineraries with the shortest daily distances. Since we were planning on the leisurely itinerary we invited Anna’s parents along as well. Would I come to regret this? Cowes to Shalfleet We came early to the island after a night on the mainland near the Southampton port at Anna’s brother’s house. This allowed us a day to have a wander around and Anna to get a nap in. I took John and Sheila over to Osbourne House, which was Queen Victoria’s holiday palace on the island. I’ve always wanted to visit. It is well worth visiting if you arrive on an early ferry or book a rest day in Cowes. After a very well organised and generous breakfast at our accommodation we set off…
Return to the River Thames
Having walked the 59 mile central section of the Thames Path from Oxford to Marlow last summer, my daughter Ebony and I had no hesitation in returning this year to continue our journey. Our plan this time was to walk the eastern section, a 44 mile stretch from Marlow to Richmond, as well as an additional day to Westminster, covering the first 14 miles of the London section of the trail. As always with these things, Ebony’s priorities lay with food. Long before the matter of how far we’d be walking each day, or indeed where exactly we’d be walking, along came the question, “What’s the food situation looking like dad, anything good?” So, since I mention it, let’s get it out of the way. The food was delicious, and as you’d expect when visiting vibrant towns such as Marlow, Windsor and Richmond, there was an abundance of choice. Everything we ate was hugely enjoyable. From the British Gastro Pub, and the Italian restaurant, to the Argentinian tapas, and even the simple noodle bar at Westminster where our host was the kindest of men, we were suitably impressed. As for breakfast, can a girl really wake each morning for an…