A small section of the road-racing Olympic cycling route from the 2012 Olympics, it's one of the most famous road routes in the UK. Home Cycling Coast and Castles Coast and Castles Cycling. A beautiful cycling tour with its start in Newcastle. Youll also need to pack some bike essentials, which leads us nicely onto. Lay out all the stuff youre thinking about carrying, then only carry half of it (at most). It follows part of the North Sea Cycle Route which takes you along the east coast. These cookies are set by YouTube to track usage of its services. Houghton North Farm, partly built with stones from Hadrians Wall is in the beautiful Northumberland countryside right on the Hadrians Wall trail, 15 miles from the start. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Todays also your easiest day. Meet at the finish and transport for people and bikes (yours or ours) either to the train station or back across to the West Coast if required, Transport for people and bikes (yours or ours) to the start at Whitehaven or Workington, Accommodation from basic bunkhouse to guest house, pub or hotel, Full holiday package including all of the above. Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group. The Coast and Castles cycle route inland cycling holiday with Luggage transfers - Newcastle to Edinburgh 198 mile bike ride. CycleActive - The UK's leading travel and training company for mountain bikers, cyclists, cycle leaders, schools and families. 3. We provide contact details, which you can use in an emergency. Baggage transfers along the route, easier than carrying everything! Coast & Castles Camping Boulmer Road, Longhoughton, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3NU stay@coastandcastles.com https://w3w.co/quote.ooze.spoke Search Search the site Opening times Self check in (Mon - Sun)12pm 7pm Bar opening times (Mon-Sun) off peakFrom 5pm - 7:30pm Mon/Thurs - 5pm to 9:00pm Fri/Sat/Sun Visitors welcome Social Special offers and unique holiday ideas from our hostels and bunkhouses. An excellent reference book for anyone who enjoys adventures and holidays. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Typically you start in Newcastle and head North, because travelling in this direction the wind is generally more favourable. As the beginning and end are both major stations on LNER, its an ideal, Coast and Castles Newcastle to Edinburgh (via Melrose), Ridden this route? If you cycle from Berwick to Edinburgh via the coastal route, the ride clocks in at 70 miles, taking your whole journey up to a total of 170 miles. One of the easiest officially-designated long-distance cycling routes in the UK, its accessible, beautiful and brilliant, and it takes riders through diverse stretches of shores, sands, history, heritage, hills, farms, fields, and loads more. If you ride from Berwick to Edinburgh via this route, the ride clocks in at 100 miles, taking your entire journey up to a total of 200 miles. Coast and Castles South Itinerary Day 1 - The adventure begins! This is another fantastic cycling adventure, it offers stunning views of the Scottish countryside. This characterful hostel sleeps 27 across 11 rooms. Pump your tyres up properly before you go, Make sure you pack basic repair stuff, such as a. uniting them by trade and creating a perfect cycle route at the same time. Heres a brief breakdown of your two options: If youre an unquenchably-keen coastal junkie and you want even more servings of shores, sands and seas, this is the choice for you. The Coast and Castles South is arguably one of the National Cycle Network's easiest, but no less epic, long-distance routes. These cookies are used for tracking the user's behaviour on the website to understand the website's performance and reach. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. - Official Sustrans route maps Amazon has encountered an error. Located in Surrey, the iconic Box Hill Olympic Circuit is an excellent option if you're looking for short but challenging. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Plotted with the plotaroute.com route planner. Image: bedsforcyclists.co.uk. Starting from the bustling metropolis Newcastle-upon-Tyne, you pass by golden sandy beaches, the crumbling ruins of ancient castles and picturesque coastal towns. than you think. A free guide to the Coast and Castles road cycle route has been released. Cycling the Coast and Castles (North) Route, Summer, 2022. Scotland the land of historic castles, friendly people, kilts and awe-dropping landscapes. Gift vouchers are the perfect way to give your biking friend, partner, husband or wife a flexible and fun present. All rights reserved, Add a little luxury to your Castles and Coasts trip, Perfect accommodation for cyclists on the Castles and Coasts route. The 355 mile Pennine Cycleway is split into three maps, and Northumberlands section weaves its way through the North Pennines. Coast and Castles Cycle Route Start: Newcastle Distance: Coastal route 170 miles / Inland route 199 miles Terrain: Off road, traffic free Bike Types: Mountain bikes, Hybrid, Road Bike Grading : Moderate There are 2 variations of the Coast and Castles cycle route. If you like carrying a tent, its definitely possible to camp along the whole route. That way, you can take your time and enjoy the places you cycle through, instead of doing nothing but cycling, eating and complaining about your sore little booty. However, its an urban area away from the coast and compared to virtually all the rest of the C&C is not very enjoyable. We think that you will enjoy these places that are close to your location. GPX files for your GPS: Included. The Castle to Coast Cycle Route provides beautiful sights as you pass through its various landscapes on two wheels. The route is best ridden south to north, as the wind is generally more favourable. We have guides on the prettiest small towns and villages in Northumberland, the best walks in Northumberland, and the best castles in Northumberland. A moderately hilly A to B cycle route, approximately 159.8 miles long. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But heres where things get complicated: wild camping is legal in Scotland (in the vast majority of places, check out my guide on the Scottish Right to Roam), but illegal in England. Providing excellence in location, ambience and facilities, the hostel is highly recommended by more than ten of the worlds top backpacker travel guides. Walking and cycling routes change over time. Fitness grade 2 - (4 day), Bespoke dates can be added on request for group bookings. The Coast and Castles South cycle route links the Forth and Tyne estuaries, joining Newcastle and Edinburgh via miles of unspoiled coastline and some of Britain's best built and natural heritage. The North Sea Cycle Route is also called EuroVelo 12. Get the train. Coast and Castles cycle trip over 3 days, from Newcastle to Edinburgh.Route: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/coast-and-castles-south-newcastle-. For the first stretch, your route runs along the lengths of the River Tweed before then veering north through brilliant peaks and panoramas. This route contains sections not on the National Cycle Network. This is an iconic cycle route full of awesome scenery and historical interest! The Coast & Castles route - something for everyone! From Berwick to this wind farm is basically a big long steady climb. Or how to make friends in the scary sprawl of a brand-new city. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Also included hire of a 21 speed all-terrain cycle with train ticket back to Newcastle. Youll learn why the Coast and Castles doesnt just take you along the coast. Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Youve got some treats ahead. DE4 3NR, Independent Hostels Ltd (Registered in Eng and Wales) No: 13994209. You also find plenty of pub and ice cream stops as well as local delicacies such as smoked kippers. Depending on which route you take (more on that confusing qualifier later), the Coast and Castles measures in at around 170 miles (275km) or 200 miles (320km). But even I was surprised by how great the ride isthe views far outweigh the effort required to get them and the landscape is much more diverse and attractive than I expected. Climbing into the Moorfoot Hills on the last day, results in a great descent into the Scottish Capital Edinburgh, with its Medieval Old Town, Georgian New town and thriving city life. If you tackle this version of the ride, you head west out of Berwick, on a jaunt that takes you on an inland half-loop through fields, farms, border towns, river vistas, hill-backed villages and Edinburghs southern suburbs. Each stage ends in a town or village with various accommodation options to make your ride even more comfortable. You can cycle up the beautiful Tweed Valley and over the hills of the Scottish Borders. These cycling trails are a bicycle tourists dream: epic journeys which take in some of the best landscapes and places of cultural interest in Europe. EuroVelo is a network of fantastic long-distance cycle routes that connect the whole European continent. Dogs are welcome by arrangement. Innerleithen, a 7Stanes trail centre, is on the NCR1 & Southern Upland Way. I did the entire Coast and Castles cycle route in May 2021, so Im your local expert, with all the tips, insights and juicy info you need. If you just want to navigate on your own, the route is ridiculously well signposted, so youre probably not gonna get lost. I was born in Newcastle, I know Edinburgh pretty well, and Ive spent loads of time exploring the places between them. Some of the highlights include: Alright, you know where youre starting and where youre ending, but if youre not familiar with this part of the world, youre probably still a bit lost. The Borders hills are gloriously quiet and open out into a great view over the surrounding area and then down to Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. The waymarked 'Coast and Castles' National Cycle route begins at Newcastle railway station, and for the first twelve miles shares the route with the C2C cycle route, as far as Tynemouth.From there we headed into the wind up the coast, passing through Whitley Bay and the somewhat unexciting sounding Seaton Sluice until we reached Blythe. Alternatively, from Berwick stay on the coastal route through the quite towns and villages of East Lothian. 3 nights - 110 The signs youre following are blue with red numbers on them, and youll spot them everywhere. 120 Double / twin room (2 people) The 200 mile Coast & Castles cycle route (National Route 1) links Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh via Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board) 20 posts 1; 2; Next; jan19 Posts: 1606 Joined: 3 Jan 2008, 9:26pm Location: Orpington, Kent. Royal Mile Backpackers is a small and cosy hostel with its own special character! Our cycle holiday team are ready to help find you the best cycling experience to match your skill level and requirements. Explore fantastic walking and cycling routes across the UK. This classic British cycling holiday over four days of riding takes you from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Edinburgh following the National Cycle Network Route 1: Coast and Castles using the North Sea Cycle Route. Travelling South to North takes advantage of the prevailing wind and . A pocketful of inspiration for just 7.95. Stunning coastal landscapes, castles towering on the horizon, parklands brimming with diverse wildlife and highland cows, pristine stretches of creamy sandy beaches and layers upon layers of emerald hills cycling the Coast and Castles route, you quickly understand why it has become one of the most popular cycle routes in the UK. As the route is mostly downhill and the shortest route of your journey so far, your legs can easily recover from the previous days climb. All properties on this page are cycle friendly, so you know youre in good hands while youre exploring on two wheels. One of the most rural parts of the nation, there are lots of lovely holiday cottages in, I love cycling, and Ive lived in various parts of London during many periods of my life. Discover more things to do, food and drink ideas and places to stay in the area. 5.00/day.not available on ebikes family /Group Discount (min 4 bikes)10% - not available on ebikes photo ID required for all booking payment by cash or card on day.or by Bank Transfer if prebooked. Short/Circular Trails. The route involves a few hills and inclines but is mostly flat. I decided to go the off-road way, cos its closer to the coast. A five centre self-guided cycle tour from Newcastle to Berwick along the Coast of Northern England. Image: gps-routes.co.uk. This is the easiest and shortest day, but its also (in some ways) the most varied, as you go from busy Newcastle and its bustling nearby towns to the remote rurality of southern Northumberlands quiet coastal settlements. The Coast and Castles Cycle Route runs from Newcastle to Edinburgh, and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 1. If youre confused about what the NCN routes are, theyre just a network of officially-signposted long-distance cycle networks running through the UK (NCN stands for National Cycle Network). The Coast and Castles South route is a great introduction to long-distance cycling. The route then drops down through Dalkeith and into Edinburgh, Scotlands capital city, mostly via cycleways. By using this website, you automatically accept that we use cookies. Its perfect for those looking for their first cycle touring adventure. The coast and castles route is close to our hearts and brings a smile to our faces every time we think about this route. Im just gonna concentrate on northern English ones, cos theyre the ones I know: There are lots of other excellent long-distance rides in and around the UK, but the above are the ones I know best. Contact us, Twitter Great seafood, Roman remains and a pine-fringed, cycle-friendly island are among the highlights of this leisurely paced two-week route See the Perpignan and Spanish border, and Lyon to Nice road trips This is a lesser-known classic; the Coast and Castles. Anyway, heres where things get complicated: the first part of the route takes you from Newcastle to Berwick (on a stretch which measures in at 100 miles). one of my favorite places in Northumberland, these Ortliebs are the best panniers you can get, the prettiest small towns and villages in Northumberland, 9 Best Ouseburn Coffee Shops to Fuel Your Caffeine Craze, 10 Best Luxury Cottages in Northumberland, 17 Best Christmas Markets in North East England, 13 Best Zoos, Animal Farms, and Aquariums near Newcastle. The Coast and Castles route runs between the bustling cities of Newcastle and Edinburgh, exploring Northumberlands spectacular coastline and the stunning Tweed Valley, finishing with the historic city of Edinburgh. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . It . Or you can take the coastal route instead. This is a great route So dont be an idiot like me, and take the detourbecause even though its longer, its shorter. Independent Hostels Declares a Climate Emergency. Its also by far the most beautifulthe ride from Berwick to Cockburnspath is ridiculously nice, with some of the best coastal descents Ive ever seen. Todays the day you start your trip, you lucky little sausage. 5 nights bed and breakfast (en-suite wherever possible)guesthouse accommodation, 4 days cycling. The big finale. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Despite being almost 200miles in length this route is regarded as being a great introduction into long distance cycling due to its relatively flat profile and great services. Its a proper traditional Northumberland village, and there are great places to eat and drink. The Coast to Coast (or C2C) is a long-distance cycle route of around 220 km (137 miles), which takes riders from England's Cumbrian coast to either Tynemouth or Sunderland (depending on which route they choose). Last summer one of our Bike Mill team members, Richard, headed up to Scotland for a cycling adventure. Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England, near Berwick-upon-Tweed. It would also be wrong to miss out on cycling across the causeway to Holy Island as well, but do check the Tide Times and dont get stuck! 10 Aug 2010. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If youve only ever cycled to your local burger shop and back, youll need to do a bit more prep. If you want to use a guide book and map, here are your options: If youre in any doubt about which maps you might need and which maps you might not, have a play with this excellent OS Map tool here. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". I did the route in four days, and my itinerary looked like this: Youre off! We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness. 10. Magnificent castles in various states of survival stand proudly and defiantly along its alignment. The official start on the Sustrans map is Newcastle Train Station. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Coast & Castles North Map | Edinburgh to Aberdeen Cycle Route (Route 1 - Sustrans Shop We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. - Veloforte Energy Pack - 19 items But you should still make sure your bike is good enough, and in good enough condition. so in this guide, Ive put my proud, I was born in Newcastle, so I spent all of my smiley-faced childhood roving around the place. About TravelnessContact usBrand AssetsRecent Posts, HotelsFlightsTours & ActivitiesTours in EuropeDigital SecurityDepositphotos, Newcastles trendy Ouseburn neighborhood is well-known for lots of things. The Castles and Coasts route (south) runs from Newcastle to Edinburgh. The route links the Tyne & Forth estuaries and passes a plethora of historic sites including Bamburgh Castle, the ancient capital of Northumbria and the world famous Holy island of Lindisfarne. 200 deposit 4 Day Version Coast and Castles cycle in the footsteps of legends and kings, Bike Touring Collection by .css-1ry4g59{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;background-color:transparent;color:var(--theme-ui-colors-secondary);display:inline;font-size:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1ry4g59:hover,.css-1ry4g59:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#0065b8;}Amy. However, the pretty coastal town of Tynemouth is the much more popular starting point. Enjoy this 100-mile cycle route from Lincoln Castle to the Lincolnshire Coast and back again retiring via the scenic Lincolnshire Wolds. Copyright 1996 - 2023 CycleActive Limited - All rights reserved. Here are some bike prep tips: Honestly, I did the trip without a guide book or a map. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Lots of the places you pass through are old mining settlements. The second half of this route sees you head inland, crossing the Scottish border, then making its way into the undulating hills of the Tweed Valley. Being a National Cycle Network route, there are no "technical" off-road sections. Depending on which route you take (more on that confusing qualifier later), the Coast and Castles measures in at around 170 miles (275km) or 200 miles (320km). Other than all that, make sure all the clothes you wear are lightweight, sweat-wicking and comfortable. The Northumberland coast is the best way to discover the history of the border wars between England and Scotland. Route map for 'Coast And Castles' - a 257.2km cycle route near Whitley Bay, UK. The Coast and Castles cycle ride offers something for everyone culture, history, local delicacies, hills, rivers, the sea, and beaches. I decided to take this route as I really wanted to see Eyemouth, Cockburnspath, Dunbar, and the stretches between them. All along this coast are lovely (and usually quiet) beaches. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Perfectly located on the Royal Mile, the most famous street in Edinburgh, Royal Mile Backpackers is the ideal place to stay for the independent traveller. After the success of our C2C ride in 2004, a group of eight of us set out to ride this route in June 2005. For the English section, as far as Berwick-upon-Tweed, I thoroughly recommend the Cycle Touring in Northumberland map below, produced by Cycle Northumberland. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Coast and Castles South cycle route runs from Edinburgh to Newcastle, via Melrose and Berwick - a total distance of just over 200 miles. Although on 160 people live on the island permanently this peaceful spot receives over 650,000 visitors each year. Apple Our suggested itineraries give an insight into planning your trip, however if you prefer others to share the workload contact one of . Its one of the UK's easier, but no less epic, long-distance routes. This cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". By yeewon Last Updated: October 6, 2021. keyboard_arrow_down. Even if you think you know what you're gonna get, you'll be shocked by just how brilliant the Coast and Castles cycling route is. National Cycle Route 76. As most of the section along the coast follows grassy tracks, we recommend riding a mountain or hybrid bike. Its an excellent OS map, supported by GPS and overlaid with all of the NCN routes youll be following. Often abbreviated to C2C2C, the route begins at Lincoln Castle and heads to Chapel St Leonards on the Lincolnshire Coast and then back again. Bike Touring Collection by .css-15tc4lh{margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}.css-1i8yo9i{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/10/10tj405ysa1g3svnep4ug49hh2iiedh68-u564176384506-full/17b010b825b/p?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}Amy, Bike Touring Collection by .css-1wi8bdd{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/2y/2ybguf62finf10zpa1jz1g3ia6ae4x7f153727-full/0?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}komoot, Road Cycling Collection by .css-1gdm513{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/9r/9raptwasy59315mnqnwhawe0v2p6fndwa-usaarland-full/1775e113cf9?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}Saarland. Alternatively we can build a cycling holiday from scratch completely tailored to your needs. Central Edinburgh is a horrible place to cycle. The Dolphin Inn is situated in the centre of the historic seaside town of Dunbar. - CycleActive water bottle The High Street Hostel is one of Europes best regarded and most atmospheric hostels. The Coast and Castles South is part of the National Cycle Network, cared for by Sustrans. Today, you move from the coast to some of the longest inland stretches, taking you through fields, farmland and working farms.