Cycle Hadrian's Wall - Coast to Coast

Arrive in the seaside town of Whitley Bay. Check in is possible from 3pm and free car parking is available in the nearby Playhouse Car Park NE26 1LZ. For those arriving by train into Newcastle you can use the Tyne and Wear Metro system to reach Whitley Bay. If you arrive early we can recommend a walk along the golden sands to St. Mary's Lighthouse, that also features a nature reserve and wetland habitat ideal for rockpooling. We end our ride about 3 miles south from here on day 5. The Tour Leader plans to meet you in reception at 6pm for the introductory briefing, followed by the option to enjoy a group meal (not included) to get acquainted with your fellow guests.

After breakfast we drive (2hrs) to Bowness on Solway. We unload and assign the bikes and there will be time to get comfortable and make any necessary adjustments. The included 24-gear hybrid bikes are ideally suited to the terrain. Maps and detailed route notes will be provided, which means we can cycle at our own pace, either individually or with other group members. Our local Leader will transfer the luggage, provide an emergency backup vehicle, and will meet us at various points during our cycling days to help ensure all runs smoothly and you enjoy your trip. We start our ride in the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, following National Cycle Network Route 72 alongside the Solway Firth before heading inland to Carlisle. You may choose to visit the medieval castle that has watched over the Cathedral City of Carlisle for more than nine centuries. Our ride continues to Warwick Bridge followed by a short climb to Brampton where we spend the night. We recommend an optional evening walk around Talkin Tarn glacial lake and Country Park just outside Brampton. Please note that due to the small size of hotels our group may be accommodated in more than 1 hotel tonight. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres/28 mile (total 330 metres/1083 feet ascent and 265 metres/869 feet descent).

Back on the bikes this morning, we have a relatively shorter ride today that takes in some wonderful Roman heritage sites. Our first suggested stop is at Lanercost Priory (English Heritage, optional visit) where you can visit the impressive remains of this 12th century Augustinian priory. There is a steep climb out of Banks before arriving at our first site on Hadrian's Wall at Birdoswald Roman Fort (English Heritage, optional visit), also good for a coffee break. You can see the longest remaining stretch of the Wall here and explore the ruins of the Fort, a turret and milecastle. After a steep climb (up to 17%), we reach Greenhead Bank where you may choose to have lunch and have the chance to visit the excellent Roman Army Museum. It is possible to buy a combined ticket here that includes the entrance to Vindolanda tomorrow. The final stretch is an easy ride down to the hotel in the small town of Haltwhistle. Please note that due to the small size of hotels our group may be accommodated in more than 1 hotel tonight. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 22 kilometres/13.7 mile (total 305 metres/1001 feet ascent and 260 metres/853 feet descent).

Our ride this morning follows the South Tyne Valley to Bardon Mill, before some steep climbs back up to Hadrian's Wall at the Roman archaeological site of Vindolanda. There is a cafe here to have a break and we recommend a visit to the site where you may even see some archaeologists and learn what has been uncovered recently. The cycle ride continues to the historic and picturesque village of Corbridge where we spend the night. Once a Roman garrison town, it is possible to visit the remains of Corbridge Roman Town (English Heritage, optional visit) located just outside of town. Please note that depending on hotel availability, tonight may be spent in either Corbridge or Hexham. Hexham has a beautiful Abbey and would mean a shorter ride (8 kilometer/5 mile less) today and more tomorrow. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 38 kilometres/23.6 mile (total 470 metres/1542 feet ascent and 550 metres/1805 feet descent).

Our final ride follows the River Tyne Valley along minor roads, disused railway lines and cycle paths into Newcastle passing Ovingham Bridge and Wylam (George Stephenson's birthplace). After passing through the centre of the city with the river on our right, we weave our way along the final 20 kilometer/12.4 mile to the North Sea through Wallsend and North Shields. Finally, we reach the small bay at Tynemouth and complete our journey from coast to coast with the ruins of Tynemouth Castle and Priory on the headland above. There is a great feeling of real achievement as we realise that we just crossed England by pedal power! Our journey ends at Tynemouth Castle at around 4pm when we leave the bikes and say farewell. If not picking up your car you can take a short walk to Tynemouth metro station on the Tyne and Wear Metro system, from where it is a 30-minute journey into central Newcastle and the mainline rail station. The earliest your train can depart from Newcastle is 5pm. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres/31.1 mile (total 390 metres/1280 feet ascent and 400 metres/1312 feet descent).