Skip to content
Independent Hostels - The largest network of hostels and bunkhouses in the UK Independent Hostels - The largest network of hostels and bunkhouses in the UK
Buy the guidebook Buy the guidebook
Find Accommodation: Search View All
Menu
Close
  • Group Bookings
  • Join our Network
  • About Us
  • England
    • London
    • South East and South
    • West Country
    • Bristol
    • Exmoor & Dartmoor
    • Peak District
    • Central & Shropshire
    • East of England
    • Lake District
    • Yorkshire & Lancashire
    • North Pennines
    • Northumberland
  • Isle of Man
  • Channel Islands
  • Wales
    • Snowdonia & North
    • Pembrokeshire & South
    • Mid & Borders
    • Brecon Beacons
    • Gower Peninsula
  • Scotland
    • South Scotland
    • Trossachs
    • Mull, Arran & Oban
    • Cairngorms & Moray
    • Loch Ness
    • Highlands
    • West Coast
    • Skye & The Hebrides
    • Orkney & Shetland
  • Long Distance Routes
    • Hadrians Wall
    • West Highland Way
    • Pennine Way
    • Coast to Coast (C2C)
    • North Coast 500
    • All Long Distance Routes
  • Available at:-
    • Christmas
    • New Year
    • February Half Term
    • Easter Holidays
    • May Bank Holiday
    • Spring Half Term
    • August Bank Holiday
    • Autumn Half Term
  • Perfect for You
    • Accommodation types
    • Dog Friendly
    • Private rooms
    • En suite rooms
    • By the Sea
    • Mini Breaks with Activities
    • Pods and Glamping
    • Camping Barns
    • Luxury Bunkhouses
    • Hostels near to Pubs
    • Backpackers Hostels
    • Hostels with Camping
    • Eco Hostels
    • Walking Festivals
  • All “Perfect for you” options
wainwrights coast to coast walk

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk: Accommodation in Hostels and Bunkhouses.

coast-to-coast-wainwrights
Shrink Map

View hostels & bunkhouses by region

All long distance TrailsPerfect for you Lake District, Cumbria Yorkshire & Lancashire Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Route The Mountain Bike Coast to Coast EnglandScotlandWales

The Coast to Coast walk is very popular and accommodation is limited in the small villages along the route. Many walkers resort to carrying heavy camping gear but independent hostels and bunkhouses are a great alternative. Hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns provide information from staff and fellow travelers along with self catering kitchens, drying rooms and often private bed rooms. The most famous route was devised by Wainwright and travels from St Bees Head in the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire Coast.

Accommodation on Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk

  • The Wild Wool Barn

    Routen Farm Cot, Ennerdale, CA23 3AU
    Autumn colours at wild wool barn in ennerdale

    A fab hostel for groups of Coast to Coast walkers and Mt Bikers

    Cosy accommodation for groups of up to 6 on the first day of the Coast to Coast. The only place with a view of Ennerdale Water.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre

    Ennerdale, Cleator, CA23 3AX

    Coast to Coast

    Low Gillerthwaite Field centre is right on the route of Wainwright's Coast to Coast path close to YHA Ennerdale Youth Hostel.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • High House

    Seathwaite, Borrowdale, Keswick, CA12 5XJ
    High House fire pit
    wGroups Only

    Wainwright’s Coast to Coast

    A group enjoying an evening round the fire pit at High House.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Bowderstone Bothy

    Grange, Keswick, CA12 5XA
    wGroups Only
    Bowderstone Bunkhouse is situated along the Borrowdale Valley by the famous Bowderstone – a massive boulder that has lain precariously on one side for the last 10,000 years! It has a kitchen, accessible shower room and communal area, plus running water, electricity and drainage, but linen and mattresses not provided. Please note, Bowderstone Bunkhouse is only for use by clubs, educational groups or other organisations such as the Scouts, as it is on National Trust land and has certain restrictions to its use.
    View hostel
  • The Old Cafe Bunkroom

    Rydal Lodge Country House B&B, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LR
    Exterior

    Cosy accommodation on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk.

    The Old Café Bunkroom in Rydal, Ambleside, is the perfect place to stop for a break whilst on your Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk.  Treat yourself 2 nights in our cosy, comfy micro hostel to give yourselves a day or two to reinvigorate and re-energise. 
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse

    Noran Bank Farm, Patterdale, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0NR
    Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse at Norran Bank Farm in Patterdale
    Noran Bank Farm is near Ullswater just through Patterdale in Cumbria, just 5 minutes’ walk away from the Coast to Coast route and The Westmorland Way. Shepherd’s Crook Bunkhouse is a barn converted to a very high standard and sleeps 8. Duvets, linen and towels are provided. DIY breakfast and packed lunches can be pre-booked. It is very popular with Coast to Coasters, walkers, cyclists and for family/friends get-togethers.
    View hostel
  • New Ing Lodge

    New Ing Lodge, Main Street, Shap, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3LX
    New Ing Lodge on the Coast to Coast walk

    New Ing Lodge on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast.

    A great place to meet fellow travelers on the coast to coast routes.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Reagill Village Hall

    Fern Bank, Reagill, Cumbria. CA10 3ER
    Reagill Village Hall

    Simple, budget, village hall accommodation in the Lake District

    Historic Reagill Village Hall, (formerly the oldest school in Westmorland, founded 400 years ago) is making history again. This time it is opening its ancient doors to overnight guests. The facilities are basic (this is reflected in the price) and the accommodation has much to offer. It's located close to the C2C walking, cycling & mountain biking routes, it's got great heating and the tiny hamlet of Reagill with it's 20 houses, quiet roads and no street lights will take you back to a bygone era.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Kirkby Stephen Hostel

    Market Street, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4QQ
    Kirkby Stephen

    The centre point of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast

    Kirkby Stephen Hostel, at the centre point of this coast to coast, long distance walk, specialises in a warm welcome for walkers.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Dales Bike Centre

    Parks Barn, Fremington, Richmond, Yorkshire Dales DL11 6AW
    Dales Bike Centre

    One Mile East of Reeth on the Coast to Coast Walk

    Dales Bike Centre provides ideal accommodation for walkers.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn

    24 Richmond Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7HE
    Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn

    Book your stay at Brompton on Swale Bunkhouse on the Coast to Coast

    The barn is much loved by the people who stay there and is famous for beautiful summer holidays.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Cote Ghyll Mill

    Osmotherley, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 3AH

    Less then a mile from the Coast to Coast Walk

    Leave the Coast to Coast trail at Mount Gracie Wood, two miles west of Ingleby Arncliff, to take a three quarter of a mile diversion to heaven.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Bank House Farm Hostel

    Bank House Farm, Glaisdale, Whitby YO21 2QA
    bankhousefarmhostel

    Bunkbarns and B&B just 1 mile off Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk

    Bank House Farm in Glaisdale in the North York Moors National Park has a variety of accommodation for C2C walkers. Pickups, bedding/towels, DIY breakfast and supermarket deliveries all possible.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • The Old School House

    Fisherhead, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby, Yorkshire. YO22 4ST
    coast to coast walk end plaque at Robin Hoods Bay

    Just metres away from Wainwrights’ Coast to Coast walk

    The Old School House is just metres away from the end of Wainwrights' Coast to Coast walk in the romantic coastal village of Robin Hoods Bay. Ideal for groups of families and friends to book exclusively and also available to walkers and families looking for an affordable stay by the sea.
    Find out more
    View hostel
  • Scarborough Youth Hostel

    The White House, Burniston Road, Scarborough, YO13 0DA
    The exterior of scarborough youth hostel on the lands end to John O Groats long distance footpath
    For a fun filled, seaside break Scarborough is unbeatable: two safe, sandy beaches, penny arcades, pirate ship, three surf schools and the Alpamare Waterpark. Once a 17th century water mill on a quiet riverside just outside the town, Scarborough Youth Hostel is also a perfect base for exploring the coast and country of the North York Moors and Wolds with miles of paths, tracks and quiet lanes for walkers and cyclists.
    View hostel

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk and C2C Sea to Sea cycle route

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk

Self-catering accommodation along Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk showing hostel, bunkhouse, and camping barn accommodation along the route. The path is generally walked from West to East, starting on the Cumbrian coast at St Bees Head and details of the accommodation are given in this order. Here are links for details of the C2C Cycle Route and Mountain Bike Route.

New Ing Lodge accommodation at Shap on Wainwright's Coast to Coast route
New Ing Lodge accommodation at Shap on Wainwright’s route

Location of accommodation on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk (West to East).

LOW GILLERTHWAITE FIELD CENTRE straddles Wainwright’s path at Ennerdale, 4 miles east of Ennerdale Bridge.  WILD WOOL is approx 1 mile off the path just north of Ennerdale Water. HIGH HOUSE bunkhouse accommodation, is a 1.7 mile detour off the route, leaving the route walk at Rosthwaite for a walk along Borrowdale.  NEW ING LODGE B&B and hostel is on the path in the village of Shap. SHEPHERDS CROOK  BUNKHOUSE is in Patterdale five minutes walk from the route. BENTS  CAMPING BARN (Now Closed) was accessible from the path, 4 miles west of Kirkby Stephen with a detour by footpath. KIRKBY STEPHEN HOSTEL accommodation is in the centre of the village on the route. DALES BIKE CENTRE bunkhouse-style accommodation is just off the path, half a mile East of Reeth. Leave the route at Low Fremington and rejoin at Grinton Bridge. NOW CLOSED:

Richmond Camping Barn, was on the route 3 miles west of Richmond. BROMPTON ON SWALE BUNKBARN on the route 3 miles east of Richmond. COTE GHYLL MILL  HOSTEL accommodation, three-quarters of a mile from the route.  Leave the route at Mount Gracie Wood two miles west of Ingleby Arncliff. BANK HOUSE FARM HOSTEL and bunkhouse one mile from Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route leaving the route one mile west of Glaisdale. SCARBOROUGH YOUTH HOSTEL is accessible by bus from Robin Hood’s Bay.

3 people chatting over a beer, Swapping Coast to Coast stories
Swapping Coast to Coast stories

Suggested itinerary for walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast in 12 days staying at  Independent Hostels and bunkhouses

At the moment this itinerary is untested. We would love to hear from anyone who walks it.  Get in touch and tell us your news and views on stay@independenthostels.co.uk or use our contact form.

Day One

The first day’s walk of 14 miles from St Bees Head is typically completed at Ennerdale Bridge.  Following the independent hostel itinerary, you need to walk a further 4 miles along the route to reach the small isolated hamlet of Ennerdale. Which makes the first day 19 miles. This extra effort is well rewarded at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre where an evening can be spent by the open fire or enjoying a BBQ in the stunning isolation of this valley. The centre’s bunkhouse-style accommodation straddles Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk and welcomes individual walkers and groups, there are small bunk rooms and self-catering facilities.  Alternative accommodation for your first evening would be Wild Wool Barn which is closer to  Ennerdale Bridge than Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, lying just north of Ennerdale Water about 1 mile from the path.

Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre Bunkhouse at Ennerdale on Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk
Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre Bunkhouse at Ennerdale

Day Two

starts 4 miles ahead of the normal itinerary making a 10 mile walk to Rosthwaite. Small parties and larger groups can choose to make a detour off the Trail along the popular valley of Borrowdale for 1.7 miles to the isolated High House, giving a total days mileage of just under 12 miles.  HIGH HOUSE provides bunkhouse style self catering accommodation and small bunkrooms.  It has an overnight charge of £145 which covers a group of 1 to 26 people!

Day Three

Rosthwaite to Grasmere is 9 miles.

Day Four

begins with the climb up to the saddle above Grisedale Tarn and descent along Grisedale Valley to Patterdale, a total of 8 miles.  SHEPHERDS CROOK BUNKHOUSE is in Patterdale five minutes walk from the route.

Day Five

from Patterdale to Shap is 16 miles and usually takes about 6-8 hours.   Walkers and mountain bikers are rewarded at the end of the day by a stay at the very comfortable New Ing lodge. New Ing Lodge, high up on the Cumbrian fells, has warm carpeted rooms, a log burner, a bar, and delicious evening meals. A great place to relax and exchange stories with other walkers.

Day Six

from Shap to Kirkby Stephen is  20 miles. A longer walk than the previous day but over much easier ground.  KIRKBY STEPHEN HOSTEL is in the centre of the village and provides a warm welcome to walkers.  It has rooms for 2 to 8 people and a range of restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways on the doorstep.  There are also food shops to stock up on food. As well as self-catering if you would rather stay in and enjoy the hostel chatter.

Dales Bike Centre accommodation, Fremington on the Coast to Coast
Dales Bike Centre accommodation, Fremington

Day Seven

Kirkby Stephen to Reeth (21 miles) then stay on the Walk for a further half a mile beyond Reeth to Low Fremington.  Here join the road to Fremington where the DALES BIKE CENTRE provides excellent hostel-style accommodation. Depending on which guide book you read Dales Bike Centre is either exactly on route at Fremington or 100 metres off route if looking at the footpath near Grinton. It’s close by regardless.  The next morning you can rejoin the route just down the road at Grinton Bridge.  Total days mileage is 22 miles.

Day Eight

is 18 miles to  BROMPTON ON SWALE BUNKBARN, 3 miles east of Richmond and less than half a mile from the path.  Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn provides duvets and sheet sleeping bags that can be hired.  Cooking facilities are available (bring £1 for the meter). Ideal for lightweight walkers. Please note that Richmond Camping Barn, which was situated 3 miles west of Richmond is now closed.

Day Nine

has a total distance of 23 miles and ends with a three quarter mile diversion from the route to reach the next Independent Hostel at COTE GHYLL MILL (also known as Osmotherly Youth hostel). Follow the route to Ingleby Arncliffe then walk a further two miles along the route to Mount Grace Wood. Using careful map reading, leave the C2C route at a hairpin bend in the path at Mount Grace Wood and take a three quarter mile diversion via Chapel Wood Farm towards Osmotherly. Turn left when you reach the road and look out for signs for Osmotherly Youth Hostel.

If you decide to continue to Bank House Farm the next day, this involves two very long day walks in a row.  So you might like to spend a rest day at Cote Ghyll Mill before embarking on exploring the delights and cafés of the pretty village of Osmotherly. Its well worth a visit.

Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk crosses the North York Moors near Cote Ghyll Mill Hostel
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk crosses the North York Moors near Cote Ghyll Mill Hostel

Day Ten.

Rejoining the route north of Cod Beck Reservoir, a further 26 miles will take you to a location one mile before Glaisdale where, using careful map reading, you can leave the route to take a one-mile diversion to BANK HOUSE FARM HOSTEL accommodation. Bank House Farm Hostel has also offered to collect you from Glaisdale and deliver you back the next day for free if you eat in The Arncliffe Arms in Glaisdale.  The total mileage for this day is getting on for 28 miles. This includes the walk to the trail from Cote Ghyll Mill and the walk to Bank House Farm.

Bank House Farm accommodation close to the Coast to Coast Path
Bank House Farm accommodation

Day Eleven

Back up to the Route for a mile, and then continue to Robin Hood’s bay 19 miles away, where The Old School House provides 4 and 6 bedrooms when not booked by a group. Buses from Robin Hood’s Bay are available to take you to SCARBOROUGH HOSTEL. The X93 from Middlesborough goes via Whitby and onto Robin Hood’s Bay. It then passes through Burniston and Clougton before arriving in Scarborough. Either Scalby or the Scarborough Railway Station stops are good for Scarborough Youth Hostel. In the summer months, there are 2 per hour.

scarborough hostel
Scarborough Hostel

 Accommodation on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk gets booked quickly and many walkers and cyclists carry heavy camping gear. However, it is possible to walk the route using Independent Hostels.

This article shows the location of the hostels and gives suggested day-by-day itineraries.  Full details of the route and other resources can be found on the LDWA website.  The Walking Englishman’s website is also very interesting with photographic journals of his two C2C walks.  In 1994 he walked it from East to West and in 1999 he walked it again in the opposite direction.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Sign up for our Newsletter

Sign up for a burst of inspiration every month or so. Special offers and unique holiday ideas from our hostels and bunkhouses.

Subscribe

2022 Hostel Guide

2022 Independent Hostel Guide front cover

An excellent reference book for anyone who enjoys adventures and holidays. The 2022 guide is our 30th edition. It contains photos and details of 343 hostels, bunkhouses and camping barns in England, Scotland & Wales. A pocketful of inspiration for just £7.95.

 Order now

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise Your Hostel
  • Advertise your Bunkhouse
  • Independent Hostels Declares a Climate Emergency

Hostels A-Z

  • A-C
  • D-G
  • H-L
  • M-R
  • S-T
  • U-Z

Contact Independent Hostels

Head Office: 01629 580427

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am-5.30pm

Independent Hostels, Cromford Mill, Mill Rd, Cromford, DE4 3RQ

Independent Hostels Ltd (Registered in Eng and Wales) No: 13994209

Contact Us

Green Tourism Gold award logo
© Copyright Independent Hostels 2022. All rights reserved
  • by location
  • by hostel name

Search for Accommodation

Search by
Misc
Group Size

Search for Accommodation

Search by

Search for hostels by name or for a topic