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wainwrights coast to coast walk

C2C Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk: Accommodation in Hostels and Bunkhouses.

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All long distance TrailsPerfect for you Lake District, Cumbria Yorkshire & Lancashire C2C Coast to Coast Cycle Route ( Sea to Sea ) C2C 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.

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

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk

Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk is generally walked from West to East, starting on the Cumbrian coast at St Bees Head and finishing on the Yorkshire Coast at Robing Hoods Bay.  This page gives details of the accommodation in this West to East order. We also have pages on this website showing accommodation along the C2C Cycle Route and C2C 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

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

We would love to hear from anyone who walks this itinerary.  Get in touch and tell us your views at [email protected] 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 day’s 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!  An alternative to High House is BOWDERSTONE BUNKHOUSE,  a small groups-only bunkhouse which lies around 1/2 mile north of the C2C route. Leave the route at Rosthwaite and walk along the road for a bit, then take a footpath that leads you to this enchanting bunkhouse.  If you are walking in a group of 5-12 Bowderstone would make an ideal stop-over.

Day Three

follow the route from Rosthwaite to Grasmere  (9 miles) then head south for approx 2 miles until you get to the village of Rydal. Here you have a choice of independent hostels. There is RYDAL HALL  which offers a groups-only bunkhouse (sleeps up to 26), a campsite, eco pods or B&B in the main hall.  Alternatively, the OLD CAFE BUNKROOM may suit you better.  There is a self-contained micro bunk room, with one set of bunks,  a small kitchenette and dining area.  Bunkhouse guests are welcome to enjoy the facilities of the main guest house where B&B rooms can also be booked.

Another option for your third night’s accommodation is ELTERWATER HOSTEL.  Leave the path at Grasmere and head southwest. Some careful map reading will take you to Elterwater and the comfortable hostel geared up to the needs of walkers.

Day Four

From Grasmere the day 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 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.

An alternative stopover on day 5 is REAGILL VILLAGE HALL. This would make the day’s walk a total of about 19 miles.  Leave the route at Shap and walk for another  3 miles to the sleepy village of Reagil

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 (formally in the independent hostel network) provides 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. It’s 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.

Another option on day 10 is a night at the YORKSHIRE CYCLE HUB.  Situated north of the route in Great Fryup Dale.  Once again careful map reading will lead you to this new purpose bunkhouse that is geared up to the needs of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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.

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Accommodation on Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk

  • The Wild Wool Barn

    Routen Cottage, Ennerdale, CA23 3AU
    Staycation Barn in the lake district

    Ideal first night stop. Just north of Ennerdale Water

    Wild Wool Barn is approx 1 mile off the Coast to Coast path just north of Ennerdale Water. It is perfect for small groups of walkers, sleeping 6 in the luxury bunkhouse plus an extra six camping.
    Find out more
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  • Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre

    Ennerdale, Cleator, CA23 3AX

    Another first night option: Directly on the route at Ennerdale.

    3 miles east of Ennerdale Bridge, the Coast to Coast walk passes through the old farm yard of Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre.  With rooms sleeping between 4 and 14 people this remote centre welcomes individual walkers and groups.
    Find out more
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  • High House

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

    A second night option: 1.7 miles south of the route in Borrowdale

    For groups of five or more walking Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, High House offers great value accommodation with a beautiful diversion from Rosthwaite along Borrowdale
    Find out more
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  • Bowderstone Bothy

    Grange, Keswick, CA12 5XA
    wGroups Only

    An alternative 2nd night stopover

    Bowderstone Bunkhouse is around 1km north of the C2C route. Leave the route at Rosthwaite and walk along the road for a bit, then take a footpath that leads you to this enchanting bothy.
    Find out more
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  • The Old Cafe Bunkroom

    Rydal Lodge Country House B&B, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9LR
    The old cafe bunkroom

    3rd night?: A cosy 2-person bunkroom might fit the bill.

    The Old Cafe Bunkroom in Rydal is just over 2 miles from the Coast to Coast route if you leave it at Grasmere. This comfortable micro bunkroom has one set of bunks. It's ensuite with a small kitchenette and dining area. Perfect if you are walking alone or with a friend
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  • Rydal Hall Bunkhouse

    Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LX
    Rydall Hall Bunkhouse

    Another option for night 3: A choice of accommodation at Rydal Hall

    Just over 2 miles from the C2C route at Grasmere is Rydal Hall. Here you can choose from a groups-only bunkhouse (sleeps up to 26), a campsite, eco pods or B&B in the main hall.
    Find out more
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  • Elterwater Hostel

    Elterwater, Ambleside LA22 9HX
    elterwater youth hostel

    Another place for night 3.

    Footpaths link the C2C route to Elterwater Hostel. Leave the route at Grasmere and walk for another hour (approx).
    Find out more
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  • Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse

    Noran Bank Farm, Patterdale, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0NR
    Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse at Norran Bank Farm in Patterdale

    Your 4th night’s option. Just 5 mins walk from the route

    Shepherds Crook Bunkhouse, just outside Patterdale is your haven for your 4th night. It's 8 miles from the Coast to Coast walk at Grasmere. From Grasmere you climb up to the saddle above Grisedale Tarn and descend along Grisedale Valley to Patterdale, a total of 8 miles.
    Find out more
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  • New Ing Lodge

    Main Street, Shap, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3LX
    wGroups Only

    Night 5: A choice of accommodation at Shap.

    The route from Patterdale to Shap is 16 miles and usually takes about 6-8 hours. You will be rewarded at the end of your day with a night at New Ing Lodge.
    Find out more
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  • Reagill Village Hall

    Fern Bank, Reagill, Cumbria. CA10 3ER
    Exterior

    Another day 5 option. In the sleepy village of Reagill

    A longer walk on day 5 of approx 19 miles from Patterdale will take you to a Reagill Village Hall. It's about 3 miles from the C2C walking route at Shap. The accommodation here is more basic than most other places but that is reflected in the price.
    Find out more
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  • Stay Howgills Barn

    Murthwaite, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LP
    Exterior of Stay Howgills bunk barn
    Stay Howgills, a converted stone barn in Ravonstonedale in the rugged Cumbrian Hills. The Barn sleeps 14 in 4 rooms, and the Bothy sleeps 2. Superbly equipped and well heated, guests are sure of a cosy, comfortable stay. Situated down a long farm track with stunning views, perfect for walkers and cyclists. Wainwright’s Pennine Journey passes by and the Pennine Bridleway is close.
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  • Kirkby Stephen Hostel

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

    Night 6: Kirkby Stephen, the centre point of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast

    Kirkby Stephen Hostel, at the centre point of this route, specialises in a warm welcome for walkers. Shap to Kirkby Stephen is  20 miles. A longer walk than many of the previous days but over much easier ground.
    Find out more
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  • Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn

    24 Richmond Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 7HE

    Night 8: Under 1/2 a mile from the path. (There is nowhere in our network for Night 7)

    3 miles east of Richmond and less than half a mile from the path you'll find Brompton on Swale Bunkbarn.
    Find out more
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  • Cote Ghyll Mill

    Osmotherley, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 3AH
    cote ghyll mill hostel from the outside with the sun on the red brick

    Day 9: 3/4 mile from the Coast to Coast Walk

    Day 9 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 Hotel).
    Find out more
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  • Yorkshire Cycle Hub

    Fryup Gill Farm, Great Fryup Dale, Whitby, North Yorkshire Y021 2AP
    Close up exterior view of the Cyclehub

    Night 10: A little luxury awaits just north of the route

    The purpose-built Yorkshire Cycle Hub welcomes C2C walkers. Modern, bright and stylish you'll be able to relax and recharge after a long day walking.
    Find out more
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  • Bank House Farm Hostel

    Bank House Farm, Glaisdale, Whitby YO21 2QA
    bankhousefarmhostel

    Another option for Night 10: Bunkbarns & B&B just 1 mile off the route

    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
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  • The Old School House

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

    Your final night: Just metres from the end of the C2C

    The Old School House is 19 miles from the path at Glaisdale. It provides 4 and 6-person rooms when not booked by a group. The quaint village of Robin's Hood Bay with its cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops is the perfect place to kick off your walking boots, relax and unwind after your epic walk.
    Find out more
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  • 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

    Night 11: Another option at Scarborough Youth Hostel

    Wainwirght's Coast to Coast walk ends at Robin Hood's Bay. Once you've dipped your toes in the sea a short bus ride will take you to Scarborough Youth Hostel.
    Find out more
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