E-bike option

Cycle Hadrian's Wall - Coast to Coast

United Kingdom - Trip code CHW Cycling
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71Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
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We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Hadrian's Cycleway is a great coast-to-coast ride with breath taking views that explores the living history of Hadrian's Wall. Europe's largest surviving Roman monument was built in AD 122 and our cycle route visits some of the highlights of this UNESCO site. We ride from the Irish Sea on quiet roads through beautiful hill country, attractive market towns, quaint villages and peaceful river valleys to the North Sea.

Why we love this trip
  • Natural beauty - ride from Solway Firth across the North Pennines
  • Hadrian's Wall - Roman Army Museum, Birdoswald Fort and Vindolanda settlement
  • Coast to Coast - sense of achievement crossing England by pedal power
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 4

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

  • Transport

    Bus

    Bicycle

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    Accommodation

    4 nights comfortable hotel

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    Cycling grade:

    Moderate

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore Average 11

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip in Whitley Bay

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.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Drive to Bowness. Cycle to Brampton via Carlisle

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).

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - Cycle to Haltwhistle. Birdoswald Roman Fort and Roman Army Museum

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).

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 4 - Cycle to Corbridge. Vindolanda Roman archaeological site

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).

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Cycle to Tynemouth where the trip ends

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).

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

United Kingdom

Climate

The UK has a temperate but very variable climate. In general the summers are warm with July and August being the warmest. The winters are cool and the lowest temperatures are recorded during January and February. Whatever the season it is advisable to be prepared for rain!

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

3 Pin Flat

Religion

Christian

Language

English

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


We recommend visits to the following sites that are on our route. It is worth considering becoming a member of English Heritage. Estimated costs are provided below. Entrance tickets are available upon arrival and no pre-booking is necessary.

Carlisle Castle - (English Heritage) - £11.20
Lanercost Priory - (English Heritage) - £5.90
Birdoswald Roman Fort - (English Heritage) - £9
Roman Army Museum - £7
Vindolanda Fort and Museum - £8
Corbridge Roman Town - (English Heritage) - £9

Clothing

Light rainwear may be needed at any time of year, and a warm fleece/jacket is recommended for cooler evenings and nights. We recommend cycle gloves, padded cycle shorts, a windcheater and quick drying fabric tops.

Footwear

If you are not bringing cycle shoes then try to bring stiff-soled shoes as these are better for cycling - transmitting your energy into the pedals more efficiently. This becomes more relevant and recommended the more demanding the grade and distances to cover. Comfortable footwear is useful when not on the bike.

Luggage

15Kg

Luggage: On tour

We recommend you bring a daypack and one main piece of luggage (total allowance: 44lb/20kg) which will be transported between hotels while you cycle. Check the bike details section to see if a pannier or handlebar bag is provided on the bike.

Equipment

It is compulsory to wear a cycling helmet on all Explore cycling holidays. As we cannot guarantee the quality or structural integrity of locally hired cycling helmets, it is a requirement that you bring your own helmet with you. Most insurance providers require helmets to be worn whilst cycling, so in the event of an accident, it is likely that any insurance claim will be invalidated if you are not wearing a helmet.

Cycle glasses to protect against dust, pollen and the sun, padded cycle gloves and a water bottle or water delivery system (e.g. camelback or platypus) are also useful. You may choose to bring your own gel seat cover for added comfort. If a handle bar bag or pannier is not provided (check bike details) then you may like to bring a small rucksack to wear while cycling. Other items to consider bringing are a sunhat and sun cream, earplugs and insect repellent.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend £20 to £30 per person per week as a guideline.

United Kingdom

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£10
Dinner price
£18
Beer price
£4
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Pounds Sterling.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Carry a combination of UK Sterling cash, ATM and credit cards.
Where To Exchange
Your tour leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
ATM's are widely available in main towns.
Credit Card Acceptance
Widely accepted.
Travellers Cheques
Can be exchanged at most banks and post offices.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, Bicycle

Arrival and departure information

Transfers to and from our accommodation are not provided for this trip. If you are planning to arrive or depart by train, this information may be useful to you. Whilst we are unable to make a reservation for you, we have provided contact numbers to enable you to make a direct booking.

Arriving from Cramlington railway station: Taxi's should be pre-booked and the journey to our accommodation should take about 25 minutes.
Priory Taxis: 0191 258 7777

If you are arriving from overseas the closest airport is Newcastle International Airport, which is a 30-minute taxi ride from the joining hotel. Newcastle is a three hour train journey from London Kings Cross, or a one and a half hour train journey from Edinburgh.

On departure of the tour, if you are continuing to the airport there is a frequent train service from Newcastle Central Station to Newcastle International Airport which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively you can catch the train back to London Kings Cross or Edinburgh from Newcastle Central Station.

United Kingdom

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

UK: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

United Kingdom

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Airport Transfers
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