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Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay

by: Henry Stedman & Joel Newton

UPDATES

Updated information

Thank you to those who wrote in with the following updates including: Tony Oldershaw, Ken and Alison Smedley, Volker Gringmuth, John Hedrick, Edith Peters, Bob Story, Mark Faust and Sara Fischer, Rick Toyer, Sue and Andrew Cooper, Fiona Werge, Richard Ward, John Potter, Nick Funnell, Tim and Susana, Karen Johnson, Charlie Knight, Chris Woods, Annie Green, Jon Train, Jan Newton, Mark Goodbody, Matt Falvey, Andy Parrett, Philip Spahr, Olaf Brock, Emily Squires, Mark Wilkinson, Philip Scriver, Alexandra Sirugue-Macleod, David Perry, Mike Thompson, Eli Schuenemann, Volker Gringmuth, Catherine Tudhope, Mike Tierney, Bruce G. Burton, Arie Pieter, Mark and Jan Moore, Steve Sharpe, Rick Toyer, Keith Hills, John Crowther, Stephen Van Dulken, Ken Potter, Christopher Day, Stephen Cunliffe, John Dunn, Bill Paine, Dave Walsh, Robert Eames, Abigail, Ricki Toyer, Karina Bowes, Lee Richardson, Tony Barry, John Cunningham, Mick Hellewell, Roger Denson, Christine Roberts. 

 

The information has not yet been checked by Trailblazer but it will be for the next edition.

Updates relating to the 10th edition

2023

September

Glaisdale. Bev and Bob's Brew has closed and won't be reopening as the owners have retired. 

 

Patterdale. Crookabeck B & B, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0NP. Has 3 quality ensuite rooms. Home-cooked breakfast included. Packed lunch and early evening supper boards available on request.  www.crookabeck.com. Tel: 07979345630.

 

June

A walker sent this feedback: 

' the downloadable waypoints are a fantastic adjunct to the guide. 'They downloaded them to maps.me
Keld to Gunnerside. No phone reception.
Map 64. wpt 120 is missing.
wpt 121 is not actually on the path - this upset maps.me which kept wanting them to go back to it
Map 50 and txt, the distances to Frith Lodge are not what they found on the ground. They got 2.9km (1.8m) from where C2C meets Stonesdale Lane, a long, steep, uphill slog. 'Frith Lodge was fabulous.' Next morning they returned to the C2C on the Pennine Way and similarly measured it as a steep 2.9km.

 

p143, Bampton. The Mardale Inn, Bampton, Cumbria CA10 2RQ

​Tel: 01931 719202. Has reopened and a walker recommends.  'We stayed in one of the refurbished rooms and it was fabulous – best we’ve had in 30 days of walking. There are 3 double/twin rooms and a family room. The staff are delightful – cheery and helpful. We also had a great meal – the duck confit is highly recommended.' 

Updates relating to the 9th edition 

2022

August 

Map 6. coming down off dent new plantation round path junction path east is not so obvious it's basically straight on along the path that dosen't look so well used

Map 6. The tall deer proof fence and stile has long gone but you can see where it was.

Ennerdale Bridge. The Gather Café and Shop, Ennerdale Bridge, Cumbria CA23 3AR. Tel: 01946 862453 has 'brilliant facilities best £3 pound spent on C2C'. Speak to the person in charge for the key as not everyone knows about it. As well as the café, shop and community rooms they have showers and Information Area.


Ennerdale Bridge. The Fox and Hounds no longer has key or connection with The Gather if you camp there the facilities at The Gather are not available when The Gather is closed.

Grasmere. YHA Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9Q.  Booking for camping is required.  

Map 36.  Path passes corner of plantation but plantation has been felled and replanted with larger plantation,  path now passes through corner of plantation via two gates.

Map 38. Sunbiggin Farm is at the heart of the Eden Valley, 3 miles from Orton. A seasonal simple campsite and now bunk house on a family working farmand and offers camping. 

Patterdale. Patterdale shop and post office is now permanently closed and is now a private dwelling

 

 

July

A walker writes: 

p120, Map 15. At Langstrath Beck the C2C path goes through a gate on left of the bridge, whereas the natural path appears to go over a footbridge towards the beck (at a right angle away from the C2C path). 

p146, Map 32. The map states "From Abbey just follow the tarmac road up the hill". I spent a few minutes taking photos of Shap Abbey, walking around the ruins. So my bearings on the Coast to Coast path were temporarily lost. I walked around the area looking for this tarmac road, all I could see was a concrete road. Now I thought this was just me being too smart for my old boots and a road is just a road, Joe Public isn't going to notice the difference between tarmac roads and concrete roads. However later on in the book you refer to concrete roads in the maps.

p227, Map 76. After Kirby Bank there is a stone wall. I followed the natural path, the path upto Wainstones, but the wall in the map didnt match what was on the ground. Meaning the dry stone wall was on my left and then a gate through wall straight ahead. This section of the walk is on street view and can be seen. Forgive me if I am wrong, this day of the walk was hard going. But checking streetview confirms what I saw on the day. 

 

2nd recommendation from a walker for Church Holme camping, Danby Wiske (see also below in August, 2021): 

p213, Map 68. Danby Whiske. Church Holme camping, Mounstrall Ln, Danby Wiske, Northallerton DL7 0LY. Tel: 01609 600618. "It's an absolutely amazing camping site. Steve and Vicky are the most welcoming hosts."

 
p244, Grosmont. Priory Farm Camping has closed and no longer provides camping.

 

p139, Patterdale. Crookabeck B&B. Updated information as follows: 3 en-suite contemporary and stylish bedrooms. Starting from £110 for a twin room. Peaceful setting. Homecooked English breakfast. www.crookabeck.com.  Tel:  07979345630

 

 

2021

September  

pp151-153, Maps 35, 36, and 37. “Trees Behind Fence” and Plantations marked on maps have recently been logged. The plantation locations are still readily identifiable from the stumps and fences. Of course if the farmers replant they will be good landmarks again.

 

A walker recommends 'what3words' app as this is a helpful tool should an emergency happen in a remote area.

 

August

p175, Map 50 Keld.  Swaledale Yurts, Park House, Keld, North Yorkshire, DL11 6DZ. No longer accepting campers or motorhomes, unless staying as part of a group booking with guests staying in a yurt, who are happy to share their private bathroom facilities.

 

p213, Map 68, Danby Wiske. Church Holme Camping, Mounstrall Lane, Danby Wiske  DL7 0LY.  A new (2021) campsite and tuck shop. They have snacks, cold drinks and kitchen facilities for all c2c-ers, regardless of whether you’re coming with them or not. Recommended by a walker.  Tel: 01609 600618.

 

July

p135, Patterdale. Patterdale Village Store is now closed down but has a for sale sign displayed.


March

p136 Patterdale Village Stores is closing down on 31st March 2021.

We're very sorry to learn from the current owners, Tom Driscoll & Gillian Beggs, that this wonderful shop that served generations of Coast to Coasteers is finally closing after 100 years. It was so much more than a village store and you could buy anything from a bacon roll to a pair of hiking socks here. 

January 

p87 St Bees. Should read see page 89 (not map 89)

 

 

Updates relating to the 8th edition

2019

September

p212, Danby Wiske. The Old School B&B is closing for good on 20th Sept 2019 as the owners are retiring. Very sad for walkers but a well earned retirement for Frank and Doreen.

p218, Ingleby Cross. The Joiner's Shop is now open on Wednesdays (or was on 18th Sept 2019 anyway).

August

p115 Rosthwaite. Yew Craggs B&B, Rosthwaite, Keswick CA12 5XB. Has 3 bedrooms.  Tel: 017687 77348.  www.yewcraggsborrowdale.co.uk

p229 Great Broughton. The shop and post office has now closed.

July

p174, Keld.  Greenlands B&B, Angram Lane, Keld, Muker, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6DY.  Tel: 01748 886532. www.greenlandskeld.co.uk

June

p158 Map 42.  The top left text should read €Great Dun Fell€ and not €œGreat Shunner Fell.

 

May

Robin Hood's Bay.    Aldersyde B & B, Mount Pleasant South, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4RQ. Is newly-opened and has been recommended by a walker. Has 3 rooms. www.aldersyde-robinhoodsbay.co.uk. Tel: 01947 880689.

 

Underhill, Glaisdale.   Bev and Bob's Brew, Underhill Cottage, Underhill, Glaisdale YO21 2PJ. Newly opened as an Organic Tea Garden, aimed mostly for walkers. Most of the menu is homemade from bread to jams and pickles, soup, cakes, scones, tea, coffee, drinks. The garden is 2 acres and an interest in itself. Open Thursday till Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 10-3. Tel: 01947 897842.

 

p85, Map 51c. A walker sent the following feedback: The directions are fine but I think it would be clearer if the map showed the main road in greater detail. The map shows the side road curving round and this was mistaken by all the parties I know as the main road. Of course, the bend in the main road never came and we had to retrace our steps.

p247, Map 89.
Your note "after hermitage take right hand route..." The path forks immediately after the shelter and I took the right hand route. This leads down the valley into woodland. I subsequently checked the A-Z C2C map and this showed the route taking the left hand path. This also appears to correspond with walking along side walls of Newton House.

p99 Map 5 Cleator Moor and Blackhow Wood.  Temporary diversion. See map pdf at www.wainwright.org.uk/coasttocoast.html

April

p147 Shap. The Crown Inn. New owners have taken over and it serves home cooked food all day, and local real ales, has camping & camping pods with toilet and shower facilities. Also has a laundry service, breakfasts served from 0730 and packed lunches (pre booked).

January

p162 Kirkby Stephen.  Lockholme Bed and Breakfast, 48 South Road, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4SN is recommended by two walkers who found it to be most comfortable and run by welcoming hosts. It is not far from the trail and has the added attraction of an excellent view (weather permitting!) of the Nine Standards. Tel:  017683 71321. 

 

November

Robin Hood's Bay.  Fernleigh B&B, Mount Pleasant South, Robin Hood's Bay YO22 4RQ opened in March 2018 following an extensive renovation, has 4 ensuite double bedrooms one of which can also be a twin and/ or a family suite which sleeps 3, and outside facilities for washing boots etc. www.fernleigh-robin-hoods-bay.co.uk. T: 01947 880523

October

p211, Map 67 Streetlam Cross the stile just before the white gate and the phone box (look at the map closely and don't walk through the vegetable garden at Streetlam House). After crossing the stile, head towards the righthand corner of the field to cross the next stile. Follow the fence south of the horse enclosure, then go north-east to cross the stile in the corner of the field (Wpt 122, not 138).

p154, Map 38, Shap to Kirkby Stephen. Sunbiggin. On one of the longer legs was a lovely stopping off place about half way in Sunbiggin. (on grass lawn just as the road bears right, on map it would be just to the right of ‘SIGNPOST-LEFT FOR GREAT ARBY, RIGHT TO TARN MOOR’, a summer house in the garden which has a fridge, a kettle, some chairs and a selection of cakes / scones etc. with payment on an honesty basis.
According to the letter on the wall, some young girls set this up to fund their participation in horse competitions.

 

Map 51d - p186 (Kearton)

Please follow the route as shown on Map 51d since it is not possible to take a shortcut via Langhorne House (marked in red on the amended map shown here)

 

September 2018

A walker advised the following sections need careful attention to ensure you find the correct track:

p185 Map 51b.  At Rampsholme where a walker had difficulty finding the exact route and had to ask.

p192 Map 56.  By signal 113, where you do not cross the road but instead walk about 30 metres to left to get into field. 

p251 Map 92. After Rigg Farm turning, where directions on map say 'no clear path' be watchful because the boardwalk can be hard to find.
This walker also found Littlebeck Wood on maps 89-90 was further than he thought, in the guide it says Littlebeck to Falling Foss 40 mins, and then Falling Foss to path off New May Beck Farm guide suggests 40 minutes.

 

July 2018

p213 Danby Wiske. The Seasons B&B.  Just down the road from the White Swan.  Two walkers enjoyed the accommodation and having 'their own private bit of garden'.
 
p220 Osmotherley.  The Old Mill House B&B, Ellerbeck. 
A walker recommended this B&B saying: '40 minutes walk out of Osmotherley, but excellent.  The landlady offers a pick-up and drop-off service.  She also ferried us to and from the village for our evening meal'.

 

June 2018

Keith Hills wrote: 'We stopped in Ennerdale Bridge, Seatoller, Grasmere, Patterdale, Shap, Kirkby Stephen, Keld, Richmond, Danby Wiske, Ingleby Cross, Blakey Ridge and Grossmont. We did the St Sunday Crag and the Swaledale valley options.
In hindsight I now would have put an extra stop in at Reeth as it was a long day. We had two rest days – Patterdale and Richmond.'

 

May 2018

p126 Grasmere. The Good Sport is a new pub and micro brewery a little way outside the village square. A walker recommends: "They serve very good food and a nice home brewed pint which we could recommend after a long day on the path."

Updates relating to the 7th edition

October

p94 and Map 2 Tarn Flatt Hall. Tarn Flatt Camping Barn no longer offers accommodation in the barn but you can camp.

p213 Map 68. Camping – Medium Pace Itinerary.  Richmond to Danby Wiske.  One walker reports "I camped in Oaktree Hill.  I planned on doing Richmond to Danby Wiske but went on to Oaktree Hill and stayed at Lovesome Hill Farm because it was such an easy hike day. The next day was intended to go to Osmotherly which would have been a very short day but included the extra distance off trail.  From there it would have been a long, much harder day to Blakely Ridge.  But, looking at the guide further we saw Lord Stones Café, Grill and Camping.  That changed our roughly 7 (from Oaktree Hill) and 21 mile days into two roughly 14 mile days and broke up the significant climbing into two days of half flat and half climbing."
With the change to Lord Stones I would add that a reservation for camping is recommended, especially on weekends and during the busy season since it is a car camping site and there are limited spaces.  But I would also add that several tents can go in one reserved tentsite saving considerably.  

 

September 2017

p252 High Hawsker.  Coast Cafe Bar  is closed on both Tuesday & Wednesdays.
p125 Grasmere. Cotswold Outdoor discount centre is useful for additional kit and there are other shops there too. Otherwise the next place for retail stores is Kirkby Stephen.

p172 Map 48 Kirkby Stephen to Keld. When on the green route and at the turning of the B6270 to connect to the red route  a walker suggests that when there is a strong wind walkers (especially those carrying big packs) do not turn at the signpost as due to erosion it is quite easy to fall down the gully. It is much safer (and easier) to continue about 50 metres to the track (also marked on map 48) instead.

p214 Ingleby Cross.  The Joiners Shop, Cross Lane, is a new coffee/tea/food place, on the trail about 25 metres before the Blue Bell. It provides coffee and tea, also food e.g. porridge, sandwiches, before the Blue Bell starts to serve food (so before 12).

 

Plus this positive feedback from Arie and his girIfriend: "I would like to specifically mention the wonderful hospitality and food (as always) of Dave at the Hildyard Arms (I always enjoy staying there), likewise the hospitality and good food of Wolfgang at the Buck Inn near Clay Bank Top and the wonderfully renovated and very friendly people at Grosmont house (best bed and most space so far!). Ah ... and let me not forget the Keld Bunk Barn as my girlfriend found out they have a hot tub that can be rented by the 1.5 hours. An excellent way to celebrate the half way mark ... your muscles will greatly appreciate it."

 

July 2017

p242-243 Grosmont.  Grosmont House.  The book included a comment from a traveller that the place needs decluttering and this has been done.  The rooms are spacious and updated yet retain their manor house charm; the large, airy, light-filled two-story “great room” serves as a dining area and lounge.  The location on a side street assures quiet without being inconvenient.
 
Grosmont. Priory Farm Camping.  Some walkers have said they found it difficult to contact in advance and to find.
 
Grosmont. Linten House B&B has stopped offering accommodation because the owners have retired.
 
p188 Reeth.  Orchard Caravan Park.  One walker reported walkers can rent caravans (approx £34 a night): the caravans are modern and spacious and the caravan park offers excellent, level sites for tents.
 
p126 GrasmereThe Red Lion Inn is now The Inn at Grasmere and its adjunct, <st

Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay