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Cycle path along the coast

Newcastle – Edinburgh

Coast & castles

7 Days / 6 Nights
Medium
Cycle path along the coast

Embark on a seven-day journey from England to Scotland, exploring the lively cities of Newcastle and Edinburgh, with a plethora of magical attractions in between. Along the coast, revel in the rugged beauty of the North Sea, while inland, discover castles and fortresses brimming with rich historical heritage. Whether indulging in fish & chips or tea & scones, British cuisine offers hearty sustenance to fuel your cycling adventures. Don't forget to sample typical British beers and a refreshing Pimms to keep your spirits high!

Your cycling adventure begins in Newcastle, the northernmost city in England. Pedal along the scenic River Tyne until you reach the coast, where you can take a refreshing break on the sandy shores of Druridge Bay. As you journey onwards, historic castles punctuate your route, from the atmospheric ruins at Warkworth to the majestic strongholds of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh. By day 4, you'll arrive at Berwick upon Tweed, marking your crossing of the border into Scotland.

As you journey towards Kelso you pedal across the iconic Union Suspension Bridge and pause for a break at the charming double-decker bus café at Chainbridge Honey Farm. Your route leads you to Innerleithen through the picturesque Tweed Valley, reaching your penultimate stage destination. The final stretch of cycling takes you over the scenic Moorfoot Hills, bringing you close to your destination. From there, it's a downhill ride via Dalkeith and Musselburgh, and before you know it, you've arrived in Edinburgh, completing your memorable journey.

  • Impressive views of the North Sea: As you bid farewell to Newcastle, you're greeted by the iconic sight of the Millennium Bridge before the vast expanse of the sea unfolds before you. Druridge Bay awaits, a picturesque natural paradise boasting pristine sandy beaches, dunes, and marshes. This nature reserve is teeming with a diverse array of bird species, offering you the chance to spot some during a well-deserved rest stop.
  • The fascination of the tides: The journey to Holy Island is a truly unique experience. During low tide, the majestic Lindisfarne Abbey emerges, unveiling its historic monastery complex. This enchanting island, characterized by its stunning dune landscape, provides a serene retreat amidst natural beauty and cultural treasures, including the magnificent Lindisfarne Castle.
  • The historic cityscape of Edinburgh: Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, captivates with its blend of medieval and Georgian architecture. Dominating the skyline is the majestic Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the city, while the historic Royal Mile exudes charm with its centuries-old buildings. Explore the tranquil Princes Street Gardens, conquer the fortress of Arthur's Seat for panoramic views, and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant cultural scene. And of course, no visit to Edinburgh would be complete without stopping by a traditional pub to experience the local hospitality and culture.

During the six cycling stages, you will cover approximately 350 kilometers. Thanks to the well-maintained cycle paths and mostly flat routes, a good basic level of fitness is sufficient. The areas are sparsely populated in many places, promising a tranquil and relaxed tour. You will primarily follow National Cycle Route 1, but rest assured, our team will provide you with comprehensive travel documents to guide you along the way.

Whether in England or Scotland, embarking on a cycling tour in Great Britain unveils a journey through cities steeped in history, quaint villages brimming with charm, scenic coastal stretches, and picturesque countryside vistas.

Itinerary at a glance

You start in Newcastle at the Millennium Bridge and cycle to Druridge Bay. Visit Holy Island before reaching the Tweed Valley. How about tea and cake on a double-decker bus? Stop by the Chain Bridge Honey Farm!
Day
01
Arrival in Newcastle

Personal welcome briefing in the morning. Your journey starts by cycling along the Newcastle quayside past the Millennium Bridge as you head eastwards along the River Tyne to the coast. Tynemouth is a great place for a late morning coffee or to stock up on snacks for the miles ahead. The next point of interest is the stunning Druridge Bay. With its seven mile sandy beach, nature reserve and some of Northumberland’s biggest sand dunes it is a real treat. Next comes Warkworth, where you will spend this evening.

Your first stop this morning is the prety village of Alnmouth. After stopping for a quick cup of tea your route takes you towards the impressive medieval castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh, as and the attractive coastal village of Craster. At Bamburgh, as well as the castle in its dramatic setting on a rock outcrop, there is the Grace Darling museum, a famous heroine of the lifeboats.

Just up the coast from Bamburgh you come to Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, a key site in early Christianity and the place where the Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the 8th century. If the tide and time allows, it’s worth a visit by crossing the tidal causeway. From Holy Island, it’s on to the Elizabethan border town of Berwick upon Tweed, with its complex defences built up over the years of border wars, and your stopping place for the night.

From Berwick, it’s inland, along the Tweed valley to Melrose. On the way you’ll cross the border into Scotland, then back into England over the famous Union Suspension Bridge, that spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe in Northumberland and Fishwick in the Scottish Borders. At the Chainbridge Honey Farm, you can get a cup of tea and feast yourselves on yummy cakes and enjoy them on an old London red double decker bus! As the name implies, you can buy lots of honey there too. A few miles on you cross back into Scotland at Norham Castle, and on to Kelso, with the impressive Floors Castle and your first night spent over the border!

This morning you head to Melrose, famed for its impressive Gothic-style abbey, which is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart! Leaving Melrose, you continue along the increasingly deep Tweed Valley, surrounded by forested hills and following the course of this famous salmon river to Innerleithen, passing Traquair House, reputedly the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland. The busy little town of Innerleithen is well known for its mountain biking scene, and no doubt, you will see armoured and full face helmeted riders around the town.

You leave Innerleithen heading north and cycle over the Moorfoot Hills. Downhill through Dalkeith and Musselburgh to Edinburgh. Then late afternoon transfer back to Newcastle. 

Route information

Medium

The route has some sections of urban riding, on quiet roads or purpose built cycle paths, but most of the route follows quiet country lanes, cycle tracks, and some bridleways. There are one or two sections of gentle off-road, with tracks across grassy fields or farm roads. Being a National Cycle Network route, there are no “technical” off-road sections.

Prices & Dates

Category: 3***- and 4**** hotels, B&Bs, Pensions and guesthouses

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (English)
  • Luggage transfer (1 piece of luggage, max. 15 kg)

   

  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Transfer Edinburgh – Newcastle train station
  • Service hotline

Arrival / parking / departure

  • Newcastle airport
  • Newcastle train station
  • Free parking at the hotel, no reservation possible
  • Good train connections Edingurgh-Newcastle

Detailed information

  • You can book extra nights in Edinburgh. Price upon request!
  • Please note that in UK helmets are mandatory.

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 2 persons
  • Please not that a valid passport is required for this trip
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • In case additional nights have been booked the journey back to Newcastle needs to be organized by yourself
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Paula Plafinger

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