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The Hadrian’s Wall Cycleway is a Coast to Coast ride with a difference, riding through 2000 years of history and the northernmost point of the Roman Empire. It crosses the country from one sea to the other, so it is a tradition to dip your back wheel in the sea at Bowness on Solway at the start and your front wheel in the sea at the finish in Tynemouth.
Built by the Emperor Hadrian in AD 122 this 74 mile defensive wall was constructed over a 4 year period to defend the Roman Empire from the invading barbarians in the North. The route starts in the little hamlet of Bowness on Solway, which is officially the western most point of the original Wall, from here an hour’s ride to Carlisle and onwards eastward over some very rural countryside before joining the River Tyne which takes you all the way through Newcastle upon Tyne to Tynemouth and the end of the route.
With panoramic views around every corner you’ll love this historic Coast to Coast adventure.
We take all the hassle out of cycling by including all luggage transfers, booking and organising all accommodation, maps, Ride With GPS instructions, and recommending incredible iconic palaces, castles, estates, ancient sites and more to visit along the way.
Step back in time on this idyllic cycle route through the heart of the English countryside, winding through villages, tracing ridgeways, quiet roads down into woodlands and valleys, and with panoramic views around every corner. This linear journey is the perfect way to discover England at its finest.
We will transfer you to Bowness on Solway in the morning, and after some great photos of your first glimpses of the wall, we will set you on your way for the first day’s riding. Follow the coastline down the Solway Firth all the way to Carlisle for a flat (but sometimes windy!) cycle. Carlisle is a lovely town and the historic castle is well worth exploring. From Carlisle the route takes you to Warwick Bridge then on up a short climb to Brampton. Just east of Brampton you will pass the Augustinian Lanercost Priory (C12th Monastery), with its dramatic triple tier of arches, as well as the Roman fort of Birdoswald; both great sites to look around.
Mileage: 36 miles
Continue exploring the wall’s Roman heritage with a steep little climb at the beginning of the day to Greenhead’s Roman Army Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the life of a Roman soldier. Haltwhistle is a small, pretty town and a great coffee stop along the way, and the Vindolanda settlement you’ll pass in the afternoon is a must stop destination, with a fascinating history – it has been demolished and completely re-build no fewer than nine times. Your accommodation in Corbridge, once a garrison town along the wall, with its charming high street it is a wonderfully relaxed place to rest your legs in the evening.
Mileage: 31 miles
Your route follows the flow of the River Tyne through the county of Tyne and Wear and all the way to the North Sea at Tynemouth. You’ll cycle through Wylam, with its famous brewery, and journey along the old railway line to Newburn and Newcastle Quayside, finishing at the Sailing Club in Tynemouth. At Tynemouth, with its imposing fortifications, castle and priory which dominate the headland, you dip your wheel in the North Sea and after celebrating with a well earned pint, we will transfer you back to Newcastle and help you with your ongoing travel arrangements. Many choose to stay an extra night in Tynemouth to explore some more; please contact us if you would like to extend your stay here, we would be delighted to book in additional accommodation for you.
Mileage: 34 miles
For full information about this tour and to find out all you need to know, download your copy of the detailed itinerary by clicking the button below.
Carlisle Railway Station (Also, Newcastle and Tynemouth)
10.00am at Carlisle or 8.00am in Newcastle
Country accommodation
With exceptionally well-planned routes, our self-guided tours are designed to suit the independent traveler or groups of travelers; those who wish to cycle at their own pace and speed. With GPS (our routes downloaded onto your phones) and maps, we detail all of the points of interests, lunch stops, cafes – and of course pubs! Bike at your leisure, safe in the knowledge that a support team and emergency support vehicle is on standby
Carlisle: Overnight in Carlisle, where there is access to the North West Mainline. Guests will be picked up between 10.00am on the first morning of the tour and transported to Bowness on Solway.
Newcastle or Tynemouth: Guests who are driving often decide to leave their car here, to be picked up at the end of the tour. We will transport you from either on the day before the tour starts or guests can stay in Newcastle and transfer to Bowness on Solway at 8.00am.
If you do have a mechanical issue and are totally stuck, either physically, mentally or mechanically, then we offer an emergency recovery service (up to 4 hour response) to get you off the route and to safety. This service may be chargeable depending upon circumstances.
We have handpicked a selection of hotels and bed and breakfasts in ideal locations so you can cycle into and out of your hotel to begin and end your cycle each day, with no detours! With great access into towns for dinner and pub recommendations these hotels and guest houses are the perfect place to rest your legs and relax during the evenings while on your tour.
Read M.W’s review of our hotels: “The accommodations were first rate — small inns scattered throughout the countryside. And the food — out of this world! […] It was so relaxing to have the whole trip prearranged.”