The Coast and Castles inland route is truly the best way to see Northumberland’s rugged coastline, with its impressive history and quaint towns. You soon leave the hustle and bustle of Newcastle’s quay side, swapping it for the flat lands of the east coast, with its endless coastal views. Despite this route’s 198miles length, its is seen as one of the easier long distance cycle rides in the UK, due to its relatively flat profile.
Our 4 day ride is a great multi-day package for the recreational rider looking to take in the sights as they go. Our 3 day package extends the daily cycling distances, making it a great challenge for the fitter rider, wanting to move quicker through this stunning scenery.
The Coast and Castles distance and route elevation
Total distances.
Total height gain:
198 miles or 320km
8488ft or 2587m
Place names have been highlighted throughout the description, to help you match up where you’ll be staying, depending on how many days and nights you wish to take for the journey.
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Ride Description
This ride starts in the shadow of Newcastle’s, Gateshead Millennium bridge, which straddles the River Tyne, linking the impressive mirrored Sage concert building to the hustle and bustle of the north Quayside. Central Newcastle with its tall modern architecture, is a world away from the rugged Northumberland coastline which you are heading towards, with Tynemouth at the mouth of the river being the point at which you put the North Sea over your right shoulder and start the journey north.
A lovely flat profile makes for easy miles, passing the towns of Whitley Bay and Blyth, on your way to the impressive, ruined medieval Warkworth Castle, once charged with the important role of safeguarding the River Coquet from invading armies.
Following the small country roads and often traffic free cycleways north, you soon get a sense of how important it was to protect this coastline in times past, with castle ruins soon becoming common place along the route. Bamburgh Castle is an exception, as this Grade 1 listed fortress is still inhabited from its Norman rebuild, after its Viking attack in year 993, which saw it burn to the ground.
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Lindsisfarne, more commonly known as Holy Island, with its tidal causeway sits 140km into the route and if the tides allow you can cycle onto the island and explore its nature reserve, 12 century Priory, thriving village and coffee roastery.
The higher volume tyres found on hybrid and gravel bikes make light work of the grass and gravel tracks leading into the Anglo-Scottish border town of Berwick–upon–Tweed (Road bike friendly diversions available) . Being the most northerly town in England, this town has strong ties to its Scottish neighbours, with it often changing hands between the two kingdoms, before Richard of Gloucester retook it in 1482.
Putting the North Sea behind you, the route now turns inland and after nearly 200km you finally break the 100m above sea level mark, as you make your way up the Tweed valley, crossing into Scotland for the remainder of your journey.
The towns of Melrose and Innerleithen offer great rest points before the only real climb of the route into the Moorfoot Hills, descending into the County of Midlothian, with Edinburgh at its north border.
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Edinburgh’s extensive network of cycleways skirt you under the ancient volcano of Arthurs Seat, before leading you into the historic city centre. After the days spent on the peaceful East Coast, it can take a few minutes to adjust to the busy Scottish Capital, with its 550,000 population, but with its impressive castle perched high above the city, it’s an apt finishing point for this historic cycle route.
If you arrived into Newcastle by train then you can choose to explore Edinburgh for a few days, or start your homeward journey from Edinburgh Waverly station. Either option fits perfectly with using our hire bikes, allowing you to travel freely, without the hassle of storing and booking bikes onto trains. All package levels included a bus transfer back to Newcastle on the last day, with you arriving back to your car early evening, where we can book an extra night’s accommodation, or you can start your onward journey.
