Coast and Castles - Newcastle to Edinburgh
- Thread starter T4tomo
- Start date
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Pale Rider
Legendary Member
Hadrian's Cycleway (NCN72) is a very agreeable way to escape from Newcastle to the east.
It roughly follows the north side of the Tyne from the Quayside, and has no significant road crossings.
Quite interesting to see the post-industrial landscape of places such as Wallsend.
It then takes you to the redeveloped Royal Quays, and the still operating Fish Quay.
After that, it's a short coastal path hop to Tynemouth, bringing you out right beside the Priory, which is on the Coast and Castles route.
Another option is to start the ride at Tynemouth.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/3647714/Sustrans-Hadrians-Cycleway
OP
OP
T4tomo
Legendary Member
Cheers, sounds like a good plan and pray for decent weather, A hooley blowing in off the North sea might dampen spirits somewhat.
Yes intend to follow NCN72 (end of the C2C) to Tynemouth and then its NCN1 up the coast to Berwick and then inland along the Tweed/Borders and then over the hump to Edinburgh.
The girls would object to a 2.5 day route!
Yes intend to follow NCN72 (end of the C2C) to Tynemouth and then its NCN1 up the coast to Berwick and then inland along the Tweed/Borders and then over the hump to Edinburgh.
The girls would object to a 2.5 day route!
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
I've seen good comments about this route but never ridden it.
I do know there is a guide to the part south of Berwick at https://cycle.travel/route/coast_and_castles - the two dual-carriageway level crossings I spotted don't look too frustrating. Probably toucan traffic lights but I've not checked that.
I do know there is a guide to the part south of Berwick at https://cycle.travel/route/coast_and_castles - the two dual-carriageway level crossings I spotted don't look too frustrating. Probably toucan traffic lights but I've not checked that.
Maybe plan a few things to do, like the farnes boat trip (fish&chips at seahouses), pedal across to holy island (depending on tides) etc.
Tigerbiten
Guru
But it's been a few years since I've been that way so it may have changed.
But if it wet you can bypass the grass fields at Middle Shiel on a farm track between Beal Station and Goswick.
It was only a rough macadam track but it's better than riding along a mud track across a field.
Turn left just before the level crossing, then 1 mile further on there is another level crossing leading to the track to Goswick.
Luck ..........
But if it wet you can bypass the grass fields at Middle Shiel on a farm track between Beal Station and Goswick.
It was only a rough macadam track but it's better than riding along a mud track across a field.
Turn left just before the level crossing, then 1 mile further on there is another level crossing leading to the track to Goswick.
Luck ..........
Where are you planning your stay overs ( restrictions removed hopefully)
doughnut
Veteran
We did this (starting from Durham) back in 2017. First tour for myself and my wife so we took it easy and organised our days around B+B locations. Quiet roads and great views. We had a couple of days where the rain was pretty torrential but overall it was excellent. There are some short parts where you are cycling on grass, but I would say the majority is either on cycle path or quiet roads.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Just remembered this photo from one of the 'wet' days
Around Lindisfarne somewhere I think
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Just remembered this photo from one of the 'wet' days
Around Lindisfarne somewhere I think
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Canonbie
I think lots of people choose to do it in the opposite direction - often slightly easier in terms of a head wind.
Farnes trip as suggested above is fantastic - National Trust islands so take your membership cards if you have them.
Farnes trip as suggested above is fantastic - National Trust islands so take your membership cards if you have them.
Looks like you had one of the better days around Lindisfarne?
OP
OP
T4tomo
Legendary Member
But it's been a few years since I've been that way so it may have changed.
But if it wet you can bypass the grass fields at Middle Shiel on a farm track between Beal Station and Goswick.
It was only a rough macadam track but it's better than riding along a mud track across a field.
Turn left just before the level crossing, then 1 mile further on there is another level crossing leading to the track to Goswick.
Luck ..........
cheers, that loks like a good nugget of local knowledge. Will be on CX / gravel bikes so wet mud not ideal.
Amble/Alnmouth
Berwick
Galashiels
I've also had the map out scouting potential snack and lunch stops, which are most important!
BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
I have not done the whole route, but, we have done the section of the coastal route between Berwick and Holy Island. There is video of our journey here. It is full length, one direction, (opposite direction to your plan). It wasn't the best weather, and, we got a puncture, but, we (two 70+ year olds) managed it no problem. Not sure the type of bike you are planning to use, but, I would not think it is suitable for a road bike.
As @Pale Rider has said, the Hadrians Way Cycle route into Newcastle from the west is good. There is also a route on the south side of the Tyne (Keelmans Way), which links to the North side, via a cycle/pedestrian tunnel under the Tyne at Jarrow. A word of warning if you do choose to take that route, the lifts are notoriously unreliable, and, carrying your bike up the stairs is not for the fainthearted, so, I would check their website before deciding north or south of river! There is video of the Eastern end of Hadrians Way, and Keelmans Way here, again, it is quite lengthy, but, you can fast forward.
As @Pale Rider has said, the Hadrians Way Cycle route into Newcastle from the west is good. There is also a route on the south side of the Tyne (Keelmans Way), which links to the North side, via a cycle/pedestrian tunnel under the Tyne at Jarrow. A word of warning if you do choose to take that route, the lifts are notoriously unreliable, and, carrying your bike up the stairs is not for the fainthearted, so, I would check their website before deciding north or south of river! There is video of the Eastern end of Hadrians Way, and Keelmans Way here, again, it is quite lengthy, but, you can fast forward.
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