United Kingdom

Coast and Castles (4 days cycling)

Self-Guided Leisure Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

5 days

Prices from

£935 P.P.

SAVE ON 2025 EARLY SEASON ESCAPES

Book before 31 October 2024 to get £45 off your holiday departing in Spring 2025 before April 30th. Apply promo code FYR2025.

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This classic British cycling holiday over four days of riding takes you from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Edinburgh following the National Cycle Network Route 1: Coast and Castles using the North Sea Cycle Route. This is an iconic cycle route full of awesome scenery and historical interest!
You'll arrive and spend your first night in the vibrant city of Newcastle, easily accessed by its excellent transport connections. The next day, after following the River Tyne to the coast at Tynemouth, you'll head northwards following the wonderful Coast and Castles route which takes you up the beautiful and dramatic Northumberland Coast with its long sandy beaches, lighthouses, and charming fishing villages.
Continuing up the coast you'll take in the spectacular castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh. After checking the tide times (a must!), your next stop is Holy Island, otherwise known as Lindisfarne, before edging your way to the Scottish Border at Berwick-upon-Tweed. From here you'll head inland up the majestic Tweed Valley to Melrose, which is famed for its gothic abbey. Onwards then to Innerleithen, with the final leg a superb spot of cycling through the Moorfoot Hills and on to Edinburgh for a great finish in Scotland's capital city. At the end of the ride in Edinburgh you'll be met by our Skedaddle representative where you will either start your return journey by train, or be transferred back to your car in Newcastle.
This self-guided trip is for a minimum of 2 people and accommodation, transfers (where required), luggage transfers and emergency back up are all included. With access to the navigation app you'll be able to navigate the route with ease. Nothing could be simpler! 
This trip can also be done as a 6 day cycling option or as a fully supported option.

Holiday Highlights

  • Cycling past the dramatic Tynemouth Priory
  • Miles of pristine dunes and sandy beaches at Druridge Bay
  • Stunning vistas as you approach imposing Bamburgh Castle
  • Your first glimpse of Edinburgh from the Moorfoot hills
  • The rugged beauty of the borders
  • Flexibility to choose your own start date or one of our great value scheduled departure dates
  • A celebratory dram in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat

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Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival into Newcastle
Non Cycling Day

Getting to Newcastle is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation at no additional cost, or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.

Day 2
Newcastle to Warkworth
47 Miles / 76 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 450 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 450 Metres Approx.

Our Skedaddle representative will meet you this morning to provide you with your map and to talk you through how to use the navigation app.

You will then start your journey from the accommodation by cycling along the Newcastle quayside past the Millennium Bridge heading eastwards along the River Tyne to the coast. You will soon find yourself passing through the heart of the former ship building area of the Tyne. At Wallsend, the end of Hadrian’s Wall, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum.

Continuing along close to the river you soon reach the Fish Quays of North Shields, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour. You are now at the mouth of the Tyne. A few more pedal turns lead you along the quayside, past Lord Collingwood and up a short hill into Tynemouth. This is a great place for a late morning coffee or to stock up on snacks for the miles ahead. From here you continue along the seafront, past the Victorian resort of Whitley Bay and on to the seaport of Blyth. You’ll soon leave the urban surroundings behind and pass into much more open countryside and quiet country lanes.

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. Just a short distance on is Amble which proudly declares itself as ‘the friendliest port’ before you arrive into Warkworth with it’s impressive castle and onto your accommodation for the evening.

Day 3
Warkworth to Berwick-upon-Tweed
52 Miles / 83 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.

Leaving Warkworth behind, you cycle towards the impressive medieval castles of Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh and the attractive coastal village of Craster.

At Bamburgh, as well as the castle in its dramatic setting on a rocky outcrop, there is the Grace Darling museum, a famous heroine of the lifeboats. Just past Bamburgh you come to Holy Island, otherwise known as Lindisfarne, 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.

Day 4
Berwick-upon-Tweed to Melrose
45 Miles / 72 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

From Berwick-upon-Tweed, 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 a bright green Bristol Lodekka double decker bus (it’s travelled a long way!). 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. The final section today takes you into Melrose, famed for its impressive Gothic-style abbey, which is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart!

Day 5
Melrose to Edinburgh
55 Miles / 88 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

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, home to 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. Heading north out of Innerleithen the route climbs up and over the Moorfoot Hills, with views of Edinburgh in the distance.

Dropping down from the hills and heading through Dalkeith and Musselburgh you make your way into Edinburgh through the Innocent Tunnel and past Arthur’s Seat to the finish point. Here you will be met by our Skedaddle representative where you will either start your return journey home by train or be transferred back to Newcastle.

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The Cycling

Terrain

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.

The route mostly consists of a mix of tarmac and some compact gravel surfaces, meaning the ride can be completed on almost any type of bike. There are also a few off-road sections, with paths across grassy fields or farm tracks, including short steep sections, narrow bridges with gates and steps, where you will need to dismount, and a section along a muddy clifftop track, which is unsuitable for road bikes. However, there are tarmac alternatives to the standard route for these off-road sections if preferred.

It is possible to use an e-bike on this holiday. Although there are no significant climbs or long passes on the route, an e-bike could be beneficial to get you up some of the short, steep climbs if you are after a bit of a boost. Please note, e-bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes, so it is worth considering when handling the bike over some of the rougher / uneven terrain.

For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here

Coast and Castles uses a part of the National Cycle Network, a route from the charity, Sustrans, who are working to make it easier for everyone to cycle in the UK. Skedaddle will donate to Sustrans for every mile that you and others ride on this route with us. If you fancy donating more to Sustrans, you can choose to make your own donation for the development of the National Cycle Network when you make a booking with us.

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Leisure Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 3-4 : Moderate/Active

Moderate/Active – Aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays. Suitable for the leisure cyclist who rides frequently, and who’s comfortable with some moderately challenging climbs. Some of the terrain may vary, potentially including sections of uneven or unpaved ground.

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 3-4, will have aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 holidays. These tours are suitable for those who keep themselves relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on the bikes at the weekend. Your preference may be for flatter terrain, but you don’t mind tackling some hills, the occasional steep climb and some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc.). It might be however that on some days the distances will be longer than a standard grade 3 trip, or some of the climbs may be quite challenging. You may also require some previous experience of tackling some uneven / unpaved ground to comfortably and safely ride certain sections of the route.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

Daily departures available from April to end of September, call us about October. Choose your own dates from:

2025 £935 per person

You either can make a booking online or over the phone. Once we have your details, we’ll be able to check availability.

SAVE ON 2025 EARLY SEASON ESCAPES!

Book your early cycling escape before the 31st of October and save £45. Applies to departures between the 1st April and the 30th April 2025. Apply the promo code FYR2025 when you book. Your discount will be applied once your booking is confirmed.

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £150 deposit and nothing more to pay until 30 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
--/--/----
Duration
5 days
Price
£935.00

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin/ double rooms)

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Access to an app for holiday information and navigation

D) A printed map

E) Luggage transfer service

F) Local Skedaddle representative

G) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if renting your bike from Skedaddle)

H) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)

B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres

I) Other optional activities

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The Essentials

Travel Options

If you decide to drive we will provide you with full directions to the accommodation and meeting point in Newcastle. You will be able to leave your car at the accommodation for the duration of the trip at no additional cost.

If you would prefer to catch the train the most convenient station for arrival is Newcastle. Your hotel is a 15 minute walk, or 10 minute taxi ride away from the station.

Following completion of the ride in Edinburgh, you will be met by our representative at around 16.30. You will then either start your return train journey from here or you will be transported back to Newcastle. Please do not book any return trains from Edinburgh prior to 18.00 and return trains from Newcastle prior to 20.00.

There is a supplement payable for airport transfers.

Please contact us prior to making any travel arrangements

Accommodation

In the UK we use good quality 3 or 4 star hotels, B&Bs, inns and family-run guesthouses that are cycle friendly, located close to the cycling route and showcase the style and hospitality of the area you are visiting.

Where possible we prioritise locally owned businesses and those offering locally sourced food, drink and speciality products. This all promotes sustainability in-line with our responsible travel policy.

All our UK trips are operated on a double/twin-share basis. Single occupancy rooms can be provided for a supplement and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Bike Hire

If you would like to rent a bike we have both hybrid and electric bikes available.

The hybrid bikes are generally Giant Roam (male frame) or Liv Rove (female frame) with a wide gear range suitable for the route and terrain, semi-slick tyres, hydraulic disc brakes and a relaxed riding position.

Our electric bikes are generally Giant E+ pedal assist bikes with batteries suitable for the daily distances on this holiday and hydraulic disc brakes. E-bikes come with step through frames as standard but some cross bar frames may be available if preferred. Please let us know if you have a preference.

A rack and two panniers, a handlebar phone mount and one bottle cage are provided with all our rental bikes, along with an emergency repair kit in a seat-post bag containing a puncture repair kit, a multitool, a spare innertube and a bike pump. A bike lock will also be provided (one between two bikes).

We are also able to provide helmets. If you’d like one to be provided, please request this at the time of booking.

You are welcome to bring along your own saddle, or own pedals if renting a hybrid bike, but please let us know if advance if you plan to do so.

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