From sea to sea

Cycling the road less pedalled is one of the most beautiful and leisurely ways to explore Britain. If the thought of a gruelling Lands End to John O' Groats ride makes your thighs ache, try a shorter but no less epic bike tour across the width of England instead. The Coast To Coast route meanders through the green dales and steep hills of some of England's wildest landscapes: the Lake District, Eden Valley, the Pennines and Northumbria. Start in Whitehaven to the west and ceremoniously dip your back wheel in the sea, then hit the winding roads through to Tynemouth in the east - a total of 140 miles. A three day ride is comfortable for keen cyclists and makes for an epic long weekend, whilst four or five days are better suited to families.