New National Trail status awarded for Coast to Coast route
It stretches from St. Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in the North Yorks Moors National Park
The Coast to Coast route stretching from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hoods Bay in the North York Moors National Park will become a new National Trail.
It has been announced by Natural England who will work alongside its partners to improve the popular route, with £5.6 million committed to upgrade the 197-mile path.
This includes funding set aside to develop a community engagement programme, and maximise economic and health benefits for local people and businesses.
Today’s announcement, which delivers on a Government commitment to develop the route, will also ensure long-term support for the National Trail.
Benefits of becoming a National Trail include:
• the path being made more accessible, with improvements possibly including the removal of stiles and using accessible gates where possible;
• high-quality signage, waymarking, path surfaces and infrastructure;
• developing circular paths and link routes;
• working with local businesses to ensure they are aware of the economic opportunities; and
• a long-term commitment to funding to help local authorities maintain the path.
Natural England will work alongside the Lake District, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks as well as Cumbria and North Yorkshire County Councils to improve the path.
Enhancements will be undertaken over three years with the upgraded path expected to open in 2025. It is intended that the new National Trail will closely follow the existing route.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “This announcement hands North Yorkshire an opportunity it must grasp to realise environmental, social and economic benefits across its breadth.
“The walk is very popular with visitors both from the UK and abroad, especially from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Each year, several thousand complete the route, generating significant business for food and accommodation providers along the way, as well as other businesses, such as those that offer luggage transport services between overnight stays.
“This announcement will unlock Government funding to establish and maintain the trail, which could include improving surfacing to make the walk as accessible as possible. It would also provide an opportunity to address long-standing issues on the route, such as the erosion of riverside paths.
“This is the result of excellent joint working with Natural England, the National Parks and landowners and we look forward to continuing that partnership to improve this much-loved long-distance walk.”
Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: “The Coast to Coast route passes through some of our most spectacular countryside, villages and natural habitats so I’m delighted to approve these plans and deliver on our manifesto commitment to develop the route into a new National Trail.
“With over £5 million of new funding to upgrade the path, local business and communities will be able to secure real benefits from the sustainable tourism this route offers. I look forward to seeing the route go from strength to strength and leave a lasting legacy across the North of England.”
Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “The way we will now develop the Coast to Coast into a National Trail is a turning point for national trail development as it will be the first national trail where delivery of the social and economic benefits for users and communities will be built in from the start.
“Once established the Coast to Coast National Trail will allow many different types of users, with a range of abilities and backgrounds, to connect with nature on this iconic walking route whilst also bringing the benefits of tourism and other business to communities along the trail.
“Those who live nearby but may not currently access the countryside on their doorsteps will also have the chance to use the Trail for local and longer circular walks. Natural England looks forward to working hard with our partners to make this vision a reality within the next 3 years.”
With seven towns within 5 km of the route: Cleator Moor, Egremont, Kirkby Stephen, Northallerton, Richmond, Whitby and Whitehaven, as well as seaside fishing villages, investment in the path will promote levelling up through improved health, wellbeing and public access opportunities for local communities close by.
A programme of work to boost the economic and social benefits for local areas will help ensure local businesses are aware of new opportunities from further developing tour guiding services, to improved accommodation and hospitality.
Natural England will also work with local communities and local authorities boost access to nature for all abilities. This will include working with disabled user groups and developing circular paths: to make more of the route accessible for shorter day or part-day circular walks/ rides, these could start in towns and villages or car parks, shops or pubs.
Julia Bradbury said: “I'm so pleased that this well-trodden route is to become an official national trail.
“Having walked the walk (and talked the talk!), and promoted its virtues on TV and in print, I know exactly why it is one of the great Alfred Wainwright's most popular routes. Taking in the magical Lake District, to the heights of the Peaks and the rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors - it is just stunning.”
“Through our website - The Outdoor Guide - we are passionate about encouraging more people to explore our countryside, connecting body with mind and feeling the benefits of nature. I hope that this improved path and more local routes will inspire everyone to get walking and enjoy it in all its glory!”
Eric Robson OBE DL, Chairman, The Wainwright Society: "The designation of Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk as a National Trail has long been one of the Society's ambitions. The Walk is one of the country's most popular long-distance routes, and helps support businesses and jobs from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, including in some of the north's most sparsely populated rural communities. We very much welcome, therefore, the news that the route will become a new National Trail.
"This is the start, of course, of bringing the project to successful fruition. But this is a very exciting and important step and we look forward to working with partners along the route to establish the C2C Walk as one of the UK's great National Trails. As Alfred Wainwright said of the walk he devised: "Surely there cannot be a finer itinerary for a long-distance walk!"