Where To Start


My view, and that of Sustrans, is that south to north makes most sense - i.e.
Newcastle to Edinburgh. The wind is generally more favourable, and Tyneside,
with its bustling port, ferry terminus, airport and mainline railway station,
make it a natural starting point. But that does not discount doing it the
other way round; this book should be comprehensible taken back to front, just
like the Sustrans map. However, going north to south would also entail going
through places like Blyth, Byker and Wallsend at the end of the ride, rather
than having the majestic final sweep into Edinburgh, past Arthur's Seat and
the Old Town. No disrespect to these places, but most would feel that their
gritty industrial charm does not put them top of the list of attractions the
Coast & Castles route has to offer.