Cross Britain Way Macmillan Trail - Information for Walkers

Cross Britain Way

Start: Boston
Grid Ref: TF 32669 44176
End: Barmouth
Grid Ref: SH 61454 15411
Distance: 448 km
Walking Time: 11 to 21 days
Counties Traversed: Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Powys, Gwynedd
OS Explorer™ Maps: 261,248, 247, 246, 245, 244, 242, 217, 216, 239, 255, OL18, OL23

The Cross Britain Way is a journey from the Lincolnshire Fens at the Wash to the Welsh coast in Snowdonia. The route has been created as a long-distance walk with a dual purpose - to create a new coast to coast route across Britain, and at the same time to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. It is one of the official Macmillan Way Paths.

From the Wash it goes through the Vale of Belvoir, the Leicestershire Wolds, the Soar Valley and the National Forest. After the canals of South Staffordshire, it turns south-west across Cannock Chase, through the Ironbridge Gorge, into the Shropshire Hills via Wenlock Edge, and Welsh Borders, then crosses the rolling green hills of Mid Wales and over the Berwyn Mountains into the Snowdonia National Park. The final stretch is south-west, from Bala Lake through Snowdonia to Barmouth. The route incorporates stretches of six canals, five in England and one in Wales. It also includes sections of twelve named long distance paths. The route is shown on the OS Explorer map.

The guidebook divides the route into 10 chapters as follows:
Boston to Folkingham – 31 miles
Folkingham to Hickling – 35 miles
Hickling to Melbourne – 26 miles
Melbourne to Barton under Needwood – 20 miles
Barton under Needwood to Penkridge – 29 miles
Penkridge to Ironbridge – 24 miles
Ironbridge to Church Stretton – 22 miles
Church Stretton to Welshpool – 25 miles
Welshpool to Bala - 38 miles
Bala to Barmouth – 30 miles

As far as possible the walk has been designed with accommodation in mind and for the most part is routed through places where overnight stays are available. In some areas accommodation is more limited and it may be necessary to go off route. The guidebook provides some accommodation information.

The average distance of each chapter is 28 miles which may be too far for many walkers in one day, unless you are an LDWA member. If each chapter is spread over two days the walk will take 20 days, or 21 if you split Welshpool to Bala into 3 days. The guidebook provides some transport information if you need to go off route to find accommodation.

To purchase the guidebook click the book image or click here