EAST COAST TO WEST COAST

In the spring of 2011 we decided to complete our own version of the popular coast to coast route but rather than walking we would take the Discovery and drive as many green lanes as we could on the way.

A long drive from Bridlington in the east to Cumbria and the Lake District in the west. Lots of green lanes and lovely countryside.

OS LANDRANGER MAPS 101, 106, 100, 99, 92, 86, 89

Distance = 200 miles approximately

Start: Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire
End: Maryport, West Cumbria

RATING: A mixed drive but with no particularly difficult stretches.

PART 4

BARNARD CASTLE TO NENTHEAD

Leaving the little town of Barnard Castle we head north west on the B6277 to Romaldkirk and pick up Botany Road, a lane that takes us straight across Romaldkirk Moor. At the end of Botany Road we turn right and head back north towards West Pasture Road on a track only slightly better than the byway we have just left. The views over the moor are fantastic with glimpses of Grassholme Reservoir to the left. At Middleton-in-Teesdale we join the B6277 briefly before crossing Langden Common and Harthope Moor to arrive at St John's Chapel on the A689. Here is a small but pretty ford complete with stepping stones providing an alternative crossing of the River Wear.

It would be nice to explore this area of moorland and waterfalls with its many tracks and lanes but we want to drive over nearby Ireshope Moor on a byway that starts off with a good tarmac cover but after passing through a few gates soon loses its metalled surface.

Back up to the A689 and we arrive in Cumbria at Nenthead, England's highest village and the former centre for lead and zinc mining. Another area that aches to be explored with its Mines Heritage Centre. We drive a lane to the north of the village before continuing on our journey.