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The Seaside Divide

  • Writer: Nick
    Nick
  • Jan 12
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 16

COMING SOON - The Seaside Divide: A coast-to-coast adventure linking two of Britain’s historic seaside towns.

When finished, Adventuring.co.uk's Seaside Divide will be a coast-to-coast cycling route stretching from Margate on the North Sea to Aberystwyth on the Irish Sea, linking two historic seaside towns that once drew holidaymakers from across Britain. Spanning roughly 475 miles, the route threads through to London then Birmingham before cutting west into quieter borderlands and the heart of Wales. Following canals, rivers, old railways, and remote lanes, it offers a long, varied journey across changing landscapes and layered histories.

Bike leans against a concrete wall by a pebble beach. Sea and wind turbines in the background under a clear blue sky.

OVERVIEW

Start: Margate, Kent

Finish: Aberystwyth, Wales

Direction: East to West Distance: ~475 miles / 765 km Sections: Margate to London, London to Birmingham, Birmingham to Aberystwyth.

Terrain: Mixed — canals, riverside paths, quiet lanes, hill roads, gravel tracks Surface: Tarmac, towpath, compact gravel, occasional off-road Climbing: Mainly flat or undulating, increasing to moderate towards the west Highlights: Historic seaside towns, River Thames, London, Birmingham, Canals, Welsh borderlands, Elan Valley reservoirs, Cambrian Mountains Best ridden: Late spring to early autumn Navigation: National Cycle Routes, Lôn Cambria, local lanes, GPX recommended Style: Endurance touring / light bikepacking Bike: Touring / Hybrid / Gravel Resupply: Frequent in cities and towns, limited in mid-Wales Accommodation: Mix of pubs, B&Bs, small hotels, and campsites

This route is for you if:

  • You enjoy long-distance cycling as a journey, not a race

  • You’re happy mixing surfaces — tarmac, canals, gravel, and the odd rough track

  • You like linking cities, landscapes, and history in one continuous ride

  • You’re comfortable riding self-supported with basic navigation skills

  • You enjoy quiet lanes, slow miles, and letting a route unfold over time

This route may not be for you if:

  • You’re looking for a fully signposted or traffic-free route throughout

  • You prefer fast, uninterrupted road riding

  • You’re avoiding hills — especially through mid-Wales

  • You want guaranteed cafés, shops, or accommodation every few miles

  • You’re chasing minimal distance rather than depth of experience


We've ridden parts 2 & 3, London through to Aberystwyth, and when finished the full route will be recounted over three separate cycling adventures as listed below. They not only include our adventures, but full route guides, including gpx routes, where to stay and what to take.

ROUTE

476 miles (766km) | 5,565m ascent | 17 climbs | max grade 11% (19%) With so many brilliant cycle routes already covering the UK it made obvious sense to join a number of these proven cycle ways together to form an epic journey. All-in-all the route uses either all or part of well known National Cycle Network routes to cross the 476 miles between Margate in Kent to Aberystwyth in Mid Wales. The sections between London and Aberystwyth have been tried and tested and our adventures are recounted via the links in the section above. Although we've ridden most of the first part, Margate to London, there's still tweaks and changes we need to incorporate. The full route below is only in draft at present so we can't vouch for its full validity at present.


As we complete the route this year, this page will be fully updated with a summary of each of the three parts, a complete audax card with key waypoints along the routes entire length, thoughts on kit and equipment for a nine day ride and much more. Happy Adventuring!

Cyclist rides down a rural path between brown fields under a cloudy blue sky. Green trees and power lines line the horizon.
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