Hi all! In mid May I'll be walking the path with my mom from the source to Windsor over 17 days and am wondering how to manage accommodations in so many towns over so many days. We'll be using the David Sharp guides and will likely be following the recommended sections, about 6-14 miles per day. Since we're not sure which towns we might feel like staying in for two nights in a row (to explore the town a bit instead of just passing through) I wonder whether I should or shouldn't make reservations at hotels/b&b's along the way. My concern is that May is prob a popular time to walk the path and we wonder if it will be impossible to find an available room in small towns when we're ready to stop, and alternatively we don't want to be stuck with a rigid itinerary because we've made reservations every "X" miles. If we stay in one place longer or shorter than planned it could throw off the whole reservation thread. Any ideas for how to address this challenge? At the moment we have reservations at the beginning and end of the walk, but in between...? Thanks for any input!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32826 posts
It looks like this question needs a >>Bump<< Its a decent question - I just don't have an answer...
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
41 posts
Hello We have walked the Coast to Coast long distance path a few years back and this year (in May) we will be walking Hadrian's Wall, the West Highland Way, the Great Glen Way and then the Speyside Way. I have booked all the accommodations for these walks as I have found out from previous trips that it is much more relaxing to arrive at the destination knowing that we had a place to rest our heads. You will find that most B&B's prefer you to check in late in the afternoon so this generally gives you plenty of time to explore the town or to amble along that day's route. I do agree that being forced to a schedule does limit you somewhat but given the size of some of the towns and the lack of accommodations you might be well advised to at least book into the smaller places. After reading the guide book about the route you'll likely be able to figure out where you might like to spend more time. Have a great walk. The Thames Path is definitely one walk we'd like to do but it will have to wait for another year.
Happy walking :-)
Posted by
OP
Berkeley
3 posts
Thanks Nice Nigel and Walker Rosemary! Mmm Hadrian's wall... Maybe that's next...
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
41 posts
Let's hope we both have great walking weather during May. We'll have to compare notes on our respective walks after we're back. Happy walking :-)