Alfred Wainwright and the Coast to Coast Walk

Wainwright archivist Chris Butterfield explores the remarkable story behind Wainwright’s A Coast to Coast Walk guidebook, first published by the Westmorland Gazette in 1973, and the growing popularity of the route, which eventually became a National Trail in 2026. This illustrated talk looks at the background to Wainwright’s famous long-distance walk, how it was created, why it has become one of Britain’s best-loved walking routes, and what Wainwright said about the possibility of his route one day becoming an official trail.

Chris Jesty, who first revised Wainwright’s most beloved guidebook in 1990, a revision that eventually led to the Second Edition, will be a special guest at the event.

Sponsored by The Mardale Inn, a community-owned and run pub frequently used as an overnight stop on the Coast to Coast route, the talk is being held in Bampton Memorial Hall, Bampton.

All tickets will receive a 15% discount code on food for pre-booked lunch or dinner at The Mardale Inn from August 12th through to August 19th 2026.

A collection and 10% of any sale proceeds will support the vital work in our area of Penrith Mountain Rescue, keeping us all safe on the Coast to Coast and beyond!

Event details

Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Doors open: 2:30 pm
Venue: Bampton Memorial Hall, Bampton, CA10 2RS
Tickets: £8
Parking: Free parking available
Refunds: Available up to 7 days before the event