Dive into the fascinating tale of Alfred Wainwright and how he created the iconic 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!

Description supplied by the event organiser.