My wife and I are gearing up to do the Coast to Coast (Wainwright) in England in early April. Besides preparing for lots of rain is there anything else we should know? I'd especially l ike to know if it's necessary to book ahead at B&B's. We'd much rather just take our chances each night or just call ahead. We will not be using a baggage service.. Will that work?
Thanks,
Rics in Wyoming
We have walked the C2C, not in April but in May 2008 and I would highly suggest that you book accommodations for Keld. Keld is at the junction of the Pennine Way and the C2C and gets lots of walkers. Accommodations are scarce there. I think the other place we had trouble booking a place was in Danby Whiske. I have always found that if I know where we are planning on stopping for the night it is a reassuring feeling knowing that I also don't have to wander around looking for accommodations. Check out our journal on our blog to see where we stayed. Have a great walk, you'll be going through some very lovely and varied scenery.

We just booked accommodations for the coast to coast walk in May. Surprised to find that there was some difficulty in getting accommodations and one spot (Orton) that was fully booked. Best advice would be to book ahead unless you are camping.
Just returned from doing the C2C. Finished April 21, 2012:
Some reactions:
(1)The mountain passes in the Lakes are quite long and serious. Reminded me somewhat of Colorado.
(2)The B&B's along the route are expensive and uniteresting. Full of decorative junk including doilies, cozies, and fillagree. Best place was Keld Bunkhouse.
(3) The route can be confusing as it is not completely marked.
(4)We had lots of rain and the B&B's were a welcom sight at the end of the day even if they were cluttered and costly.