Macmillan Way - Cross Britain Way

Derbyshire, Gwynedd, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Powys, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Telford & Wrekin

The path was created by Tim Brunton, to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The idea was to create a walking trail across the whole of the country that would include less well-known areas of the English countryside, combine both England and Wales, and would embrace Britain's cultural and industrial heritage as well as the beauty of its scenery, and the range of its changing landscapes.

The walk starts in Lincolnshire at Boston near The Wash where the original Macmillan Way starts, and heads westwards across the middle of England. From the Fens it goes through the Vale of Belvoir, the Leicestershire Wolds, and the National Forest. After the canals of South Staffordshire it turns south-west across Cannock Chase though East Shropshire along the Iron Bridge Gorge, then heads into the Shropshire hills. It then crosses the rolling green hills of mid Wales and over the Berwyn mountains. The final stretch is south-west through Snowdonia National Park to Barmouth.

On the way the route incorporates sections of twelve existing named walking trails and includes stretches of six canals.

UPDATE February 2022 - Work to upgrade the 150 year old Barmouth Viaduct started in September 2020. Further temporary closures are scheduled for 2022. These closures will affect the route of the Cross Britain Way as it goes over the viaduct across the Mawddawch Estuary.
During the times Barmouth Viaduct is closed, the finish point for the Cross Britain Way will be at Morfa Mawddach station. If you are planning to walk in this area, we suggest you also check Network Rail social media for updates.
For more information see https://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/latest-news/temporary-path-diversions/?lang=en

UPDATE May 2022 - Network Rail have announced that following the reopening of the railway line, the pedestrian and cyclist walkway had also reopened on 18th February 2022.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/walkway-across-iconic-barmouth-viaduct-opened-in-time-for-half-term

UPDATE May 2022 - Reported problems with missing waymarks between Hope and Welshpool.

UPDATE September 2023 - The final stage of Network Rail's restoration of Barmouth Viaduct means that the railway line and the walkway alongside will be closed between 31st August (3rd September for the railway line) and 24th November 2023 for 'work on the metallic elements' of the bridge.

UPDATE December 10th 2023 - Barmouth Viaduct has re-opened.

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Attributes:	Average Gradients AONB Canal Forest/Woodland Moorland National Park Charity
Start:	TF326441 - Boston, Lincolnshire
Finish:	SH614154 - Barmouth, Gwynedd
Open Date:	2014
User Group:	Macmillan Ways Association Macmillan Ways Association
Web Sites:	Macmillan Ways

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook	Cross Britain Way  (Macmillan Ways Association  - 2014 )
Leaflet - PDF	Cross Britain Way - Guidebook Addendum 2022  (LDWA  - 2022 )

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