– History:
– John and Robert Naylor made the first journey from Lands End to John O Groats.
– John Naylor wrote a book titled “From John OGroats to Lands End” in 1916.
– The Naylors were possibly influenced by Elihu Burritt’s books.
– The Naylors resolved to walk the whole distance without any conveyance.
– The journey was to maintain an average of 25 miles per day.
– Methods:
– The route is traversed by walking, cycling, and multi-modal expeditions.
– Trips can be personal or organized as charity fundraisers.
– Celebrities like Ian Botham and Jane Tomlinson have completed the route.
– The route is a rite of passage for cyclists in Britain.
– Various ways to undertake the journey exist.
– Walking:
– The first recorded end-to-end walk was by the Naylors in 1871.
– Walkers have chosen off-road routes since the 1960s.
– Off-road walkers typically take two to three months to complete the journey.
– Walkers have a choice of off-road routes, usually over 1,200 miles.
– Some walkers complete the route in stages over several years.
– Routes:
– There is no continuous long-distance path from Lands End to John o Groats.
– Walkers follow long-distance paths for sections and connect them by rights of way and minor roads.
– Common routes include the South West Coast Path and Macmillan Way West.
– Walkers can choose an eastern or western route to the Peak District.
– Various paths like the Cotswold Way and the Staffordshire Way are part of the journey.
– Distance and Routes:
– The traditional road distance is 874 miles, taking cyclists 10 to 14 days.
– Off-road walkers cover about 1,200 miles and take two to three months.
– The straight-line distance is 603 miles but passes over stretches of water.
– Shortest road routes vary from 814 to 847 miles using classified roads.
– A popular route includes stops at Bodmin, Tiverton, Stirling, and Inverness.
