The Journey from Land’s End to John o’Groats
The journey from Land’s End to John o’Groats is the longest journey in Britain, starting in southern Cornwall and ending in northern Scotland, unless you travel the other way around! It’s around 800 and takes in stunning scenery (the journey takes a few weeks for cyclists or months for walkers, stopping off at guest houses along the way.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
The shame is that to do the journey by public transport costs a fortune, due to high train fares. If you decide to do this, you’d take a bus the few miles to Penzance train station, and take various trains until you reach Wick (the UK’s most northerly town). Then catch a bus to John o’Groats.
You could take the route by public transport, but due to train fares, it would likely cost you a fortune. You would catch a bus to Penzance railway station, then take various trains until you reach Wick (the UK’s most northerly town). Then catch a bus to John o’Groats.
Starting Point: Land’s End
Land’s End is the most southerly point on England’s main land, marked by a signpost. Nearby Sennen Cove has sandy beaches, if you wish to paddle your toes.
If visiting this beach with a pooch, there is a seasonal dog ban. Read more on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
The journey through Cornwall passes St Ives (named after an Irish princess, and known for its painters’ light).
Land’s End on clear days look out the 23 miles to the Scilly Isles, and is also home to chough birds (brought back from near extinction by conservationists) along with puffins, gannets and seals.
As you journey through Cornwall, you’ll pass St Ives, a beautiful town named after an Irish princess. Known for its ‘painters’ light’, this town has lovely indie shops on cobbled streets. And coastal wildflowers (some not safe near dogs).
Some say there is a lost land (Lyonesse), said to have sunk beneath the waves.
Critics say that Land’s End is now too touristy, with excessive fees, a 4D theatre and mini golf course. People who want to have their photo taken with the sign have to pay £10.50, plus parking charges. One reviewer says ‘They may as well grab you, and shake you upside down over the cliff, until all the cash falls out of your pockets’.
Scenic Stops in the West Midlands
As you go north, you’ll travel through the West Midlands, home to Birmingham (England’s second biggest city, which has more miles of canals than Venice).
Ironbridge Gorge is a World Heritage Site, and known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Visit a museum to take you back in time.
Exploring Scotland
Of course once you cross into Scotland, the scenery gets more wild and cold. The Highlands is as far again as it is from England to Scotland, so the journey even by train will take several hours.
The deep waters of Loch Ness are of course linked to Nessie. Whether or not you spot the monster, the stunning backdrop is worth it.
Inverness is ‘capital of the Highlands, and the UK’s smallest city. Gateway to more pretty scenery, before arriving at the remote but welcoming signpost of John o’Groats.
If you wish to continue your journey, you could take a ferry trip from here to the beautiful Orkney Islands, to spot puffins and other wildlife along the coast.
Where is John o’Groats?
John o’Groats is the the furthest point from Land’s End (Dunnet Head 11 miles away is the most northerly point in the UK).
Named after Dutchman Dutchman Jan de Groot (who had a ferry franchise from here to the Orkney Islands).
The village is around 690 miles from London and just 2,200 miles from the North Pole! In between this village and Orkney is the small island of Stroma, which still had 12 residents in the 1960s. But no longer has any human inhabitants. It still has an old church and cottages, which you can view across the water.
Like Land’s End, the waters teem with wildlife including seals and dolphins. But also minke whales and orcas (killer whales). The cliffs are home to thousands of nestling birds.
