Macmillan Way

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Macmillan Way: Coast-to-Coast for Cancer Care

Published 30 April 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

Macmillan Way scored 85/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Great Hike

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 72
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 59
Varied terrain 100
Accommodation 100
Food & support 94
Path quality 84
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Macmillan Way is a 467 km fully waymarked point-to-point walk across England, from Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury on the Dorset coast. Allow 16-28 days. It is moderate: technically gentle, with no mountains, but long, exposed in places, and around 6,900 m of cumulative ascent. It suits fit long-distance walkers who want a lowland coast-to-coast through fens, limestone farmland, Cotswold towns, river valleys and the Somerset Levels.

Route Overview

The conventional direction is north-east to south-west: start beside the tidal Haven in Boston, near St Botolph’s Church, and finish at Abbotsbury, where the route meets the South West Coast Path. Key places in order include the Lincolnshire Fens, Stamford, Rutland Water, Oakham, Warmington, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Tetbury, Thames Head, Bradford-on-Avon, Castle Cary and Sherborne. The route links with the Viking Way at Oakham and the Thames Path near Thames Head. For broader planning, see long-distance hiking in England. If comparing other listed routes, also see Ashby Canal Trail and Amber Valley Route.

Why the Macmillan Way Was Created

The Macmillan Way was devised in the mid-1990s by Peter and Janet Titchmarsh, who researched the route by walking and re-walking it. It was created specifically to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief, now Macmillan Cancer Support, and is sometimes subtitled the “Coast to Coast for Cancer Care”. The name refers to the charity, not Harold Macmillan. Official guidebook proceeds are donated to the charity.

Notable highlights

Boston Stump, Boston: The walk starts near St Botolph’s Church, known as the Boston Stump. Its tall medieval tower is a landmark across the flat Lincolnshire Fens.

Lincolnshire Fens: The first roughly 30 miles cross open reclaimed fen along sea banks, river banks and drainage channels. Expect big skies, exposure and a very different character from the rolling limestone country later on.

Stamford and Rutland Water: The route passes Stamford, a stone-built Georgian market town, then follows the shore of Rutland Water towards Oakham, where it links with the Viking Way.

The Cotswolds: The central section threads Cotswold limestone country through Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester and Tetbury, reaching the route’s high point of about 243 m.

Thames Head: Near Cirencester, the path passes the traditional source of the River Thames and connects with the Thames Path National Trail.

Abbotsbury and the Dorset coast: The route finishes at Abbotsbury, a stone village near Chesil Beach, where it joins the South West Coast Path for a clear coast-to-coast ending.

Challenges to expect

The Macmillan Way is long rather than steep. The main difficulty is sustaining 467 km over multiple weeks, with about 6,900 m of cumulative ascent. Fen and Somerset Levels sections can be exposed, muddy or waterlogged after rain. Waymarking exists throughout but can be sparse, so carry OS maps or GPS. Accommodation is available in towns and villages, but stop spacing needs planning; wild camping is not generally permitted in England. For contrast, compare Beacons Way.

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Ranked #258 of 974

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