Just been checking availability of the youth hostels and they are fine until…. The Peak District. Many seem to be closed for “summer camps” in August, including Alstonefield and Crowden. Alstonefield is not really a problem as there are the other two places I have already identified, but Crowden is another thing altogether as it is not really near any other hostels. I rang and they gave me the name of a local B&B (The Old House B&B, telephone 01457 857527 if I need to come back to this) but I am not really into that so I then searched in the heart of The Peak District and although Edale and Castleton are also closed for bookings in August for similar reasons, a place called Hathersage is, and it’s cheap! It might also be a good place to rest and meet up with friends, leaving a longer final day of 40-50 miles to Elland. It would mean in effect leaving the National Cycle Network after the stay at Hartington…. but that place has a minimum stay of 2 nights so it might have to be Ilam. This is getting complicated. 🙂