As many of us are gearing up to explore, or return to, our favourite UK beauty spots, we’ve put together some excellent tips for making it a trip to treasure.
We haven’t forgotten the joy of travel! The spark of adventure, of morning coffees somewhere new, of evening walks in unfamiliar fields, of cresting over new cities in your campervan.
As the world’s greatest travel writer, Bill Bryson puts it: “The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time.”1
If you’re getting ready for your next staycation, read on for our useful tips for planning your next ‘mobile home’ travel adventure… 👇
Use our popular ‘Caravan / Motorhome Club’ Facebook group
Having set up the group in February 2020, it’s now grown to 403* active, friendly members, with several posts a week.
From selling useful items (or even whole vehicles!) to swapping tips, advice and community news, it’s everything we wanted the group to be and more.
Users regularly share travel destination ideas and are more than happy to chat about places to go – so make this your first port of call!
Join the group
*As of 7th July 2021
Keep an eye on popular destinations
Now that we can travel between England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland, camping & caravanning holidays will be the golden way definitive way to holiday – offering self-sufficiency, fresh air, and reduced contact with fellow holiday-makers.
As of July 2021, the UK Government advises that you should ‘continue to plan ahead and travel safely where possible’.
According to The Camping and Caravanning Club, campsites are now open across the UK, with ‘shared facilities including showers available’.
It is important to note that the NHS track and trace app is in place at all sites, so a smartphone readily charged to scan the QR code, or arranging alternative access requirements to register yourself is important.
Other considerations are that face masks are still mandatory in communal areas and day visitors are not allowed on the majority of sites. Although we want to enjoy our break (and we deserve it!), advance planning and research are key for a smooth stay.
X marks the camping spot
Once you’ve decided on your general route, do some research and mark every possible ‘stop and sleep’ spot along the route.
You can do this on your physical map, or use the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet to create a ‘List’ of locations.
You can also use this time to mark out great viewpoints or places you want to sightsee.
Although we’re not fully at the international travelling stage, the helpful folks at ourtour.co.uk have even curated a range of Europe and North Africa routes in Google Maps, so you don’t even need to make your own!
View all motorhome touring maps
Don’t own your own vehicle? Hire your next travel adventure!
There are plenty of places offering campervans and similar vehicles for hire, including coolcamping.com – a fantastic website for planning camping holidays.
There’s also the local Taffi Campers, who offer a range of luxury VW T5 campervans for hire.
Useful apps & tools
1 – Park4Night
A free app where you can ‘share the nice spots where you like to relax with your camper, your equipped van or normal van.’
Cost: Free (but you’ll need to pay £9.99 to access maps and features offline).
2 – All The Aires
Although still on the Amber list (as of July 2021) – if you prefer a physical book to an app, ‘All the Aires’ covers North and South and is the perfect companion for choosing your overnight spots in France.
Cost: £26 for the current edition (published June 2021). The next edition will be in 2022.
3 – Brit Stops
Perfect for staycations, this UK-based resource has sites all across the UK, listing all the pubs you can stop at overnight.
Cost: £28 + £3.60 postage
4 – France Passion
This scheme, ideal for travellers who like a gourmet lifestyle, allows you to stay with farmers, wine producers, cheese makers and other artisan foodies, on their land and free of charge.
Cost: €30 (includes access to their website search)
For more apps and tools – including travel helpers, sat navs and more – The Gap Decaders have a fantastic list to browse.
Further resources
While we’re the experts at campervan & motorhome storage, there are plenty of helpful people out there who are experts at the travelling bit!
A few of our favourites include…
1 – Wandering Bird
Having spent years travelling, Wandering Bird has collated her favourite resources for motorhome travel – it’s a corker!
2 – The Gap Decaders
So good we’re mentioning them twice! These guys have all the destinations and travel guides you could ever want.
3 – Practical Motorhome
The book of gospel for motorhomers, this website has excellent articles and resources uploaded every week, with regular offers, competitions and loads of great buying advice! Also available in a magazine format.
4 – Camping With Style
Run by Shell, this blog covers everything you need to camp with style. While it leans slightly towards tent camping, there are plenty of helpful resources for any outdoor travel.
5 – Life Journey 4 Two
This couple’s living the dream, travelling around Europe – and providing plenty of tips and advice along the way.
We hope you enjoyed our 2021 travel adventure guide! Did we miss any cool resources or ideas? Let us know on our socials below 👇
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References
1 Bill Bryson, Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe
