Best Places to Visit in a Campervan UK – Top 9

A camper van gives you the freedom to head out onto the open road at a moments notice (we offer same day campervan collections), travelling to wherever your heart desires whenever the feeling shakes you. Many of our customers tell us they spend a lot of time scrolling through their favourite Instagram and Pinterest accounts while looking at pictures of those who beat them to it in hot and sunny Cornwall campsites or parked up for the night next to Loch Lomond in Scotland; wanderlust can do that to a person. We’ve made a list of the best places to visit in a campervan UK, and it’s going to change your holiday plans forever.

The Isle Of Wight

If you’re looking for sunnier climates and don’t mind hopping aboard a ferry, then the Isle Of Wight would be a great choice for your next motorhome road trip. Shanklin Beach and Ventnor Beach are some of the most beautiful bits of coastline that I’ve ever visited while holidaying in and around the UK, and with the added pull of possibly finding a piece of a fossilised dinosaur over in Compton Bay, you’ve got a full recipe for adventure that will keep you and your inner child happy for days on end.

The Isle Of Wight has lots of stunning coastal footpaths, so if you’re a fan of walking, then this would be the place to go. Travelling in a van is all about getting out there and exploring the outdoors, and what better place to breath in that fresh sea air while walking barefoot across the sand than the Isle Of Wight. And if you’re hard up on cash and looking for something to do for free, then you can always go and visit the donkey sanctuary. Who doesn’t like donkeys!

Cardiff, Wales

There’s something about visiting castles that I just can’t get enough off, and if you’re planning a trip to the best places to visit in a campervan UK, then the chances are that you’ll see a heck of a lot of them while driving around. Some of the oldest and best can be found in Wales, and Cardiff Castle has to be my favourite out of all of them. There’s just something about this place that makes me think of battles in bygone-eras and massive feasts in the dining hall. I’m basically just thinking about Game Of Thrones as I write this; it’s got that vibe, right?

Cardiff is also one of the most bustling cities in Wales, though I guess that you would expect as much from a country’s capital city! Take a trip to Cardiff Bay and watch the boats come in or zip up your wetsuit and take a dip into the sea. There’s plenty to do and see and some amazing attractions that you can sign up to experience. Just don’t get yourself locked up in a Castle Dungeon like poor old Ned Stark; we wouldn’t be able to forgive ourselves.

Forest Of Dean, The Cotswolds

The UK’s very own Schwarzwald can be found in the heart of the Cotswolds, home to Britains oldest pub dating back to 947AD and a former headquarters of Charles I. The Forest Of Dean is a stunning place teeming with wildlife and also a couple of wandering wizards if you’re a Harry Potter fan. Take a trip into the mysterious Puzzle Wood, a place that’s supposed to be for kids but is way more enjoyable for nerdy adults, and spend hours getting lost in the beauty of nature.

If you’re inspired by art and love to be creative, then you could spend a day exploring the Forest Of Dean Sculpture Trail, and if adventurous expeditions are more your bag, then the Clearwell Caves are ready and waiting for you to strap on a GoPro and start your search for hidden wonders. This is definitely a good spot if you have younger campers that you want to keep occupied and it’s also in close proximity to lots of other quaint towns and villages that you can go and get a cream scone and a cup of tea when you’re feeling peckish.

The Cornish Riviera, Cornwall

Ok, so this is an affectionate title given to Cornwall by the people that live or love going there, but when the UK gets a heat wave and the Celtic Sea starts to feel more like the Mediterranean, then you could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve teleported straight to mainland Europe! Cornwall is a British surfing paradise and a hot spot for water-sports lovers all year round. It’s coastal sandy beaches and cliffside parking spots make it the perfect place to take your family or a loved one out for a special trip that you will remember for a lifetime (providing it doesn’t rain of course).

So what is there to do in Cornwall? Apart from trying your hand at surfing, paddle boarding and body boarding, you can take a trip to St. Ives, Falmouth, and Newquay, and even try your hand as a pirate in Penzance (just don’t go to far end end up coming home with a hook; it’ll be pretty hard to use your steering wheel if you do!).

Keswick, The Lake District

Speaking of spending time out on the water, what better place to inflate up your Paddle boards than in the Lake District. Keswick is home to some of the most scenic walks and mountain hikes in Britain, and it’s also the home of Peter Rabbit creator Beatrix Potter. Spend time cruising up and down Derwentwater, or maybe take a drive to nearby Helvellyn and test your skills against one of the most famous climbs in the Lakes.

If you’re in a camper, then you can either choose to make one place your base and go out on day trips or take a drive around the many different lakes and find a different park up spot every night. Boon-docking is a little bit harder up in Keswick, but I’m sure that with a little bit of careful digging you’ll be able to find somewhere suitable for a good nights kip. It’s one of the best places to visit in a campervan UK and a place of culture, food, and wonder (and don’t forget the rabbit in the blue jacket)!

North Coast 500, Scotland

Route 66 isn’t the only road top that is appearing on peoples bucket lists these days. The North Coast 500 is putting Scotland on the van life map for all of the right reasons. 516 miles of free-camping bliss, taking in some of the most incredible sights that Scotland has to offer. Pass through ‘Black Isle’ (which isn’t black or an isle but looks amazing); take a romantic trip to Easter Ross, and spend time exploring ‘Sutherland’, Europe’s last great wilderness (and not to be confused with the boat-building town of Sunderland, which while nice is undoubtedly not as scenic).

The fact that wild camping is 100% legal in Scotland means that you can enjoy this 5-7 day route relatively cheaply. Take in some of the fantastic beaches along the route, and take a trip out into the ocean too. The possibilities are endless, and we guarantee that this is one road trip that you’ll come back to time and time again.

See our exclusive post on the North Coast 500 here.

The Peak District

There are 13 National Parks in England and Wales, and the Peak District was the first national park to be established in 1951. The Peak District is located centrally in England and covers more the 550 square miles. The park has stunning landscapes to enjoy throughout the year, from the edges, to the reservoirs, viaducts, cycleways and varied wildlife and habitats. The park has been shaped by people and nature over thousands of years.

The Peak District National Park has three main landscapes, the Dark Peak, White Peak and South West Peak. The Dark Peak is composed of more rugged landscapes, providing ideal territory for visitors looking for challenging walks and outdoor experiences. It is well known for the gritstone plateaus and heather moorlands. The landscape is wild and remote and includes wooded areas too. The White Peak is characterised by limestone dales, with meadows, pastures, dry-stone walls and varied habitats. Derwent House is located close to the edge of the White Peak. The South West Peak has similarities to the Dark Peak, although with smaller area of moorland interlinked with hedges, pastures and farmland.

North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire

Commonly known to the people who live here as ‘God’s County’. Traditionally a farming people whose closest relatives are hobbits, Yorkshire folk spend a lot of time in the great outdoors, and looking at the photo above it’s not hard to see why. It’s a tranquil and above all else relaxing place to take a break away.

Snowdonia, Wales

And to finish off our Top 9 Places to Visit in a Campervan – It’s not just mountains – but it’s not all about the hills. The coastline of Snowdonia is rated as some of the finest in Britain, and you’ll also find stunning lowland forests, valleys, rivers and rolling pastures. There’s so much to do – whatever floats your boat you’ll find it in Snowdonia.

The outdoor adventure capital of North Wales, Snowdonia offers a wide choice of quality accommodation, attractions and activities; castles, narrow-gauge railways, golf, cycling, walking, award-winning beaches, Wales Coast Path, World Heritage Site, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast. Planning ahead for your visit to Snowdonia is essential.