While some people dream of packing their suitcase and boarding a plane, there’s nothing quite like getting an old-fashioned road map out and planning your next road trip!
When armed with the best camping awnings and camping equipment, a campervan trip can be the perfect holiday – and at any time of year! Sunsets in summer, bank holidays, and outdoor cooking with friends or family; what could be better?Â
If you need some inspiration on where to go in the UK, we’ve found some of the best UK driving routes for motorhomes and caravans. From the Scottish Highlands to the Welsh coast and everywhere in between.
Read on to find out more about some of the best and most exciting driving routes for your road trip…
The Route: North Coast 500; Inverness > Applecross > Durness > John O’Groats > Dunrobin Castle
Route distance and length of trip: 516 miles, up to 7 days
Best for: Escaping urban life, enjoying clear roads, majestic Highland landscape, and creatures.
Scotland’s stunning answer to the USA’s Route 66 boasts some of the best scenery in the UK. The Highlands, Lochs, ancient castles, windswept beaches, and historic landmarks are around every corner and at every stop.
Officially, the route starts and ends at Inverness Castle and passes through idyllic towns and villages, such as Ullapool, Durness, John O’Groats, and Dornoch. Those looking for adventure activities can surf at Caithness or try canyoning at Corrieshalloch Gorge. You can also enjoy mountaineering, climbing, and hiking along the route.
The Route: Causeway Coastal Route; Belfast > Glens of Antrim > Giant’s Causeway > Derry
Route distance and length of trip: 120 miles, up to 5 days
Best for: Lovers of stories and tales, Atlantic Ocean landscapes, Irish whiskey, and stargazing.
Hugging the Atlantic coast, this is a jaw-dropping route from Belfast to Derry that’s steeped in mythology and legend. The Causeway Coastal Route is made up of nine scenic drives, so you can break it down into smaller journeys.
This incredible drive is the original and best great British coastal driving route. It takes you to several of Northern Ireland’s most-loved tourist attractions and landmarks. These include Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dark Hedges, and the Glens of Antrim. You can surf, swim or walk on some of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches and even visit the Old Bushmills Distillery.
The Route: Oxford > Gloucester > Abergavenny > Brecon Beacons > Carmarthen > Tenby > St Davids
Route distance and length of trip: 224 miles, up to 4 days
Best for: Welsh national parks, nature lovers, Victorian architecture, and seaside towns
Though starting in England, most of this route – on the A40 – takes you into the heart of the beautiful county, Pembrokeshire. Famous for its glorious beaches, cliffs, islands, and wildlife, Pembrokeshire offers incredible opportunities for you to enjoy the outdoors.
You can explore the awe-inspiring Brecon Beacons for hiking and cycling while the beaches will leave you spoiled. Like much of Wales, there are countless castles to discover, like Carmarthen before beautiful seaside towns, like Tenby, provide excellent rest points. For nature lovers and bird spotters, you can watch puffins at Skomer Island overlooking St Brides Bay. Finally, St Davids is a fantastic end to a glorious Pembrokeshire journey.
The Route: Glossop > Chapel-en-le-Frith > Edale > Castleton > Newhaven > Matlock > Bakewell > Chatsworth House
Route distance and length of trip: 80 miles, 2 days
Best for: Discovering all of the Peak District, geology lovers, cosy pubs, small towns
One of the shortest routes, but still one of the best, this road trip takes you through one of the UK’s most-loved national parks, the Peak District. This is an excellent break from the cities on either side and takes in hiking paths, great caverns, and stately homes to enjoy.
Start in Glossop, east of Manchester, and head into the Pennines. You can enjoy the famous Snake Pass, one of the best mountain passes, on to Edale and Castleton. Here you can enjoy incredible hiking and cycling opportunities. Further south, you’ll find Blue John Cavern – an underground network of caves – and Thor’s Cave. You can then move onto the Heights of Abraham in Matlock and ride in the famous cable car over the Derwent Valley.
The Route: The Atlantic Highway; Bath > Bridgewater > Barnstaple > Pentire Head > Falmouth > St Austell > Plymouth > Exeter > Lyme Regis > Chesil Beach
Route distance and length of trip: 380 miles, up to 7 days
Best for: Discovering all of Devon and Cornwall, beaches, history, the Eden Project, Cornish clotted cream and ice cream
Cornwall and Devon are among the most popular locations for camping and caravanning, and the Atlantic Highway is the best way to see it all. The first half sticks to the A39, the actual Atlantic Highway, from historic Bath to Falmouth.
On this road trip, you can enjoy beautiful beaches for surfing and relax, rich history stemming back to the Roman era, and right up to the ground-breaking Eden Project. You’ll never be bored with moorlands and coasts to enjoy, right up to the finishing point at Chesil Beach and Weymouth. You can enjoy views of the Atlantic as you pass through Bude and Wadebridge. The second half brings even more history, including cathedrals and the navy.
There is perhaps no vehicle more popular among us camping enthusiasts than a good old VW campervan! Winfield’s has picked out the best awnings for your VW camper with the newest stock for 2022. Find the ideal awning for your next adventure.
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