Holidays in the van might be a bit different this year, but you shouldn’t let that put you off going away altogether!
If you don’t fancy the stress of trying to social distance at a busy campsite, or the faff of quarantining once you cross the border, there’s loads of remote spots here in the UK that are definitely worth visiting for a late summer ‘staycation’.
Here’s our pick of hidden gem destinations for camper van holidays in the UK:
Coniston, The Lake District
Situated in the heart of The Lake District, Coniston is a beautiful little farming village. Right by Lake Windemere, it’s a great spot for hiking, water sports, lake cruises and horse-riding. There’s also several quaint little pubs and inns for you to stop in, so you can sample local food and ales!
Hoathwaite is most visitors’ preferred campsite, but there’s also Coniston Park Coppice or Pier Cottage nearby.
St Agnes, Cornwall
St Agnes is on the north coast of Cornwall and it sits in both a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site. It boasts stunning, sandy beaches that are dog-friendly all year round, making it a popular choice for families and surfers alike. It’s also a fishing village where they catch fantastic crab, lobster and mackerel - but if seafood isn’t your thing, grab a pasty or some scones with Cornish clotted cream… For quiet camping, your best bet is Beacon Cottage Farm Holidays or Trevellas Manor Farm.
The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Like something out of a children’s book, The Forest of Dean is an ancient woodland between the valleys of the river Severn and the river Wye. It’s great for those who love the great outdoors! If you stay closer to one of the rivers, you can go canoeing and fishing but there’s also castles, museums and caves to explore… You can even ride on a steam train!
There’s lots of quieter campsites in The Forest of Dean – take a look at this list from campsites.co.uk.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Known for its medieval castles and dramatic coastlines, the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s must-visit destinations. Stardust and King Arthur were both filmed on this beautiful and magical island. Spot their lovable “hairy coos” or visit the Fairy Pools on a hike, then recover with a pint and some traditional Scottish music at the local pubs. At night, you might even be lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis – Northern Lights! There’s only a few campsites on the Isle of Skye but if you can get a spot, Camping Skye might be the quietest…
Benone Strand, Derry, Northern Ireland
With seven miles of golden sand and views of Binevenagh mountain and Donegal, it’s no wonder that Benone Strand is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Ireland. Stay in the award-winning Benone Tourist Complex & Caravan Park and you’ll also have access to tennis courts, a golf course and even a bouncy castle! If that’s too busy for you, there’s a family-run farm campsite called Maddybenny Farm not too far away.
Betws-y-Coed, Wales
‘The Gateway to Snowdonia’ - Betws-y-Coed is a bustling mountain village in North Wales that attracts visitors of all ages. Home to luscious green woodland and the magnificent Swallow Falls, there’s plenty to explore in Betws-y-Coed whether you’re walking, cycling, climbing or kayaking. The closest campsite is Riverside Touring Park but if that’s packed, you could try Maes y Bryn in Conwy Valley, just five miles away.
Jurassic Coast
We couldn’t leave this local gem out! The Jurassic Coast starts in Exmouth, East Devon and ends at Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset. This 95-mile long UNESCO World Heritage Site is really diverse and includes spectacular sandy beaches, luscious nature reserves and towering limestone cliffs. There’s lots of different villages that you can stay in along the Jurassic Coast, depending on what you’re looking for. Visit the Jurassic Coast website here for a guide to some of their quieter campsites…
Have we missed any?
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