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The 21 Best Motorhome Routes in the UK

Updated: May 17



Written by - The Gap Decaders


What better way to travel in the United Kingdom than in a motorhome or campervan? 

Forget the big cities and make for the great British countryside, unlike anywhere else in the world. Head to all the amazing places to visit in the UK, in the comfort and safety of your home on wheels, following these motorhome routes. 

Whether you own your own motorhome or are looking at first time campervan rental for a fantastic UK staycation, Great Britain and Northern Ireland are full of incredible places to visit and touring the UK by motorhome is a great way to see them all.


Motorhome Tours UK Map

From the hidden coves and glorious weather of Cornwall to the drama and mountains of Scotland, the UK has all the elements needed for a great motorhome holiday – we can’t guarantee you great weather, but we know you’ll have a lot of fun!

Use our popular motorhome route planner for the UK to help plan your road trip itinerary. Whether you’re looking for motorhome holiday ideas, motorhome tour routes in the UK or just how to holiday in a motorhome, you’ll find what you need here, in our choice of the best motorhome and campervan routes in UK.




UK Motorhome Holiday Destinations


Cornwall, England

This glorious part of the UK has some of the best beaches and campsites the country has to offer. Along with quaint sea-side towns, beautiful landscapes and some great Cornish attractions, this is one of our favourite amazing places in Britain and has all the makings of a great motorhome trip in the UK.



The drive down the M5 or A303 can be unpleasant, especially at the weekends when everyone seems to go on holiday. Try and head down mid-week and break up the journey if you can before you get to the A30, the main arterial road through the county. 

Visit the Eden Project on the way, a fantastic stop and not to be missed when you’re passing so close by. Cornwall has lots of narrow lanes and many towns and villages are unsuitable for large motorhome traffic, be mindful of this when travelling and route planning.  


Highlights & Where to Stay


The Camel Estuary

With trendy Rock on one side of the estuary and pretty Padstow on the other, this is a fantastic destination. Try your hand at surfing in Rock or just have fun in the waves on a body board. Eat amazing fish in Padstow and enjoy strolling the harbour and town.

Stay at the popular Padstow Touring Park for great facilities and fantastic views. It’s within walking distance, or a short bike ride, of Padstow and an excellent base for exploring the area. This is one of the most popular places to go in the UK, so holiday there out of season if you can. If not, book your pitch early!



St Ives

The quintessential Cornish holiday town, St Ives is blessed with a couple of fantastic beaches and a vibrant atmosphere. With shops, bars and restaurants open into the evening and several world renowned galleries, St Ives has a cosmopolitan feel.

It can get busy here in the high season, visit before UK schools break up if you possibly can.

Stay at the simple and family run Ayr Holiday Park which has a coastal path down to Porthmoer beach (where I’ve spent many happy hours as a child and adult with a body board!) and from there into St Ives itself, or check out Campsites.co.uk, a great place to find motorhome parks in the UK.


Porthcurno & Around

Visit the end of the peninsula on your Cornwall road trip for amazing coves and beaches. Porthcurno is one of my all-time favourite beaches, overlooked by the spectacular and must-see Minack Theatre.  

Explore Sennen Cove and the tin mines at Botallack, for a taste of Cornish history and head east for charming Mousehole (pronounced Mouzle), one of Cornwall’s hidden gems (as much as anything in this part of the world can be!).


Pretty Penzance and the splendid St. Michael’s Mount, accessible on foot when the tide is out, are all within a few miles if each other and well worth a visit.


Stay at Trevedra Farm Campsite for a back to nature feel, great beach access and a warm welcome for motorhome travellers from the farm owners.



Porthcurno Beach & The Minack Theatre

Is this your first time visiting the UK? Get all the information you need in our United Kingdom Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!





Snowdonia & Anglesey, Wales


Head for spectacular Snowdonia in north Wales for drama, huge skies and outdoor adventures.

Cross the iconic Menai suspension bridge in your campervan, to reach the Isle of Anglesey. Home to some of the best beaches in Wales, fantastic coastal hiking and cycling paths and with a good dose of remoteness, this is one of the best travel routes in the UK to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.

The A5 is easily accessible from the M6 and brings you right into the buzzy climbing town of Betws-y-Coed, on the edge of one of the UK’s best national parks and the gateway to Snowdonia. From there, its a hop and a skip on to Anglesey. 


Highlights & Where to Stay


Snowdonia National Park

Test yourself by climbing to the peak of Snowden, the highest mountain in England and Wales, some 1,085m above sea level. If you still want to enjoy the views but don’t fancy the hike, take the train up and hike down!

Stay at Bryn Gloch Caravan and Camping Park, surrounded by nature and right at the foot of Snowden itself.


Newborough Beach & Llanddwyn Island

Newborough beach is our favourite beach on Anglesey, backed by the tranquil Newborough Forest, where you might see red squirrels.

Take a walk through the forest and dunes and out to the peninsula of Llanddwyn Island to see the fascinating pilots cottages and lighthouse. Newborough is a great start point to head off around the coast in a campervan!

Stay on the grassy meadow of Awelfryn Caravan Park, a mile away from the beach after a good walk through Newborough Forest.


Betws-y-Coed

Set in a beautiful valley, Betws-y-Coed is a typical mountain town, full of shops selling outdoor gear and companies offering outdoor adventures. Pubs are full of climbers talking about the day’s exploits and adventures.

The town is a great base for outdoor sports and activities such as climbing, hiking, abseiling, zip-lining and mountain biking. You’ll also find natural beauty spots such as Fairy Glen and Swallow Falls to visit on your much needed rest days.


Stay at the Riverside Touring Park for excellent customer service, five star facilities and easy access to Betws-y-Coed itself.




The Lake District, England


This rugged and scenic national park in Cumbria has something for everyone. Head for the busy towns of Ambleside and Keswick or find remoteness by one of the sixteen beautiful bodies of water and tarns in this stunning part of the UK.

The Lake District lies to the west of the M6 and is easily accessible to motorhomes but be prepared for some narrow and twisting country lanes which may be congested in summer once you come off the main A roads.

There are some spectacular mountain passes but they are not all suitable for large vehicles and you should check this prior to your trip, or go in a camper van!  Otherwise head for the the stunning Peak District, which is motorhome friendly and perhaps a road a little less travelled.



Highlights & Where to Stay


Ullswater

The second largest lake, Ullswater is nestled amongst some of the best fells the Lake District has to offer and is home to the stunning Aira Force waterfall, an easy Lake District walk.

With water sports, hiking and Lake District wild swimming amongst the lush green landscape (the setting of Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ poem) on your doorstep, this is a perfect spot for motorhomers and campervanners to enjoy nature and outdoor activity and some of the best Lake District hikes.

Stay at the family owned and run Gillside Farm at the foot of Helvellyn and close to the pretty village of Glenridding for excellent access to the surrounding fells and Ullswater itself.


Keswick

Keswick is a busy market town with a mining history which lies between the imposing Skiddaw mountains and the natural beauty of Derwentwater.

Take a cruise on the lake and head up to the prehistoric Castelrigg stone circle, literally surrounded by fells and sky in every direction.


There’s also lots of great hiking in the area, including many easy trails like Catbells, which also has the added benefit of incredible views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Stay at Derwentwater Camping and Caravanning Club Site, one of the best sites for motorhomes in the Lake District. You don’t have to be a member to stay, although the cost is discounted if you are. This friendly and popular site is a few minutes walk from Keswick and

Derwentwater.


Wild Camping in the Lake District for motorhomes is possible in the more off-the-beaten-track parts, but around the lakes and towns it is likely you will be moved on pretty quickly, especially in summer.


Honister Slate Mine

At the southern end of Derwentwater is the valley of Borrowdale, leading to the Honister Pass and the home of the Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in Europe.

The mine has a visitor centre which provides underground guided mine tours and a range of adventure activities including a Via Ferrata (by ropes) course which is not for the faint hearted!

The Honister pass is not suitable for large motorhomes and has a width restriction of 6’6″, although it is possible to get the bus there from Keswick.



Stay at Chapel House Farm Campsite in the Borrowdale Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and rushing streams to lull you to sleep at night.




View from Catbells, Derwentwater



The North Coast 500, Scotland


This iconic Scottish motorhome route had to make the list! The NC500 is a 516 mile spectacular route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle and passing through some of the most beautiful places in Scotland

Tackle the whole route, for which you’ll need at least several weeks, or do a bit of it. Whichever, you’ll find incredible landscapes, legendary Scottish hospitality and the thrill of the open road.

This is surely one of the best motorhome routes in the UK and one of the best driving roads in Scotland.



Highlights & Where to Stay


Inverness

Both the start and finish point of your motorhome holiday in Scotland, this cultured and ancient cathedral city is full of history and interest. Go monster hunting on Loch Ness, take a trip to the haunting battlefield at Culloden and visit Inverness Castle.

Fans of the book and tv show ‘Outlander’ can also visit bucket-list destinations in this region.


Stay at Bunchrew Caravan Park on the edge of Beauly Firth, in twenty acres of mature woodland and advertised as being free from midges, pretty unusual for motorhome holidays in Scotland!


Sutherland

One of the last great wilderness’ of Europe, a large chunk of the NC500 passes through this raw and beautiful county. With the sea always on your right, the coast of this part of the route is unspoilt and diverse, from huge sandy beaches to the rugged and aptly named Cape Wrath cliffs.

Stay at the stunning Clachtoll Beach Campsite right on the edge of the beach, which boasts crystal clear water and amazing snorkelling; we think it’s one of the best campervan sites in Scotland.

There is a lot of Scottish wild camping for motorhomes in this part of the UK, Scotland seems to be more tolerant than other areas. Use Park4Night to find a great spot with a fabulous view and follow our wild camping tips for the best experience.


Caithness

Home to John O’Groats and Dunnet Head, the most northerly village and northerly point respectively, Caithness is right at the top of the UK!  It is so far north that in favourable conditions, it’s possible to see the northern lights from here.


The coastline here features soaring sea-stacks and towering headlands, home to puffins and other sea birds.

Stay at Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site. You don’t have to be a member to stay, although the cost is discounted if you are. This is a site for those that enjoy solitude, sublime views and long beach walks.


The New Forest, England

This historic forest in Hampshire, planted in 1079 by William the Conquerer, retains a strong sense of history and tradition.

Home to New Forest wild ponies, roaming pigs, Highland cattle and deer, this haven for wildlife offers peace and tranquility to all who visit.

The forest is particularly special in autumn, when the crowds have gone and the colours are spectacular.

The forest is also a hub for outdoor activity, including water sports, cycling and hiking, you can find the top New Forest outdoor activities here.

Easily accessible via the M3 and M27, the main roads through the forest are all suitable for large motorhomes and there are lots of designated car parks and places to stop for lunch or a walk.

You cannot wild camp in the New Forest, there are active rangers who move on all vehicles at dusk. 


For a longer road trip, add Dorset and the incredible Jurassic Coast to your itinerary.



Highlights & Where to Stay


Brockenhurst

A charming village to the south of the forest and and an excellent base for cycling and walking. With a few good pubs in the village and a seriously good takeaway fish and chip shop, this is a great place from which to explore.

You can hire bikes in the village or bring you own; download this helpful map for routes.

Stay at Hollands Wood Campsite run by Camping in the Forest, who offer some of the best motorhome sites across the forest. Within walking distance of the village, this mainly wooded site is on the edge of the open forest.


New Forest Water Park

At the western edge of the forest, the New Forest Water Park offers wakeboarding and a giant inflatable aqua park, the best fun you can have in a wet-suit! Try your hand at wakeboarding, kayaking and stand up paddle before running the gauntlet on the aqua park course…its a lot, lot harder than it looks!


Stay at the Red Shoot Camping Park a few miles away and on the edge of the open forest. Situated behind the highly rated Red Shoot Inn, this is a friendly and family run site.


Lymington

Not technically in the New Forest, but right on the south-western edge, Lymington is a charming and bustling market town.  With a busy harbour and easy access to the Solent, this is a haven for sailors.

From your base in Lymington, take a trip to Hurst Castle, built by Henry VIII and situated in a shingle spit stretching towards the Isle of Wight. On hot days, take a dip in the seawater swimming baths on the edge of Lymington town.

Stay at the tranquil retreat of Harry’s Field and enjoy their camping philosophy, complete with roaming deer, ponies and donkeys. A stay in a campervan here is good for the soul!



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