Camptoo reveals the top five UK road trips.
Rising train prices, above average temperatures and recent economic uncertainty mean more of us than ever are choosing to staycation rather than head abroad this summer. From the rugged beauty of Snowdonia, to the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, the beaches of Cornwall and the vast moors of the Yorkshire Dales, our beautiful island has a lot to offer.
For anyone struggling to choose between destinations, sharing economy platform for caravans, campervans and motorhomes, Camptoo, has devised a list of the best summer driving routes, enabling road trippers to see more of the UK and embrace the #vanlife movement (3.2 million posts on Instagram no less!). Time to crank up the road trip playlist and plug in your seatbelt for the trip of a lifetime!
Land’s End, Cornwall to John O’Groats, Scotland
One for adventurous travellers, this ultimate road trip covers the full length of Britain, all 1,055 miles of it – starting at Britain’s most south-westerly point, Land’s End in Cornwall, ending at the most northerly point, John O’Groats in Inverness.
Taking in Exeter, Stonehenge, Oxford, the Peak District, the Lake District, Galloway Forest Park in Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Aviemore and Inverness, this epic road trip is not for the faint hearted. The trip can be done in a week (we recommend 10 days for adequate rest time) and showcases a wonderful variety of scenery, from rural, to city and everything in between. A full day to day breakdown can be found here.
Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands offer a plethora of culture, architecture and history, with unparalleled scenery unlike anywhere else in the world. The islands and coastline are just waiting to be explored, from the majestic mountains, to the mysterious lochs. The Highlands also boast Britain’s largest National Park, Cairngorms and its highest peak, Ben Nevis. It’s no wonder the area has been the backdrop for so many blockbuster films!
The popular Highland Tourist Route between Aberdeen to Inverness (116 miles), via Cairngorms National Park, includes four historic castles and Culloden Battlefield. Alternatively, Scotland’s Route 66, the North Coast 500, is 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery along the North Highlands, with ancient castles, caves and sandy beaches.
Wild Wales
For a true taste of Welsh countryside, start your road trip from Snowdonia in north Wales, where you’ll be greeted with 827 miles of unspoilt scenery filled with heather-capped mountains, sheep-dotted meadows and wooded valleys. Head south along the 180-mile stretch of the Ceredigion coast, dotted with award-winning beaches and iconic harbours framed by the Cambrian Mountains. Stop off at Cardigan Bay, home to schools of Bottlenose dolphins, and River Teifi, one of Wales’ longest river for fly-fishing, rafting and walking.
Then head to the popular Brecon Beacons to soak up the spectacular cliffs and coves of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, taking the road from St Davids through to Rhodiad-y-Brenin, before visiting the seaside villages of Abereiddy Bay and Porthgain. Thanks to its working harbour and 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber, Abercastle is also well worth a visit.
Peak District & Yorkshire Dales National Parks
Buxton in Derbyshire is the gateway to the Peak District National Park, famed for its stepping stones and limestone valleys. Enjoy cycling, walking and wildlife watching, journeying up to the park’s highest point, Kinder Scout, for breath-taking views of the surrounding valleys. The village of Edale marks one end of the iconic Pennine Way footpath, a 268 mile walk of rugged landscape steeped in history, but you can choose to walk as little or much as you want.
Travelling onwards to the Yorkshire Dales takes only 1.5hrs via Manchester, or Sheffield and Leeds, encompassing thousands of square miles of moors, valleys, hills and villages. On the River Wharfe, the Bolton Abbey Estate includes the ruins of a 12-century monastery while Malham Village features a towering cliff, and a footpath to Gordale Scar, a limestone ravine with waterfalls.
Explore the Cotswolds
Located just a few hours from London, straddling Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds is characterised by honey-coloured cottages, secluded villages and winding, cobbled streets. Start your road trip in the small market town of Chipping Campden with its mellow limestone terraces and boutique shops and eateries, journeying south to the villages of Willersey and Broadway for cosy country walks and pubs. Stop off at rural village, Bourton-on-the-Water, to see the characteristic low bridges and traditionally made stone houses and Bibury, described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds.”
End your Cotswolds adventure in Stroud, a bustling market town brimming with independent shops, cafes, galleries and a Farmers’ Market. You could even continue the journey on to Bath in Somerset, a town famed for its natural hot springs and 18th-century Georgian architecture. Highlights include Bath Abbey and the Roman-era bath house.
To rent a campervan, motorhome or caravan, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
Camptoo founder, Martijn Peeters, is available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information contact:
Rachel Sewell/Jo Kendall
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
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About Camptoo
Launched in the Netherlands in 2014, Camptoo is a sharing economy platform that connects the owners and renters of campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans.
Since it was launched, Camptoo users have booked almost 100,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. Owners can generate income from their campervan when it’s not being used while renters have greater flexibility when booking their vehicle so that it best suits their needs.
There are almost 1,500 vehicles to choose from across Europe and a further 200 across Australia, with more being added every week. Vehicles are properly insured to allow both owner as well as renter a carefree holiday, with Camptoo providing all the necessary paperwork, checklists and roadside assistance.
For more information, visit www.camptoo.co.uk
