Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo shares his top 5 hidden gem road-trips.
With summer well and truly upon us, there is no better time to pack up the van and head off on your next road trip. Brits are predicted to spend £5 billion on staycations(1) this year, meaning traditional holiday spots such as Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District will likely be busier than ever.
So, rather than heading to a popular staycation destination, why not visit somewhere off the beaten track?
Ed Bassett, Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo, says: “Demand for staycations has grown exponentially, however last summer we saw many traditional staycation spots struggle with overcrowding. With restrictions for foreign travel likely to remain in place, we predict it will be another bumper summer for the UK tourism industry.
“Travelling in the UK is a truly unique experience as there’s so much to see and a real variety of countryside to explore. Whether you’re interested in exploring a post-apocalyptic style landscape, a peaceful escape into nature or are planning on travelling at the end of the summer season to avoid the seasonal crowds, the UK has plenty to offer.
“This summer, we are encouraging Brits to travel consciously and enjoy road-trips to lesser-known destinations.”
Read on for Ed’s top 5 hidden gem road-trip destinations…
Dungeness, Kent
Pack up the van and enjoy a road trip along the south coast to the small fishing town of Dungeness in Kent. If you’re expecting ‘Garden of England’ vibes think again…
The headland of Dungeness, Britain’s unofficial desert, is one of the largest shingle landscapes in the world giving off post-apocalyptic ‘end-of-the-world’ vibes with lighthouses, abandoned boats, huts and gravel pits dotting the landscape.
This uniquely beautiful destination is one of the most valuable nature conservation sites in the UK and is home to a third of Britain’s entire plant species, as well as many uncommon insects and spiders and a magnet for all kinds of birdlife.
Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfalls, Wales
Wales’ tallest waterfall, standing at 80m high, is the ideal road-trip destination. Pistyll Rhaeadr translates as ‘spring of the waterfall’ and is the perfect place to enjoy some quiet contemplation in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
There are plenty of walking routes nearby so this is the spot for those wanting a road-trip destination that will allow them to immerse themselves in nature, walking and hiking through the lush Welsh countryside.
Yoesden Nature Reserve, Buckinghamshire
Yoesden, six miles north of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, has changed little since medieval times – it’s sun-soaked chalky grasslands boasting an abundance of less common flora and fauna.
Visit in late June to enjoy a visual feast of pinks and purples, think fragrant pyramidal and common spotted orchids. Visit in August to enjoy a wealth of blue flora with devil’s bit scabious and nettle-leaved bellflower, and the butterfly attracting Chiltern gentian. Expect to see the azure Adonis blues, as well as the common blue and small blue varieties.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland
Just an hour outside of Glasgow lies one of Scotland’s most breath-taking spots, Loch Lomond, and the Trossachs National Park.
Scotland’s first National Park boasts lush landscapes in the southern section and sprawling glens and rocky peaks packed with interesting corners to explore in the north. In fact, the fault line that divides the Highlands from the Lowlands runs right across the park, which is what makes this stunning landscape so varied.
The expansive park offers a slice of peace and tranquillity whilst offering adventurous types some of the best mountain biking, canoeing, and hiking routes in the whole of the UK.
Sunbiggin Tarn, Cumbria
For anyone planning a road trip slightly later in the year, Sunbiggin Tarn in Cumbria is the ideal late summer/early autumn destination.
This is a popular spot with local wildlife and is particularly well known for its birdlife – boasting one of the country’s largest and most spectacular starling murmurations, involving tens of thousands of birds, which occurs at dusk – starting in the autumn and continuing right-through the winter.
And with its rolling landscape, undulating roads and picturesque villages, Yorkshire is the ideal place for those wanting to hit the road and explore to their heart’s content.
To find out more and book a van for your road trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
- (1) VisitBritain 2021.
- Camptoo’s UK Country Manager, Ed Bassett, is available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information, please contact:
Charlotte Wright | Jo Kendall | Elsa Findlay
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
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. The company was recently ranked the #1 fastest-growing travel company in Europe by Financial Times (FT1000, 2020).
Since it was launched, Camptoo users have booked over 500,000 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 over 900 vehicles listed in the UK, with over 3,500 vehicles to choose from across Europe, and a further 400 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.
