Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo shares top destinations to visit to enjoy the changing seasons.
Summer is firmly behind us, but that doesn’t mean we need to stay indoors until spring. Forget hibernating at home as the nights draw in, and instead make use of the autumn days by heading outdoors for an adventure-packed road trip to one of the UK’s many beauty spots.
Ed Bassett, Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo, says: “An autumn road-trip is a fantastic way to explore the UK and means you can fully immerse yourself in nature by watching the seasons change up close.
“As normal life returns – with the return of office-based working and commuting, plus social engagements and events back on again – some of us will once again be craving simplicity and rural escapism.
“An autumn road-trip is the perfect antidote to our fast-paced modern lives. Instead of spending hours looking at a computer screen or your phone, we’re encouraging Brits to enjoy the thrill of a bracing coastal walk, the beauty of the changing leaves and cosy evenings spent in the comfort of your van come nightfall.”
Read on for Ed’s top five autumn road trip destinations …
Stargazing at Northumberland National Park
The northernmost national park in England, Northumberland National Park covers more than 1,050 square kilometres, and now is the perfect time to enjoy the vibrant autumnal colours of this wild landscape.
By day enjoy the many walking routes such as the trek through the oak woodland from Holystone, or the heather moorland of Dove Crag in the Simonside Hills, stopping to admire the juniper and birch trees dotted across the landscape.
Although it’s one of the least populated and least visited National Parks, it also boasts some of the darkest skies in the whole of the UK, meaning it’s the perfect place to stargaze. Head to one of the parks Dark Sky Discovery Sites for the best views and prepare to be awed.
Botanical wonders at Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire
This area of the Highlands comes alive in autumn. Originally known as the Dens of Moness, the Birks of Aberfeldy were named after a poem of the same name by the renowned Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its botanical features, with the woodland estimated to be over 8,000 years old. Expect to be surrounded by the best autumn colours, with blankets of red, orange and flaming yellow leaves. Follow the well-defined path through the stunning woodland – birch, oak, ash, and elm trees – and admire the views of the roaring waterfalls as you go.
Birdwatching at St Mary’s Vale, Monmouthshire
At the foot of the Sugarloaf in Wales is St Mary’s Vale, an oak woodland boasting unusual, twisted trees.
Enjoy exploring the unique woodland, listening to the gentle sounds of the Nant Lago stream before climbing to the summit of Sugarloaf, one of the highest peaks in the heart of the Black Mountains, for spectacular panoramic views across South Wales, the Brecon Beacons and into south-west England.
The area is also haven for upland wildlife – expect to see skylarks, housemartins, swallows, red grouse, buzzards, and the occasional red kite.
Outdoor activities at Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down
Lying north of the Mourne Mountains, Castlewellan Forest Park covers 450 hectares of land and is the perfect place for outdoor activities regardless of the time of year – beautiful forest walks, thrilling cycle routes, horse riding treks, fishing and canoeing are all popular pastimes.
The park contains the national Arboretum of Northern Ireland. Started in 1740, it contains trees from as far afield as Asia, North and South America, and Australasia, boasting some of the oldest trees in the Irish and British Isles.
Where better than to witness the magnificence of autumn than surrounded by trees from all over the world?
Magical woodlands at Sherwood Forest, Nottingham
Famed for its association with the legendary Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest has been a wooded area since the end of the Last Glacial Period, around 100,000 years ago.
Home to hundreds of species of bird, insect, mammal, fungi, tree and plant, Sherwood is a truly magical place to visit, especially in autumn. Explore the ancient woodland and look out for the legendary Major Oak – estimated to be around 1,000 years old.
To find out more and book a van for your autumn road trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
Camptoo’s Head of Wanderlust, Ed Bassett, is available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information, please contact:
Olivia Hazelden-Kingdon | Elsa Findlay | Charlotte Wright
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 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 days 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 1,700 vehicles listed in the UK, with over 4,000 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.
