Campervan holidays are about innovation, getting out of the rut and enjoying the freedom of the open road. Trouble is that an awful lot of van owners have exactly the same idea and those remote sites can look pretty packed when you get there.
There is plenty of opportunity to find hideaway holiday destinations where you can enjoy nothing but the peace and quiet of your own company. But travel often means more than getting away from it all, it can also mean joining in, going with the flow. Places don't have to be quiet to be worth exploring. The joy of a campervan means you can pretty much go wherever you want.
You don't have to follow the crowd, even the campervan crowd, when it comes to having a great break. Here are a few ideas about taking the camper on a more unusual jaunt.
Take a city break holiday
It sounds at first as though this is the exact opposite of what a campervan holiday should look like. You are expected to get away from the crowds not join them, right?
But consider some of the benefits of taking your camper on a city break for a change. The biggest that comes to mind is the amount of money you can save. City centre hotels don't come cheap at any time of the year. If a city is staging a big event, a soccer tournament, arts event or food festival, you can be sure that room prices will rocket. What better way to join in the fun while saving a fortune on the cost of accommodation?
Popular city break destinations like London, Bristol, York, Edinburgh and Bath are worth a visit in themselves, whether an arts or sports event is underway or not. Many cities and towns have their special attractions – think Stratford, Oxford, Chester. And smaller towns have their great attractions too such as Padstow, in Cornwall, for its fish, Bakewell in Derbyshire for its puddings and tarts or Ludlow in Shropshire for its fine food.
Many cities and town have campsites on the outskirts or in nearby locations making a city break holiday even more appealing,
Enjoy a food tour of the UK
Many regions of the UK have their specialities when it comes to food and drinks. Campervans provide an ideal way of sampling some of the country's delicacies. From Lancashire hotpot and Yorkshire pudding to Cornish pasties and Welsh lava bread, there is a world of culinary classics to tuck into.
Many beers and wines have regional roots and what better than tasting craft beers of Yorkshire or Wales to try wine tasting at some of the UK's upcoming vineyards. You don't have to drive direct, just park up in a city centre and check out the local tourist office for guided tours.
And it's not just the UK that provides an attraction for the food and drink lover. The foods of France, Germany and Spain are only a ferry trip away.
Don't miss the music festivals
Britain is awash with music festivals over the summer. They don't offer the prospect of a quiet getaway but if you are into the excitement of the festival scene then a campervan can be just the thing.
They are great for those who want to enjoy the music without sleeping in a tent and waking up to a sea of mud in the morning! Most of the UK's biggest music festivals have designated caravan and camping sites. After a heavy day of rock, there can be little to beat bedding down in a comfy camper.
There are scores of music festivals in the UK, from Glastonbury and Manchester's Parklife to London's Hyde Park and the Isle of White. Many last several days and smaller ones can be cancelled at short notice. With a campervan, you can take off where you please.
Explore the regions
Campervans offer an ideal way to explore particular areas of the country. A road trip to Ireland, for example, can take you from the spectacular Atlantic coast to the delights of Dublin. Or take a tour of the Scottish Highlands and enjoy everything from the Highland Games to the Edinburgh Festival. Wales offers spectacular scenery and splendid coastline both north and south from the majestic Snowdonia range to the peaceful tranquillity of the Pembrokeshire coastal path.
Many areas of Britain boast local delights waiting to be explored and a camper van offers easy travel between locations. A little planning is all it takes to make the most of any regional attractions.
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