CAMPERVAN ROAD TRIPS

With Yescapa, great British road trips are made easy, and together with our round-up of some of the best, your expedition should be a breeze! Sleep under the stars, be first on the beach, swim in the sea, toast marshmallows over the firepit and travel as and when you please...

A HIGHLAND FLING WITH THE NORTH COAST 500 IN SCOTLAND

Get your fill of fresh air, wide-open spaces and dramatic views on an epic campervan road trip through the Scottish Highlands on the North Coast 500. The road trip on everyone’s must-do list, this circular route features a greatest-hits list of Scottish scenery, stretching across more than 800km of back roads. Skirting the coast from Inverness and the Black Isle, past the seaboard crags of Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross, it offers Gothic ruins, rugged fairways, historic castles, shingle-sand beaches, tiny fishing hamlets and peaty whisky distilleries. Along the way, the route builds as it progresses, from the east coast villages of Dornoch and Wick to Aultbea, Poolewe and Gairloch on the rugged west coast, where the wild peaks of Loch Maree are found. Finally, the road reaches Bealach na Bà, which loops up and over the Applecross Peninsula for an aweinspiring finish.

Hire from Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s midnight blue executive campervan near Glasgow, is a four-berth Toyota Alphard camper. Comfortable and spacious with a fully-equipped kitchen, it’s perfect for creating a romantic meal for two under the stars. Easy to handle – it’s a first-class driving and living experience. Four nights from £676

GETTING OFF GRID AND WILD SWIMMING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Take a scenic road trip through the Lake District National Park with its 16 lakes and 214 fells. Highlights include Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with its ancient woodlands and meadows; Cartmel – home of sticky toffee pudding; Windermere, the largest natural lake in England; Grasmere, at the foot of several impressive fells and once home to William Wordsworth; and the dramatic Langdale Valley.

Hire from Paul. Paul’s luxurious campervan is a Volkswagen T5 based in Brampton, near the Lake District. This spacious four-berth van features a full-width bed, popup-roof bed, night heater, tinted windows, leisure battery, dining table, toilet, full kitchen, and plenty of storage. Four nights from £522

WAKE UP WITH A DIFFERENT VIEW EVERY DAY ON A CAMPERVAN ADVENTURE IN CORNWALL

Enjoy the freedom of the open road with nights spent sleeping under the stars, waking up with breathtaking views of the coast and countryside. There are endless Cornish adventures to choose from – explore the dramatic coastal roads and take in the beaches, surfing and water sports as well as dine on sumptuous cream teas, Cornish pasties and fresh seafood. Discover nearby highlights such as Mousehole, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Michael’s Mount and Land’s End and stay overnight at Gwithian Farm Campsite near St Ives, with stunning views of Hayle Beach (regularly featured as one of the top 10 best UK campsites).

Set off in Dharma for a motor adventure with a difference. Based in Carnkie, just outside of Redruth, Cornwall, this 2015 converted Peugeot Boxer is easy to drive with all the modern comforts from home, including a hot shower system to deal with those days in the surf. A double bed and lovely interiors will evoke a soothing sleep while listening to the lapping waves. Four nights from £522

MEANDER THE COUNTRY LANES OF THE COTSWOLDS FOR A FABULOUS PHOTO TOUR

Take the slow road to the Cotswolds, the heart of England, a couple of hours' drive from London. With 800 square miles to explore, the Cotswolds runs through five counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire). Discover the lesser-known country lanes and travel through timeless scenery amid the rolling countryside. Learn about the history, heritage and the stories behind the people, the places, and the landscape, and make a deeper connection to this wonderful region. Uncover the traditional honey-coloured cottages in the lively market towns of Tetbury, Woodstock and Winchcombe, a magnet for hikers who wish to walk the Cotswolds Way. This trip will take you along the length and breadth of the boundaries as well as to the highest point of the region, and through its beautiful valleys and vales – the perfect viewpoints for fabulous photo opportunities and fascinating places to wander.

Hire from Christopher. Christopher’s 1989 vintage VW campervan, Freda is a four-berth campervan made for adventure. It includes a kitchenette, a cosy living room area, and an extremely comfortable double bed. There is a bike rack on the back and rooftop storage, the van also comes with a BBQ / firepit, chairs and table and three hammocks. Four nights from £468

ART, CULTURE AND DRAMATIC SCENERY ON THE SOUTH DOWNS

An exciting new route launched by Sussex Modern (a collaboration of artistic, cultural and wine-making venues) celebrates this region's modern highlights. Create your own route, taking in the county’s galleries, museums, and artists’ houses. Visit Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery, which houses a collection of contemporary artworks, including the work of Sussex born Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), who depicted the Sussex coastline and countryside with the likes of Lighthouses at Newhaven (1935), and Beachy Head (unfinished; c.1939).

Based at the foot of the South Downs in Storrington, this comfortable and fully equipped Converted Peugeot Van is a four-berth with fixed double bed, and a Cabbunk System that can be assembled in the van cab, suitable for two children. Featuring an indoor shower, built-in toilet, and a kitchen with fridge and dinnerware, it is easy to drive with a powerful engine; perfect for exploring the rolling hills of the South Downs. There is lots to explore nearby, including the beautiful Seven Sisters hills, fantastic beaches such as Birling Gap, the Cuckmere Haven estuary with its paddleboarding opportunities, and excellent English wine vineyards such as Rathfinney and Bolney. Don't miss special excursions, such as to Charleston Farm House, historic former home to the Bloomsbury set. Four nights from £676

ADVENTURE ON THE NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK COAST

Explore the Suffolk and Norfolk coastline, which offers long, wild beaches, picturesque villages, historic buildings, pleasant market towns, and traditional seaside resorts. There are also fantastic opportunities for wildlife spotting, as well as sampling the wonderful local beers and seafood that this part of the country is known for. The drive along the East Anglian coast is approximately 200 miles in length, and with so many places to stop along the way, there's no point rushing. You can do the trip in three to five days, depending on how many locations you want to visit. Norfolk highlights include The Wash – a large bay containing marshes and mud flats that's an important habitat for birds; the Victorian resort of Hunstanton, known for its elegant gardens and distinctive striped cliffs; and the pretty harbour town of Wells-nextthe-Sea, close to Holkham, is a good place to stop off for some fish and chips before making the 20-minute drive to Blakeney Point, an important nature reserve that's home to England's largest seal colony. Suffolk highlights include Lowestoft, the UK's easternmost town and the first place in the country to see the sunrise; charming Southwold which has a restored 190-metre-long Victorian pier that houses a water clock; and RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve which offers wetlands, woodlands, and beaches to explore on foot. There's an ever-changing array of fauna, including otters, red deer, bitterns, and marsh harriers, to spot throughout the year.

Big Red is a fully equipped 4-berth VW Campervan is a late 2017 T6 High Line, newly converted to a Camper in 2021, based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Its 2.0L 150hp TDI engine will efficiently power you up the steepest hills, and the automatic gearbox with cruise control makes motorway miles a pleasure. It features a RIB double bed on the ground floor and a second double bed up top. Big Red also has air conditioning to keep you cool on your drive and an onboard diesel-powered heater to keep you warm during your autumn and winter campervan trips. The twin front passenger seat swivels round to make comfortable seating for four, and a pop-in table makes for a great indoor dining space. The plush fully fitted kitchen includes a twin burner hob, a sink with onboard water tank, a fridge/freezer and plenty of cupboard space. If your adventure takes you to a campsite, Big Red can be hooked up to 240v mains or if you are wild camping there is a solar panel to charge the powerful leisure battery for the fridge, lighting and music. Four nights from £600

YORKSHIRE COAST FAMILY ROAD TRIP ON ‘ROUTE YC’

A newly launched coastal driving route, Route YC, takes in the beautiful coastline, verdant countryside, nostalgic seaside towns and Northern charm of the Yorkshire Coast. This sequence of coastal loops features six adventure-filled routes, allowing visitors to experience the coast their way, with ideas for hiking, biking, water sports and more. There are also suggestions for towns and beaches – such as Whitby, Bridlington, Scarborough and Filey – to stop at along the way. Experience the stunning natural beauty of the region on a motorhome road trip, taking in highlights such as the birthplace of British surfing in Bridlington, outstanding seafood in Scarborough, coasteering in Thornwick Bay and birdwatching at the RSPB Reserve at Bempton Cliffs.

Hire from Stephen. Stephen’s family-friendly motorhome from Scarborough, is a luxurious six-berth Rimor Katamarano motorhome with a modern kitchen including fridge/freeze, a large bathroom, and a drop-down double bed with ladders. There is a television, mood lighting, and solar panels, and for keen cyclists, there is a bike rack for two bikes. It has everything you need for a fun family camper trip. Four nights from £780

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