Share your hidden gems!
Hi everyone,
I'm always on the lookout for those special, lesser-known spots that make travelling in our caravans and motorhomes so magical. You know the ones — those hidden gems you stumble upon that aren't in the guidebooks but leave a lasting impression.
Whether it's a charming little village, secluded beach or scenic route that took your breath away, I'd love to hear about it!
Please share your hidden gems - where they are, what makes them special, and any tips for visiting.
📷️ If you have any photos to share, even better!
Let's build a helpful discussion for others with amazing places to explore. 🗺️
Comments
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None of us should give away secrets, Ro, but if you are coming to Cornwall and want the antidote to crowded places like Newquay and St Ives then there are possibilities without driving for another hour.
Park on the Plymouth side of the water and take the little passenger ferry across to Cremyll - explore Mount Edcumbe country park and then go to the pub. Or walk around the coastal footpath to the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand and take the bus back. Or drive across the Torpoint vehicle ferry and find the NT Antony House on one of the few days a week when it’s open, but go down to the riverside there as well and find their woodland garden - hardly anyone does, but maybe the extra entrance fee puts them off.
It’s all relatively peaceful compared with the tourist resorts. And even the big spectacular beach at Whitsand Bay is really only busy at weekends when the Janners arrive in force.1 -
If it is hiddem gems that are required then it has to be among the CL/CS network. One that springs to to mind was Lark Valley near Bury St Edmonds, sadly it is no more. There were lovely woodland walks nearby with Bury not too far away. Here we accidently discovered a fascinating replica Anglo Saxon village and museum close by in a country park.
The latest magazine covers one gem of an attraction, the Gorge du Verdon. I don't think we really did it justice on our tour and we would love to go back again for a stop over rather than just the trip along the Gorge road which was a little scary.
http://wheelgotravelling.info/Videos/GorgeDuVerdun.mp4
The Gorge du Tarn is much better known and well worth travelling along. Millau is the place to base yourself for such a trip. There also large caves nearby worth visiting but they have nothing on those to be found in Solvenia where there is a real gem complete with underground river.
http://wheelgotravelling.info/Videos/PostojnaCaves.mp4
peedee
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As per Euro's suggestion: Beware, access to Whitsands beach is only for the very fit.
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I could name a dozen beaches in Cornwall, but as Tinny says with the Caveat that most are only for the firm in limb and balance.
We used to walk to Polridmouth Cove from Bodinnick. You have to cross the River Fowey via the vehicle ferry, walk right through the lovely town until you get to Readymoney Cove (nice, but busy), then climb up stairs from beach and pick up coastal footpath, which has a number of little coves to explore. Polridmouth has a beautiful lake at its back, with private cottage adjacent, and just up the hill lies Menabilly where Daphne Du Maurier once lived. The cove is supposed to be the setting for the boat wreck scene in Rebecca. There is a farm field car park which is around 3/4 mile walk from beach, but again it’s a walk for sound joints. It wasn’t that busy when we used to go in the late 1980’s, early 90’s, as most folks arrived via the water.
Other end of England, Cocklawburn Beach Northumberland. It’s not far from Berwick, and the parts close to the coastal road can get a bit busy, but once the road ends, it’s easy to walk the coastal path along the dunes and find relative solitude. Stunning dune backed beach, with lots a sea life, rock pools, seals and dolphins just out at sea. It’s possible to walk for miles, and you have Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne in view. We have swum many a time here, but bear in mind it’s the North Sea, it’s best late August, early September.
Polridmouth Cove. You can see the coastal path coming in from top right from Fowey. The main beach area is mid photo on the left backed by the lake, with lots of little coves close by. Another path is cut into the rock to the right of the lake in the woods, up to farm car park. This photo is taken on the footpath that leads up to Gribbin Head, a day marker on the cliff top.
Cocklawburn Beach, a pooch paradise.
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One of our interests is History, whether it's Industrial, Religious or just plain old UK and its population so we are always seeking out anything a little bit out of the ordinary tourist guides.
You won't come across many guides extolling the virtues of St.Paul's Monastery and church in Jarrow. The Church was set up in about 681A.D. with the monastery soon following. This is where Bede (of the Venerable fame) hails from, or at least is known as being from. The Codex he wrote can be viewed at the exhibition hall. The visit is a delight as the Church, despite being "modified" by those pesky Victorians still contains parts of the original Church with items such as an Original glass window. The nave gives you goose bumps. Not much left of the Monastery, thanks to those equally pesky Tudors but there is an exhibition hall within 100 yards which gives extensive information about the history of the place. I was amazed to find out that Bishop Bishopric (the Head Honcho) completed 7 journeys to Rome to see the Pope. Can you imagine that in the 7th. or 8th.Century?
Jarrow also has plenty of Industrial heritage to boot and it makes an interesting day out.
We travelled there for the day from our campsite, an Independent one in Wearside, Robinsons of Wolsingham. This is also an interesting area for exploration with moors and industrial history of Consett etc. nearby. Excellent cycling & walking opportunities for an area not many club members get to.
Part of the original church.
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Dartmoor really appeals to us, as it is chock full of history, literary references, and is a very special and beautiful place, superb for walking, cycling, horse riding and wild swimming. Get away from the main routes that cross the Moor, and it becomes utterly magical down some of the very narrow lanes, and into the forests. We have in the past taken to the high moors on horseback, and the sense of peace and quiet is just amazing. It was possible to drive around the Okehampton Range on none firing days, but it really needs a proper high lift 4x4, not sure if you can still do it nowadays. There are some great walks from Bellever Forest, and on a hot day, it’s possible to swim in the River Dart. The car park area can get busy, but venture quarter of a mile away, and you will have the paths to yourself. Can highly recommend the Dartmoor Prison Museum as an interesting visit. There are other good wild swimming spots at Spitchwick and near Fingle Bridge.
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Nature is our main preoccupation so readers may well be surprised that our recent birdwatching holiday took us to nature reserves found in, on the edge of or within a few minutes driving distance of Towns and Cities such as Scunthorpe, Doncaster, Boston, Leeds, Nottingham and Leek. Hardly your normal tourist go to places.
Alkborough, not far from Scunthorpe has wonderful "Flats" with nesting rare birds such as Bitterns (College Farm CL) whilst Leeds has St.Aidens RSPB reserve near Castleford, Doncaster has Potteric Carr, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve virtually next to the M18, Boston gives you access to the Marshes that border the Wash at Frampton (Orchard Holiday Park, Boston), Nottingham has the David Attenborough reserve in Long Eaton and Leek has the Coombes Valley RSPB woodland reserve (Crowtrees Caravan Site CL and Independent Site).
All of them enjoyed due to us having Touring places to stay at or transit through on the way to them. The reserves at Leeds, Nottingham and Doncaster were all new to us and totally unexpected but beautiful surprises.
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