UK by Campervan

Ali185
Ali185 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2015 in Your stories #1

UK by Campervan.

 

My husband, Barry, and I arrived in the UK at the end of April this year from Western Australia to do a trip around the UK in a Campervan. 

Prior to leaving our home in Perth, we joined the Caravan Club UK. We were very impressed with the Club right from the start. The Site Directory & Handbook were sent out to us in Australia and with so many choices of campsites. 

We took a month travelling through Europe including an amazing Cruise along the Danube and Rhine Rivers from Budapest to Amsterdam with Avalon Waterways. Followed by visits to Brussels, Bruges and Paris. 

Our first stop in the UK was with my sister in Kent where we spent two weeks looking for a suitable Campervan. As we were intending to travel around for six months, we decided to buy one and sell it again before we left at the end. We also joined the National Trust and English Heritage which proved invaluable and had a DK book “Back Roads of Great Britain” which I highly recommend. 

We found the perfect one for us. A 5mt LDV converted van. Not too big for the country lanes! 

So off we went and what a great time we had. We stayed mainly at CL sites and received so many warm welcomes and everyone, both the site hosts and fellow travellers, were so helpful. 

We travelled up the east coast to Yorkshire, across to Heysham, Lancashire to catch the ferry to the Isle of Man for the TT Racing. From there we moved on to Ireland. Two weeks travelling around there then the ferry took us over to Scotland. 

From Scotland we came down the east coast across Hadrian’s Wall into Cumbria. Then travelling down the west coast into Wales. Across to Stratford on Avon and the Oxford area. Then it was back to Kent for a mid-trip break with my sister again. 

Refreshed and raring to go, we came along the south coast to Southampton where Barry comes from. Continuing along the south coast, after a quick trip over to the Isle of White, down through Cornwall and up the north coast of Cornwall and Devon to Bristol and Bath. 

Our final night was at the Caravan Club site at Longleat. 

We had travelled over 10,000 miles, stayed in 87 sites, seen over 100 stately homes, castles, abbeys, museums etc, 5 ferry trips, taken 14,000 photos and consumed 123 Costa Coffees each!! 

We had the most amazing time! Even though the weather wasn’t the best, it didn’t stop us going or doing what we wanted. 

Our next trip? Europe by Campervan, of course!!

Comments

  • The Meek Family
    The Meek Family Forum Participant Posts: 336
    edited November 2015 #2

    Sounds like you've had an amazing time and seen so much of the country. The campervan is definitely a good way to explore and see as much as possible. We spent the last year travelling around the UK in a caravan and have just changed to a motorhome. We are
    planning on heading over to Europe soon.

    Good luck with your future travels.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited November 2015 #3

    Hi Ali and Barry 

    That was some trip. Hope you have a Costa Coffee loyalty card!!! Thanks for sharing. Don't forget you are always welcome to ask questions in the discussion area if you need any help although given your experience it might be you giving the advice!!!

    David

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2015 #4

    Fourteen thousand photos, that's a lot of "what we did on our holidays" !! Glad you enjoyed your trip.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #5

    Great story Ali and Barry, glad you enjoyed the trip

  • Jood
    Jood Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited December 2015 #6

    Thank you for sharing your story Ali and Barry. I enjoyed reading about your trip.