Where do you recommend?

[Kate Taylor]

Australian visitor Donna Dettman asked us where should she visit in the UK this summer? She'll be hiring a caravan and wants to travel at her own pace. She wants to use 'overnight rest areas' to save money. Please help! (We recommended the campsites on our sister site, http://www.caravansitefinder.co.uk/ for starters...) What are your tips on great places – essential places – to visit in the UK?

 

[paws]

When it comes to using overnight rest stops to save money, there's a big difference between Australia and the UK....... whilst in Australia, due to the huge distances, overnight rest stops to avoid the hazards of fatigue are fairly widespread, but in UK its a different situation....

It would be wise to book a "paid for" site in advance in the UK.... folks have got away with without doing this, it but its not easy and there is the risk of being asked to "move on"

Generally speaking the rules in the UK do not favour the caravanner who wants to stop overnight unless with permission from the landowner or at a camp site.

As to where she should visit in the UK.... its a big question!

Regards
paws

 

[Parksy]

I agree with Paws, wild camping is not easy or practicable for caravanners here.
The closest thing that we have to 'overnight rest stops' in the UK are either Caravan Club certified locations or Camping and Caravanning Club certified sites.
It's usually possible to join one of the respective clubs at one of their smaller 5-van sites and these small quieter sites offer an infinite choice of locations throughout the UK and are significantly less expensive than larger sites
There's usually no requirement to pre-book except perhaps for a quick phone call the day before to check pitch availability so the Australian visitor would be able to meander at her own pace for a modest financial outlay.

 

[Damian]

I think I am right in saying that throughout England and Wales, wild camping is not allowed at best and illegal at worst as all land is owned by individuals, so permission MUST be sought of the land owner.
Scotland is a different matter as they allow wild camping in many locations.

Secondly, stopping overnight at service stations is expensive, usually in the lorry park next to noisy refrigerator units and generally smell of stale urine, and that's before sampling the exquisite cuisine in the food retailers!

Stopping in lay-byes is prohibited in most counties and is actively discouraged by the Police as it simply is not safe to do it.

As has been said, it is probably wise to join one or both clubs and use either the full sites if they want all the facilities or CL's or CS's if they can do with minimal facilities.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

Australian visitor Donna Dettman asked us where should she visit in the UK this summer? She'll be hiring a caravan and wants to travel at her own pace. She wants to use 'overnight rest areas' to save money. Please help! (We recommended the campsites on our sister site, http://www.caravansitefinder.co.uk/ for starters...) What are your tips on great places – essential places – to visit in the UK?

hi Kate, this may be a "tin hat" answer 😗 but I would advise a visitor to forget the caravan altogether :woohoo: :woohoo: and hire a motor home instead, two reasons first, it saves having to also hire a car with bracket and if wanting to tour team GB it is a dam site easier to park a MH than a car and van. also it saves returning to the van each night before moving on. one could then continue in one long big loop for as long as one is in the country.

as for over night rest stops with a MH there are plenty around far fewer with a van. having had a motorhome for 10 years [between vans] my experience is that vans get moved on MH's don't plus if you stop at services you can use the car park instead of the lorry park pay the £5 and stay overnight without the constant drone of the fridge units. :cheer: :cheer:

as for places to see, one should not miss Canterbury cathedral. and Wells, also York. {there is nothing in AUS that is man made and that old], :silly: and Hadrians wall. [ps,] the contract to rebuild it has now been cancelled. 😗 😗
and while one is in that area might as well go to Culloden Moor, and have a picnic. it is a desolate place, just like the outback only wetter. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Gafferbill]

........I agree with Colin and hiring a motor home would likely be a cheaper option and better tool for that type of touring where you move on every few days.
Go for the smallest you can to suit your requirements.......that way day trips out to attractions are easier.