What Are The Best UK Road Trip Routes For Campervans This Summer?

5 minutes well spent

Monday, 12th May 2025

View all

If you’re lucky enough to own a campervan already, or you’re thinking about visiting Maple Leisure and buying one in time to escape for the summer, you’re in for a real treat. The UK is absolutely bursting with breathtaking landscapes and coastal roads as well as charming towns and national parks, all just waiting for you to show up in your campervan and explore them. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed seaside escape, a cultural deep-dive or a bit of wilderness adventure, this country has a route for every kind of road-tripper. This edition of our blog acts as a guide, rounding up five of the best UK road trips for campervans – including unforgettable stop-offs and scenic highlights, plus plenty of practical travel advice.

The Norfolk Coast

East Anglia’s hidden gem is flat, accessible and unspoiled. The Norfolk Coast is fairly quiet and very beautiful – a great road trip destination. You can meander through quaint seaside towns and along miles of beach-backed coastline.

Blakeney Point: Internationally important, Blakeney is noted for spectacular displays of the summer breeding tern colony and winter breeding grey seals. It’s great for walkers, sightseers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Wells-next-the-Sea: Known for its nearby pine woods, its expansive sandy beach with colourful beach huts, and its scenic harbour, Wells-next-the-Sea offers something special. With a traditional seaside atmosphere, excellent crabbing spots and easy access nature reserve it’s a perfect stop on your UK campervan adventure.

The North Coast 500

The ultimate adventure north of the border is sometimes nicknamed ‘Scotland’s answer to Route 66’. It’s also one of the most iconic UK campervan routes for the summer months, featuring around 500 miles of untamed Highland beauty. Starting and ending in Inverness, this circular route features some notable moments and several stop-offs worth, well, stopping off at!

Bealach na Bà Pass: This winding, alpine-style road with spectacular views is the greatest ascent of any UK road climb (from sea level at Applecross to 626m). It’s roughly 80 miles northwest of Fort William and is approximately 20 miles long. Film fans are sure to recognise a section of it from its use in the James Bond film Skyfall.
Applecross: A remote village known to locals simply as ‘the street’, this area is believed to be one of the very earliest parts of Scotland to be settled by humans.
Smoo Cave: This massive sea cave near Durness is located within the North West Highland Geopark, one of the finest regions of the world for geology. It’s well worth a stop. It includes a walkway into the waterfall chamber (free of charge) though if you want to venture further inside and learn about the natural and human history, it’s possible to buy a tour.
White Sand Beaches: The NC500’s white sand beaches are well worth a visit. Achmelvich is great for birdwatching, though there have also been numerous sightings of porpoises, dolphins and minke whales. Balnakeil is also a must-see, featuring wide, white beaches with large dunes, and a range of natural wildlife environments.

Cornwall Coastal

If you’re after a serene coastal circuit, then the rugged south-west is another fantastic area for a campervan holiday. You can begin in St Ives and follow the coast around to Falmouth, and along the way you’ll be able to take in hidden coves, historic fishing villages and iconic landmarks.

Land’s End: This is the UK’s most westerly point, and it’s the done thing to capture the quintessential Land’s End photo while visiting the famous signpost that marks the spot.

Porthcurno Beach: Turquoise waters and soft white sand make this spot in West Cornwall very popular. It also has a rich history – it was the site of the first undersea telegraph cable to connect Britain and the USA.
Minack Theatre: This beautiful open-air theatre perched above the sea presents travellers with something very special. Originally created in the late 1920s as a bit of a middle-class folly, it has proved to be one of the UK’s most evocative spots to experience the arts.
Newquay: A laid back surfing hotspot with great nightlife, Newquay is a must-stop on your Cornish coastal circuit. There are sandy beaches, aquamarine seas, amazing walking, fun festivals and family-friendly attractions.

Snowdonia and North Wales

If castles and countryside are your thing, then this particular road trip could be for you. Featuring a rich mix of natural beauty, culture and history, North Wales is one of the most underrated road trip routes that UK campervan owners can explore. Base yourself near Snowdonia National Park and then branch out to the coast, mountains and castle-lined towns.

Mount Snowdon: Otherwise known as Yr Wyddfa, this is both the highest mountain in Wales and the highest in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands. Picturesque and with plenty to do in the National Park surrounding the mountain, this is a must-visit.
Portmeirion: This village was built between 1925 and 1975, specifically to mirror the Italian Baroque style – so it has a quirky look quite unlike anywhere else in the UK. It has served as the location for numerous films and TV shows, most famously 1960s sci-fi The Prisoner and, in the mid-1970s, Doctor Who.

The Lake District

One of the most legendary areas of the country, and home to England’s highest peak and deepest lake, the Lake District National Park is almost perfect. Here you can wind through dramatic valleys and glacial lakes, and stop in picturesque villages such as Ambleside and Keswick.

Hardknott Pass: Built by the Romans, Hardknott Pass is one of the steepest roads in Britain, filled with sharp hairpin turns, and is the width of a bridleway.
Lake Windermere: This large lake is great for taking a lake cruise or enjoying kayaking. It’s surrounded by mountain peaks and villages, including Bowness-on-Windermere, where The World of Beatrix Potter has modern displays on the enduring children’s writer.
Derwentwater: Surrounded by woodland and trails, Derwentwater is a mere 10-minute walk from Keswick town centre. Its tranquil waters lead into the enchanting Borrowdale Valley, and offer awe-inspiring views at every turn.
Grasmere: Taste the famous gingerbread or visit famous poet Williams Wordsworth’s grave in the churchyard at St Oswald’s. Close by Rydal Water is a very quiet lake with no motorboats, so it’s great for swimming and rowing.

There’s never been a better time to explore these five road trip locations – especially in a campervan you’ve bought from us here at Maple! Whether you’re new to campervanning or have plenty of experience, check out our current stock of new and used campervans and you’re sure to find a model to suit your needs. If you need help choosing or want to learn more, feel free to contact us!

Guides and Tips

Places to Visit