Touring around Southwest of England

A route suggestion with pit stop options for a spring or early summer road trip in Great Britain.

If you are dreaming of a revitalizing rural spring break, how about a long weekend or a holiday week in the Southwest of England where you can easily reach incredible historical places and enjoy an adventurous early spring in mild temperatures already starting from April?  Read our suggestions of pit stops to choose from on your road trip in England.  

When you arrive by plane to Liverpool, John Lennon Airport (LPL), or Manchester Airport (MAN), our lovely local team will pick you up and drive you to the Touring Cars Chester station. They will thoroughly guide you with the camper you have booked and share all the necessary tips to make you feel comfortable and confident behind wheels in right-hand traffic. 

When you hit on the road, turn your wheels towards M6 and M5 which is a gateway to the marvelous Southwest of England. On your journey, you will see great views of sandy beaches, picturesque landscapes adorned with blooming flowers, rolling green hills, incredible rocky coastline, charming fishing villages but also many historical and unique spots. This is a great road trip option for active outdoor people who enjoy different activities such as diving, surfing, cycling, canoeing, or just going for a relaxing walk or a longer hike in national parks.

Only four hour's drive to the opposite coastline to enjoy incredible sights

After 1,5 hours drive from Chester via M5 you will pass Birmingham. If you have a short break for a road trip, you should continue the road M5 towards Bristol to directly reach the southwest coast. But if you have a longer time for your journey, why not take a detour to the South coast, through Cotswolds? This lush, region, which runs through five counties, offers relaxation and beauty with its endless rolling hills and meadows but also picturesque villages and vibrant market towns to explore. 

On your way to the coastline, you can visit historical spots, all the way from 5000 years, to Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. There are about 479 monuments in North Wessex Downs, the prehistoric stone circle Stonehenge in Salisbury is the most known. Stonehenge, Avebury, and its surroundings have been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

From historical monuments, head your way to Dorset. This county is known for its Jurassic coast with rock formations, dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and fossil-rich beaches. One of the stunning places to see and take some selfie pics is the Old Harry Rocks.  Those unique chalk rock formations at the southern end of Studland Bay are one of the most famous landmarks. One more nearby sight to stop by before heading forward on your journey is the ruins of Corfe Castle. These well-preserved 1000-year-old royal castle ruins and the cute village next to the castle are the places where you can get exposed to English country life, enjoy a romantic dinner, and take a historic walk. 

When you head from Dorset to Devon, you can visit another geological wonder, a rounded bay called Lulworth Cove. This UNESCO spot with its clear blue shallow water provides a great place to go swimming or snorkeling. Just park your camper and have a 30-minute’ walk along the coastal footpath to reach also the famous Durdle door, the natural limestone arch at the same stop. 

Then turn your wheels towards Weymouth and drive to the Isle of Portland where you can easily spend a full day. After touring Portland’s castle town, go for a stroll to Chesil Beach. This unique beach area is structured like a pebble barrier in front of the shoreline starting from Portland Island and continuing along for 29km to the West Bay. After leaving this unique beach shoreline, follow the road of A35 or a smaller A3052 towards Exeter. 

Historical journeys, gardening adventures, and amazing spots to choose

When you head towards southwest areas of England, you will pass by a vivid, elegant coastal resort area which is known as the English Riviera. 

For hikers, we recommend stopping at Dartmoor National Park and Tamar Valley to enjoy a relaxing walk amid wonderful nature. 

When you pass by Plymouth, we gardening enthusiasts would favor Port Eliot Gardens and about an hour's drive away, the Lost Gardens of Heligan which is Europe’s largest garden restoration area. 

For those who prefer historical sites, we suggest stopping by Falmouth and Penndennis Castle, one of Henry VIII's finest seaside fortresses. 

For animal lovers, there is Cornish Seal Sanctuary, only a 30-minute drive away from Falmouth. For more information and to pre-book tickets, please visit sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org.

On your adventure journey in England, we suggest seeing the tidal island of St Michaels Mount. This ancient island with a fairytale castle from the 12th century can be reached by walking at a low tide and by boat when the tide is high. Boats run from 29th March to 31st October, but in bad weather, note that the island could be closed.

When you leave the island, you can either choose smaller roads to enjoy coastal areas with lighthouses and beaches or you can head directly to the farthest ground in the southwest, the Land’s End. This iconic landmark is the spot where the headland and its rough coastal cliffs are facing the powerful Atlantic Ocean.  Note, that it might be crowded with other travelers and local visitors. 

Drive back up along the dramatic rocky west coast

Along the coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, you drive through the rugged, 65km long Penwith peninsula which provides incredible spots to stop by coves, on sandy beaches, or next to granite cliff landscapes. One place where you could park for a scenic walk is Trevose Headland.  This area has a rich variety of wildlife and marine species to discover. Additionally, the West Coast provides incredible places to go surfing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. 

If you want to visit a picturesque fishing village, why don’t you stop by e.g. Port Isaac? This small, cute village is famous for its role in the TV series Doc Martin. Or if you prefer the more ancient historical site to explore, you should not miss the spectacular Tintagel castle from the times of King Arthur.  To look around those medieval ruins, you need to park your camper and cross two cliff peaks with the help of a footbridge. Sounds like a breathtaking exploration, doesn’t it? 

About an hour's drive from the castle starts the Hartland Devon heritage coast, where the Atlantic waves pound actively to rugged beaches and shorelines. This dramatic beachless peninsula and the bohemian Hartland Quay are popular places among surfers, kite surfers, and bodyboarders. On the other side of this headland is located Clovelly. The architecture in this harbour village has been untouched for almost 300 years which makes this charming place unmissable if you want to experience the spirit of an old English village. 

Before turning your camper wheels towards Bristol, Exmoor National Park, only an hour's drive from Clovelly, is worth visiting. This region provides the longest national trails in the UK and the highest coastline on the British mainland (314 meters above sea level). This is one of the best places to go hiking and stargazing in England. 

If you want to pamper yourself and enjoy a thorough relaxation on your way back to return the vehicle to Chester, take a short detour to Bath. This city is known for its thermal springs and Roman-built baths. This well-being destination warmly welcomes you to relax and enjoy a rejuvenating hot spring bath to make sure you do not carry residues of tension or stress in your body before heading back home from your calming road trip holiday in the UK. 

Tips for camping while touring in Southwest of England

Please note that wild camping without the landowner’s permission is not allowed in England. You can easily track all nearby parking places, camper service providers, or camping sites with different travel apps such as Park4night.  

But when you are about to book a camping site, we recommend using the online service of Camping and Caravanning Club to get up to -30% off from prices on Club sites and up to -15% off from prices on Forest sites. Our local rental station will guide you on how to get this local TC benefit in England. 

Additional useful links for your road trip in England

• Visit England https://www.visitengland.com/places-to-visit/south-west-england 
• Latest traffic information on national highways https://www.trafficengland.com/ 
• Arrival data for visitors from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-as-an-eu-eea-or-swiss-citizen 
• Contact information to Touring Cars Chester: https://maps.app.goo.gl/baaxHb7wu7yfedB38
• Details on motorhome rental in England https://www.touringcars.eu/en/country/united-kingdom  

Enjoy your Touring Cars holiday in England. 

The Road is Yours.

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MOTORHOME RENTAL IN EUROPE

Touring Cars International Sales Office

tel. +358 9 849 4050     info@touringcars.eu 

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