10 Best Places To Visit In UK For Your Camper Trip

There are so many amazing places to visit in the UK, whether it’s your home country or you’re travelling from abroad. Once you’re out of London, travelling by camper is the perfect way to take in the sights, as many of the UK’s most beautiful locations are off the beaten track. There are plenty of campsites dotted throughout Britain, so finding somewhere to stay nearby isn’t tricky. 

Unfortunately, wild camping isn’t permitted throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland unless you have permission from the landowner. However, Scotland is a vandwellers dream as, thanks to the Land Reform Act, wild camping is completely legal. This means you can camp where ever you like, as long as you leave no trace of course!

Best Places to Visit in UK

We have locations across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on our list of the ten best places to visit in UK, making this the ultimate road trip itinerary!

Featured Image Credit: @mathughes

1. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye

First up on our list of places to visit in UK are the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Sky. The fairy pools are a set of crystal clear rock pools, fed through a series of waterfalls with spring water from the Cuillin Mountains. You can visit the Fairy Pools for free, and it is a short, twenty-minute scenic walk from the nearby car park. 

The Fairy Pools are a great spot for some wild swimming if you can brave to cold Scottish Waters! The is a longer 5-mile walk continuing from the Fairy Pools if you want to take in more of the surrounding landscape. At peak times, the pools do get very busy, so it’s best to avoid weekends and holidays or arrive early to ensure you get a parking spot. 

The rest of The Isle of Sky is also well worth a visit, as are the other Scottish Isles. Full of jagged coastlines and breathtaking views, it’s easy to get lost in the moment here. The Isle of Sky is easily accessible, thanks to a bridge connecting it to the mainland. 

2. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset 

Cheddar Gorge, next on our list of the best places to visit in UK, is England’s highest inland gorge. The gorge measures 3 miles long and 450ft deep and offers awe-inspiring views. 

There are several activities on offer at Cheddar Gorge, including a 3-mile cliff top walk, with spectacular views across Somerset; climbing the 274 steps of Jacob’s ladder and the lookout tower and exploring the caves below. Gough’s Cave is a whopping 500,000 years old and home to many stalactites, stalagmites and even a 10,000-year-old skeleton. 

The skeleton belongs to Cheddar Man and is the oldest whole skeleton that anyone has discovered in Britain. With gorgeous vistas, physical activity and history abound, there is something for everyone at Cheddar Gorge. 

3. Stone Henge

Stone Henge is an ancient historical landmark located in Salisbury in the South of England. The stone circle dates back 4,500 years to the Bronze Age and has remained standing ever since. It would have taken great effort by hundreds of people and basic tools to erect the stone circle, the use of which is unknown. 

People never lived at the stone circle, and it was not defended, so it’s purpose must have been spiritual. When built, the stones were arranged to work with the movements of the sun. It is thought that this could have been important to the Neolithic people that made the monument. Another speculation is that this could have been some form of calendar. 

This curious, historic and spiritual site is well worth a visit. It is quite spectacular to stand amidst a circle of stones placed by our ancient ancestors. 

4. Ben Nevis, Scotland

If hiking is your thing, then you’ll want to visit the next location on our list of places to visit in the UK. Ben Nevis, in Scotland, is the highest peak in the UK, standing at an impressive 1345m above sea level. You’ll need to be reasonably fit and an experienced hiker to climb this mountain as it takes roughly 7-9 hours to complete the walk. 

The breathtaking views across the Grampian Mountain Range are well worth the effort, and the view from the top is stunning. Attracting over 125k walkers per year, Ben Nevis is a popular climb, so you are likely to bump into others on the way.

5. The Giant’s Causeway, NI

We’re halfway through our list of the ten best places to visit in UK, and we’re heading to Northern Ireland for our next location: The Giant’s Causeway. The Giant’s Causeway is NI’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a breathtaking coastal area of about 40,000 stone columns which are the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. 

This fantastic coastline is filled with natural beauty, as well as being the basis of ancient folklore. According to legend, The Giant’s Causeway wasn’t the work of a volcanic eruption, but of a giant named Finn MacCumhaill. The Giant was building a bridge to reach Scotland in the name of either love or war, which one you can decide when you visit. 

6. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

If you’re looking for more magic and wonder, then The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall should be on your list of places to visit in UK. This intriguing garden is located in Cornwall in the South of England, just 25 minutes from the famous Eden Project, which is also worth a visit. 

The gardens date back to the late 1500s. After falling into disrepair during WW1, people have worked had to return the gardens to their former glory since the 1990s. Heligan is home to many more curiosities than your average British garden. You can get lost in the woods and find the Giant’s Head and the Mud Maid, sleeping amidst the wilderness. 

7. Snowdonia National Park, Wales

If nature is your thing then Snowdonia National Park in Wales should definitely be on your bucket list. It is home to an extensive network of hiking trails, perfect for any outdoor lover. There are also lots of craggy peaks for scrambling and over 100 lakes, perfect for a mid-walk dip!

If you’re not so adventurous, don’t worry as there is still a way to take in the breathtaking scenery that Snowdonia National Park has to offer. Mount Snowdon, Wale’s highest peak has a steam railway that you can ride all the way to the summit. This railway has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and is a fantastic way to see Mount Snowdon. 

If you fancy a change to the mountainous landscape, then book a visit to one of Snowdonia National Park’s castles and take in the medieval history. On top of all this, there is also 200 miles of coastline and beautiful beaches to explore. 

8. Glastonbury Festival 

If you can time your road trip around the legendary Glastonbury Festival, then you should. Glastonbury Festival hosts some of the worlds most prominent musicians each year with past acts including Beyoncé, David Bowie, Kanye West and The Smiths. With three days packed full of a range of different artists, there are bands for every music lover. 

But Glastonbury Festival is so much more than music, attracting 200,000 visitors each year with people from every corner of the globe, the atmosphere is electric. Party late into the night at Shangri-La, Block 9 or Samula; enjoy a day with the family at Kidzfield or. The Circus Field and tuck into some of the wonderful food on offer. 

If you can make it to Glastonbury Festival, you’ll feel at home, with many other people arriving in their campervans. It’ll be a trip to remember, that’s for sure. 

9. The Jurassic Coast, Devon

Moving back to one of the many fantastic natural locations that the UK has to offer, The Jurassic Coast is next on our list of places to visit in UK. The Jurassic coast is a 96-mile stretch of glorious coastline, travelling from Devon to Dorset in the South of England. 

The Jurassic Coast is home to beautiful beaches, blue waters and white cliff faces. The South West Coast Path runs along the coastline and is a spectacular multi-day hike, a good choice for any keen walkers. If relaxing is more your thing then head onto the beaches and into the quaint towns dotted along the shore.

10. The Lake District

Last but not least on our list of the ten best places to visit in UK for your camper trip is the Lake District National Park. The Lake District is a must-see location for any keen traveller; there is plenty to see, do and explore. The Lake District is home to a total of 16 lakes where you can swim, sail, canoe or enjoy a leisurely boat ride to a neighbouring town. 

As well as lakes, there are plenty of mountains to climb and towns to explore in the Lake District. This glorious part of the UK will not disappoint; in fact, you will want to return time and time again.

Places in UK: Final Thoughts

The UK has so much to offer, and this list only scratches the surface. Sure, the weather might not be brilliant 90% of the time but the locations and varied landscapes on offer to explore more than make up for this.

What would be on your British Bucket List for your next road trip? Let us know by joining the Van Clan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

More Content From The Van Clan Team 

• Looking for somewhere to stay on your trip? Check out the 10 Best Campervan Campsites in the UK!
• Or maybe free camping is more your thing. But, if you’re not sure where to start, have a read of our complete guide.
• Want to make the road trip never ending? Discover the best van to live in full time.