Planning campervan trips UK wide? The classics are coastal loops and national park circuits, from the 516-mile North Coast 500 to a four-day Lake District circuit. UK campervan road trips suit a compact van, because the most scenic roads are the narrowest. This guide gives one short card for each route we cover, adds five more ideas, and shows how to choose by days, season and van size.
| Shortest loops | Lake District, 4 to 7 days; Ring of Kerry, 2 to 4 days |
|---|---|
| Longest routes | Scotland west coast and Skye, 7 to 12 days; North Coast 500, 7 to 10 days |
| Best months | May to early October for most routes; May, June and September are quieter |
| Best van size | Compact campervan or small motorhome; narrow lanes and steep passes on most routes |
| Book ahead | Three to four months for July and August; four to six for school-holiday weeks, larger vans and remote routes |
| Licence | Category B covers vans up to 3,500 kg |
Campervan trips UK: six routes we cover in detail
Each card below gives the headline numbers and the main thing to watch. The full route guide is one click away.
North Coast 500, Scotland
The official route is 516 miles from Inverness, round the north coast and back through Wester Ross. Plan 7 to 10 days. The Bealach na Bà climbs to 2,053 ft with 1-in-5 gradients, and NC500 advice is that motorhomes over about 16 to 18 ft should not use it; the coast road via Shieldaig and Kenmore avoids it. Read the North Coast 500 campervan guide.
Scotland west coast and Skye
From Glasgow by Loch Lomond, Glen Coe and Fort William to the Isle of Skye, then back along the Applecross and Torridon coast. It is roughly 500 to 560 miles from Glasgow to Inverness and needs 7 to 12 days. Ferries need booking, and a compact van copes far better than a large motorhome. See the Scotland west coast and Skye route.
Lake District
A compact loop of roughly 125 to 155 miles through Windermere, Grasmere, Keswick, Borrowdale, Buttermere and Ullswater. Allow 4 to 7 days. Aim for a van under about 6.5 m, because many valley roads are narrow and some campsites limit length. The full Lake District campervan road trip covers the steep passes to avoid.
Cornwall and Devon coast
A loop of roughly 450 miles from Exeter along the North Devon and North Cornwall coast to Land's End and the Lizard, back through Fowey, Plymouth and Dartmoor. Allow 7 to 10 days, aim for May, June or September, and expect high-hedged lanes and 1-in-4 hills. Details are in the Cornwall and Devon coast route.
Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
A signposted coastal route of about 2,500 km from Donegal to Cork. Most travellers drive one section in 7 to 14 days. Roads are narrow, and some passes are closed to larger vehicles. The Wild Atlantic Way itinerary splits it into sections, and the Ireland campervan hire guide lists pickup areas.
Ring of Kerry, Ireland
A circular drive of about 179 km around the Iveragh Peninsula from Killarney. It can be driven in a day, but works best over 2 to 4 days. See the Ring of Kerry campervan route.
More UK campervan road trips: Wales, the Peaks, Northumberland and Northern Ireland
These five do not have a full route guide yet, so treat the notes as a starting point and check current conditions before you go.
Pembrokeshire coast, Wales
Pembrokeshire is almost all coast, with the national park hugging the shoreline. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs 186 miles, and the roads that serve it narrow quickly. Base yourself near St Davids and make short drives to the coves. A 2 or 4-berth van is the easier choice for small car parks. Browse campervan hire in Pembrokeshire or the wider Wales campervan hire guide.
Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales
Eryri National Park is built around Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Classic mountain roads such as the A5 through Nant Ffrancon and the Crimea Pass are A-roads that any hire van can manage, but minor mountain roads are narrower and villages like Betws-y-Coed get tight in summer. Parking at Pen y Pass must be pre-booked (currently until 1 November 2026), standard bays take vehicles up to 5 m, vans of 5 to 8 m need prior arrangement, and anything longer will not fit. Check the national park authority's Pen y Pass page before you go. See campervan hire near Snowdonia.
Peak District, England
The Peak District was the first national park to be designated, in 1951. Combine the White Peak's limestone dales with the Dark Peak's moorland edges, and expect stone-walled lanes with few passing places. Overnight parking is restricted in the national park authority's car parks and at some roadside spots, so book a campsite. Start with campervan hire for the Peak District.
Northumberland, England
A quiet coast of long beaches and castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Alnwick, with Kielder Water and Forest Park and Hadrian's Wall inland. Kielder lies within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, awarded gold tier status in 2013, so a clear night is worth staying up for. Holy Island is cut off twice a day by the tide, so check the Holy Island safe crossing times before you drive across. Pick up near Newcastle and work north.
Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
VisitBritain puts the Causeway Coastal Route at 130 miles (212 km), running along the coast between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry and passing the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Allow three to five days at a relaxed pace. The coast road's narrower stretches and parking near the Causeway suit a smaller van. See campervan hire in Northern Ireland.
How to choose a UK campervan route
Three questions narrow the field quickly.
By number of days
| Days | Routes that fit |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | Ring of Kerry, a Pembrokeshire or Northumberland coast stretch, the Lake District highlights |
| 5 to 7 | Lake District in full, Causeway Coastal Route, a fast Cornwall and Devon trip |
| 7 to 10 | North Coast 500, Cornwall and Devon, Skye at a brisk pace |
| 10 to 14 | Skye with Applecross and Torridon, one section of the Wild Atlantic Way |
By season
May to September is the main window, and most campsites are open then. May, June and September give longer days with fewer crowds than July and August. Winter trips are possible on lower routes, and our winter campervan guide covers heating, daylight and closed sites. See the season-by-season guide for month-by-month advice.
By van size
A compact campervan fits narrow lanes, village car parks and small campsites. A larger motorhome gives more space but needs the main roads. The Lake District, Skye and Applecross, Cornwall, Snowdonia and Kerry reward the smaller option. If you are unsure, our camper van hire guide compares the types, and the licence guide explains weight limits.
Before you set off on any UK route
- Book pitches for peak dates. Popular sites fill first in July, August and bank holidays.
- Know the overnight rules. Scotland's access rights do not cover sleeping in a vehicle. In England and Wales, overnight parking on private land needs permission, and lay-bys and car parks follow local rules.
- Check ferries and tides. Skye and Ireland involve crossings, and Holy Island has a tidal causeway.
- Plan for remote stretches. 24/7 roadside assistance is optional on a booking, but on long, quiet roads it is worth considering.
For planning habits, the road trip tips guide covers pacing and pitch booking.
Pros and cons of a UK campervan trip
Pros
- You set the pace and stop where the view is best.
- Bed and kitchen travel with you, which helps where hotels are scarce.
- Waiting out bad weather costs nothing extra.
Cons
- Narrow roads, steep passes and tight parking demand a confident driver.
- Popular routes and pitches are busy in school holidays.
- Fuel and campsite fees add up on longer trips.
How hire works
- Search near your route's starting point, with your dates.
- Check the listing: length, berths, price per night, owner reviews and house rules.
- Book through our partner Outdoorsy, with insurance and payment protection included.
- Collect the van, or have it delivered if the owner offers that, then drive to the start.
UK campervan trip FAQs
Which UK campervan route is best for a first trip?
A compact loop with short driving days, such as the Lake District or the Pembrokeshire coast, is gentler than a long route like the North Coast 500.
Do I need to book campsites on a UK road trip?
For July, August and bank holidays, yes. Outside those dates, you can often find a pitch within a few weeks, or on arrival at quieter sites.
Can I do a UK campervan trip in winter?
Yes, though daylight is short and some sites close. Choose lower-lying routes and check heating and site opening dates.
Which routes suit a small campervan best?
The Lake District, Cornwall and Devon, Skye and Applecross, Snowdonia and the Ring of Kerry all have narrow stretches where a smaller van helps.
Where can I park overnight on these routes?
Use campsites and certificated sites where you can. Wild camping rules differ by nation, and in England and Wales you need the landowner's permission on private land.
Pick a route, then find a van near the start.