With the Campervan Through the South of England

How do you get to the south of England by campervan?

From Northern Germany

• From Hamburg you take the A1 or A2 through Holland and Belgium to Calais. The distance is about 800 km (497 miles).
• From Berlin you take the A2 to Calais and the distance is about 1,000 km (621 miles).

From Southern Germany

• From Stuttgart you take the A8 or the A26 to Belgium, and from there you drive to Calais. The distance is about 800 km (497 miles).
• From Munich you take the A4 through France to Calais and the distance is about 1,000 km (621 miles).
• From Calais you have two different options to get to the south of England with your home on wheels. Either you take the ferry to Dover or, if traffic is flowing smoothly, the car train through the Eurotunnel. It costs a bit more than the ferry, but you can get to Folkestone in 35 minutes.

With the motorhome through the south of England – things you have to consider while driving

• Very important: In England you drive on the left side of the road. Remember that your headlights must also be adjusted for left-hand traffic if you have picked up a right-hand drive roadsurfer from our UK stations.
• The speed limit is 48 km/h in towns, 96 km/h outside towns, and 112 km/h on dual carriageways and the freeway for small motorhomes.
• The blood alcohol limit is 0.8.
• Parking is not allowed on a road with a double yellow line.
• Children under 12 years and smaller than 1.35 m need an appropriate child seat.
• Talking on the phone while driving is only allowed with hands-free equipment.
• If you pay a fine within 14 days, you will get a 50% discount for some traffic offenses.

The most beautiful campervan tours in the South of England

6 days from Dover to Dorchester

Day 1 – Dover

• Hiking in the Seven Sisters County Park to admire the white cliffs is an absolute must when you come to Dover. You’ll be absolutely gutted if you skip this tour.
• Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen on the Serpentine Walk through the wild and romantic Woodlands Garden.
• Wine in England? See for yourself how delicious southern English wine tastes when you visit the Chapel Down vineyard.

⛺︎ Pitch: Kearsney Campsite

Day 2 – Hastings

• Wander about the picturesque old town, admire the old fishermen’s cottages and satisfy yourself with a proper fish ‘n chips.
• Discover the history of Britain’s first Norman castle, Hastings Castle.Hastings Country Park is made for a picnic and an extended hike against a beautiful backdrop.

⛺︎ Pitch: Pop-up Campsites Woods & Meadow.

Stopover:

• For even more of a vacation-by-the-sea feel, make a stop in Brighton, which is just under 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Hastings.

Day 3 – Portsmouth

• Learn about England’s maritime history at the Historic Dockyard.
• Get the finest view of Portsmouth from the Spinnaker Tower, the city’s landmark.
• Hiking is best in the South Downs National Park, the country’s youngest national park.
• Feeling knackered after a hike, wind down in the national park’s hot springs. These have only recently opened to the public, and you’ll need to sign up in advance.

⛺︎ Pitch: Rookesbury Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite

Day 4 – Winchester

• Winchester Cathedral is a stunning cathedral and also the final resting place of many English kings and Jane Austen.
• Literature fans should also visit Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, which is now a museum.
• Follow in the footsteps of King Arthur in the Knights’ Hall at Winchester Castle.

⛺︎ Pitch: Morn Hill Winchester Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite.

Day 5 – Salisbury

•  From Salisbury, be sure to take a trip to the famous Stonehenge – go early in the morning as the mist adds even more atmosphere.
• Visit the impressive Salisbury Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century and whose church tower is the highest in England.

⛺︎ Pitch: Summerlands Caravan Park

Day 6 – Dorchester

• Learn all about the area’s nature and archaeology at the Dorset County Museum.
• Follow in the footsteps of writer Thomas Hardy at his impressive monument and Hardys Cottage, where he wrote some of his early works.
• Close to Abbotsbury there is a lagoon where a huge colony of swans live.

⛺︎ Pitch: Giants Head Caravan & Camping Park

5 days by campervan through Devon

Day 1 – Beer

• Don’t forget your camera – the Beer Head headland offers dramatic views over the Jurassic Coast.
• Visit the Norman Lockyer Observatory, founded by the famous astronomer and still the home of his telescope.
• Take a guided tour to see the underground limestone quarries, the Beer Quarry Caves.

⛺︎ Pitch: Beer Head Caravan Park

Day 2 – Exeter

• It’s over 250 steps, but the climb up the tower of Exeter Cathedral is totally worth the effort – you’ll get the best view of the city from here.
• Art and history buffs should definitely spend an afternoon at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
• If you like hiking, there is no better destination than Dartmoor National Park. This is not only the place for nature lovers, but you can also follow in the footsteps of the famous Sherlock series- the park served as a backdrop in the movie “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.

⛺︎ Pitch: Hill Pond Caravan and Camping Park

Day 3 – Dartmouth

• Check out the Greenway Estate, the much-loved vacation home of Agatha Christie.
• You don’t have to join the navy yourself, as tours are available at the world-famous Britannia Royal Naval College.
• Those seeking a bit more southern England history can enjoy a visit to Dartmouth Castle on the Dart River.

⛺︎ Pitch: Sea View Campsite

Day 4 – Clovelly

• This idyllic fishing village once belonged to the Queen, but today is open to everyone. You can certainly look forward to a car-free, picturesque seaside setting.
• Things are a bit greener at Clovelly Court Gardens, where you can even pick up fruits and vegetables for your camper’s kitchen.
• Great rock formations and small pools of water between the rocks await you at Mouthmill Beach.

⛺︎ Pitch: Hartland Caravan & Camping Park

Day 5 – Lynton

• Visit the wild goats and go hiking in the Valley of Rocks.
• Park your camper and take the funicular cable railway from Lynton to Lynmouth- lovely views along the way.
• Climb the grand ruins of Dunster Castle, which offers a dramatic panorama over the Bristol Channel and the moors of Exmoor.

⛺︎ Pitch: Lynton Camping and Caravanning Club Site

7 days by campervan through Cornwall

Day 1 – Fowey

• If you’re heading to Cornwall by motorhome, start your trip in Fowey and check out the famous St. Catherine’s Castle first.
• Leave plenty of time to explore the South West Coast Path. It’s considered one of the best hiking trails in the world and offers great views of the coast for nearly 1,000 kilometres (621 miles).

⛺︎ Pitch: Penmarlam Caravan & Camping Park

Day 2 – Plymouth

• Learn all about the famous Mayflower at the Mayflower museum.
• Bottoms up! Do a tasting at Black Friars Distillery, the oldest gin distillery in Britain.
• Families with kids should visit in May, when Plymouth Pirate Weekend recruits even the very youngest at Pirate School.

⛺︎ Pitch: Brixton Caravan & Camping Park.

Stopover:

Be sure to check out the Eden Project, an eco-park with a learning center and a definite highlight if you’re taking a campervan to Cornwall.

Day 3 – Truro

• At the Royal Cornwall Museum, you can learn all about mining in Cornwall.
• There are free daily tours of Truro Cathedral, one of the most beautiful in the country in neo-Gothic style.
• See the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from the water and take a boat trip across the Fal.

⛺︎ Pitch: Truro Camping and Caravan park.

Day 4 – Falmouth

• Admire the town’s harbour, considered one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
• Stroll through Gyllyngdune Gardens, the original of which was laid out back in 1907.
• Explore the maritime history of the town and Cornwall at the National Maritime Museum.

⛺︎ Pitch: Menehay Farm Touring Park.

Day 5 – Penzance

• Check out cool and diverse artwork by international artists at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.
• Take a detour to Marazion, here is where you can walk to the famous island of St. Michael’s Mount at low tide.
• In summer, don’t miss a performance at the impressive Minack Theatre, where open-air Shakespeare & Co. are performed.

⛺︎ Pitch: Mousehole Camping

Stopover:

Take a detour to Land’s End, the westernmost tip of Cornwall and, by extension, mainland England. You can have a walk about and explore the southernmost point of the country on the Lizard Peninsula.

Day 6 – St. Ives

• St. Ives is perfect for an extended beach holiday, not only does it have beautiful sandy beaches, but also the mildest climate in England.
• Check out sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s incredible sculptures inside her former home.
• If you can’t make it to London, you can visit an offshoot of the Tate Gallery in St. Ives.

⛺︎ Pitch: Ayr Holiday Park

Day 7 – Newquay

• Surf, surf, surf is on the agenda in Newquay – the town has been popular with the international surf scene since the ’60s.
• Families with children prefer to go to Porth Beach, which beckons you with golden sand and shallow water.
• Stroll along the pier and enjoy a nice cuppa at the harbour. Relax and take in the beautiful view of the water from one of the numerous cafes.

⛺︎ Pitch: Hendra Holiday Park

With a campervan through the South of England – Tips & Costs

•  Actually, a campervan tour of the South of England is worthwhile all year round, but if you especially feel like lots of sunshine, plan to go between April and October. In summer, the temperatures quickly exceed 20 °C – don’t forget your T-shirts and swimsuit!
• The country’s currency is pounds. Visitors should always have some cash on them, especially for entrance fees at sights or for an ice cream along the way.
• Of course, it can get quite crowded, especially in the summer months. In any case, remember to book your parking spaces in advance. Even if you want to travel by ferry, you should definitely book your ticket a month in advance.
• If you are going to the south of England during the low season, you can be a bit more spontaneous. Then you can make real bargains both on the crossing and on the campsites.
• As in the rest of Europe, prices for campsites depend on season and location. Wild camping and bivouacking (sleeping in the wild with only your sack) in England is usually only allowed with the permission of the landowner. However, you are allowed to camp or bivouac in some national parks like Exmoor National Park if you are trekking.
• A cool alternative are the so-called BritStops. For this you buy a badge in advance, which you can then use to spend the night free of charge at sites of participating businesses. These include pubs, farms and breweries, which will be happy if you buy something or drink a pint in return.
• For more great places to stay with your camper, check out our roadsurfer spots, which are privately run campgrounds.