Across the borders: caravanning in Wales, Scotland and Ireland

---

Caravanning is a great way to explore your homeland but why stop there? Living in England, we’re extremely fortunate to have Wales, Scotland and Ireland on our doorstep, yet many of us have never set foot over the borders!

Planning a trip to one of these neighbouring countries would be a great experience full of adventures, stunning scenery and a taste of different cultures - and all without the need for a passport!

Things to consider when choosing your destination

You will almost be spoilt for choice when deciding on your first (or next!) trip over the borders! Each destination has something different to offer and if you really can't decide which to go for, there are some things that could help you make your mind up…

 

• Travel time
  How far do you want to travel? Assuming you live in the south of England, Wales is the closest option, with  travel times of between approximately 2 hours and 5 and a half hours, depending on when you’re coming from and going to. Scotland is at least a 7 and a half hour journey to southern parts and up to 10 and a half hours if travelling to the more northern areas.
  
  Ireland will also entail a day’s travel time as it will involve a ferry as well. If you opt for Scotland, you could opt to stop halfway overnight, especially if travelling with children. Although it will take longer to get there, you can pick a stopover at a place of interest to you to make it enjoyable!

 

• Weather
  Although British weather is rarely ideal, some areas experience more extreme conditions than others! Scotland is known for being a lot colder than England in general as it is located further north and Wales is notorious for being wet, with Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons experiencing the highest rainfall, so factor this in when deciding on your trip and what you hope to do whilst there.
  
  

• Check out caravan parks
  Do a bit of research into the location of caravan parks to make sure there is availability in the area(s) that you’re thinking of visiting. You may have a place in mind and then discover that there are no suitable places to pitch so it’s worth a look before making your final decision.
  
  Pitch Up is a great website to use to search for parks in your chosen area. Investigate the options and make a booking if you wish or maybe just a short list. The sites listed vary, with some offering hardstand pitches and other grass. Check availability, especially if travelling during school holidays and also check which ones are open off-peak if travelling outside of the summer months.

• Activities

  What are you looking to do on your visit? You could be looking for somewhere to enjoy the scenery, somewhere to get active with some outdoor pursuits, or maybe soak up a bit of culture at museums and places of historical interest? Decide what you’d like to do during your trip and match those desires with a place that offer them!

• Ferry or no ferry?

  Whether you choose to go to Ireland may simply come down to whether you’re happy to take your caravan on a ferry and the additional travel time and implications involved. It will be an adventure certainly, but make sure you are prepared and know all you need to know to ensure smooth sailing all the way!

  Wales

  There is so much to see and do in Wales, so if you choose to go there you won’t be short of things to  keep you entertained! Whether that’s donning your walking boots, people watching in a cafe or zipping down the the fastest zip line in the world, Wales has it all! 

  5 Welsh must-see places

  • Snowdonia 

  • Brecon Beacons

  • Caernarfon Castle

  • Conwy

  • Pembrokeshire Coast

  Scotland

  Known for its beautiful Lochs and stunning mountain ranges, Scotland is surely a place on everyone’s bucket list. You could spend weeks just exploring the landscapes, but if you’re more of a city type, Scottish ones have bags to offer! There’s an abundance of museums and galleries in Edinburgh for culture lovers as well as the castle and Glasgow offers the science centre, a gin distillery and botanical gardens to boot. Or you could venture up to the Cairngorms National Park and swing by Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s Scottish summer house.

  5 Scottish must-see places

  • Edinburgh

  • Glasgow

  • Cairngorms National Park

  • Loch Ness

  • Loch Lomond

  Ireland

  The Emerald Isle. Ireland’s well-known nick-name comes from the vast expanses of green grasses and rolling hills that can be seen all over the country. And it really is a gem of a place. So diverse from one place to the next and bursting with culture and history, Ireland is a fantastic place to visit. The options are endless; visit the big cities for all they offer, don your walking boots in the stunning Mourne Mountains or venture out to the west coast and experience the world’s longest defined touring route.
  
  5 Irish must-see places

  • Dublin

  • Belfast

  • Ireland’s ancient east

  • Wild Atlantic Way

  • Mourne Mountains

  We’re a knowledgeable bunch!

  If you’re thinking of embarking on a trip to foreign (ahem!) lands, get in touch with our team for advice, pop into our onsite accessory shop for all your caravanning essentials or browse our ranges of new and pre-owned caravans to upgrade your caravanning experience.

---

‹ All press releases