Scarborough Club Site is an ideal base for exploring the Yorkshire Coast. The beach is a short cliff-top walk from the site, whilst the town of Scarborough, which has two sandy bays divided by the castle headland, is just 1.5 miles away from the site. Local walking options include the Cleveland Way National Trail, the North Yorkshire Moors National Park or you can view seabirds such as puffins and gannets at the RSPB nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs. 

Located on the north eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, handy for the attractions of Teesdale and within walking distance of Barnard Castle or Barney as it is known locally, this tree-lined campsite is the perfect place to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for peace and tranquillity or a rural location with plenty of walking and cycling opportunities, Barnard Castle Club Site is for you.

Haltwhistle Club Site’s setting in a clearing in Bellister Wood makes it the ideal get-away-from-it-all camping destination. The wood, once part of the Bellister Castle Estate, is now managed by the National Trust and is a haven for wildlife, so you could find yourself sharing your pitch with rabbits and birds, including woodpeckers. This rural Club Site between the Northumberland National Park and North Pennines is surrounded by magnificent walking and cycling country. The Haltwhistle Rings – a series of 22 local walks – is one way to take in the local scenery and Hadrian’s Wall, five miles from the campsite, offers picturesque walking opportunities.

Situated south of the Forest of Bowland, this campsite is tranquil, peaceful and close enough to the Lancashire coast to make a day trip highly worthwhile. The Club Site has a riverside setting, which provides some lovely walks among nature; you can also ask at reception for information on day permits for fishing.

Hayfield Club Site sits at the foot of the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. This is walking country, where you can enjoy anything from a gentle stroll to a more challenging climb. For the latter, a walk up Lantern Pike rewards you with a panoramic view over seven counties. The walk up Kinder Scout from the west side is one of the classic excursions of the Peak District. The walk starts at Bowden Bridge car park and takes around four-and-a-half hours.

For more information about The Camping & Caravanning Club and to book their sites view their website.

You’ll also find additional accommodation options in the Lake District, North York Moors, Northumberland or the Peak District.

UK roads are generally good, but perhaps not quite as well maintained as European roads – especially in rural areas. Most of the roads included in this itinerary are well-suited to motorhomes, but in some rural areas, larger motorhomes (over 7m in length) may need to consider alternative routes.

The walking routes suggested in this itinerary are all accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and require no technical or specialist mountaineering skills. Rugged walking boots and waterproofs are highly recommended – even in the summer months!

Wild camping or free parking is not permitted in the UK, although most rural car parks will accommodate motorhomes during daylight hours. In the towns and cities – some car parks have height restrictions which exclude motorhomes. This itinerary recommends staying at professionally managed Club Sites, which are generally open from mid-March to the end of October.

Booking in advance is recommended year-round and is especially encouraged during the Easter, spring and summer holidays. With The Camping & Caravanning Club’s Temporary Overseas Membership, overseas visitors to the UK, are entitled to a discounted rate on pitch fees – saving up to 30 per cent per night on Club Sites and 15 per cent per night on Camping in the Forest sites for three months during your stay. 

The best times to visit are between May and October – although the roads and the campsites will be much busier during the main summer holidays between July and the end of August.

The mountains and coastlines of Northern England are at their absolute best in late May/early June, when migrating birds return to nest on the seacliffs and the wild flowers begin to flower.