Maybe you’ve never been camping or haven’t been since you were a child, maybe you’re just drawing a blank on what you need to do to prepare. Well if that’s the case then this is the page for you.
1st step: Decide on your destination.
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the UK and if it’s your first time it’s probably best not to set your sights on somewhere too far. Choosing somewhere within a reasonable distance from you will mean you have plenty of time to get there and set up in daylight so that’s definitely something to consider. Additionally, you’ll need to choose between being in the countryside or camping near the coast and sandy beaches.
2nd step: Select a campsite.
There are various types of campsites to choose from and different camping options available. it’s important you decide on whether you’d like to be on a basic campsite where there are only tents to glamping sites or even luxury camping sites where the possibilities are endless. If you’re on a budget basic camping is probably going to be the best option for you. You can have a great time whatever type of campsite you choose.
3rd step:If you’re going for the full experience then you’re going to need to buy a tent.
Things to consider; how many of you are there, how much effort do you want it to be to set up, what kind of weather are you going to be camping in. With those things in mind as well as preference and budget then you’ll be set to choose your tent. There are so many variations available these days so there should be something to suit your needs.
4th step: Now you need to pack!!
If you need help with this it may be worth checking out our basic camping checklist! This may give you some inspiration and make sure you don’t miss out on anything you absolutely need but of course, it’s up to you what you pack to take with you on your trip.
5th step: Set up.
Depending on the campsite you’ve chosen on there will be varying rules and restrictions on where and when you can set up your tent. Some may ask you to book a slot, others may select your plot for you, while others will have no input and leave you to your own devices. Although it’s always important to be mindful of being a respectful distance from others camping and how far you are from the campsite facilities. Additional things to keep in mind are the direction the sun comes up and you’ll likely have the best experience if you can find a flat place to pitch. Now just enjoy!!
England is a country highly saturated with culture and history and architecture and landscapes that allow visitors to appreciate it. The country has a variety of castles to be proud of and you would truly regret not visiting some of them at least once. Here we are hoping to narrow down those that demand your attention the most, as there really are so many throughout the country.
Warwick Castle
Much like the rest of Warwickshire the castle that resides there is magical and well worth a visit. It is considered to be one of the best-preserved and most aesthetically pleasing castles in England. It’s a great reason to take a day trip with the family and admire amazing architecture.
By DeFacto – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49100590
Bamburgh Castle
As one of the oldest castles in England, it is a castle that has much history to admire. Located on the Northumberland Coast the castle has stately rooms, grounds, and a magnificent beach to explore on your visit.
By Michael Hanselmann – Quaoar10 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5205849
Lindisfarne Castle
A castle that sits on the Holy Island, also in Northumberland, that interestingly gets cut off from the rest of the United Kingdom a few times a day due to the tide taking over the road which normally allows access to the island. It has a wonderous history and it’s even said to be the place where the Viking Age began as Vikings are said to have first invaded here.
By matthew Hunt – originally posted to Flickr as Holly Island 11, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4234713
Cowdray Castle
Sitting within the countryside of West Sussex it’s a great option if you are looking to explore the South Downs National Park. The castle was visited by Queen Elizabeth I and King Henry VII and has an interesting history as far back as the 16th century.
Simon Burchell – Own work Ruins of Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex, England.
Dover Castle
It is commonly referred to as the key to England because of its location where it protects the southeastern shores from continental Europe. It’s been long-standing said to be built in the 11th century and so makes for an interesting place to visit.
By Chensiyuan – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60956709
Windsor Castle
As home to the Royal Family, I’m sure you really don’t need convincing as to why this is an incredible castle to visit. It’s iconic and a must-see for those visiting London. The castle is beautiful and you won’t be disappointed.
Bodiam Castle
Another gem to be found in East Sussex the 14th-century castle boasts incredible architecture and a lot of history. Originally created by Kight of Edward III in order to protect against the French during the hundred year way it’s a great castle to wander and learn about.
By WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7910287
All castles listed above make for wonderful days out exploring history and appreciating architecture but if these aren’t enough for you England has many more marvellous castles to take your breath away.
One of the most accessible ways to appreciate the beauties that the United Kingdom has to offer is by means of the road. There are numerous wonderful landscapes around the UK that can only be fully appreciated if you take the time to road trip through them. The UK is fully saturated with well-maintained roads for you to choose from. Whatever your preference, the UK probably has a route to suit it all.
Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon can be most notably known as the place where Shakespeare was born and has become a popular hit among travellers. The journey is a peaceful and tranquil one that takes place on more rural roads which means it makes for a great relaxing trip. With sites of woodlands, meadows, charming villages the route allows you to appreciate all the gems of the Cotswolds. If all that isn’t enough there’s always the option of taking the opportunity to see an act at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre when you come to the end of the route.
By Diliff – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3941750
Belfast to Derry
A pleasant and charming option for those who are more drawn to the idea of exploring Northern Ireland. You’ll get to appreciate the wonders of the Glens of Antrim, woodland to the side of the sea, and nine green valleys on this route that follows the northeast coast.
By Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13641664
Highland Perthshire Loop
If Scotland is more appealing to you then this route is a great option that allows you to see many of Highland Perthshire’s mesmerizing scenes and landscapes. The journey will take you about half a day but if you’re looking to experience even more then there’s always the option of detouring at visiting Aberfeldy and Pitlochry driving along Loch Tummel and the River Tay.
By Paul Hermans – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10389005
Somerset to Cheddar Gorge
As one of the UK’s best natural wonders, it makes for a beautiful place for a leisurely drive. There are 27 incredible cliffs to be appreciated along the journey as well as plenty of activity places to stop at along the way to get fully submerged in the adventure.
By Diliff – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29721907
Loch Lamond to Glencoe
Another glorious option in Scotland that takes you along the water’s edge. This is a trip that allows you to venture through both the Argyll Forest Park and the incredible Trossachs National Park. At the end of the journey, there are various landscapes to marvel at.
By Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=447329
Journey around New Forest
With an array of beautiful pastures, heathland and forest this makes for a memorable and charming journey. If you’re into photography there are plenty of great photo opportunities along the way where you can capture the magical scenes that you pass.
#By Cmcqueen – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27590572
Landudno to Snowdonia
Lastly a breath-taking option for those looking to journey in Wales. Snowdonia is truly incredible with towering mountains, stone walls, and jagged peaks that all make magical sites. If you’re looking to appreciate the area even more there’s the option of climbing Snowdon or for the less ambitious there is always the option of the train.
Looking out from the approach to Crib Goct from Pen Y Pas, over Llyn Llydaw
I was inspired to explore the world after reading other people’s travel blogs online. Travel blogs are a wonderful source for cool ideas & advice if you’re planning a trip! Below you’ll find some of my favorite travel blogs, plus many more I’ve discovered over the years. I hope you enjoy the variety of travel stories, photography, and videos these travel bloggers publish from around the world!
What makes a great travel blog? Well, it’s going to be subjective. Everyone will have their own opinions. And that’s ok.
Personally, my favorite blogs about travel blend a difficult-to-achieve combination of good writing, great photography, helpful advice, and smart webdesign. They might not all be the most popular blogs, but they get me excited to discover and learn about new places.
So in no particular order, below you’ll find my favorite travel blogs for 2020. Follow them if you’d like to escape from reality for a while during your work break — and maybe get inspired for your next trip in the process!
Maptia is a collaborative project with a diverse group of photographers, writers, adventurers, and conservationists, who bring their readers a world of inspiring and thought-provoking stories. They are a volunteer-run travel blog spending hundreds of hours over the past 4 years to self-publish impactful travel stories in an independent, ad-free environment.
Roads & Kingdoms’ message is simple: the more you know, the better you travel. R&K use talented local journalists, deep storytelling, and the good things in life —- food, music, booze — to inform and inspire about destinations around the globe. Winners of a 2018 Primetime Emmy, a 2019 National Magazine Award and the 2017 James Beard Publication of the Year award.
By road, by kayak, by seaplane and most of all on foot, Erik Gauger tackles the themes of city and country in the modern world on his blog Notes From The Road. Erik shares “the messy truth of travel, told by a regular guy.” His photography and writing are some of the best I’ve seen online from an independent travel blog. You’ll get lost for hours reading his stories.
Originally from the United States, Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott are the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. Through their stories, and speaking about sustainable tourism, they are creating a movement of travelers who live at the intersection of adventure, deep travel and life experiences. More than 90 countries later, they are still going… and still married.
Atlas & Boots is an outdoor travel blog covering thrilling activities in far-flung places be it swimming with whales in Tonga or trekking volcanoes in Vanuatu. Although Peter Watson and Kia Abdullah started on opposite ends of the outdoor spectrum, over the years they drew each other towards the middle; to what they describe as outdoorsy-ish.
In 1999, Derek left the United States for a three-month, post-graduation trip to Asia. The idea was to backpack around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and then return home. However that adventure is still going on today. It’s now been over 18 years of nonstop travel and Derek has visited 100+ countries, sharing his experiences & thoughts on a wonderful travel blog called Wandering Earl.
Growing up in Boston, Matt didn’t take his first overseas trip until he was 23, but he is certainly making up for it now. As a New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and founder of one of the biggest travel blogs online, Nomadic Matt has helped millions of people to travel more with his useful tips and advice. I’ve been reading his blog for years!
Aileen Adalid is a Filipina travel blogger behind the cool site I Am Aileen. Along with a wonderful design and great photos, she shares helpful tips from her travels around the world, as well as advice for becoming a digital nomad (she sells custom gear on Amazon). I particularly love her content from Japan and Antarctica.
Mark and Paul are always looking for answers. Whether discussing politics with locals in a city bar, understanding unusual rock formations in spectacular scenery or working out the meaning of life in an obscure gallery in the middle east. Their questions drive their passion for independent travel and invoke their curiosity to see the world through the eyes of locals — and sharing it with you.
With over 65+ countries knocked off his own bucket list, Pete is an inspiration, traveling for 7 years, going from one country to another while working on BucketListly Blog and many other business ventures. He is a travel filmmaker, a photographer, a digital nomad, a design freelancer, and a solo traveler, telling his travel stories through a combination of award-winning travel videos, gorgeous photography and immersive writing all in one.
Alex travels around the world, “alternating between swashbuckling skullduggery and gallant gallivanting depending on the alignment of the stars”. Originally from the United States, she decided to quit her desk job to travel the world for a while, living out of a backpack, wandering aimlessly, and often getting lost with a purpose. Her current trajectory is taking her completely off the beaten path, with stories from destinations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
You’re probably starting to see a pattern in my favorite blogs! I love to follow people who are going against the grain, taking on destinations that don’t get as much love as others do. Against the Compass is exactly that. It is an alternative travel blog, which aims to help you to travel to the most unusual and off the beaten track destinations. Joan works hard to break stereotypes and inspire you to get out of the comfort zone.
Expect inspiring travel reports by a selection of different authors as they recount their adventures using text, film and photography. Unlike many other travel blogs, the focus of this website is on the story, with none of the other distracting elements you find on many blogs. It encourages readers to scroll and control the pace of the story themselves. It’s incredible to see how Johannes Klaus has put together this engaging site for telling great travel stories, and it’s easy to get lost for hours reading.
Sidetracked is a wonderful tri-annual Adventure Travel Magazine and online journal that features a collection of personal stories of adventure travel, exploration, journeys and expeditions from different writers. The concept is simple: to capture the emotion and experience of adventure and expeditions throughout the world… and of course to inspire you to head out on your own adventures too.
It all changed for Andrew and Emily on a rain-soaked and gin-fueled evening in East London back in 2014, when they decided to make life more interesting and take a chance on doing what they love – embracing travel and photography.
Fast forward a year later and they were on a one-way flight to Mexico with several cameras, a couple of laptops and enough money to last 2 years. Since then, quite a lot has changed, but their approach to travel and adventure has stayed the same, and I always love reading their blog.
Travel Blog Directory List (2020)
It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in budget travel, luxury travel, adventure travel, responsible travel, LGBT travel, or travel tips for the deaf & disabled among us — you’ll find someone who travels just like you, blogging about their experience.
There are thousands of travel blogs & bloggers out there on the internet these days. The list below represents some of the most active travel blogs online, and I update it on a regular basis. Enjoy!
Campervans are still gaining popularity, especially as people strive to achieve a work-life balance in their hectic worlds. Many have grown up with campervan holidays being a staple of their younger years, but more and more people are stumbling upon a world that they knew little about, and finding that the world of campervanning opens up many more possibilities than they had realised. If you are at the start of your campervan quest or are on the brink of buying into this way of life, here are our top reasons to buy a campervan.
Freedom
This has to be top of the list, because having a campervan sat in your driveway or in storage near to you means that at any point you are able to grab your stuff and go. As the majority of the things that you need will be able to stay in situ, you save the energy and time of endless packing and unpacking in order to be able to head off into the sunset. A weekend can be stretched out to feel a lot longer if you travel on a Friday night and do the return leg on Sunday night, and because you don’t have to hurry to take everything out of your van, you feel like you have had a bigger break than you have.
Explore far and wide
Taking a campervan off on an adventure is most people’s dream scenario. You could be sat in your home town one day and a few days later be in Ireland, Scotland, Wales or a remote part of England, or off in the sunnier climes of the South of France, Spain or basically wherever you are prepared to drive to!
Cost effectiveness
Many find that if they like exploring new places on a regular basis the cost of staying in hotels or b&b’s. If you are single or in a couple and want to head to gathering but don’t want to sleep on a floor, or you have children and want to be able to put them to bed as you travel home, then it can save you so much money.
Easier than a caravan
Campervans have a generally more hip and trendy look and feel to them than the cumbersome caravan, and they are much easier to park in towns and cities and take to smaller campsites. You also don’t have to drive so slowly in a campervan which is a great boon for trips when you are short on time. Think about it….minimal effort is required to jump into your campervan as soon as you see a good weather forecast and set off.
Better than just camping
If you really love camping you can combine both, but having the security of the campervan with the facilities that it offers above simply being under canvass means that most people adapt to life in a campervan (especially the more luxury conversions with delightful beds with duvets!) better than they do to wet groundsheets and grass in your sleeping bag.
You can take the family
Taking your family is much more bearable in a campervan when you can fit some of the home comforts in rather than being stuffed into a car.
Onboard facilities!
How plush and how many mod cons your campervan has inside is up to you, but even those with basic fridge, cooker and lighting can transform your trip by enabling you to stick to your usual routines without having to spend a fortune on meals out or plastic packed sandwiches. The great thing is that you can keep adding and tweaking your campervan interior as you want, upgrading as you go along, making it more and more luxurious and suited to your needs.
The campervan scene
Everyone with a campervan understands that other people with campervans are generally seeking the same experiences and lifestyle as you, and there is a great bond that develops between the kindred spirits who are enjoying altering their campervans to make them into the unique and bespoke expressions of themselves.
Hiring a campervan can be a amazing way of visiting the UK, recently I’ve came across an excellent service called campers4hire based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. (Which is actually not that far from Manchester.)
