Buying a campervan is a significant investment, and one you want to take full advantage of. One of the best ways to get the most out of your campervan is to get out and about at weekends as much as possible. Two day breaks are a wonderful way to combat the stress of working life.
At this point, we have to disclose that we are both teachers and benefit from generous school holidays, but this is only part of the story. We always had a long held goal of buying a Campervan when we retired, but when both our children had gone off to university, we decided that now was the time, why wait? We took the plunge in late 2017 and bought a nearly new VW T6 Highline Kombi and had it converted to our own specifications by Nick at Autobarn Conversions in Stoke on Trent. Nelson was ready for our first trip in February 2018.
From the start, we were adamant that we would get the very most out of our investment (I am a tight Yorkshireman after all!), looking to use the van as much as possible. What we didn’t realise at that time was how much the van would free us up to travel outside the holiday times at weekends, allowing us to get away from the pressures of everyday life.
Top tips for planning a campervan weekend break
Weekend escapes are one of the most underrated aspects of owning a Campervan that has had the most positive effects on our enjoyment, mental health and wellbeing. We always try to pack up the van on a Thursday night to make sure we are ready to leave ASAP after work on Friday. This Thursday night ritual somehow seems to mentally extend the weekend by another day, building anticipation for the adventures to come? When packing for a couple of nights, we do have to moderate ourselves and try not to pack too much- it’s amazing how little you actually need for a weekend away.
We also try to make sure that any thing that needs to be done for work on Monday morning is sorted, as we like to return home late on a Sunday night to get the very most out of the weekend.
Come Friday night, we try to get away in good time, but recently have experimented with leaving slightly later, to avoid the inevitable traffic jams that can occur early Friday evening. Often campsites have a late booking system for Friday night arrivals, but we still feel that we are all too often chasing these times. One thing that works for us is that we tend to plan a Friday night wild camp (using the Park for the Night App), followed by a Saturday campsite booking. This solves the checking in problem and also manages to keep our ongoing costs down.
We try to keep our weekend trips to about 2 hours from home, allowing ourselves a little further on 3 day bank holiday weekends.
Short trips are ideal for focused activities and we often plan for a weekend of biking, walking or canoeing- never in combination as the van would be far too loaded with kit for just the two nights!
A weekend is also a great opportunity to meet up with friends in beautiful places- there’s nothing better than sitting around the campfire with good company and a beer on a Saturday night.
Top UK areas to visit for a campervan weekend break
Mid Wales. For us a bit of an undiscovered region that is just on the edge of our weekend travelling threshold. Monmouth, Builthwell and the boarder regions of Rhos and Haye on Wye all provide beautiful riverside locations for an easy and relaxing getaway.
Yorkshire Dales. Our spiritual home for many reasons. We love the Dales and continue to keep finding hidden gems that we never knew existed. A good starting point is in the central 3 peaks villages, but the surrounding areas are just as appealing. This is a great area for activities in the outdoors, catering for all abilities and interests. Visits in spring find the area quieter than the summer, with the added appeal of baby lambs at every turn.
Peak District. Absolutely on our doorstep- but a region that we have yet to fully explore. For us, we have found that for whatever reason, the campsites in this area are much more expensive than in other regions. The towns and countryside are simply beautiful, but it does get really busy at peak times and parking can be a real issue at the popular locations.
Brecon Beacons. Wild and wonderful. For those that like their hill walking, this is a great location for a weekend break. The mountains in this region offer a suitable mix of challenge and accessibility for all. We are reliably informed by friends in the know that it is also an absolute hotspot for those into mountain biking with some really well designed and challenging trails.
Lake District. Do not be put off by the busyness of the main towns of this region. Get off the beaten track and choose one of the many fantastic campsites as a base, you will have ready made entertainment for the weekend. We absolutely love the National Trust campsites as they all have great locations, brilliant onsite facilities and all are pretty close to a pub for the added bonus if the weather turns foul.
The seaside. Apparently as an island nation, we are never further than 70 minutes from the coast? For us, our closest coastline is North Wales. What’s not to love about a trip to the seaside in your Campervan at any time of the year? The chance for picnics, swims, endless hours on the beaches and of course fish and chips eaten straight from the wrappers looking out to sea. There is also the alternative of more secluded, rural seaside campsites that we equally love. The focus of these weekends tend to be on long walks on deserted breaches, switching off from the pressures of everyday life and siting around the roaring evening campfires as the sun sets.
So there you have it, a whistle stop tour of some of our favourite weekend destinations. They may be different from yours, but just remember you don't have to travel far to get that feeling of being away in the campervan. The simple joy of getting away on a Friday night and waking up somewhere new and exciting on a Saturday morning cannot be underestimated. Make the decision to commit to a trip, get it in the diary and get out and about. You won't regret it!
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