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Planning your year of campervan adventures is always fun! And 2022 is looking to be brimful of enticing options across the UK, from music festivals to Platinum Jubilee celebrations and much, much more.
To whet your appetite, we’ve put together a quick guide to just a small selection of UK events you could enjoy while staying nearby in your trusty home on wheels. Whether you’re a sports fan, a nature lover, or a star gazer, there’s something here for you.
So it’s time to get out your maps and start plotting your routes. Make sure you’re covered with campervan insurance before you set off.
January
If you’re the type of holidaymaker who loves the sight of frost on the windowpanes in the morning, then a short break in January is perfect for you.
Burns’ Night on 25th January each year celebrates the life and works of Scotland’s national bard. Expect whisky, dancing, and haggis – which is traditionally piped to the table while the host recites Robert Burns’ famous poem, Address to a Haggis.
It’s a massive occasion, so you can take your pick from suppers and other festivities across Scotland. If you head to Glasgow, you could combine the partying with a visit to the Celtic Connections music festival.
Where to stay: Eden Leisure Village is set in peaceful countryside just 10 miles from Glasgow. It’s a quiet site, so makes the perfect spot to rest after an evening out in the big city.
February
Ask just about any camper what they love about their van holidays, and they’ll mention gazing up at a blanket of stars. There’s really nothing like being outside at night under the Milky Way – and then retreating to a cosy campervan.
The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival offers a “star-studded programme of events” between 18th February and 6th March. Expect night-time activities such as cycling or even caving, stargazing parties, and daytime education events.
Where to stay: This area is blessed with beautiful, peaceful sites where you can pitch up. Ash Keys Caravan Park is a small site on a working dairy farm in the Yorkshire Dales that is designated Dark Sky Friendly. If you enjoy winter walking, you’ll be delighted to find it’s less than a mile from the Pennine Way.
March
Spring is in the air now, and the UK’s outdoor events season is really hotting up. If you’re not quite hardy enough for winter campervan trips, then this is the time to get out, enjoy the sight of daffodils gleaming in the spring sunshine, and start socialising.
If you love horse racing, you won’t want to miss the Cheltenham Festival. It offers four days of jump racing from 15th-18th March 2022, accompanied by glittering social events. So why not dress up and have a flutter during the day, then retreat to your campervan at night?
You could follow your day at the races with a walk along the Cotswold Way. This is a lovely corner of the country, full of quaint pubs – perfect for a pint before turning in for the night in your comfy campervan.
Where to stay: While the Cheltenham Racecourse Caravan Club site doesn’t open until April, there are several nearby alternatives. Elmwicke Campsite is a boutique site on a working sheep farm in the Cotswolds, just a few miles from the racecourse.
April
The four-day holiday at Easter presents the ideal opportunity for a spring break. And if you enjoy discovering the UK’s eccentric side, why not check out some weird and wonderful Easter traditions?
The Hallaton Bottle Kicking and Hare Pie Parade in Leicestershire is certainly one of the weirdest and rowdiest events in the traditional English calendar. Its focus is a contest between two neighbouring villages to move small barrels (the “bottles”) over streams. The tradition is thought to date from Roman times, and some say it’s how the game of rugby began.
Plus, the English Midlands are full of gorgeous market towns, homes and gardens for you to explore, making for a lovely location for a break at any time of the year.
Where to stay: Stanford Hall Caravan Park is located in the grounds of a stately home, and boasts 100 pitches set in mature parkland.
May
If you love cultural events, you’ll be keen to find festivals that cater for the whole family.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Urdd Eisteddfod, one of Europe’s largest youth festivals. It will be held during the half-term holidays between 30th May and 4th June in Denbigh, north Wales.
You can expect competitions and celebrations of Welsh culture, including singing, poetry, and cooking. Entry is free, and you’re promised a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
Denbigh is also a great spot to base yourself for a tour of north Wales: both Snowdonia and the coast are in easy reach. The seaside resort of Rhyl is just 20 minutes’ drive away – a fun day trip for the whole family.
Where to stay: There will be an official camping and caravan site at Kilford Farm.
June
There’s an extra bank holiday this year to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – and for campervan fans, that’s an extra day to get out and about on a mini-adventure. There will be celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation across the country, but the focus will be in London.
The Platinum Pageant on Monday 5th June will feature 5,000 people against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and in surrounding streets. Expect street arts, music, circus and much more to celebrate Her Majesty’s long reign.
Once you’ve had your fill of all the pageantry, you can explore the sights, museums and beautiful green spaces of the capital. There’s always something new to discover here!
Where to stay: The Abbey Wood Caravan Site is just 35 minutes from central London, with a “green oasis” feel. Book early, because it’s a popular place – and don’t forget to pay your London ULEZ charge if it’s relevant for you.
July
With long days guaranteed and – hopefully – warm weather, you’re spoilt for choice in July.
The school holidays begin at the end of the month, so families will be gearing up for their longest vacation. But why not sneak in a quick weekend break before the rush, too?
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in Surrey is the largest annual flower show in the world. You can tour designers’ show gardens to marvel at the creativity and colour – and perhaps even get inspiration for your own! It’s on from 4th-9th July 2022.
Where to stay: Chertsey Camping and Caravan Club Site is open to non-members, and is within easy reach of Hampton Court. There’s a railway station not far from the site, making it a good base for trips to the capital, too.
August
By now, you’ll be eager to make the most of the UK summer in your camper van! And for many people, that means music festivals.
The festival calendar is crowded for August, so you can take your pick depending on whether you want a full-on or more chilled experience, and what kind of music floats your boat.
But it’s hard to beat Boardmasters for location: it’s situated on the cliffs at Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall, so your favourite acts perform against a backdrop of stunning sea views. As well as the impressive musical line-up, there will be pro-surfers competing on Fistral Beach.
Plus, Newquay itself is a gem – and the whole Cornish coast is just breathtaking. So why not start at Boardmasters from 10th-14th August, then make your way west to the very tip of England, savouring the sights en route?
Where to stay: You can pitch your campervan on site. Remember: while the majority of festival-goers are friendly folk, there will always be a few less considerate types! Make sure insurance for your campervan covers you for accidental damage or theft.
Alternatively, choose a no-camping ticket, and stay nearby: Watergate Bay Touring Park is a family site that boasts a swimming pool and tennis courts.
September
If you’re a campervanner, you’re sure to love the outdoor life. And if you’re a fitness fanatic, too, then how about combining a challenge event with a van holiday?
The Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half-marathon, and takes place between Newcastle and South Shields on 11th September 2022. Some 57,000 people take part, raising millions for charities – and having a fantastic experience, too.
If you don’t know this part of the UK, you’re in for a treat. Newcastle is a thriving city, famed for its vibrant nightlife, football, and cultural scene. It’s also the gateway to Northumberland, with its miles of golden coastline. And it’s the starting point for Hadrian’s Wall, the largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay: Sandhaven Holiday Park is right next to a Blue Flag beach, just half an hour’s drive from Newcastle.
October
The nights are drawing in, and camping in tents in the UK is now only for the very brave. But with a toasty campervan at your disposal, there’s no reason to stop touring. Make sure your prized vehicle is covered with suitable campervan cover, and head off on some more adventures!
Why not take an autumnal cultural trip to Northern Ireland? The Belfast International Arts Festival takes place every October, and 2022 will be its 60th year. Expect music, poetry, theatre, ideas and much more at venues around this fascinating city.
Plus, Northern Ireland boasts some stunning countryside, from the unique and wonderful Giants’ Causeway to the Mourne Mountains to Strangford Lough.
Where to stay: The Delamont Country Park Camping and Caravanning Club Site is a family-friendly site in a beautiful rural location around 20 miles from Belfast. Non-members are welcome.
November
It’s nearly winter now, and time for many campervan owners to start cleaning their vehicles and perhaps putting them into storage. It’s also a great time to complete some of those admin tasks, such as reviewing your campervan insurance to make sure it still meets your needs.
However, the more intrepid among you will simply put on your thermals and head off for yet more adventures! After all, your vehicle will help keep the cold out throughout the night.
The Lake District is packed with tourists for much of the year, but quietens down somewhat in the colder months. So it’s a great time to visit for the Kendal Mountain Festival: four days of film, literature, music and speakers from the world of outdoor adventure. You’re sure to come away inspired for 2023!
And while you’re here, be sure to explore some of the stunning countryside. If the mountains are too misty at this time of the year, there are plenty of valley walks to enjoy.
Where to stay: Many campsites close down at the end of October, but Sizergh Farm is open between March and December and is just a few miles outside Kendal. It’s a lovely, rural spot.
December
Finally, there’s no better place to see out 2022 with a bang than Scotland, which gave the world the New Year’s Eve song ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Hogmanay is big news across Scotland, but it’s Edinburgh that draws the largest crowds. You’ll find parties, processions and music across several days, with fireworks at midnight on 31st December.
Accommodation in Scottish cities gets booked up way in advance of Hogmanay, and tickets to many events sell out, too. So start planning now to see in 2023 in true Scottish style!
Where to stay: Mortonhall is just four miles from central Edinburgh, and open all year round.
Get a quote from Motorhome Protect today
Your home on wheels can be the base for some truly memorable holidays in 2022 – so make sure it’s covered with suitable cover for your campervan.
At Motorhome Protect, we arrange insurance for all sorts of vehicles with a value up to £120,000. Cover benefits can include unlimited EU cover, up to £3,500 cover for camping personal effects, and breakdown cover. We can also arrange discounts for club members or limited mileage.
Get started on your adventures by getting a quote from us today!
Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.
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