Scotland gets most of the attention, but England and Wales have a huge amount to offer motorhomers: postcard villages, beautiful national parks, a spectacular coastline, legendary castles and plenty of history. That said, as everywhere in Great Britain, you drive on the left, and there's paperwork to sort post-Brexit. Here's the guide.
England: villages and parks
- The Cotswolds: storybook golden-stone villages, the prettiest rural England has to offer.
- The Lake District: a national park of lakes and mountains, beautiful (great for hiking; see hiking).
- Cornwall: wild coastline, surf beaches and fishing villages (see surfing).
- Stonehenge, Bath, York and historic London (leave the motorhome outside).
Wales: castles and mountains
Wales is a lesser-known gem: Snowdonia National Park (Eryri), with spectacular mountains; a beautiful coastline (Pembrokeshire); and the greatest concentration of castles in Europe (Conwy, Caernarfon, World Heritage Sites). Wild nature and a strong identity of its own.
What you need to know
- Driving is on the left; take it slowly the first few days (see similar tips for Scotland).
- Brexit: documentation, passport, insurance and customs requirements differ from the EU (see customs and pets). [Note: check current entry requirements post-Brexit.]
- Arriving by ferry (from France or Spain) or through the Channel Tunnel (see crossing by ferry).
- Narrow roads in rural areas; take care.
- Changeable weather: pack for the rain.
In summary
England and Wales offer postcard villages (the Cotswolds), national parks (the Lake District, Snowdonia), coastline and castles, driving on the left and with paperwork to sort post-Brexit. The step to take today: if you're up for it, check current entry requirements, arrive by ferry or the Channel Tunnel, and combine the Cotswolds and the Lake District with the castles of Wales; take it slowly the first few days because of driving on the left. Combine it with routes through Scotland.