The Road To Edinburgh Fringe - A Road Trip Of Three Nations: Part 1
Posted on May 13, 2019
It has been some months since we lured our readers into casting their minds towards the possibilities of a summer 2019 road trip. Our Bristol to Bordeaux cross European transit had a great response and many people credited the post for starting to “turn the adventurer cogs” in their brains with regards to potential locations, routes and trails for summer 2019. That was February. Now we are in May and summer is seriously knocking which is why we have curated another knockout trip for you to try this summer! This trip is UK based, covers three nations and boasts hands down some of the best locations, sites and experiences the UK has to offer.
With Edinburgh’s legendary fringe comedy festival in its 72nd year this August, we thought there’d be no better way to pay homage than an exciting western trail starting from South Wales up through Scotlands idyllic south-west coast before streaming eastwards to finish in Edinburgh. This route combines the most accelerating outdoor scenery with quaint villages, expansive national parks and even touches upon some of the most vibrant cities in the UK. If this sounds like the kind of motorhome quest for you then read on!....
Things to remember #
Cash - A sensible precaution to take is to make sure that you are carrying enough cash on you just in case. Although it is widely accepted that technology and the contactless overloads rule the roost of modern payment methods, this is not always the case. Many locations over the course of the trip are very remote especially throughout the southwestern parts of Scotland. Many small village shops, pubs, petrol stations etc may not accept card or their machine may experience signalling problems. With limited access to cash in these remote regions, it is advisable to carry about £50 in cash at all times just in case.
Midges - May through to September is midge season in Scotland’s rural lowlands and highlands and you will most likely encounter large swarms of the small creatures that are attracted to the warm and humid conditions that summer can bring. At Newport Caravans we offer a variety of mosquito proof mesh awnings and curtains in our accessory shop but it is also advisable to pick up midge proof netted hat.
Monmouthshire & The Wye Vally #
Starting out from Newport we’ll head north on A449 heading towards Monmouth along the A40. This will take us parallel to the beautiful surroundings of the Wye valley which is the centre for kayaking, mountain biking, shooting and forest hiking trails. Best of all there are some amazing campsites such as the Broadstone Park which accommodates camping vehicles in a clean and relaxed environment whilst also offering laundry facilities, a camp shop and even fishing lakes. For £6 a day you can buy yourself fishing lessons and even take your catches back to your spot to BBQ that evening!
Assuming you are able to tear yourself away from the luscious green heaven that is the Forrest of Dean, its time to continue north past Ross-on-Wye along the A49 which will put you Hereford bound. The beautiful market town of Hereford is one of England’s most cherished border towns and is awash with history and ornate streets, pubs and museums which makes for a great day out if you like 17th-century history. One of the town’s must-see attractions is without doubt, the mightly Hereford Cathedral. This stunning place of worship built in Saxon times and is a national treasure. If you have a soft spot for cider then by all means, feel free to skip the cathedral and make a beeline straight for the Hereford cider museum where you can enjoy orchard tours, tastings and even cooking classes. We recommend pitching up at the Hereford Camping & Caravanning Club site as it offers an easy 20-minute drive into the centre of the town. A reasonable nightly rate will afford you full electric hookup, WIFI, washing facilities and even access to a dog walking trail!
Up To The Peak District #
Proceeding further north from Hereford along the A49 will take you to the base of the Shropshire Hills where rolling hills paint the open landscape as far as the eye can see. This area of outstanding natural beauty offers many activities but we recommend stopping by Acton Scott Historic Working Farm where you can take part in a massive range of farm craft, production and cooking courses from beekeeping all the way through to bread making! Acton Scott is themed on a 19th-century working farm and with employees donning typical era dress, it really feels like you’ve gone back in time!
Next on the route is the old town of Shrewsbury which has some interesting historical features including tours of the town’s notorious Dana prison where hundreds of criminals have been held since 1700s. Some say that this old prison is still haunted by the many criminals that were executed here over a number of years and an array of after-hours ghost walks are held regularly. Moving in a northeasterly direction, what better place to pitch down for the day than in the vast expanses of the gorgeous peak district. The Castleton Caravan & Motorhome club sits in the centre of the national park and offers all year great views, full electrical hookup and supplies whilst also being conveniently situated about a half mile from the idyllic Castleton village where you can kick back and enjoy some great fish and a cold pint at the Geroge pub! If you have time to stick around then treat yourself to a guided walk from myGuidedWalks - these guys really know the peaks like no one else and offer some uniquely curated routes. What’s more, you will be led by some seriously experienced mountain guides who will give you a commentary on the history of the trails as well as guide you toward the best views and cafes in the area.
A 25-minute drive south from Castleton will land you in a small spa town of Buxton which is officially recognised as the highest market town in the UK sitting a whopping 300 meters above sea level. This picturesque town is defined by the most beautiful 18th-century architecture but don’t be fooled just by looks as Buxton has so much more to offer. For those in need of a quick pampering session head to the Devonshire Spa where you can choose from no less than 15 treatment packages including the “Caudalie wine maker’s massage”, an interesting and popular technique that uses techniques associated with winemaking to enrich the skin. As one of the Peak district’s most loved towns, Buxton offers a variety of well-maintained motorhome and caravan pitch spots one of which is the Buxton Caravan Club Site which has been recently refurbished. The site sits snugly on what used to be an old quarry and offers a peaceful environment where pitch spots are generously spaced and not grid regimented. Depending on the contents of your vehicle, weight distribution and site profile, you may need to level it once parked up. We’d recommend the E&P self-levelling device which can assess and adjust the level of your vehicle at the touch of a button.
In part 2 we’ll be heading up to the gorgeous Lake District and then into Scotland for the final leg of our journey! Keep your eyes peeled on our site and we’ll see you soon!