Traveling to England by Motorhome: Our Experience

Introduction

Traveling to England by motorhome is undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore the country with complete freedom.

In this post, I will share all the details of our trip, day by day, along with useful information to help you plan your own adventure, whether by motorhome, car, or motorcycle.

Before we begin, let me introduce myself: I am Héctor Navarro from the blog Mi baúl de blogs, and we embarked on a one-month journey to England by motorhome from Barcelona to Hadrian's Wall, near the Scottish border, crossing France and exploring various regions of the United Kingdom.

Preparations and Practical Information

Documentation: Passport or ID card (if you are an EU citizen) and a valid driving license. Additionally, since April 2, 2024, tourists from the European Union must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before entering the UK. This permit is valid for six months and costs £10.
Currency: British pound (£). You can check my post on how to get pounds at the best exchange rate.
Travel Insurance: Essential for any unforeseen event.
Internet: A must for us. We can't travel without it as it helps avoid many issues (it's not just for entertainment). You can get a prepaid eSIM from your home country, activate your regular provider’s roaming service, or buy a local prepaid SIM card upon arrival (providers include Three UK, O2, Vodafone, giffgaff, EE Mobile, Tesco Mobile, etc.). We explain it all in our guide to getting internet in the UK.
Ferry from Calais to Dover: One of the best ways to cross into the UK by boat.
Eurotunnel (LeShuttle): This service transports vehicles and passengers through the Channel Tunnel in about 35 minutes. Prices start at €60 per vehicle per trip.
Driving on the left: It can be challenging at first, but you get used to it quickly. Be especially careful when starting to drive and when entering roundabouts, especially the first time 🙂
Low Emission Zones (LEZ): If you are traveling by motorhome, you will need to obtain a permit to drive in cities like London.

Our Day-by-Day Route

Days 1-3: France and Arrival in England

Departure from Barcelona. First stop in La Couvertoirade (France). We crossed the Millau Viaduct and visited the Chartres Cathedral before sleeping near Rouen. Finally, we reached the Calais to Dover Ferry. Arrival in London and overnight stay at Crystal Palace Camping.

Days 4-5: Exploring London

We spent two days visiting London. A bit short, but this trip was about seeing all of England, right?

Days 6-10: Oxford, Winchester, Stonehenge, and Wales

Exploring the southern part of England: Oxford, Portsmouth, the Spinnaker Tower, Stonehenge, and Salisbury. We also visited Bath, Bristol, and Winchester.

Days 11-15: The Midlands and Liverpool

Exploring the Midlands: Goodrich Castle, Iron Bridge, and Corwen (Wales). In Wales, we visited the castles of Beaumaris, Caernarfon, and Conwy. Then, we headed to Liverpool and saw The Cavern Club, Penny Lane, and Strawberry Fields. We also visited Manchester and Blackpool.

Days 16-17: Hadrian’s Wall

We finally reached our trip’s goal: Hadrian’s Wall. Along the route, we saw Carlisle Castle, Banks Turret, and Birdoswald Roman Fort.

Days 18-21: Newcastle, York, and Cambridge

We arrived in the northeast at Newcastle and started our return journey, passing through Durham, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, York, Lincoln, Cambridge, Ely, and Rochester.

Days 22-23: Canterbury and Return to France

We ended our England tour in Canterbury and Dover before taking the ferry back to Calais.

Days 24-29: Return through Normandy and Poitiers

We visited the D-Day Landing Beaches and Mont Saint Michel. Then, we continued through Poitiers, visiting Futuroscope, Oradour-sur-Glane, and Toulouse before returning to Barcelona.

Tips for Traveling by Motorhome in England

1. Where to Sleep

In England, it is not mandatory to stay overnight in campsites, but rest areas are limited.
The Caravan Club of England offers quality campsites with good facilities.
We wish we had apps like the Campernight app to find more overnight stay options.

2. Driving and Roads

In the UK, people drive on the left.
Roads are often narrow with many roundabouts.
Motorways are free, with some exceptions.

3. Fuel Costs

We traveled almost 6,000 km.
Average consumption: 13.3 liters per 100 km.
Total fuel consumed: 781.69 liters of diesel.

Final Thoughts

Traveling to England by motorhome has been an unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend it, whether with a motorhome or by car while staying in hotels. It allowed us to freely explore the most iconic landscapes of the country, from medieval castles to the imposing Hadrian’s Wall.

If you're thinking of taking a similar trip, be sure to read more about our experience on Mi Baúl de Blogs. See you on the road!

**Héctor Navarro **Degree in Geography and History Travel specialist, many of them by motorhome