Ken & Kathleen Campervan Trips: Our Campervan Trips

About.

A record of our Campervan trips, both in the UK, and mainland Europe.

It is meant to be light hearted, but, I have tried to include photographs and information on our stop overs, which may be of interest to those wishing to travel the same way.

More information may be obtained by going to the main blog and selecting from labels, in the right-hand margin.

2024 - Braithwaite Village CCC Site. A late spell of reasonable weather, in November.

2024 - St Ives, Priors Field Farm CL and Chertsey CCC Site

Initial intention to watch grandson, Gabriel, compete in the St Ives Regatta, with his school (Windsor Boys School). Then, onto Chertsey to visit the Windsor based family. But, not a satisfactory ending. Kathleen falls down, while walking Thames Path, and breaks her wrist!

2024 - Borrowdale CAMC Site, Manesty, near Keswick. (twice)

2024 - Waterpump CL, Badingham, Suffolk

2023 - Rockland St Peter, Norfolk and ...

Skybarn CL, Lincoln

2023 - Windsor and....

Little Acres CL, Claypole, Newark, Deeping St James

2023 - Deeping St James, Keal Lodge CL.

2023 - Bibury, Orchard Lodge CL.

Reay Family wedding (Michaela and Gordon, at The Swan, Bibury.

Littlehampton CAMC Site.

2023- Diamond House CL, Fiskerton, Lincoln.

2023 - York, Rowntree Park CAMC Site. Literally, a wash-out, we arrived on Monday, and, the site was evacuated on Tuesday, 15:00hr, due to heavy rain and the River Ouse threatening to flood the site!

2022 - Fountain Hill Farm CL, Misterton, Notts and Teesdale, Barnard Castle CAMC Site

Although Fountain Hill Farm CL is a very small CL (only three vans), it meets with 'The Boss's" approval. Clean, tidy, within half a mile of village with pub, shop, plenty of walking and cycling, and, excellent weather.

Teesdale, Barnard Castle CAMC Site is practically on our door step, but, very enjoyable, never-the-less. Isn't it the case, that we often overlook places which are near home?, familiarity breeds contempt, so they say.

2022 - Norfolk Broads CAMC and Barn Owl Meadow CL, Suffolk.

2022 - Poolsbrook CAMC. Bath. Windsor. Polstead, Suffolk.

2021/22 - Windsor and Rutland (Greetham)

2021 - Gale Cruisers, Chedgrave, Norfolk. Windsor (on son's drive), Devizes CCC Site.

2021 - Dockray Meadow, Lamplugh, Cumbria

2021 - Hebden Bridge

2021 - Windsor, Winchester, Denham, Welwyn Garden City, Norfolk. UK

This trip is at the end of a period of "lock down" during the Covid Pandemic. It is shaped by Covid, we have not seen our "Windsor family" for approximately a year, due to Covid restrictions, and, now that restrictions are relaxed a little, everywhere is fully booked, so, choice of destinations is based on where there are vacancies, rather than any definite plan.

Windsor, camping on the drive of Gary and Susana's new house. Family time, plus a bit of DIY and gardening.

Morn Hill CAMC Site, Winchester. Rained almost continually!

Denham, Wyatts Covert CAMC Site. This is a site, which, in the past, we have used because it it is reasonably near Gary and family. It is just inside M25, so, other than the possibility of visiting London, it would appear not to have much going for it. This is a mistaken view. The site is immaculate, yes, there is a small airport nearby, and some aircraft noise, but, there is also a surprising amount of "countryside". A short distance away is the Grand Union Canal. We enjoyed good weather, lots of cycling, and, a number of pubs.

Welwyn Garden City, Commons Wood CAMC Site. Another site, where the main attraction would appear to be good rail links to London, which is of little interest to us. The site itself is not the best CAMC site we have used, a little "frayed" around the edges. But, it has vacancies! On the plus side, we enjoy good weather, and, the cycling infrastructure in the area is surprisingly good. Thanks to the weather and the cycling opportunities we have Avery enjoyable time.

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site. A large site, in a popular "holiday area", but, excellent. The weather is superb, the site is immaculate, and, the terrain is cycling friendly (ie reasonably flat!), with plenty of quiet lanes for cycling and walking.

2021 - Birmingham, Hereford, Tewkesbory and Windsor, UK

Chapel Lane CAMC, approximately 8 miles south of Birmingham

Moorhampton CAMC Site, about ten miles west of Hereford

Trip curtailed due to family bereavement

2020 - Norfolk and Suffolk, UK

West Beckham, near Holt. A CAMC CL, Russdenill Lodge. very good site. A little more hilly than we had expected, for the cycling.

Lark Valley, Flempton, near Bury St Edmonds. Good cycling, but, site not up to Kathleen's standards.

Old School House, Terrington St John. A CAMC CL. Excellent site. We had lots of good cycling.

2020 - Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cheddar and New Forest UK,

First time out in Motorhome, since our forced rush home from Spain.

Arrive Berwick-upon-Tweed

2020 - France and Spain.

A planned three month trip, cut very short by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

We are off! February 26th

In France, and, heading South.

At Oloron-Ste-Marie, in a storm.

We arrive, at Benicassim.

A dash through Spain and France, and we are home.

2020 - Chatsworth Park - UK

2019 - France - Germany - Netherlands

Approximately 6 weeks: Calais - Amiens - Geraudot - Pont-a-Mousson - Eberbach - Mannheim - Geisenheim - St Goar - Neumagen-Dhron - Maastrict - Roermond - Oirschott - IJsselstein/Utrecht - Delft - Home from IJMuiden

2019 - UK - Malvern Hills.

2019 - UK - Dunstan Hill followed by Naburn Lock, York

2019 - UK - Windsor followed by Netley Abbey

2019 - UK - Bridlington

A week, squeezed in, before the Easter rush. Bridlington CAMC Site.

2019 - UK - Skipton - Wolverley - Cirencester - Hertford - Peterborough

A short (two week), UK circuit. Skipton (Niffany Farm Caravan Site) - Kidderminster (Wolverley Camping and Caravan Club Site) - Cirencester (Cirencester Park CAMC Site) - Hertford (Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site) - Peterborough (Ferry Meadows CAMC Site).

Even in March, some sites are fully booked!

2019 - UK - York

A short visit to York, staying at Skelton, Grantchester Caravan Site.

2019 - UK - Coniston and Keswick

A short stay at Coniston CAMC Site.

2018 - UK - Windermere

A short stay at Windermere Camping and Caravan Club Site, which, we discover is not really at Windermere!

2018 - UK - Sandringham, Norfolk

A short stay at Sandringham Camping and Caravan Club Site.

2018 - UK - Cumbria

A short trip to Maryport, Cumbria.

Maryport Marina

2018 - France

Preparations in progress, Tunnel booked, Monday 19th March 2018

Stockbridge, for a family wedding, then, to France

Dover, Chateau Thierry, Autun, Tain-L'Hermitage, St Remy-de-Provence, Frejus, Grimaud, Tain-L'Hermitage, Meursault, Vincelles (Auxerre), Versailles, Neufchatel-en-Bray

2018 - New Motorhome - "Shakedown" outings.

My turn for a health upset. I was 70 in October last, and have to renew my driving licence. After three months of wrangling DVLA refuse to renew my entitlement to drive vehicles greater than 3.5Tonne. So, that is the end of our present Motorhome, which is over 3.5Tonne. We trade it in for a Chausson 610, which is within the 3.5Tonne limit.

York, Colchester

- Delays, York and Colchester

Pleased to say, once the problem of the "missing bung" is solved, no further major problems. A light not switching on/off appears to be about all (fingers crossed).

2017 - Spain and France

Chertsey (UK), Windsor, Canterbury, Poitiers (France), Oloron Ste Marie, Benicassim (Spain), St Lary Soulon (France), Moissac, St Priest Taurion, La Ferte Beauharnis, Neufchatel-en-Bray

- Preparation

- Bonding with Grandchildren

- To France, Baie-de-Somme and Poitiers

- Oloron, Somport Tunnel and Benicassim

- Bielsa Tunnel, St Lary Soulon

- Moissac

- St Priest Taurion

- La Ferte Beauharnais and Neufchatel-en-Bray

2017 - UK: Northumberland

A short outing to Powburn, Northumberland, only an hour from home, but, no less enjoyable for that! A detour via Druridge Bay Country Park

- River Breamish Caravan Club Site, Powburn

2017 - UK: Scottish Borders

A short ( 4 day) trip to the Scottish Borders, Melrose.

Gibson Park, Melrose

2017 - UK: Ashwell (Baldock) and St Neots

Two weeks, in Baldock and St Neots. Good cycling country, we are told, to allow Kathleen to become thoroughly familiar with her new bicycle.

Ashridge Farm, Ashwell

St Neots Camping and Caravan Club Site

2016 - France and Luxembourg

Canterbury (UK), Le Cateau-en-Cambresis (France), Alzingen (Luxembourg), Saverne (France), Plombieres-les-Bains, Tournus, La Clayette, Gien, Briare, Chateau-Thierry, Coucy Le Chateau, Gravelines, Windsor (UK)

- To France and more, perhaps

- To Canterbury

- To Le Cateau-en-Cambresis

- To Luxembourg

- Alzingen and Saverne

- Plombieres-les-Bains

- To Tournus

- To La Clayette

- Gien

- Briare

- To Chateau-Thierry

- Coucy-le-Chateau and Gravelines

- Dover, Rainham, and Windsor

- Home

2016 UK

Ashbourne (Derbyshire)

- To Ashbourne

- Cycling, Tissington Trail

- Matlock and Home

2016 UK

Staveley, Ludlow, Oxford, Denham, Windsor

- To Staveley

- To Ludlow

- To Oxford

- Cycling the Thames path

- Denham

- To Windsor (Queens Acre)

- Bonding with Grandchildren

- Home

2016 UK

Garstang, Keswick

- Garstang and Lancaster Canal

- Keswick

- Inevitable Friars Crag walk and home!

2016 UK

Chertsey

- Chertsey, introduction to new Grand Daughter

2016 UK

York

- A very brief York visit

2015 France

Cambridge (UK), Montreuil-sur-Mer, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Maisons-Laffitte, Paris, Nevers, Chalon-sur-Soane, Annecy, Digoin, Chagny, Autun, Montbard, Chalons-en-Champagne, Le Cateau-en-Cambresis, Gravelines.

- Preparation, such as it is.

- Cambridge

- To Dover, and Montreuil-sur-Mer

- To Neufchatel-en-Bray

- To Maisons-Lafitte (Paris)

- To Nevers

- To Chalon-sur-Soane

- To Annecy

- To Digoin

- Cycling Canal du Centre

- To Autun

- To Montbard

- To Chalons-en-Champagne

- To Le Cateau-enCambresis and home

2015 France - Spain

Rugles (France), Uzerche, Narbonne, L'Estartit (Spain), Cambrils, Benicassim, Bonansa, Montrejeau (France), Pujols, Eguzon-Chantome, Marboue, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Welwyn Garden City (UK)

- South to Spain for the sun

- Rugles to Uzerche to Narbonne

- Narbonne to L'Estartit

- L'Estartit, Cambrils, Benicassim

- Benicassim

- Benicassim to Bonansa to Montrejeau

- Montrejeau to Pujols

- Pujols to Eguzon-Chantome to Marboue

- Marboue to Neufchatel-en-Bray to home

2014 France

Honfleur, Chateau de L'Olonne, Ille de Re, Soubise, Coulon, Saumur, Rugles, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Gravelines

- To Bordeaux, perhaps, for autumn sun

- Dover and on to Honfleur

- Chateau de L'Olonne, and French Dental Treatment

- Ille de Re

- Soubise

- Coulon, and, slowly, toward home

- Saumur

- Rugles, Neufchatel-en-Bray and Gravelines

2014 UK

Cromer

- To Cromer, Incleboro Fields Cc Site

2014 France - Spain - Portugal - Spain - France

Montoire-Sur-Le-Loire, Lac de Ville St Girons, Burgos, Caceres, Quateira, Marbella, Roquetas de Mar, Altea, Benicarlo, Capmany, Nefiach, La Couvertoirade, Faverolles, Neris Les Bains, Dry, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Gravelines

- Packing for the sun!

2013 France - Germany - Luxembourg - Belgium

Gravelines (France), Charleville-de-Meziers, Braubach (Germany), Eschwege, Berlin, Badeparadies-Eisweise, Geisenheim, Longuich, Alzingen (Luxembourg), Aywaille (Belgium), Bruges, Bredene, Wissant (France), Wimeraux, Licques.

- Berlin bound

2013 France - Spain - Portugal - Spain - France - St Neots

Gravelines, La Ville-aux-Dames, Cadillac, St Jean-de-Luz, Ribadedeva, Barreires, Burela, Santiago de Compestella, Estela, Fatima, Sitiva, Lagos, Parque da Gale, Quateria, Cadiz, Cordoba, Alhama de Murcia, Gandia, Valencia, Peniscola, Sitges, Collioure, Narbonne, Trebes, Salles sur L’Hers, Uzerche, Cahors, Marboue, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Graveline, St Neots

- Portugal, for the sun, is the plan

- A very wet drive south, but, sun at St Jean-de-Luz

- To Santiago-de-Compestella, and still it rains

- To Fatima, no, you have not been redirected to the Vatican website

- Lagos, sun at last!

- Portuguese Aire, and, a faded Albefuria

- Quateria

- Cadiz

- Cordoba and the EHIC card

- Gandia

2012 France, Germany, Austria, Hungary

Peterborough (UK), Hondschootte (France), Charleville-de-Meziers, Dun-sur-Meuse, Pont-a-Mousson, Erpfingen (Germany), Ubersee, Bad Waltersdorf (Austria), Keszthely (Hungary), Budapest, Papa, Klosterneuberg (Austria), Stocach, Kaiserberg, Charmes (France), Stenay, Catillon-sur-Sambre, Gravelines.

- Peterborough and on to France

- Charleville-de-Meziers

- to Germany, Ubersee

- Austria and Hungary, Keszthely

- Budapest

- Vienna

- St Gilgen

- Charmes, France

- Stenay, Gravelines and Home

2012 UK

Adlington, Newport, Cheltenham, Bristol, Charmouth, Lymington, Devizes, Windsor.

- Preparation

- Chorley

- Newport

- Cheltenham

- Bristol

- Tiverton

- Charmouth

- Lymington

- Devizes

2011 UK

Richmond, Market Rasen

- Richmond, Hargill House

- Market Rasen

2011 France - Germany - Switzerland

Rainham (UK), Guines, Catillon-sur-Sambre, Nancy, Eguisheim, Freiberg (Germany), Markelfingen, Interlaken (switzerland), Thonon-les-Bains (France), Annecy, Santenay, La Charite-sur-Loire, Gien, Brezolles, Neufchatel-en-Bray, Gravelines, Henley-on-Thames (UK).

- Preparation

- Rainham to Nancy

- Eguisheim, Freiberg

- Bodensee and Interlaken

- Thonon-les-Bains

- Annecy

Santenay, Charite-sur-Loire

- Neufchatel-en-Bray, Gravelines, Henley-on-Thames

2011 UK