I have been reluctant to mention this, as I didn’t want to jinx it, but it now seems pretty certain to happen - myself and a couple of friends are going to spend our summer holiday driving around the UK, seeking out the warm shores far away from our city homes.
With most of the plans for the motorhome itself finalised, we have now started the process of figuring out our route. The general consensus seems to be that heading south is the best plan. Nothing against the north, but the south does seem to it beaten when it comes to variety and quantity.
With most of the plans for the motorhome itself finalised, we have now started the process of figuring out our route. The general consensus seems to be that heading south is the best plan. Nothing against the north, but the south does seem to it beaten when it comes to variety and quantity.
Here is the preliminary plan, still in the early part of it’s birth.
Destination 1: Barry
image credit
The only town not in England on the trip at the moment, Barry is something of a novelty for us to start off with. While it does have some of the necessary features (a big beach, places to see near said beach), I think you can guess why we’re heading here.
The only town not in England on the trip at the moment, Barry is something of a novelty for us to start off with. While it does have some of the necessary features (a big beach, places to see near said beach), I think you can guess why we’re heading here.
image credit
Yeah, since we’re all fans of Gavin and Stacey, we want to go and see some of the locations from the show. You know, just to see what’s occurin.
Destination 2: St. Ives
Yeah, since we’re all fans of Gavin and Stacey, we want to go and see some of the locations from the show. You know, just to see what’s occurin.
Destination 2: St. Ives
image credit
Now for something more traditional. It’s stereotypical for most of us in the lower half of England to seek out Cornwall when the two nice weeks of summer arrive, and St. Ives is the most “Cornwall” place you could hope to find. It’s a tiny village sticking out of a cliff, complete with a beach, a harbour and, I’m guessing, copious amounts of pasties.
Destination 3: Weymouth
Now for something more traditional. It’s stereotypical for most of us in the lower half of England to seek out Cornwall when the two nice weeks of summer arrive, and St. Ives is the most “Cornwall” place you could hope to find. It’s a tiny village sticking out of a cliff, complete with a beach, a harbour and, I’m guessing, copious amounts of pasties.
Destination 3: Weymouth
image credit
Again, nothing original, but Weymouth is a must for me on this trip. It has a very pretty seafront, which hasn’t fell into disrepair like so many others. But the main pull for me is the SeaLife Centre!
Destination 4: Jersey
Again, nothing original, but Weymouth is a must for me on this trip. It has a very pretty seafront, which hasn’t fell into disrepair like so many others. But the main pull for me is the SeaLife Centre!
Destination 4: Jersey
image credit
This is where our plan goes from “simple” to “ambitious”. The plan at this point is to get on one of the ferries to Jersey. It’s long been a place I’ve wanted to go, and seems like it will be a fun adventure. I’ve never been on a ferry before, let alone a car ferry! Plus it’s so alien to me that I have dedicated the most time to researching it.
It’s at this point that the plan forks off in two directions. If we really like Jersey, we may stay there for the remainder of our holiday. But if we feel like we want to see more of England, it will be back to the mainland, and a quick journey too. . .
Destination 5: Bournemouth
This is where our plan goes from “simple” to “ambitious”. The plan at this point is to get on one of the ferries to Jersey. It’s long been a place I’ve wanted to go, and seems like it will be a fun adventure. I’ve never been on a ferry before, let alone a car ferry! Plus it’s so alien to me that I have dedicated the most time to researching it.
It’s at this point that the plan forks off in two directions. If we really like Jersey, we may stay there for the remainder of our holiday. But if we feel like we want to see more of England, it will be back to the mainland, and a quick journey too. . .
Destination 5: Bournemouth
image credit
Bournemouth is something of a means to an end, as it is the only other port offering ferries to Jersey. But it’s bigger than all of the other destinations so far, so should offer a change of pace. Instead of sunbathing all day and then relaxing in the camper at night, we can treat ourselves to a night out!
Destination 6: Brighton
Bournemouth is something of a means to an end, as it is the only other port offering ferries to Jersey. But it’s bigger than all of the other destinations so far, so should offer a change of pace. Instead of sunbathing all day and then relaxing in the camper at night, we can treat ourselves to a night out!
Destination 6: Brighton
image credit
Brighton has a similar appeal to Bournemouth, in that it is more than just a little seaside resort. It has a big nightlife scene, and the World famous Brighton Pier. It should be fun, but I’m much more excited about the little towns we’re visiting than the more prototypical “holiday” places. Especially the next stop. . .
Destination 7: Deal
Brighton has a similar appeal to Bournemouth, in that it is more than just a little seaside resort. It has a big nightlife scene, and the World famous Brighton Pier. It should be fun, but I’m much more excited about the little towns we’re visiting than the more prototypical “holiday” places. Especially the next stop. . .
Destination 7: Deal
image credit
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a sister town next to it called “No Deal”. No, Deal, situated in Kent, is a village lost in time. Looking like it likely did in the 1950s, it is the height of “retro cool”. It’s gorgeous, and seems like the type of place where every side street is hiding something interesting. It may lack the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth and Brighton, but it seems like the perfect place to unwind near the end of our trip.
And that is all we have decided upon so far. There is a chance, if we have made it to Deal with time to spare, that we will extend the trip to Suffolk or Norfolk, with Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth both being thrown out as ideas. Either way, it looks like it’s gonna be a summer to remember!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a sister town next to it called “No Deal”. No, Deal, situated in Kent, is a village lost in time. Looking like it likely did in the 1950s, it is the height of “retro cool”. It’s gorgeous, and seems like the type of place where every side street is hiding something interesting. It may lack the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth and Brighton, but it seems like the perfect place to unwind near the end of our trip.
And that is all we have decided upon so far. There is a chance, if we have made it to Deal with time to spare, that we will extend the trip to Suffolk or Norfolk, with Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth both being thrown out as ideas. Either way, it looks like it’s gonna be a summer to remember!