Best Bonfire Night events: complete UK road trip guide

One of the UK’s grandest and oldest celebrations is right around the corner, the annual autumnal night where we celebrate the fact that Parliament did not, in fact, explode in the 17th century. Wherever you’ll be on your road trip on the weekend of the 5th November, make sure you get yourself to one of these incredible spots to watch the fireworks, squint at the bonfires, and take part in a night of fun and revelry.

When is Bonfire Night?

Remember, remember, the 5th of November. This handy rhyme, dating back to a very long time ago, is a great starting point but doesn’t tell you the whole story. The 5th falls on a Sunday this year, so many events will be held on the Friday and Saturday preceding it.

What is Bonfire Night?

Not a pagan celebration of witches and druids, Bonfire Night is instead the evening that Britons celebrate the foiled ‘Gunpowder Plot’ of 1605, when Guy Fawkes (and a few others whose names just weren’t as cool) attempted and failed to blow up the Parliament of King James. He was unsuccessful, and ever since the holiday has been celebrated by instead blowing up thousands of tonnes of fireworks in the sky where they can do no harm to kings. Nice!

Why should I go to Bonfire Night?

Well, no longer is the celebration just a great night for chiropractors as you crane your neck to the sky, hundreds of sites around the country put on mini-festivals jam-packed with warm food, mulled wine, and activities that will just make you that extra bit glad that the treasonous plot was foiled.

Best places to enjoy Bonfire Night from

There are hundreds of big and small events right across the UK celebrating the treasonous plot, but these are our five favourites that have open campsites nearby.

Lewes Bonfire

Top of the list has to go to the largest celebration in the country, the Lewes Bonfire. The town pulls out all the stops in its one-of-a-kind festival on the 4th, with marching bands, wild and wacky costumes and processions filtering through the twisting streets of the town centre. Keep your eyes out for the visiting bonfire societies of Sussex. Yes, they’re real.

Closest campsite: Blacklands Farm Caravan & Camping

Unfortunately, Lewes is not the best place for autumnal camping, with the nearest site being Blacklands Farm near the town of Henfield. Still, if you’re aching to visit the UK’s largest Bonfire Night celebration, this campsite offers a couple of spacious fields to set up in, with fishing in the lake and plenty of great facilities spread across the site.

Plymouth Hoe

The Plymouth Hoe promenade plays host to a spectacular celebration on the Devonshire coast, when the seaside location transforms into a playground for all ages. Rides and stalls litter the area for you to wander through, with the bonfire being lit at 7.30 and the fireworks display at 8. Look out for Guy Fawkes himself sitting atop the bonfire.

Closest campsite: Brixton Caravan & Camping Park

Just five miles from Plymouth town centre, this campsite has water hookups, electrical outlets and modern amenities amongst a beautiful rural setting. After your bonfire extravaganza, jet off and explore the rugged Devonshire coast and the autumn beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Newcastle Firework & Funfair Race Night

This massive, all-day celebration in Newcastle caters to anyone and everyone looking to enjoy a day out. With fairground rides and kid-friendly activities during the day, the night transforms the Racecourse into a truly spectacular experience. The fireworks display kicks off at 8.30, with the 15 minute show synched to the beat of hit songs. Just what Guy Fawkes wanted!

Closest campsite: Tranwell Farm Campsite

You won’t have to go far to settle in for the night after the light show. Tranwell Farm is a short drive to the north of Newcastle, offering a pet-friendly, off-grid experience in the wilds of the North East. You’ll have access to toilet and shower facilities, and a solar charging hub for you to plug in electrics.

Quex Park Fireworks

With a lineup featuring Bon Jovi, Adele, ABBA, Queen & Beyonce*, how could you possibly miss the Quex Park Bonfire Night celebrations? Fairground rides, two gargantuan bonfires, Kentish culinary delights, and a separate fireworks display for the little ones. Quex Park has you covered.

*performed by fabulous cover band Massaoke

Closest campsite: Puddledock Woods

If the name alone doesn’t get you dreaming of quaint English farmland, rolling hills and stonewalled villages, then trust us when we say it's all that and more. Nestled in the heart of rural Kent, this brilliant campsite strips everything back to the fundamentals, providing an idyllic place for you to relax and unwind.

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Experience the thrill of Bonfire Night the way the Victorians did, in Blists Hill Victorian Town, Legges Way. This quintessential English village hosts one of the more traditional festivities of the weekend, with steam engines replacing DJ’s, the old public house replacing Wetherspoons, and a colourful fireworks display replacing, well, nothing. We’re here for the fireworks after all.

Closest campsite: Severn Gorge Park

Severn Gorge is located in the heart of Telford, only a walk away from the Blists Hill celebrations. Pitches are cheap and cheerful, however the park is adults only, so families will have to look elsewhere. Facilities include cooking, toilets and washing machines.

With Bonfire Night just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a last minute autumn road trip with Camplify. Check out our campervan guide to Glastonbury 2024 while you’re here, and if you’re already thinking about getting cosy in a van over winter, we’ve got you covered.