2 incredible four day UK road trips for the long weekend

Found yourself with a long weekend on the horizon? Lucky you. There is no better way to reclaim your time than by escaping the city and hitting the open road. At Camplify, we’re a community of adventure-seekers dedicated to making the great outdoors accessible to everyone. As the UK’s largest and most trusted peer-to-peer campervan and motorhome sharing community, we connect holidaymakers with local van owners to provide unique, lived-in vehicles that feel like a home away from home.

To help you plan your next long weekend road trip, we’ve curated two of our favourite four-day itineraries—taking in the golden stone of the Cotswolds and the surf of Cornwall in the south, to the wild moors of the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland in the north. Let’s dive into the ultimate long weekend road trips in the UK.

Trip 1: The classic south – Cotswolds to Cornwall

Best for: Quintessential English villages, coastal hikes, and historic spa towns.

Day 1: Bourton-on-the-Water & The Heart of the Cotswolds

Kick off your Cotswolds road trip in the picturesque "Venice of the Cotswolds," Bourton-on-the-Water. This area is famous for its low stone bridges and honey-coloured cottages.

Tip: If you're coming from London, it’s a short 2-hour drive. Consider a detour to Clarkson’s Farm (Diddly Squat Farm Shop) in Chipping Norton for a popular cultural pitstop.

Day 2: Bourton-on-the-Water to Torquay (The English Riviera)

Wind your way south toward the South Devon coast. Stop in the seaside town of Torquay, the birthplace of Agatha Christie.

• Highlights: Stretch your legs on the South West Coast Path or explore Kents Cavern, a prehistoric cave system and a must-visit for history buffs.

Day 3: orquay to Newquay via Land’s End

Point your nose in the direction of Cornwall and drive ‘til you can’t drive no more—literally. Land’s End is the most westerly point of mainland England and offers dramatic clifftop views. Afterward, cruise to Newquay, the UK’s surfing capital.

• Tip: For those looking for adventure, try coasteering or surfing at Fistral Beach. Newquay is also a top spot for dog-friendly campervan holidays.

Day 4: Newquay to the Cotswolds via Bath

On your return leg, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bath. Relax at the Thermae Bath Spa rooftop pool or visit the Roman Baths before completing your loop.

You can take a walking tour of the city, visit the Jane Austen Centre or treat yourself to a session at Thermae Spa and its jaw-dropping rooftop pool. Once you’ve done as the Romans did, continue your road trip back to the Cotswolds or wherever the road takes you.

2. The rugged north- Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland

Best for: Dark sky stargazing, Harry Potter film locations, and wild landscapes.

Day 1: The Yorkshire Dales National Park

Start your journey in the "God’s Own Country." The Yorkshire Dales offer some of the best scenic drives in the UK.

Make your way to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It doesn’t matter where, exactly, but just make sure you’re in the area because there’s no excuse for missing these rolling hills. Highlights include Hebden Bridge, a town 30 minutes south of the national park that’s known for its thriving arts scene, and Bolton Abbey estate.

• Must-see: Visit Malham Cove or the artsy town of Hebden Bridge. Staying in a campervan allows you to wake up right in the heart of the national park.

Day 2: Yorkshire Dales to the North Pennines (AONB)

The North Pennines is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Global Geopark. It is perfect for those seeking a "hidden gem" away from the crowds.

It's home to open moors, swift rivers, dense woodland and so much more. Make the Bowlees Visitor Centre your first stop, to get the lay of the land, then proceed to soak up as much natural beauty as you possibly can – trust us when we say there’s no chance of overdosing. Cross Fell and Ashgill Force are well worth the walk, while Blanchland is an adorable village to spend a few hours in (try the Lord Crewe Arms for an ale).

• Top picks: Check out High Force Waterfall or take a hike up Cross Fell for panoramic views of the moors.

Day 3: North Pennines to Northumberland & Alnwick Castle

Head north to Northumberland, home to some of the UK’s darkest skies. And for the Harry Potter fans, Alnwick Castle, by the Northumberland Coast, is the OG Hogwarts. It hosted the world’s witches and wizards for the first two Harry Potter films but is more than happy to welcome muggles throughout the year. If you’re more into the natural world, however, you’ll find plenty to love in Northumberland National Park, which claims to be home to England’s cleanest rivers, clearest air and darkest skies – not bad, right?

Campervan tip: For overnight stays, look for sites near Hadrian’s Wall like the River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club for easy access to hiking trails.

Day 4: Northumberland to the Yorkshire Coast (Whitby & Robin Hood’s Bay)

Finish your trip with a drive down the Yorkshire Coast. Visit Whitby, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and the charming smuggler’s haunt of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Tick off everything you didn’t manage yesterday, or head off on one of the many other hikes in the national park. We highly recommend cruising south down the coast via the scenic towns of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, which are old smuggler ports where you can almost taste the history. Whitby was also the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and if you happen to visit in April or October, you may well stumble upon Whitby Goth Weekend – it’s definitely worth Googling some images.

Tip: If you're planning on visiting in April or October, don't miss the famous Whitby Goth Weekend – it’s definitely worth Googling some images.

Ready to lock in in your long weekend plans?

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