England & Scotland Tour from Heathrow Depot
(4 weeks)
This trip is ideal for incoming tourists and British tourists alike. It covers many of the most desirable areas of England and Scotland. Route maps will be provided and all sites can be booked in advance with the Caravan Club or the Camping and Caravan Club. This itinery is infinitely variable and is merely a suggested route which we think you may consider.
If you prefer less time in the Scottish western isles and more time golfing at Gleneagles or Turnberry or any of the many Scottish golf courses or perhaps more time in the south of England please let us know and we will add or subtract the places you wish to amend. Some tourists will want to visit friends or WW2 airfields in East Anglia, or visit Cornwall and Devon which is not on this route. Wales has also many interesting places which can be added. Please ask and we will change the route for you.
It is always advisable to join the caravan club (£30) and pre book your sites through the caravan club whose web site is shown below.
www.caravanclub.co.uk
enquiries@caravan-club.co.uk (e mail address)
Other benefits from the caravan club are discounted ferry fares, all arranged by the Caravan Club travel service (phone 01342 316101).
Alternatively join the Caravan and Camping Club:
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Please ask for our computerised route map which we can generate for this tour or any other that you require.
We can be e mailed on: – head-office@easirent.com
Useful web sites:-
www.theheritagetrail.co.uk
www.ukfavourites.com
www.travelbritain.org
www.visitbritain.com
www.english-heritage.org.uk
www.heritagecities.co.uk
www.travelengland.org.uk
www.tourismtrade.org
www.britevents.com
Our tour starts at our depot close to Heathrow Airport where you collect your campervan. Once at the Heathrow Branch (The Sheraton Skyline Hotel) we will need approx. one hour to show you around your campervan and to make sure you understand how everything operates. At all times during your tour we will be on call by phone if you wish to ask any questions. All our campervans are less than 12 months old and we have full assistance and breakdown cover. Unlike the U.S.A. and Australia, our country is very small and few places are more than 3 hours away from our central location.
Friday Day 1
Heathrow Depot (1 night)
Familiarize yourselves with your Easicampers campervan, this will probably take about 1 – 2 hours. We will only leave you, when you are completely confident with your campervan.
Address: Highclere Farm, Newbarn Lane, Seer Green, Buckingham, HP9 2QZ
Saturday Day 2
Heathrow Depot-Broadway (2 nights)
Depart for Broadway after breakfast, a leisurely drive will see you arrive before lunchtime. Site No 85 in your site guide
Sunday Day 3
Broadway (Free Day)
Whilst staying at Broadway, take time out to explore the surrounding countryside. Places to see are Anne Hathaways Cottage, Stratford upon Avon. Stratford-upon-Avon is a town, small in size but large in history and interest. The streets themselves hold a thousand delights with the chemistry of the ages mixed in with the needs of today. It is a thriving and busy town of just over 20,000 inhabitants whose day-to-day business is conducted amongst the rich architecture. William Shakespeare’s significance to the town can be found in his families’ houses found about the streets.
Monday Day 4
Broadway-Cheltenham (1 night)
Described as ‘the Festival town of England’, Cheltenham hosts an annual programme of major sporting and cultural events, including internationally acclaimed music and literature festivals, cricket and horse racing, including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup – the highlight of the National Hunt Festival.
Cheltenham is renowned for its stylish shopping on the famous Promenade. High Street stores and shopping centres host famous names, whilst individual stores and specialist boutiques are located in elegant Montpellier. Cheltenham’s ‘life after dark’ offers fashionable bars and high quality restaurants, evening entertainment with jazz, dance clubs, cosy local pubs, theatre and cinema, combining to provide a cosmopolitan town centre atmosphere. Site No 86 Cheltenham Racecourse
Tuesday Day 5
Cheltenham-Chester (1 night)
Even though Chester is a delightful mix of exclusive stores, excellent dining and vibrant nightlife – you can never forget that this modern, exciting city has been shaped by 2,000 years of history. Completely encircled by city walls, Chester’s most unique feature is the 13th century ‘Rows’ – two tiers of enticing shops, running through the main streets. Destinations for history hunters include the beautiful Gothic Cathedral and Britain’s largest Roman Amphitheatre, built to entertain 7,000 spectators! Daily 90-minute walking tours to explore Chester’s 2,000 years of action-packed history. Qualified, experienced guides lead you from the Romans to the English Civil War, Victorians to the present day with their unique, tailored knowledge. Hear about daily life and characters throughout the centuries and explore all the little nooks and crannies that have formed the historic city of Chester. Site No 109 Chester Fairoaks
Wednesday Day 6
Chester-Blackpool (1 night)
Blackpool is famous for its illuminations which commence on the first week in September for one month. Blackpool is England’s premier and most famous resort. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has one of the largest roller coasters in the world and evening brings glittering cabaret shows for all the family. Your site is “Blackpool South”, which is number 128 in the site guide. This stop is optional as Blackpool is a little “tacky” and will not suit some tourists. If you have children, however, you may consider this town.
Tourist information: – www.visitnorthwest.com
Thursday and Friday Days 7 & 8
Blackpool-Bowness (Lake District) (2 nights)
Next stop is Bowness, set in the heart of the Lake District and our site is “Braithwaite Fold” which is within walking distance of the town centre and close to the lakeside.
Take one of the many cruises on Lake Windermere and hop off at different villages around the lake, lovely walking country. Visit Hill Top, the tiny 17th century cottage of Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit.
The site is number 155 of the site guide.
Web guides:- www.golakes.co.uk
Saturday Day 9
Bowness-Ullswater (1 night)
Your site this evening is Troutbeck Head which nestles in a valley alongside a babbling brook, below Great Mell Fell with spectacular views of Blencathra. Site number 152 of our site guide.
Cruise on Lake Ullswater and the market town of Keswick is within easy reach. An alternate to this site is the Camping and Caravanning Club site at Crow Park Rd, Keswick. This site is on the lake shore of Derwentwater with the town just a short stroll away.
Web guide:-www.ullswater.co.uk
Sunday and Monday Days 10 & 11
Ullswater-Edinburgh (2 nights)
Why not visit Hadrian’s Wall on the way to Edinburgh. This was built to defend the northern frontier of the ancient Roman Empire.
Our site is just 6 miles from Edinburgh at Slatebarns, site 181 in the site guide. Access to Edinburgh is by bus which cuts out the hassle of parking in this vibrant and busy capital city of Scotland.
Web guide:-
www.visitscotland.com
www.edinburgh.org
www.host.co.uk
www.edinburghshogmanay.org
www.stirling.gov.uk
Tuesday & Wednesday Days 12 & 13
Edinburgh-Braemar (2 nights)
Our site, The Invercauld”, is number 172 of the site guide and is the gateway to the Cairngorms.
If your trip includes September you can see the Highland Gathering, a famous sporting event. Beautiful landscapes and scenery surround this site and it is ideal walking country. Visit Balmoral, one of the Queen’s homes.
Web guide:-
www.scottish.heartlands.org
www.scot-borders.co.uk
Thursday & Friday Days 14 & 15
Braemar-Culloden Moor (2 nights)
This is where the famous battle took place between Bonnie Prince Charlie and Scottish history was rewritten. Visit Loch Ness and see the monster. Inverness is just 6 miles away with its impressive castle and lively atmosphere.
Your site is “Culloden Moor” number 163 of the site guide.
Saturday Day 16
Culloden Moor-Bunree (1 night)
Your site this evening is Bunree which has been voted the Top Site in Britain by readers of Caravan Magazine. Fabulous loch side location and must be loveliest in scenic terms. Number 166.
.Web guide:-
www.witb.co.uk
www.visitorkney.com
www.visitshetland.com
Sunday-Tuesday Day 17, 18, 19
Bunree-Oban-Isle of Mull and other islands (3 nights)
Oban is the main ferry terminal to the Hebrides and Western Isles
A leisurely 4 nights can be enjoyed visiting the numerous islands off this beautiful coastline. Visit Mull, Iona, Glencoe, St. Columba, Staffa, Tiree, Coll, Barra, South Uist, North Uist, Harris, and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Due to the lack of campsites on the islands this is your chance to “wild camp” i.e. stop where you wish whether it be a sandy cove or mountain glen. Site number 169, North Ledaig, is a good site just north of Oban.
Wednesday Day 20
Oban-Durham (1 night)
Once back on the mainland next stop is quite a long drive down to Durham.
Your site for the night is “Grange” which is number 144 of your site guide. You may take a guided tour of the town but do not miss the magnificent cathedral and castle. Beamish Open Air Museum is a popular attraction.
Thursday & Friday Days 21 & 22
Durham-York (2 nights)
York is an incredible medieval city, most famous for York Minster, England’s largest Gothic church. Take a trip back in time at the Viking Centre where time reverts to 948 AD. Visit the large National Railway Museum or take a cruise along the Ouse.
Your site for two nights is “Beachwood Grange”, number 138 in the site guide.
Web sites:-
www.ytb.org.uk
Saturday Day 23
York-Buxton (1 night)
A two night stopover at “Grin Low” allows you to unwind a little and relax in this unusual site. Buxton lies at the heart of the Peak District which is one of the most beautiful areas of Britain and is as equally attractive as the Lake District. Grin Low is number 101 of the site guide.
Web sites:- www.visitheartofengland.com
Sunday & Monday Days 24 & 25
Buxton-Cambridge(2 nights)
Cambridge was important long before the University existed. Here, at the meeting of dense forests to the south and trackless, marshy Fens to the north, was the lowest reliable fording place of the River Cam, or Granta. In the first century BC an Iron Age Belgic tribe built a settlement on what is now Castle Hill. Around AD40 the Romans took over the site and it became the crossing point for the Via Devana which linked Colchester with the legions in Lincoln and beyond. The Saxons followed, then the Normans under William the Conqueror, who raised a castle on a steep mound as a base for fighting the Saxon rebel, Hereward the Wake, deep in the Fens at Ely. The motte of William’s castle still stands and Ely Cathedral is visible from the top on a clear day.
Site: Cherry Hinton No: 64 in site guide
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Days 26 & 27 & 28
Cambridge-Heathrow Depot (3 nights)
Address: Highclere Farm, Newbarn Lane, Seer Green, Buckingham, HP9 2QZ
Web site:-www.londontown.com
Sites to visit while situated on the outskirts of London
It needn’t cost a lot to get out and about, with 238 attractions that are completely free to enter there’s nowhere else in the world where you can see so much for so little. Visit everything from the thousands of historic exhibits at the British Museum to the stately Kenwood House, the award-winning Imperial War Museum or even Hackney City Farm.
The British Museum, V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum can each take a day to explore, but you will still be inspired if you only have a couple of hours to spare. As well as famous permanent exhibits, look out for topical displays featuring a variety of special interest subjects. ‘Interaction’ is the key to many of these so you don’t just stand and stare.
London’s more famous attractions such as the British Airways London Eye and Madame Tussauds are well worth visiting if you’ve never been before, but you can also branch out and visit some less well known attractions. Places like Kensington Palace, Dali Universe and the Photographers’ Gallery also have much to offer.
If there aren’t enough hours in the day to explore as much as you’d like, take in late night opening on Friday or Saturday nights at some of London’s top galleries and museums such as Tate Modern, Saatchi Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts and National Portrait Gallery.
BFI London IMAX Cinema, Dali Universe and Geffrye Museum are some of hundreds of attractions for people with special needs. Although all attractions are not 100% accessible for wheelchair users, many make extra efforts for individual requirements such as signed shows for the deaf, induction loops, Braille guides, as well as special tours for those with learning difficulties.
143 registered parks and gardens. Short walking paths and nature trails can be found in places like Hampstead Heath and Mile End Park, and at the end of an exhausting day walking, they’re a great spot for a picnic – weather permitting!
Just south of the River Thames is Battersea Park, featuring a Japanese Pagoda which was a gift to the nation. Or head further out to Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew where you can explore four acres of magnificent conservatories displaying plants from rainforest to desert.
Friday Day 29
Heathrow Depot
After breakfast you need to meet the Easicampers Staff at 10.00hrs, to hand your campervan over, and talk about your experiences on the road.