Why choose Yorkshire for a campervan road trip?
Yorkshire is a dream destination for campervan road trip enthusiasts. Known for its diverse landscapes, the region offers lush green hills, rugged coastlines, and charming villages. It’s perfect for exploring ancient abbeys in ruins, historic castles, and scenic hiking trails. One of the great advantages of this region is that it spans both inland areas and the coastline, allowing you to experience a variety of landscapes, spots, and activities!
Traveling by campervan lets you discover natural parks like the Moors, the Dales, and the Yorkshire Coast at your own pace.
In terms of spots, you’ll find plenty of natural free spots more easily here. The closer you get to Scotland, the more you’ll find! However, be aware that in national parks, overnight stays are restricted everywhere under the “no-overnight” rule. But you’ll find numerous trailhead parking lots, some deep in the forest, which are permitted and free.
As for campgrounds, they’re much more affordable in this region! You’ll find many farm campsites starting at 35 euros per night with amenities. Booking in advance isn’t necessarily required, though it’s still recommended! The English love holidaying in caravans, so you’ll see them everywhere in the north! The campgrounds we tried were very popular!
As for the weather, even in summer, Northern England isn’t known for endless sunshine and 30° days! Expect a few rainy days, but this only adds to the charm of this beautiful region!
What to do in Yorkshire: Must-sees
Yorkshire is packed with landmarks, trails, and villages. If you truly want to enjoy the area, we recommend staying for at least a week if possible. But if you have to choose, here are our top picks:
York
This historic city is a major attraction with its famous cathedral, medieval streets, and city walls. A must-see in the region. There are plenty of things to see and do in York. Don’t hesitate to check out our dedicated article on York, where you’ll find everything you need to plan your day. Read our article on York.
Whitby
This fishing village on the coast offers a unique atmosphere with its colorful houses, imposing abbey, and breathtaking sea views. It’s our favorite spot of this trip! The town is popular with tourists, yet it feels so welcoming! The ambiance is wonderful, and let’s not forget—it’s the birthplace of Dracula!
Malham Cove
For hiking enthusiasts, Malham Cove is an impressive rock formation in the Yorkshire Dales. Undoubtedly one of the best hikes we’ve ever done! It’s also a filming location for a famous wizard!
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a stunning setting for a nature walk, featuring the abbey ruins and English-style gardens. The abbey is absolutely magnificent!
Though in ruins, the site boasts majestic remnants that are very well-preserved. Plan to spend nearly a full day here if you want to see everything. In good weather, it’s a perfect spot for a picnic, though there’s also a tea room available.
The only downside is the lack of information during the visit. The small leaflet provided at the entrance is, in our opinion, a bit sparse in explanations, as are the limited information panels on the site.
Castle Howard
This renowned English castle is majestic and surrounded by spectacular gardens. It’s a must-visit for architecture and history lovers.
The interiors are richly decorated and impeccably preserved. The castle is privately owned by a wealthy family, and only a few rooms are open to visitors, which may be a slight drawback to the visit.
For a family of four, entry costs around 80 euros, so you might feel the indoor tour is a bit limited.
The grounds are fabulous, and we recommend a picnic here on a sunny day to enjoy the forest, lake, and more. For food lovers, there are also two restaurants on site!
Castle Howard is also famous for being a filming location for the Netflix series Bridgerton in Season 1.
Rievaulx Abbey
England is full of ruined abbeys, each more beautiful than the last. Often managed by the National Trust or English Heritage, they are very well maintained.
Rievaulx Abbey is in excellent condition. This former abbey is one of the largest Cistercian abbeys in England and once housed over 600 monks, who mainly lived off the wool trade.
The visit includes a small leaflet and a treasure hunt for children, with a little reward at the end.
The surroundings of the abbey are stunning. If you have time, take a walk around the charming English cottages and fields filled with sheep and lambs.
Our video visits to Castle Howard and Rievaulx Abbey
The best routes to explore by campervan in Yorkshire
Yorkshire offers plenty of scenic routes perfect for campervan exploration. Among the most recommended is the North York Moors Coastal Route, which takes you through charming fishing villages and impressive cliffs.
For nature lovers, the route through Yorkshire Dales National Park is a must, featuring valleys, dry stone walls, and rivers.
For a historical journey, take the route from Castle Howard to Whitby, where you’ll discover historic castles and the rugged coastline.
This region also allows you to experience the iconic English moorlands—a stunning, sprawling landscape inhabited mainly by hundreds of sheep!
A word of caution if you plan to stay overnight! Don’t make our mistake of camping near a water source on the moors—you may have an unwelcome encounter with midges! Tiny but fierce and hungry!
In general, roads in the English countryside are narrow, often requiring “passing places” to allow vehicles to pass each other, which you’ll find everywhere. We were initially concerned about narrow roads and available spots, but no worries! Despite the tight roads, we had no issues, even with a large campervan. The English are incredibly courteous and gave us priority EVERYWHERE!
The same goes for parking: the English are very respectful, and you won’t see cars parked in campervan spaces—something you rarely see in France, let’s admit!
Yorkshire cuisine: What not to miss
Who says you can’t eat well in England?! Who?!
If you follow us on Instagram and YouTube, you know we’re food enthusiasts, and exploring a country means discovering its culinary delights. For each country we visit, we try to taste as many specialties as possible, even when they seem a bit strange!
Every region of England has its own specialties, and here’s a little selection of our delightful discoveries from Yorkshire:
- Yorkshire Pudding: Often served with roast beef or stuffed.
- Wensleydale Cheese: Hailing from the region, this cheese is a treat to enjoy with crackers.
- Parkin: A spiced ginger cake, perfect for a sweet break.
- The Yorkshire coast is famous for its fish and chips, best enjoyed in one of the many fishing villages like Whitby, known for serving the best in the country!
- And let’s not forget the pie, of course! A hearty pie filled with meat cooked in beer and served with vegetables—truly delicious!
The most beautiful villages in Yorkshire to visit by campervan
Yorkshire is brimming with picturesque villages waiting to be discovered.
- Whitby: Located on the coast, this charming fishing town boasts stone houses and a lovely bay. The birthplace of Dracula, you can visit the museum and abbey, take a boat ride, and savor some delicious fish and chips!
- Robin Hood’s Bay: With its stone houses descending toward the sea, this tiny village is just a few miles from Whitby and well worth the visit. However, be cautious if you’re arriving in a campervan, as there is only one very small parking area.
- Hawes: Situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, it’s the perfect spot to sample the famous Wensleydale cheese.
- Knaresborough: Home to a ruined castle overlooking the River Nidd.
- Grassington: A typical Dales village with its sheep and stone houses.
- Helmsley: Another favorite, with its artisan shops and the gardens of its castle.
- York: The must-visit city! Although very touristy, exploring it is a real pleasure, and it’s easily accessible by campervan.
