Do you live for the weekend, but sometimes struggle to think of new, exciting things to do? We’re here to help. We’ve put together the top 5 weekend breaks to embark on, all of which you can get to in under 3 hours.
Without sounding like Dolly Parton, do you work Monday to Friday, 9 to 5? Do you count down the days until the weekend? Do you love finding new, adventurous ways of spending your weekend? If so, this blog has you covered. If you haven’t thought of hiring a campervan for a weekend break then get it added to your bucket list now, because there’s nothing else like it.
The perfect way to spend a weekend
Hiring a campervan and hitting the open road doesn’t have to be done over a long period of time. Sure, you’re not going to get to see the whole of the Scotland NC500 route in just two nights, but trust us when we say there are places that you can get to, that you can explore and that you can enjoy over the course of a weekend.
Do you work at the weekend? Would you rather get away during the week? No problem.
The beauty of hiring one of our campervans from Calico Campers is that you don’t just have to hire over the weekend! We’re one of the few campervan hire companies in the North West that offers any-day pick up and return, with our fantastic two-night minimum hire option running from September to mid-July every year. As one half of Calico Campers is a Paramedic, we understand that not every household can live for the weekend, because some people do work then! This is why we wanted to make sure that Calico Campers suited everyone’s lifestyles.
Our top 5 weekend break destinations
As we offer a campervan hire service in Chester, Cheshire, we have compiled our Top 5 weekend break destinations that you can get to in under 3 hours from us.
Destination – Windermere
Journey Time – 2.5 Hours
With a multitude of destinations to pick from in the Lake District you can very easily spend every weekend exploring the hills and dales, but to start your visit right we suggest stopping in Windermere. Described as the heart of the Lake District this small village is packed full of things to do! Full of little nooks and crannies and one of our campervans to take you there, you can easily find yourself a quiet spot around the lake for a cool wild-water dip. We recommend heading out early to avoid any boat traffic and then drying off back in the campervan with a nice hot cup of coffee.
Or alternatively if you’re the more adventurous types, you can head to one of the water centres along the shore that offer kayaking, canoeing, raft building, sailing, and windsurfing for all levels.
For those who prefer a dryer and (much) warmer visit to Windermere, not only can you take a cruise that travels the full length of the lake and displays some social media worthy landscapes, but you can also shop to your hearts delight. The village has plenty of shops to explore and with its special connections to Beatrix Potter you can also visit the museum showcasing her work.
Destination – The Yorkshire Dales National Park
Journey Time – Approx 2 Hours
Teeming with history and beautiful scenery, the Yorkshire Dales is a must visit destination for any avid adventurer. With Aysgarth Falls, Ingleton Waterfalls Walk, Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss to visit, the Dales offer no shortage of memorable places perfect for a sunrise or sunset watch in the campervan.
In time for the upcoming spooky season, you can also fancy your chances exploring the home to the longest cave system in the country. With over two thousand five hundred caves to give you all the thrills, it’s an experience to tick off the bucket list.
For the history buffs out there, a weekend getaway in the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect location for you. With Bolton Abbey, Bolton Castle, Fountains Abbey, and Pendragon Castle at your fingertips, you can spend the weekend soaking up a whole campervan worth of knowledge. Not forgetting the kids whilst visiting the castles, Bolton Castle in particular offers falconry displays, archery and even wild boar feeding!
Campervan adventures on your doorstep
For those of you who want to keep travel time to the minimum but the scenery and activities to a maximum, these next three destinations offer just that!
Destination – Snowdonia National Park
Journey Time – 1 Hour
With up to eighty-three different trails there’s no denying that Snowdonia is a walker’s paradise and the ultimate destination for a campervan getaway. For the seasoned walker we recommend taking a hike to the top of Snowdon and enjoying a cup of tea at the summit café but if a hike simply isn’t your thing, then don’t worry there’s a train! The Snowdon train can take you to the summit without you getting sore and sweaty in the process.
If water is more your thing, then why not walk the rivers. In a small village called Beddgelert, there are three Welsh rivers that converge making it the perfect place for an easy stroll.
And for the families, a weekend trip to Zip World is a must on the to do list. Packed full of different activities such as some of Europe’s biggest zip lines there’s no shortage on fun to be had with the family.
Our personal favourite weekend getaway in Snowdonia however, is a visit to one of the many lakes. You can swim, paddle board, canoe or just relax with the sounds of the lake brushing the shore and with the campervan close by, you can easily whip up some hearty food and tuck in whilst you watch the sunset.
Destination – Conwy
Journey Time – 1 Hour
If you prefer to visit a destination that isn’t quite so rural then approximately 1hr drive away is the small town of Conwy. Renowned as a world heritage site with a spectacular thirteenth-century castle and walls. It is also home to Great Britain’s smallest house! With plenty of campsites around the area you can easily park up and head into town for a look around the shops. Or maybe even a spot of pottery painting for the family in the local potter’s shop. With its own harbour as well, you can even enjoy some sea views with an ice cream after wondering around the walls.
Destination – Llandudno
Journey Time – 1 Hour
Last on the list and approximately 1hr away from Chester with its photo worthy pier to explore and vast stretch of beach, you need not look any further than the seaside resort Llandudno. If you still want to feel the sand between your toes on your weekend campervan holiday, then this is the place perfect for you.
Walk along the promenade and explore to your hearts content browsing through the local shops and admire the beautiful architecture. If you can, you must make time to stop and watch the Codman’s Punch & Judy Show. Established in 1860, it is now Britain’s oldest traditional Punch & Judy Show and is solely funded by audience donations.
After that, why not take the kids on the Llandudno Pier Ferris Wheel before heading back into the campervan and embarking on the incredibly stunning scenic drive up to the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre, where you can park up, grab a bite to eat, or walk the dog and enjoy views across the bay and even over to Anglesey! Then once you’ve explored this wonderful town and all it has to offer, we recommend setting up the campervan along the beach front, grabbing yourselves some fish and chips (the best around) and enjoying the peace of your latest adventure.
Choose Calico Campers For Your Perfect Weekend Break
We have done every single one of the above trips and so if you did want to take our advice and you’d like a more detailed suggested itinerary, then don’t hesitate to contact us and we can help you with this free of charge. Whether we welcome you for a weekend break, a mid-week break, or a longer summer stay, we’re looking forward to you becoming part of the Calico community, just like those who have left us fantastic reviews have done!
