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United Kingdom: beautiful countryside, style and tradition

The campsites in the United Kingdom are spread throughout the four different sections of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each of these areas has its own characteristics. A round trip is made all the more attractive by the relatively short distances to travel.

Highlands and dense forests

The various regions are very diverse, from the untouched Scottish highlands to the ancient, dense forests and swamps in protected nature reserves in the south of England. But one thing the regions all have in common: the culture and the atmosphere is unmistakeably ‘different’ from the continent of Europe. You will become familiar with the typical British culture and traditions at each campsite in the United Kingdom! Many of the campsites in England and Wales look like national parks, and sometimes you actually are the guest of a lord of the castle on an estate that is hundreds of years old.

To the pub

What you must not miss out on, under any circumstances, is a visit to the local pub, or an afternoon of shopping in a sleepy, mediaeval town or a fashionable warehouse in London. And then, the next day, follow a meandering country road between hedges and rock walls in search of a place to picnic in the lovely countryside or go for a walk along a steep rocky coast.

Important information for your trip to the United Kingdom

Unleaded petrol (Premium Unleaded 95 and Super Unleaded 98) and diesel are widely available. LPG is reasonably available. To fill up with LPG, the Bajonet connector is usually used, although some petrol stations use the European connection (ACME). Petrol stations along motorways are open 24 hours a day, and elsewhere petrol stations are often open at least from 7:00 to 22:00. More and more unmanned petrol stations and autofuel terminals are available. A reserve can of fuel is prohibited in the Channel tunnel and on ferries.

There are plenty pf public charging stations in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. However, thinly populated areas do not yet have a full-service network.

England has an extensive and well-maintained road network and many motorways. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not have as many motorways, and the road network is restricted in mountainous areas and on the islands. Caution! You may encounter tractors and cyclists on dual carriageways (motorways, A-roads). Rural areas have many narrow roads bordered by hedges or walls with special passing places every few kilometres.
Keep in mind that the distances on signs are given in miles: 1 mile = circa 1.6 km.

Information about crossing times, departure times and rates can be found at ferry companies such as brittanyferries.com, dfds.com, poferries.com and stenaline.com. Rates depend on the season and departure time. Reserving tickets on time is recommended. Ask the ferry company beforehand if gas bottles may be transported on the boat. Taking fuel in a reserve can on the boat is prohibited.

A good alternative to the ferry is the train via the Channel tunnel. If your car has an LPG tank, your car will not be allowed on the train through the Channel tunnel. Special requirements apply for built-in gas containers in motorhomes or caravans. Portable gas containers are usually allowed, but they must be reported. For more information: eurotunnel.com.

In the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, you must drive on the left side of the road. Low beam headlights are mandatory when it is dark, in tunnels and when visibility is less than 100 metres. Most crossings have signs that indicate right of way (‘stop’ or ‘give way’) and/or markings indicating priority (double white line). If none of these are present, there are no general rules for priority and you must be very cautious, always giving right of way when is doubt. Traffic on the roundabout (which comes from the right!) has priority over approaching traffic unless otherwise indicated.
You may not hold a telephone while in the driver’s seat, even if you are not driving at the time (handsfree calling is permitted). Children younger than 12 years of age or shorter than 1.35 metres must be in a child’s seat.
You may use the function of your navigation software that warns of speed cameras or average speed checks. Winter tyres are not mandatory.

If you are driving a car with the steering wheel on the left, in order not to blind oncoming traffic, the headlights of your car must be adjusted or partially taped off (with, for example, headlight stickers from visitbritainshop.com).
Smoking in a car is prohibited if a child under the age of 18 is present.
A device with a screen (other than a navigation device) may not be in the driver’s field of vision. You may only enter a crossing that has a section with yellow diagonal lines (a ‘box junction’) if you can pass through it without stopping. Cities have ‘red routes’: roads with a red stripe along the side that indicates that stopping is prohibited.
You may not park on roads with a double or continuous white line in the centre.

It is recommended that you take along a warning triangle, safety vest and first-aid box.

A motorhome or car-caravan combination may be a maximum of 4 metres high, 2.55 metres wide and 18.75 metres long (the caravan itself may be a maximum of 7 metres long, or 12 metres if the vehicle pulling has a maximum mass of more than 3.5 tonnes). On motorways with more than two lanes per direction, you may not drive in the rightmost lane with a caravan; the same applies for a motorhome that weighs more than 3.5 tonnes.
Driving with a caravan or motorhome can be difficult on narrow and hilly roads in some parts of the United Kingdom. This must be taken into account when deciding on a route. Use a good road map in addition to your navigation.

A bicycle helmet is not mandatory. You may not transport a passenger on the baggage rack (but may transport a child in a child’s seat). Cycling on a ‘dual carriageway’ is permitted unless otherwise indicated.

Most motorways in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are toll-free. You must pay toll on the M6 north of Birmingham, on the M25 at the Dartford Crossing near London and for some bridges and tunnels. In the weekend, at night and in some sections, there is no toll. For more information: gov.uk/uk-toll-roads. At the Dartford Crossing (the London M25 ring road), it is no longer possible to pay at toll houses. You must pay beforehand or after the fact (within 24 hours) via internet. If you do not, a hefty fine will follow. For more information: gov.uk/government/collections/dart-charge.

To promote the air quality, London has set up a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The requirements within the LEZ do not apply for standard cars, but they do apply for certain motorhomes and minibuses. The stricter requirements for the ULEZ also apply to standard cars, especially diesel-powered and older petrol vehicles. For more information: tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving If you are planning to go to London in your motorhome, you must register your vehicle with Transport for London (TfL) at tfl.gov.uk. Not registering means a fine. London also has a Congestion Charge if you drive in this zone. The rate is £ 15. It is simplest to pay online via https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/pay-to-drive-in-london.

It is recommended that you place your warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your car. Placing a warning triangle on the motorway itself is prohibited. All passengers are advised to wear a safety vest. If you have had a breakdown, call the alarm number of your breakdown assistance insurer. You can also call a British emergency breakdown service, such as 0800 88 77 66 (AA), or a Northern Ireland emergency breakdown service, such as +353 1 649 7460 (AA Ireland).
It is an offence to stand still on the hard shoulder because of an empty fuel tank. It is mandatory to report to the police when colliding with an animal (such as a sheep or dog).

Camping is popular in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and there are many campsites. The number of amenities at these sites can differ greatly. Free camping, outside of the campsites, is permitted in Scotland. In the rest of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, you need consent from the land owner. Camping in the verge and in parking places are prohibited. There is often an extra charge for an extra small tent or awning.
The difference between a ‘campsite’ and a ‘touring park’ is that the former is somewhat larger and has more permanent pitches for mobile homes. ‘Touring parks’ are for people with their own tent or caravan. Tents are not allowed at ‘Caravan Parks’. A different connecting nipple is often needed to fill gas bottles that have been taken along. In addition, an adapter is often needed for power connections.

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