Picture yourself behind the wheel of your van, packed with the essentials for the next journey. The open road stretches ahead, and there’s a quiet thrill in knowing the UK offers such richness in terrain and history. If you’re ready, here are a few of the routes that make for memorable vanlife adventures across Britain and Ireland.
The Atlantic Highway (A39)
This route snakes through the South West of England – Cornwall, Devon and Somerset – tracing the coastline as the sea shimmers beside you. Along the way, you’ll pass places like Bude, Tintagel, and Newquay. Cliffs drop to sandy beaches, seaside towns seem caught between past and present, and the salt air mixes with the rumble of your van as you roll on.
North Coast 500 – Scotland
If you head north, the NC500 offers roughly 516 miles of Highland roads, looping from and back to Inverness. Towering mountains, mirrored lochs, ancient castles and rugged coastline form a wild, ever-changing landscape. Somewhere between the lonely sea caves and remote beaches, you might find yourself quietly nodding to the scale of it all.
Black Mountain Pass – Wales
Deep inside the hills of the Brecon Beacons National Park, this pass carries you over winding roads and expansive views of the Welsh countryside. It’s a drive that demands your full attention – but rewards you with calm hillsides, big skies and the chance to stop and wander a while, perhaps in the nearby town of Llandovery.
Snake Pass – England
Between Manchester and Sheffield, this classic route through the heart of the Peak District National Park offers sweeping views of the Pennines. As the road snakes and curves, you might find a peaceful spot by Ladybower Reservoir – ideal for a simple lakeside lunch or to stretch your legs.
Causeway Coastal Route – Northern Ireland
Crossing over to Northern Ireland brings a different rhythm. This route – roughly a 130-mile stretch – takes you past fishing villages, beaches and high cliffs. Its highlight is Giant’s Causeway, a natural formation of hexagonal basalt columns that somehow feels timeless.
Each of these rides offers a piece of what makes vanlife so appealing: variety, silence, change – and the quiet joy of discovery.
If you’re planning to go, make sure to tread lightly: respect the land, follow local guidelines, and leave every spot as good as – or better than – you found it. Then settle in, turn the key, and enjoy whatever lies ahead.
Safe travels.