Bowencraig East Car Park
The same car park can feel calm and comfortable in October, then busy and exposed in summer. This review explains why timing changes the whole experience and what makes it worth using anyway.
Aire
An “aire” in the motorhome and campervan world refers to a dedicated stopping point for vans – typically providing some combination of a water fill point, waste disposal (grey and/or black), and sometimes electric hook-up. They’re common across mainland Europe and increasingly found in the UK as the van travel community grows.
UK aires vary enormously in quality and facilities. Some are purpose-built motorhome stops with full services in well-located town centres. Others are simple layby improvements with a water tap and a grey waste drain. The best ones make it easy to restock, empty tanks and move on – all without having to book into a formal campsite.
Knowing where to find a reliable aire can make a real difference on a longer van trip, particularly if you’re managing your own fresh water supply, running a composting toilet or wanting to avoid the cost of nightly campsite fees. Many aires are free or very low cost – a useful part of the wider van travel toolkit.
The Aire posts on this site cover specific service points used across the UK, with practical details about what’s available, access and any restrictions worth knowing about.
The Kelpies
The Kelpies sit within The Kelpies at The Helix, and their scale is something that is hard to fully appreciate until you arrive. Long before you reach the main parking area, their steel forms begin to appear above the trees and open ground. Even if you have seen them in photographs, standing beneath them gives … Read more