Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is one of England’s largest and least-visited counties, which makes it genuinely good territory for van travel. The combination of big skies, flat agricultural plains, quiet market towns and an underrated coastline gives it a character that is easy to underestimate from the road but reveals itself when you slow down and stay a while.

Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest in England – it held the title of the world’s tallest building for over 200 years after its construction and its triple towers still dominate the skyline for miles around. The steep hill up to the cathedral quarter and the medieval street of Steep Hill below it make Lincoln genuinely worth a day stop. Parking on the edge of the city and cycling or walking up is the most practical approach in a larger van.

The Lincolnshire coast between Mablethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea and Skegness has a particular kind of English seaside character that feels increasingly rare – amusement arcades, beach huts, caravan parks and wide sandy beaches at low tide. It is not everyone’s preference, but the coast north of Cleethorpes towards Spurn Point at the mouth of the Humber has a more natural character and excellent birdwatching.

The Lincolnshire Wolds AONB in the north of the county is chalk downland country with quiet lanes and a landscape that Tennyson grew up in and wrote about throughout his life. The market towns of Louth and Horncastle are worth a morning each. Overnight options are spread throughout the county and tend to be very good value compared to more popular destinations.