Wales to Scotland via The Lake District
Due to the continuation of Covid during 2021 we decided to ot trave to Europe this year with our caravan. We had only been to Devils Bridge in Wales so far this year and decided to travel to Scotland via the Lake District for a main holiday.First traveling up the West coast of Wales.
The coast road up was very slow due to villages/towns and twisty roads so it took most of the day to get from Pembrokeshire to this lovely CL site (Campingclub site ) at only £11 a night. The site name is Gilfachwydd at Dolegellau and it warns you about the tight entance from the lane. We are 11.75m total in length and had no problem. We spent 2 nights here and then moved on to the Lake District.
Cadar Idris (Dol Idris)
Just south of the Dolgellau campsite there is a footpath and National Park car park for Cadar Idris. The car park charges and be warned the minimum payment is not long enough to get to the top and back. It even warns you this on the parking charges advising you the time you need. The mimum was £3 which is a shame as we can not walk very far and an hours parking would have been fine.
The roads continued to be twisty and slow out of Wales until we reached the Chester area and then it was dual carriageway and motorway all the way to Scotland! Our route was also planned on the cheapest petrol available neeedless to say and we have a seperate section of our web site showing the best places!
Lake District
Our campsite in the Lake District was not far off the M6 on the road to Keswick. This then meant we did not have to tow the caravan very far into the Lake district and being able to use the car to get around. A discount was also offerd at Beckses caravan site for for O.A.P.’s which was appreciated! The site was tiday and it had a nice dog walk in a small circular route from it. No views as such from the site due to high trees. Behind the caravan there was another area for long term campers and a further area past this for tents. It had 2 toilet blocks which were clean but the shower cubicles too small in length and difficult to keep your things dry. There was not enough room to dress easily.
Whinlatter mountain forest
Whinlatter forest is the only mountain forest in England. It is located near Keswick in the North Lakes. The carpark fee is paid when you leave and car registrartions are recorded entering and exiting.
It has 9 walking trails, 3 cyclying trails and 2 running trails. It was very peaceful walking though the forest even though we found a Gruffalo! ( see picture) It was on a intersection between the childrens adventure trail and a longer trail. There are trails marked out for people in invalid scotters that do not need the off road type. Trail Map As well as the visitor centre there is a cafe, bycycle hire and zip line/go ape course. A great place for a day out for all the family.
Scotland
Traveling from the M6 motorway junction for The Lake District to Loch Lomond is on motorway. Then dual carriage when you come off the M8 J30 and then take the Great Western road the A82. This is a dual carriage waypast Glasgow.
We had booked a site on the front row of Cashel Campsite immediatly looking over the Loch Lomond. Only about 50% of the front row sites are bookable as the rest have long term rentals for the season. Also on the right side of the campsite the front row has the “road” in front of them. Cashel Campsite is a Camping in the Forest site. If you arrive after 23.00 then the gate is locked and a small area to stop in outside.
