Dorey - Take the slow road England and Wales: inspirational journeys round England and Wales by camper van and motorhome

For Lizzy.

And for everyone else who knows that if its worth having, it can be bought with a smile.

CONWAY

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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This electronic edition published in 2019 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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First published in Great Britain 2019

Copyright Martin Dorey, 2019 Photographs Martin Dorey (except ) Illustrations David Broadbent

Martin Dorey has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work

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ISBN: 978-1-8448-6535-2 (PB)
ISBN: 978-1-8448-6534-5 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-8448-6536-9 (ePDF)

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CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Hello.

Welcome.

Or welcome back, to the slow road.

If youve already taken the slow road to Scotland in the first book in this series, then youll already know what its all about. But if you are new to this meandering, slothful way of travelling, then I hope I know youll love it.

Taking the slow road means taking time to enjoy the journey, whether youre in a motorhome or a camper van, or even if youre touring in the car. It means stopping to pop the kettle on and getting out to stretch your legs somewhere really, really brilliant. Its about exploring with time on your side, touring gently, moving slowly, and savouring as much as you can of our lovely country.

And it is lovely.

It has peaks, dales, rivers, beaches, highways and byways, single tracks and high mountain passes.

With a turn of the key you can explore them all.

So stop reading and get in the van.

See you on the road.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Honestly, its not rocket science using this book. But it may be useful to know why its been written the way it has. As you flick through the pages youll see that there are a number of routes. These are my suggestions for great roads and routes to explore, for whatever reason. Some are great for wild swimming, some for walking, some for cycling. Others are just good for the landscapes they take you through or the sites they join up.

Each route is separated into two sections. The first is the story of when I was there and what meant most for me about the route. In North Devon and North Cornwall, where I live, the route is all about exploring out-of-the-way beaches, simply because there are so many of them. They are a feature of the geography of that most lovely corner of England. So it stands to reason that Id want to talk about what it means to me to be there. Its also the bit that I hope will inspire you to get in the van or motorhome and go. Those experiences can be yours too.

The second part of each route is the practical stuff, the how to. This is important as its designed to help you follow the route. Of course, you dont have to follow it to the letter and Id love it if you didnt but it will at least give you an idea of what to expect along the way. Use it in your planning to make a trip for yourself. Maps will help you do this too, as will the information bits at the end of each chapter. There are ideas of things to do and see as well as places to stay. These are my selections and they are largely based on my experience. If a campsite you love isnt in the book, it probably means I havent been there so cant comment.

Finally, if you dont have a van, there are details of local hire companies where you can rent a vehicle for yourself to have that adventure of a lifetime (that youll probably want to do again and again and again). Renting a van is the perfect way to find out if living that kind of a life is for you.

I hope it will be.

INTRODUCING ENGLAND

Its a funny little country, this England.

Its busy, a little clogged up in places, and often eccentric. It has bonkers politics and notions of grandeur, a crazy, unchecked press and a terrible sense of entitlement thats a hangover from colonial giddiness. England has divisions between north and south, rich and poor and the very, very rich and the just a little bit middle England whod rather be cast asunder than kowtow to Johnny Foreigner class. England is full of castles, some terraced, some on private estates, and some on promontories overlooking the sea.

Its a funny little place.

But hold it right there. Lets forget about the history, the politics and the social divisions and look at England as a piece of land for exploring. Lets look at it as a place. Thats what were here for.