The nights are drawing in and the cooler air is already starting to make it feel autumnal, but secrectly we are pleased as Autumn is surely one of the best seasons? Leaves start to turn creating stunning colours and breathtaking landscapes, we can dig out our much loved jackets and cosy sweaters, light a fire, light some candles and we can even watch the sunrise without having to get up at 3am!
So this has to be the perfect time to take a staycation. Hire a camper and head north as there is nowhere better than Northumberland or Scotland to enjoy Autumn in all its glory! Spectacular coastlines, magical forests and rolling hills are just some of the feautres that these beautful areas have in common. In early Fall, you will also get to see get to see heather in bloom covering the hillsides in carpets of pink and purple!
One of our favourite places in Northumberland is Thurnton Woods where you can climb up through the woodland paths to reveal remarkable views across the National Park.
Its proximity to the market town of Alnwick means that you can combine your outdoor escape with a visit to Alnwick castle, the location of Hogwarts for Harry Potter, as well as the Alnwick Gardens. The gardens are open right through til 15th November, but you need to book in advance currently due to covid-19 restrictions. You are also right by the coast where there are many beautiful beaches to choose from! Alnmouth, with its famous brightly coloured houses is a fab little town with a gorgeous stretch of beach, and if don't mind a bit of a bumpy road to access it, Alnmouth South Beach is a bit of a hidden gem!
Our top 5 reasons to take a trip up North in Autumn:
1. Its much quieter so you can visit some of the busy tourist areas like Bamburgh, Holy Island and Isle of Skye without the hussle and bustle of other vistors.
2. Its cooler so there are far fewer midges!
3. The weather can be awesome! We climbed Ben Nevis in early October and got the most beautiful sunshine, giving us stunning views all the way. Tip: if you are planning on climbing Nevis and you are a confident hiker, then choose one of the alternative routes. You get to avoid the crowds and have amazing views of the mountain as you climb.
4. Great photographs! The lower sun dips below the hills and mountains, and the clouds create the most interesting and dramatic scenes.
5. Dark skies provide some of the best stargazing opportunities in Europe (from when the clocks go back in Ocotber). The Northumberland Dark Sky Park at Kielder is one of Europes largest areas of protected night skys. Scotland also has an abundance of dark sky parks and discovery sites. Our campervans all have built in skylights, but our newest conversion currently in progress, has just been fitted with a huge skylight which sits right above the bed so you can even stargaze from your cosy camper!
Take a staycation in Autumn in a campervan? Yes, absolutely! Why would you not! Covid-19 has changed most peoples plans this year and in many cases, peoples outlook on life in general. This is definitly the year to take an adventure. If you want to get a taste of off-grid exploring, then our cool and quirky campervans offer you everything you need, but there are lots of campsites in Northumberland and Scotland that are open all year round where you can park up for the night and take advantage of their facilities.
Are campervans really cosy? Yes is the short answer! Campers are built to live in all year round and therefore have heating. Our camper Tala has a log burner which is easy to use and an efficient way to heat the van. Not to mention it creates a warm and homely feel. Alternatives are diesel heating, which we have fitted in Alaska. This is full-blown heating that is sure to warm you up after a day out exploring. Cosy and soft furnishings, thermal lined curtains and subtle lighting also feature in our campervans, adding a sense of comfort and warmth.
What if we missed out on October availabilty? Is November a good time to take a campervan holiday? Completely! November is stunning up North! Yes it colder and if you are lucky there will be some snow on the hill and mountain tops creating picture perfect postcard scenery. But typically snow does not lie at low level, making it safe to drive on most roads around Northumberland and Scotland. There may however be some roads in the highlands that might be affected by snow BUT the beauty of hiring a campervan means that you can watch the weather and pick where you go rather than being tied down to a set area. We should also mention that it's around 25% cheaper to hire one our campers in November!
Aviemore and the Caingorms is one of our favourite places in Scotland and we have been visiting there in November for a number of years. There is a great circular walk which takes in the picturesque Lochan Uaine. If you are lucky, you will be the only ones there and its a great place to stop and get the flask out! It appoximately 6 miles with a gentle climb, but there are shorter options if you just want to walk out the see the Loch. If you are looking for something a little more challenging, we can recommend Meall a' Bhuachaille circuit hike. It's more of a climb but the views are totally worth it!
If you are wanting a real road trip and thinking about Scotland's North Coast 500 then a must read is this first hand travel blog Itsplainsailing from one of recent hirers of camper Alaska.
Interested in hiring one of our campers? We are located in Newcastle 2 minutes from the A1, so ideally placed to access Northumberland and into Scotland. You can visit our website, www.wolfpact.co.uk or follow our facebook and instagram pages for more information and updates on the progress of our new camper conversion as well as view our latest offers.
So the only decision left to make is it going to be Northumerland or Scotland? Can't decide, do both!