The South Coast of England has been on my wish list for a long time! I’m looking forward to the white cliffs, rugged coastline and many hiking opportunities. Now that I have gained enough driving experience with my camper van, I dare to drive on the left on the narrow roads in Southern England. A new adventure!
Preparations dog to UK
But first some preparations before I get on the boat with Leo from Calais to Dover.
We have arranged: a dog passport, chip, rabies vaccine, rabies titer, annual vaccinations and worm pills at the vet 1-5 days before departure.
Cliffs Dover
When I arrive in Dover I look at the chalk cliffs and the lighthouse, what an incredibly beautiful walking and relaxing area! The weather is sunny, a great start to a new trip.
Cliffs Birling Gap & 7 Sisters
Today Birling Gap & 7 Sisters are on the schedule. We first walk to the lighthouse with amazing views of the cliffs. Here you can also view the cliffs from the beach, fantastic and how high they are!
From Southwick to New Forest
In Southwick we go for a walk and drink coffee in the tea garden. It seems as if time has stood still in this village. Southwick House (military base) was where preparations were made for D-Day 6-6-1944 and the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe, a memorable place.
The Crown Stirrup pub is in the New Forest Park and that’s where I park for the night. Leo and I walk in the green nature park and see many squirrels. I end the day with delicious food and a nice chat in the pub.
Jurassic Coast
Hike Swanage-Corfe Castle-Worth Matravers
From Tom’s Field campsite in Langton Matravers we walk this trail: via Priests Way to Swanage (6 km) – Old steam train – Corfe Castle (2 km) – Hike old pub Squares & Campass (8 km) – Campsite (3 km).
We view the large bay in Swanage, enjoy a ride in a real old steam train, walk past Corfe Castle and I enjoy an English pasty in the old pub (from 1776!) in Worth Matravers. Completely satisfied, we walk back to the campsite, having walked 20 km, what a great day!
Kimmeridge Museum
In the Kimmeridge Museum you can view an enormous fossil of the head of a pliosaur. This head is two meters long. There are also many fossils on display, all found nearby, very cool!
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
Lulworth Cove is a small perfectly formed bay. On the wall it is written: During the time of the dinosaurs, the bay of Lulworth Cove was shaped by the force of the earth and the sea. A place that is visited by a million people every year. But today it is exceptionally quiet because rain is forecast.
Leo and I look for fossils on the beach and then continue to Durdle Door, which is within walking distance over the hill, about 2 km.
Durdle Door is a sandstone arch, a very photogenic setting! As soon as we finish enjoying this relaxing place and the walk along the coast, a heavy shower breaks out. We arrive at the camper, soaking wet.
Region Cornwall
Portscatho is located a little further south and is a very nice village! A wonderful bay and walking path along the coast. Spring flowers everywhere! The terraces are full because today is a national holiday, a nice atmosphere. This blue water bay is located next to the Minack Theater. On to Lands End, the very tip of Cornwall!
My neighbor in the camper van next to me is very proud of Cornwall. I really need to eat a pasty at Mary’s Pastys in Truro, 5 km away. I do that at 11:00 AM, a bit early but very tasty indeed!
Tintagel, King Arthur
We go to Tintagel where King Arthur’s castle is located. The old post office in the village from around 1380 is still completely intact. We walk along the cliff to the castle, there is a strong wind on top of the cliff wow! We walk a bit, look at the old church and enjoy the stunning view ๐
Cliffs Bude & Exmoor National Park
Walking on the cliff at Bude. Fortunately the wind is not so strong today and the sun is still shining, great day! A walk among the sheep, too idyllic. Except that Leo eats a lot of sheep poop… disgusting.
Perfect parking spaces at Woody Bay and Countisbury Lynton. We walk high along the coast, an amazing view and another sunny day, great! It is so beautiful here, I love Exmoor ๐
Hike Porlock – Porlock Weir
Leo now eats a lot of sheep poop, walking in the sheep fields doesn’t make me happy. I meet an English couple, who advise me to go to Porlock. From the campsite in Porlock we walk to the village and the sea, lovely walking (without sheeps) here!
A hike to Porlock Weir is planned today. First we walk through the forest. When I stop for coffee and cake in Porlock Weir, it’s just starting to rain, perfect timing! We walk back via the Coastal Route.
Cheddar Gorge
One last sunset at an empty farm campsite and then on to Cheddar. In Cheddar there is a gorgeous gorge that you can walk and drive through. And of course the delicious Cheddar cheese is for sale here, highly recommended!
I met a lot of nice people in Southern England! The people in the pubs where I parked, that lovely couple at the campsite in Langton, Ridge in Southwick, the Burton family in the tea garden, Elaine on the Coastal Path, Sean on the motorbike. And many more beautiful people, I enjoyed it!
We are traveling on to Wales, will you travel with us?
