Coast to Coast

Your first day on Coast to Coast.

You leave Edinburgh and head south-east through the Borders and into Northumberland. The landscape gradually softens as you drop down toward the coast. By mid-afternoon you should be arriving in the Bamburgh area, where the sea first makes its presence felt.

This is a gentle settling-in day. After finding your spot, you can stretch your legs along the beach or wander up to the imposing Bamburgh Castle, which sits dramatically on its crag above the sand.

Camping: Bamburgh Castle Caravan Park is a popular and convenient choice, with the beach and village within easy walking distance. There are also some informal pull-offs and farm-based sites in the area if you prefer something quieter.

Evening is for settling in and watching the light fade over the North Sea. Tomorrow you begin exploring the coast properly.

A full day on the Northumberland coast.

You have time to explore at leisure. The stretch between Bamburgh and Seahouses is particularly beautiful — long sandy beaches, dramatic rocky outcrops, and the iconic Bamburgh Castle dominating the skyline.

A highlight for many is taking a boat trip out to the Farne Islands, where you can get close to huge colonies of seabirds (and seals, if you’re lucky). The light here can be extraordinary, especially in the late afternoon.

Camping: Another night at Bamburgh Castle Caravan Park, or one of the other sites along this stretch if you fancy a change of view.

This is a day for slowing down and letting the coast do the work. Tomorrow you head inland toward Kielder.

A relaxed travel day heading inland.

You leave the coast behind and drive west into the vast Kielder Forest. The landscape changes dramatically as you move from open coastal farmland into dense woodland and rolling hills.

You should arrive in the Kielder area by early afternoon. There’s time to settle into camp and perhaps take a short walk or cycle along one of the forest trails.

Camping: Kielder Campsite is a simple but well-run site right on the edge of the forest. It’s a good base for the next couple of days. Wild camping is not permitted in this part of England, so this is the most practical option.

This is your first real taste of the deep, quiet countryside that defines the middle section of the tour.

A full day in Kielder.

This is one of the largest man-made forests in Europe, and it feels genuinely remote. You can spend the day cycling or walking the extensive network of trails, visiting the Kielder Observatory (excellent for stargazing if the sky is clear), or taking a boat trip on Kielder Water.

The sense of space and quiet here is striking after the coast. Many people are surprised by how wild and empty it feels.

Camping: Another night at Kielder Campsite. The forest has a real sense of peace once the day visitors have gone home.

This is a day for slowing down and letting the landscape do the work. Tomorrow you begin the long scenic drive that forms the heart of the second half of the tour.

Today marks the beginning of the second half of the tour.

You leave Kielder and head south-west across the border into Scotland, eventually reaching the Solway Firth. This is where the SWC300 — the beautiful 300-mile scenic route around the bottom of the west coast — begins.

The drive itself is varied and attractive, moving from forest and moorland down toward the wide, tidal landscapes of the Solway.

You should arrive in the Glentrool / Newton Stewart area by mid to late afternoon.

Camping: Glentrool Caravan & Camping Site is a lovely, small site tucked into the Galloway Forest. It makes a perfect quiet base for the start of the SWC300 section.

This is the moment the tour really begins to feel like a long, unfolding journey.

A full day based in Galloway Forest Park.

After the travel of the previous days, this is a chance to slow right down. The park is huge and wonderfully empty in places. You can spend the day exploring the area around Glentrool — walking to the Bruce’s Stone with its views over Loch Trool, visiting the Dark Sky Observatory if it’s open, or taking one of the forest drives and trails.

There are also red deer to be seen in the early morning or evening, and the Kirroughtree trails are excellent if you fancy a proper walk or mountain bike ride.

Camping: Return to Glentrool Caravan & Camping Site for another night. It’s a lovely, low-key base right in the middle of the park. If you want something even quieter, there are plenty of wild camping options within the forest itself.

This is a day for letting the landscape breathe a little before you pick up the coastal section of the SWC300 tomorrow.

Today you properly begin the coastal section of the SWC300.

You head south from Glentrool toward the Mull of Galloway, the southernmost tip of Scotland. The road hugs the coast for long stretches, passing through quiet villages and dramatic cliff scenery. Portpatrick is a particular highlight — a colourful harbour town with a real sense of the sea.

This is a day for taking your time. Stop at viewpoints, walk a section of the coastal path, or simply sit with a coffee and watch the water.

Camping: You’ll head to Portpatrick Caravan Park for the night — a very picturesque site right above the colorful harbor in Portpatrick (only about 8 miles from Stranraer). It’s a lovely spot with sea views and easy access to the village.

This is the start of the long, unfolding drive that defines the second half of the tour.

A full day at Culzean Castle.

This is one of the real highlights of the SWC300. Designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century, Culzean is a magnificent clifftop castle with beautiful gardens, woodland walks, a private beach, and a famous oval staircase. The whole estate feels like something out of a storybook.

You can easily spend the whole day here — wandering the grounds, visiting the castle itself, and simply enjoying the position above the sea. It’s the kind of place that rewards taking your time.

Camping: A night at Culzean Castle Caravan Park, which sits within the estate itself. It’s one of the most attractive sites on the whole route.

This is a day to savour. Tomorrow you continue up the coast before turning east toward home.

The final day of Coast to Coast.

You continue a little further north along the Ayrshire coast, passing through small seaside towns and long stretches of shoreline, before eventually turning inland and pointing the van east toward Edinburgh.

The drive home takes you through the Scottish Borders. There’s no rush — you can stop for lunch in Ayr or somewhere along the way if you feel like it.

You should be back in Edinburgh by mid to late afternoon.

Camping: None — you’ll be home by the end of the day.

This brings the full loop to a close — from the wild Northumberland coast and the quiet vastness of Kielder, through the forests and hills of Galloway, and then the long, beautiful drive around the bottom of the west coast and back up again.

Welcome home.