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Top 9 Motorhome Walking Holidays for Bookworms

If you’re the type of holidaymaker who loves nothing more than curling up with a great book after a long day’s sightseeing, then the appeal of motorhome walking holidays is obvious. Drive your motorhome to a scenic part of the country or pitch your tent, enjoy some spectacular walks, then in the evening, read novels set in the very area you’re exploring. What could be better?

Walking in Yorkshire

1. Whitby and North Yorkshire

The first choice for a motorhome walking holiday is the North Yorkshire coast, and especially the stretch between Whitby and Scarborough, offers coastal walks along cliff tops with panoramic coastal views. Walking the entire 21 miles of the Cleveland Way will take a couple of days, but it’s easy to break it into stretches by sleeping in a different spot each night. Head a bit further south to Flamborough for impressive cliff views and lots of birds and other wildlife. Whitby and Scarborough are also worth exploring for the traditional British seaside experience.

Books connected with the area:

  • Dracula – written by Bram Stoker after a stay in the town
  • All Creatures Great and Small – adventures of a country vet in the 1940s
  • The Secret Garden – main character is sent to Yorkshire to live with her uncle

Walking in the South West UK Region

2. South West Coastal Path

You’ll need a long break to manage the whole of the 630 mile south west coastal path which starts in Minehead and winds its way along the coast of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to Poole Harbour. The Cornish stretch of the path is one of the most popular as it takes in pretty fishing villages, some of the UK’s best beaches and of course, Land’s End. If you’re on a tighter schedule, pick and choose some of the most scenic sections of the path – and don’t forget to take a camera for the amazing views.

Books connected with the area:

  • Winston Graham’s “Poldark” books
  • Jamaica and and Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier
  • The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Walking in Scotland

3. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

This part of Scotland offers a bit of everything for the keen walker; the chance to scale Ben Lomond, woodland walks along the shores of the loch and as the West Highland Way runs along the eastern side of Loch Lomond, take in some longer distance walking too. This is a part of the country easily accessible from Glasgow, so civilisation isn’t too far away if you’re in need of a night at the theatre or some fabulous restaurant food.

Books connected with the area:

  • Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series
  • Rob Roy and the Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott
  • Blood, Salt, Water – murder mystery by Glasgow writer Denise Mina

Walking in the Lake District

4. Lake District

One of the most popular walking destinations in the UK, the Lakes are criss-crossed by paths and trails, perfect for those looking for motorhome walking holidays. The Lake District is best visited in spring or autumn when there are fewer visitors and you can explore the area in solitude, before rounding off your walk with a lunch or pint in a cosy Lakeland pub.

Books connected with the area:

  • Swallows and Amazons – children’s classic set in the Lake District in the 1930s
  • The Lake District Series by crime author Martin Edwards
  • Poetry by William Wordsworth

Walking in Northumberland

5. Northumberland

Northumberland is the place for you if you want your walking varied. Take a walk across the causeway to Holy Island, take in a section of the Northumberland Coastal path, hike along Hadrian’s Wall or just explore the pretty coastal towns of Bamburgh or Seahouses. A warm welcome is guaranteed in the North East, and away from the walking, take a trip to the Farne Islands to see the local wildlife or learn a bit about British history at Alnwick Castle

Books connected with the area:

  • The Vera Stanhope or Inspector Ramsay detective series by local author Ann Cleeves
  • Anything by Catherine Cookson, whose books are mostly set in the North East
  • Secrets by Freya North

Walking in Canterbury and Greater London

6. Pilgrim’s Way

The Pilgrim’s Way mirrors the route taken by pilgrims in the Middle Ages, who departed from Winchester and wound their way through southern England to their destination of Canterbury. Passing through the rolling countryside of the Surrey Hills and skirting the edges of London, this walk is the perfect combination of urban and rural and those looking for exciting motorhome walking holidays.

Books connected with the area:

  • Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, or a modern translation
  • Anything by Charles Dickens, who was born and lived most of his life in Kent
  • Anything by Jane Austen, who lived in Winchester

Walking in Wales

7. Snowdonia

Another great option for those who like their walking strenuous and involving mountains, Snowdonia has 18 circular walks, as well as a network of bus transfers which can deliver you back to where you started after a hard day in the hills. If you want the Snowdon views but don’t fancy the hike to the top, you can take the railway right to the top.

Books connected with the area:

  • How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn
  • Susan Cooper’s Arthurian legend fantasy series
  • Owl Service by Alan Garner

Walking in Northern Ireland

8. Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

The northern coast of Ireland has some of the best coastal walking in the UK, with unspoiled beaches, castles and interesting coastal towns. You can walk the entire Causeway Coast Way in two to three days, but why not take your time and explore the surrounding countryside too?

Books connected with the area:

  • A Song Of Ice and Fire – not set in the area, but many Game of Thrones episodes were filmed here
  • One by One in the Darkness by Deirdre Madden
  • Anything by contemporary Northern Irish novelist Maggie O’Farrell

Walking in the Peak District

9. Peak District

England’s Peak District has a huge range of walking options, from relaxing strolls culminating in a stop at the local pub, to hikes up the limestone hills for more adventurous ramblers. If you prefer to walk as a group or with a guide, there are lots of organised trips and excursions available too. Making it the perfect destination for those of you looking for motorhome walking holidays.

Books connected with the area:

  • A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks, based on real Derbyshire events in 1666.
  • The Shadow Year by Hannah Richell
  • The Cooper and Fry Series by Peak District author Stephen Booth.

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