Stay local and uncover the wonders of your area with doorstep adventure itineraries from Quirky Campers

There’s no better place to find adventure than right on your doorstep. This summer, stay local by hiring a campervan for a short break in the UK. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a midweek escape to avoid the crowds, the Quirky Campers Doorstep Adventure Series are perfect for a few days off, all suggestions are within a two-hour drive from major UK cities. All stops are recommended and tested by Quirky Campers’ expert local staff. Simply pick up one of our unique, hand-crafted campervans and set off into the sunset. Expect local café recommendations, scenic walks, great campsites, and of course, the best campervans.

Benefits of Local Travel

Save Money!

When planning your summer getaway, we know accommodation and travel costs can quickly add up. Local campervan travel is often a great value way to explore as your van is your bedroom on four wheels.

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses in campervan travel, but staying local can help keep those costs down. Campervans are more economical at slower speeds, and you’ll save money by driving shorter distances at 60 mph, all while exploring local wonders.

Less Stress

Avoid the stress of long traffic jams by staying local. With shorter travel distances, you have the flexibility to easily adapt your plans if the weather changes or if you simply change your mind.

Eco-Friendly

By staying local, you’ll use less fuel, produce fewer emissions, and help prevent overcrowding at popular tourist spots. Embrace the path less travelled and discover the hidden gems in your own backyard.

Beat The Crowds

Don’t constrain yourself to the tourist hot spots. Exploring the lesser-known treasures closer to home provide you and your family the solitude needed to unwind and embrace quality time together.

Who are the itineraries for?

Anyone! Hiring a campervan can be accessible to everyone. We have campervans to hire with isofix, with multiple beds for the whole family, with heaters, even some with WIFI – so no matter what your needs are there’s a Quirky Campervan to suit you. Check out our guide on hiring a campervan for more info on how the process works.

Easy Family Weekend Away

Campervan travel is perfect for family holidays. With plenty of space for all your essentials, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting anything. Travel with all your gear nearby, cook up big family feasts in the evening, and never stress about sleeping arrangements or getting around. Staying also local minimises the stress of long journeys—no more bored kids in the backseat, just fun, adventure, and fantastic memories.

Romantic Getaway

What could be more romantic than a cosy campervan escape? Rekindle the spontaneity of your honeymoon period with a last-minute campervan trip. Enjoy the freedom to stop at the most scenic locations for a glass of wine and a picnic as the sun sets. Take a drive to the darkest skies, gaze at the stars from the comfort of your home on wheels and discover new experiences right on your doorstep.

Solo Adventure

New to solo travel? Why not dip your toes in by trying a short weekend or weekday break in a campervan. You’ll enjoy the safety and security of a locked van while experiencing the freedom of solo travel. Short trips are rejuvenating for the soul, offering an escape from work and stress as you embrace the open road.

Friends Adventure

Gather your housemates, friends from home, gym pals or work buddies – any of your favourite people – hire a campervan and escape Bristol for a few days. Discover new places, explore local sights, and feel like you’ve been away for much longer than just a few days. There’s nothing like sitting around a campfire as the sun sets, enjoying good drinks, good food, and the best company to bring people closer together.

Doorstep Adventure Series Part 1 – Bristol

Bristol and its surrounds are filled with stunning natural landscapes to explore, activities to get involved in, historic sights to see and towns and villages to experience- all within just a few hours of the city. In this series of mini-itineraries designed for short term campervan travel you’ll discover your local secrets. You don’t need to travel for days or miles to discover grand castles, beautiful hikes, feats of architecture, tasty eateries or artisan coffees. You just need a few days and a campervan.

Step one – Hire a Bristol based Quirky Campervan

There are a wide variety of Quirky Campervans available to hire from Bristol. They come in every style and size so there’s a perfect campervan for you no matter what adventure you’re choosing. Just choose your dates, pick a campervan and get driving!

You can see our full campervan listings here or check out some of our best Bristol based campervans at the end of this blog.

Step Two – Choose Your Activities

Check out these other local highlights in the area around Bristol for walks, cultural attractions and cafes.

Banksy Walking Tour

Banksy is now a world-famous artist, his artwork has sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds. But once, he was just another kid on the streets of Bristol with a can of spray paint in his hands. As a result, you can spot some of his earliest work hidden around the city, there are plenty of organised walking tours to enjoy, or pick up a guide and take the tour in your own time enjoying the sights and sounds of Bristol city as you go.

Blaise Castle

Ready for a culture hit? A short drive from Bristol City Centre you can find the Blaise Castle and Estate. There’s so much going on here you could spend a whole two days exploring this alone. Check out the Blaise Museum for an insight into the local history, the Blaise Plant Nursery for some green-thumb retail therapy, stroll beyond the stately home and through the Dairy gardens to discover the plant life and herbs that would have been grown when the house was originally built.

Once you’re all explored out be sure to stop off at the Blaise Castle Estate cafe for refreshments including coffee and cake. For families the children’s play area is a must see – there are benches and picnic areas available to use for free plus plenty of woodland walks and lily ponds to explore.

Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve

Discover the natural beauty of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve in the leafy suburb of Sneyd Park. Wander through ancient woodlands and meadows, and keep your eyes peeled for deer, badgers, bats and owls.

Glastonbury Tor

The town of Glastonbury may be most famous for its yearly festival, but for the rest of the year it’s still worthwhile visiting. There’s plenty of cafes, restaurants and cute independent shops to explore in the town centre, you can take a short (but steep) walk up to the Glastonbury Tor which has long been a spiritual sight, but also offers stunning scenic views across the local countryside.

Eat and Drink

Quirky Campers’ recommendations for local eateries and excellent coffee stops along the way. Nothing like a steaming hot, fresh coffee and cake just baked that morning to fuel your adventures!

Saint Nicholas Market

Address – The Corn Exchange, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JQ

You won’t want to miss the best street food market in Bristol, found in Saint Nicholas Market there’s plenty of food stalls to choose from and food from all over the world. Choose from Thai, Indian, Japanese or Vietnamese delicacies, or pick up some fresh locally grown produce from the farmers market.

Chance and Counters board game cafe

Address – 79-81 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AS

For a unique café experience, visit Chance and Counters, one of the new wave of board game cafés gaining increasing popularity. Here, you can choose from a wide variety of board games, encouraging you to disconnect from your phones and enjoy quality time with friends or family. Alongside the fun of gaming, you can savour delicious food, enjoy a caffeine boost, and find a relaxing spot to unwind.

Step Three – Choose Your Campervan Camping Spot

Campsite: Boyd Valley Lake Campsite

A beautiful open, lush lakeside campsite. Set amidst rolling hills and a fishing lake where you can discover the relaxing activity of fishing or just enjoy the charm of the idyllic surroundings. Fire pits can be hired on site for a cosy camping experience with a roaring fire.

Facilities – Fishing | Toilets | Showers | Fire Pits | Cycle Hire

Address – Boyd Valley Lake, Golden Valley Lane, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6NY

Looking for a different place to park overnight…? Check out our guide on the 5 easiest ways to find overnight campervan camping spots

Campervans Available to Hire from Bristol

Hiring a campervan from Bristol? Well you have plenty of options to choose from. Quirky Campers have a selection of campervans to hire from Bristol in every shape and size. So, no matter how many passengers you have or where your destination is Quirky Campers’ have the perfect camper for you.

Shuggie – Hire from Bristol

Professionally converted by Roam and Slumber Campervans, you’re guaranteed to find everything you need for your family holiday inside. Every inch of Shuggie has been thought through and perfected. Shuggie’s large seating area that converts into a dreamy king-size bed in 60 seconds. The stunning colourful interior is welcoming and airy so you’ll always be happy to come home for the day.

Gerty – Hire From Bristol

Gerty is a high specification, luxury campervan with all the home comforts you could possibly need on your road-trip. She has excellent cooking facilities, with a three-ring hob, oven and grill as well as a roomy fridge, loads of storage, a heater, the ability to have a private outdoor shower and also a portable toilet! She has ample garage space at the back for all wet and muddy gear, including a pull-out tray for easily and securely storing up to three bikes.

Everest – Hire from Bristol

Everest is a compact campervan ready for hire for the whole family. Pet friendly with 4 berths and 5 belted seats, there’s space for everyone to go on an adventure of a lifetime. If you’re planning on heading off-grid then Everest’s solar panels will keep you in power for days. If you are at a campsite, there’s an electric hook-up so you can use your devices til your heart’s content. This versatile campervan has a flexible design which means whether you’ve packed in the whole family, or are going away with just two of you – the van layout will work for you.

Doorstep Campervan Adventures – Bristol