Documentation

 

Passport: NA for British Citizens. 

VISA's: Not required for British Citizens. 

EHIC: NA. Normal NHS rules apply. 

Driving licence: A valid UK driving licence is required. If towing, remember to make sure that you hold an appropriate licence.  

Insurance: Motor vehicle insurance policies are required. 

MOT: Vehicles over three years of age require an annual MOT Certificate. 

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Logistics

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Roads: Generally most roads in the UK are fully paved and in good condition. Roads in some rural areas, such as northern Scotland, can be very narrow, single file with Passing Places. To avoid the wrath of locals and other tourers, you should not park in these areas. Some of these roads can also be steep with tight switchbacks requiring special care when towing. 

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Traffic: See Via Michelin or various applications including the Wase App and AA Roadwatch. 

Road Works Scotland provides information on cross current and planned road works. 

For traffic information on Trunk Roads see Traffic Scotland. Not this does not provide information for much of the remoter areas in the West Coast and Highlands. 

 

Winter Tyres: There are no special requirements for winter tyres in the UK but if you are planning to travel in the winter months (December - March) you should expect snow, especially in the Highlands where winter tyres are recommended. 

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Weather: BBC weather for the United Kingdom. 

 

Fuel: There are extensive national petrol station networks. Those with LPG can be found here.  The growing national network of charging points for electric vehicles (EV's) can be found here but note that they are still very sparse in rural areas. 

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Water: Potable water is readily available at most campsites and garages.

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Food: There are a number of national supermarket chains (Co-op, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Aldi, Iceland etc). Village
shops would welcome additional trade. There is much criticism of tourists travelling through areas without stopping to add value
to the local economy. There is a great opportunity to enjoy local fresh produce, for example fish, prawns, scallops and lobster
straight from the fishing boats! There are also some truly excellent restaurants serving world class food for those so inclined.

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Vehicle / trailer repairs: Main cities should have facilities to do this. 

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Bottle Gas or Refills: For those with gas tanks, LPG is available at at many garages. Otherwise fuel (diesel and petrol) 
is widely available. Bottled gas is also available from many campsite shops, Outdoor retail outlets and some 
ironmongers and numerous retailers:

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• Campingaz Gas Locator. The largest rechargeable cylinder appears to be 2.75kg butane.

• Gaslow R67 is especially designed to meet the French R67 Gas Tank Standards. Gaslow have always held
  the view that the Gaslow Bottles are considered as "Cylinders" and therefore they are manufactured to the
  cylinder standard EN1442:2006. Gaslow were not just alone as the UK LPGA also believed the same. The French
  however, believe that refillables should be classified as tanks and that we should produce to the tank standard R67. This regulation applies to specific equipment of vehicles of category M and N1 using liquefied petroleum gases in their propulsion system. 
  For complete safety, the European Pi approved filler valves automatically shut off the gas when 80% capacity is reached -
  preventing dangerous overfilling.  The 11 kg cylinder contains 21L of gas.

• Calor Gas. 6 and 13kg cylinders of Propane are available. Calor does not appear to be available elsewhere in Europe.
  Somebody reported that they had a 6kg cylinder filled by in Malmo, Sweden.)

• There are numerous other brands available with both Butane and Propane.  ​

 

LPG: In addition to cooking gas for those with tanks, LPG is also used to power vehicles. Details of LPG gas stations and connectors can be found on the website myLPG.eu. A list of Points of Interest (POI's), a list of stations, can also be downloaded in other applications and on other devices like Garmin, TomTom, Google Earth and iGO primo. 

• Safefill Gas Cylinders. Lightweight, easy to see how much gas you have left and to refill at gas stations around theUK (and in
  some European countries). Cylinders come in three different sizes (5kgs, 7.5 kgs and 10 kgs). LPGfilling points can be found on the
  map here. 

 

Currency: GB Pounds

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Health

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The National Health Service (NHS), a free service, underpins the delivery healthcare to UK citizens. EU Residents are also entitled to use this service. In addition there are a number of private healthcare companies and hospitals.  

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Pets

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Resident pets and those with Passports and having completed the required vetinary requirements can visit and move freely around the UK. If required Vets can be found in most towns and cities. For active dogs (and their owners!), harnesses and jackets are recommended to be carried in the mountains. Flashers can be helpful in poor visibility when in areas suitable to allow walking off the lead. 

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Places to stay 

 

Hotels and AirBnB properties are widely available.  

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Campsites 

Campsites in the UK can be found on the internet as follows. Campsites including places (like hotels) that allow camping within their grounds. The average price per night for two adults in the UK is €25.33 (GBP £21.63) ​

• The Camping and Caravanning Club. 100 club sites owned and operated by the Club. Saving up to 30% on club sites. A total of about 1300 member sites. Membership approximately GBP £42.00 per annum.

• Caravan and Motorhome Club. Doesn't seem to cover Scandanavia. Annual membership £64. Saving of up to £150 per year when staying at 2700 member sites. Discounts on campsites, ferries  and insurance

• PitchUp. A UK based website promoting Camp sites in UK and Europe. 

• Camping Card International. Discounts of up to 25% in 3061 campsites  in 40 countries. Must be a member of an FICC organisation or club to qualify. A plastic ID Card that can be used globally. 

• The CampingCard ACSI, which provides a low season touring discount across European campsites. Cost €12.95 per annum.

• Scottish Camping. 

• Search for Sites. £5 per annum. Motorhome stopovers and Campsites in UK and Europe. An App is also available. 

• Brit  Stops Guide. A book (£28).  Clear and simple to use the book features country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft / antiques centres, etc. all offering an invitation through the Brit Stops scheme to stay over for one night in your motorhome or campervan in a safe environment - free of charge! (Brit Stops is not suitable for caravans, unconverted vans, cars or tents. Onboard toilets are required).  

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Wild camping 
:Rules on wild camping vary across the UK. Generally it is not allowed with the exception of

• Scotland

• Dartmoor

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Things to do and places to see

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• Trip Advisor is a good starting point to find things to do and places to visit in the UK 

• Travel Scotland 

• Visit Mull & Iona. The official travel guide to Mull and Iona

• Wild about Lochaber. 

• Caledonian MacBrayne. West coast ferries. 

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Companies / Organisations

• African Britain Business Council. UK, the EU and Africa business partnership creates jobs and growth in both continents.  The UK and EU businesses have ideas, technology, services and products that can succeed in Africa.  Equally Africa has minerals, agricultural products opportunities and specialities that are vital to the UK and the EU economy.

• Department for International Trade (DIT)

• Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)

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• Scotland North & West Coast and the Islands

• Lake District

• Peak District

• Cotswolds

• Cornwall

• Wales

• Norfolk

• Northern Ireland

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Any other suggestions / Information: 

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Other off road routes:

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Media

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BBC News. The UK's national news broadcaster.

Sky News

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