Gorgeous Road Trip at the Quantock Hills National Landscape
Read Time: About 14 minutes
Cothlestone Hill. John-Mark Strange
We’ve created a guide to explore the Quantock Hills National Landscape, a fantastic corner of England. This blog will also include campsites in the Quantock Hills National Landscape, campervan hire options, routes from big cities like London and Birmingham and answers to questions about the area.
So to enjoy a campervan road trip to the Quantock Hills National Landscape and to discover popular stops and hidden gems, read on!
National Landscapes, formerly termed "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" are one of 46 areas of national importance within England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The primary purpose is to conserve and enhance a protected landscape. Visit the link above to find campervan road trip guides to these National Landscapes.
Fab features draw in glamping folk to Secret Valley, a splendid glamping retreat tucked away on an organic working farm, in a quiet rural spot amid the lush scenery of the Quantock Hills.
The narrow, gentle Quantock Hills stand out above the flat agricultural landscape and are famous for their sweeping views extending over nine counties. Designated in 1956, the hills were England’s first National Landscape and offer visitors a tranquil location with thriving wildlife, numerous beautiful walking routes, and a remote, wild landscape that is perfect for holidaymakers who want to reconnect with nature. The perfect destination for a campervan road trip.
- Where are The Quantock Hills Located?
- Walking in The Quantock Hills
- Best Quantock Hills National Landscape Campsites
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape in a Campervan
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From London
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Glasgow
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Sheffield
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Birmingham
- How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Southampton
- Your Campervan Guide to Visiting The Quantock Hills National Landscape
- Quantock Hills National Landscape Campsites Near Beach
- Quantock Hills National Landscape Campervans Price
- Making Our Way Back Home
Where are The Quantock Hills Located?
Quantock Hills. Livvi Grant
The Quantock Hills National Landscape rests in Somerset, stretching from the village of Nether Stowey in the south to the coastline at West Quantoxhead in the north. This picturesque area, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), covers 38 square miles and is celebrated for its varied landscapes, which range from dense ancient woodlands to open heathlands and rugged coastal scenery. Once you've pinpointed where the Quantock Hills National Landscape sits, you'll appreciate how convenient the nearby campsites in Somerset are for your outdoor adventure.
The landscape is immensely varied and extends from the red sandstone of the West Country to the limestones on the cliff. Approximately 29 percent of the area is wooded, with heathland and sparling oak woodlands creating an inviting habitat for wildlife, especially birds like nightjar, stonechat, yellowhammer, and pied flycatcher. The area is also home to iconic red deer, rare Lesser Horseshoe, Bechstein bats and more.
The plateau also boasts a rich history and cultural heritage. The area is famous for its wealth of Bronze and Iron Age features. It was later the hub for the English Romantic movement, with famed authors like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge finding inspiration in the scenery as they wandered the hills. Now that you know where the Quantock Hills are located, considering campervan hire Somerset opens up endless possibilities for exploring this designated National Landscape with complete independence.
Walking in The Quantock Hills
Stretch your legs after a drive on one of many beautiful walking routes winding past babbling brooks, fragrant pine forests and babbling brooks. The Coleridge Way is a 51-mile trail inspired by poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Quantocks. Bickie Pickie
It runs through the stunning Somerset countryside of the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills, and Exmoor—all landscapes that helped Coleridge create some of his best-known work. Enjoy views of the hidden valleys and coastlines as you amble from Nether Stowey to Porlock. The Cothelstone Hill route cuts through woodland and grasslands. It boasts fine countryside views, making it easy to discover an Exmoor Pony herd, often found clustered around a group of trees at the hilltop known as the Seven Sisters.
Hawkridge Woods is a shorter route that explores the beauty of the Hawkridge Reserve and its secret views. Along the way, you may see roe deer, possibly red deer, and buzzards. Explore the limekiln and take your time to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
The lovely Ramscombe Forest Walk is a favourite among birdwatching enthusiasts who can spot the mythical nightjar in the summer months. Wander in the shade of magnificent conifer trees and discover hidden wildlife.
Lastly, the Staple Plain route takes walkers through beautiful broadleaf woodland to the summit of Beacon Hill for stunning vistas across the Quantock Hills and beyond. Wander through low heathland, looking for red deer, skylarks, and more.
Combine your Coleridge Way walk with a stop at Coleridge Cottage, the former Georgian home of the romantic poet. The National Trust-managed property explores the poet's life, and the house rests on a wildflower meadow with an orchard and a small garden. For more National Trust properties, visit Fyne Court, which has a historical arcadian parkland and guided trails. The park brims with life in spring with bees and butterflies while woodpeckers and tree creepers forage in the more expansive woodlands. Explore more green spaces at Hestercombe House and Gardens. With 20 hectares of formal gardens, there is plenty to explore throughout the year. Watch roe deer bounding through the wooded gardens while lizards bask in the golden sunshine and roasting bats snooze in warmth.
Wake up to the murmur of farm animals and listen to the wind dancing merrily through 450 acres of organic cereal crops from a tranquil position on Huntstile Organic Farm.
Get out under the big skies at Hawkridge Reservoir. This hidden gem is home to abundant fauna, including wildfowl, genes and deer. Fly fishing is available on the lake, and the attraction has facilities like a toilet for anglers. The grim-sounding Dead Woman's Ditch is anything but an excellent location for exploring the heathlands and ancient oakwood. Visit one or more of the 52 scheduled moments, and watch the woodland come alive with Redstarts and red deer in spring. King's Cliff Hill, another hidden gem near North Petherton, boasts wonderful woodland with mature oaks and plenty of wildlife like squirrels, roe deer, plus glow worms in the summer.
For beautiful views, hike up Lydeard Hill. This blend of rich grassland and heathland comes alive in spring with varied birdlife. It is an excellent spot for starting your southern Quantock Hills walks and a fantastic spot for stargazing. Staple Plain is another beautiful viewpoint at the northern end of Quantock Common.
Kilve Beach, a geological wonder, is a beautiful rocky beach ideal for visiting throughout the year. If you're lucky, you can hunt the shoreline for fossils of giant marine reptiles. Visit at low tide for rock pooling and enjoy facilities like a tea room, toilets, a car park, and access to a pub and shop in Kilve village.
Greenway Farm is a family-run Certificated Site attached to a friendly restaurant serving dinner and lunch. As with all CL sites, there are just five member-exclusive pitches on the grass with electric meters.
Discover picturesque villages along the way, like Holford, a gorgeous settlement cut with densely wooded combes. The northern edge of the settlement faces the sea, while the southern section faces Exmoor, and there are plenty of historic buildings. Crowcombe traces its history back to 854 and boasts a 17th-century inn. West Bagborough is home to the highest point on the Quantock Hills at 1,261 feet. The vistas are spectacular, and visitors can see the Mendip Hills, South Wales, and Dartmoor. It is an excellent stop for walkers who want to rest their feet and enjoy a pint.
These fascinating attractions showcase the timeless charm and natural beauty of the Quantock Hills, making it an excellent location for both quiet escapes and adventurous days out. Exploring the Quantock Hills National Landscape pairs wonderfully with a night or two at campsites in Weston-super-Mare, giving you a mix of countryside walks and seaside charm.
Best Quantock Hills National Landscape Campsites
One thing we love about campervan travel is the freedom to park up for the night or adventure as long as desired. If you need a quiet space to camp during your campervan road trip, why not look at our recommended campsites in Quantock Hills National Landscape? We’ll help you save time researching and outlining the facilities and attractions at Moorhouse Campsite, Burton Springs, Tanpits Cider Farm Caravan and Camping Park.
Moorhouse Campsite in Bridgwater
Moorhouse Campsite, Bridgwater
Look forward to an immersive experience at Moorhouse Campsite, a peaceful, well-equipped site on the beautiful Quantock Hills. Set on a working, arable farm, the campsite is ideal for relaxing, family-friendly escapes with modern and clean amenities and stunning, far-reaching views across the lush landscape to the looming hills. Pitches for tents and campervans are on the grass and scattered on open fields with fire pits ideal for family stargazing evenings and sing-alongs around the crackling campfire. A communal barbecue area is perfect for alfresco nibbles, and there is a handy farm shop for stocking eggs and other locally sourced meats for the grill.
Burton Springs in Bridgwater
Burton Springs, Bridgwater
Burton Springs is a tranquil site near the Quantock Hills and boasts three well-stocked fishing lakes. The site welcomes camping and caravanning, plus glampers on a beautiful, well-maintained campsite with sparkling showers and toilets, a spacious play area for the kids, a little food shop selling local produce, and other camping essentials. Pitch a tent on grass on an optional grass pitch, or park your camper on a grass or gravel pitch and enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. There are friendly pigs for the kids to feed and make friends with, an excellent games room and a play area for your canine companions. Use the grounds as your base for exploring Cheddar, Glastonbury, and the Exmoor and Somerset coasts, or take a stroll from your pitch to one of three lakes.
Tanpits Cider Farm Caravan And Camping Park in Taunton
Tanpits Cider Farm Caravan And Camping Park, Taunton
Tanpits Cider Farm Caravan and Camping Park is a beautiful site hidden among orchards with fresh cider on sale. The campsite is ideally located for accessing Taunton by road, bike, or foot and offers guests quick access to shops and restaurants. Take your pick of non-electric or electric grass pitches for tents, small campervans, motorhomes and caravans, and settle in for a laidback holiday. Purchase Henry's Farmhouse Scrumpy and sit down to a quiet drink on your pitch while firing up the barbecue for a sunset supper under the shimmering night sky. Pets are welcome all year round, and car parking at the pitches is permitted.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape in a Campervan
This section will explore routes from London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Southampton to the breathtaking Quantock Hills making planning a road trip slightly simpler. Pack your bags, and let’s hit the road. Additionally to these routes if you’re beginning your adventure from the coast, campervan hire Weston-super-Mare makes the perfect starting point for a scenic drive to the Quantock Hills National Landscape.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From London
Staple. Mark Robinson
From London head west on the M4, merging onto the M5 heading southbound near Bristol. Take the A358 for the final stretch to the Quantocks. The direct route takes about three and a half hours and covers 157 miles. If you have more time, why not take the scenic route and enjoy the journey in your campervan hire London. From London, journey west on the A4 through countryside villages, winding into the A303, passing Stonehenge. Dip into the A358 to reach the Quantock Hills in approximately 6 hours. Our campervan hire locations in London include campervans for hire in Barnet, and we list over 141 campervans and motorhomes in London. For more options check out our campervans in Bromley, campervans in Bromley Town, campervans in Chislehurst, campervans in Bickley, campervans in Widmore, campervans in Plaistow, campervans in Lewisham, campervans in Downham, campervans in Further Green, campervans in Whitefoot, campervans in Forster Park and campervans in Beckenham.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
Misty has been built for rentals, so she has lots of nice features to make your experience as perfect as possible. We have added Servo Assisted Brakes so the brakes are like a modern car.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Glasgow
Keen to get from Glasgow to the Quantock Hills? Set aside a bank holiday or longer, as the drive takes a whopping 7 hours to cover the 412 miles. Hire a campervan in Glasgow, head south on the M74, and merge onto the M6, then the M5, rumbling past Birmingham and Bristol. Exit the A358 and continue toward Taunton, easing into Somerset’s lush countryside until you reach the Quantock Hills with stunning views and nature trails. If you prefer a more scenic route, follow the A73, A49, and A39 through the beautiful scenery of Wales and Herefordshire before entering Somerset. Follow country lanes through quiet villages to the Quantocks, savouring a slower pace and rolling countryside.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
Located 10 minutes away from Glasgow airport, our Campervan is ideal for a relaxing holiday. Spence has a pop-up roof, which sleeps four people and has all the mod-cons you would expect from your bed on wheels.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Sheffield
Bristol Channel. Mark Robinson
Watch Sheffield disappear in your rearview mirror as you guide your Sheffield campervan hire towards the stunning Quantock Hills National Landscape. If you prefer using the main roads, take the M1 south, merging onto the M42 and then the M5, merging onto the M42 and then the M5, which leads into Taunton. Exit onto the A358, which leads you through lush Somerset countryside to the quiet Quantock Hills, which covers 215 miles in about 4 hours. The scenic route follows the A61 to the A429, meandering past the picturesque Cotswolds. Continue along A-roads through Gloucestershire and Somerset until you reach Quantocks’ lush, rolling landscapes in about 7 hours.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
Mercedes Sprinter best suited for short escapes in the countryside, especially if you plan on hiking, biking, or even just lounging around. You can even bring your dog along.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Birmingham
If you want to use the main roads from Birmingham, follow the M5 south, cruising through the Midlands toward Taunton. Exit on the A358 and drive past the rolling hills of Somerset to the tranquil routes of the Quantocks. If you’re heading down to the mountain on a longer vacation, why not take the scenic route? Head southwest on the A38, passing Worcester before navigating scenic A roads like the A435 and A37 through sleepy villages in Cotswold. Wind through the countryside in your Birmingham campervan hire and you’ll be in the Quantock Hills in approximately 5 hours. We list 149 campervans and motorhomes within 120 miles of Birmingham.
Age: 25-70
Travel: Uk and Europe
Gearbox: Automatic
Jasper is a Chausson S514 Motorhome low profile. He is narrower and shorter than a classic low profile. Jasper offers the same structure and insulation as a low profile with a size closer to that of a van.
How to Get to The Quantock Hills National Landscape From Southampton
Somerset. John-Mark Strange
Find a Southampton campervan hire on Camperbug, and you can start your campervan road trip to the Quantock Hills. You can also avoid the busy streets or take a quiet yet incredibly scenic route, and take your time to reach your destination. If you want to arrive quickly, use the main roads, taking the M27 west to join the A31. Merge onto the A303 and then the M5, exiting at Taunton and moving onto the A358, which leads directly to the beautiful Quantock Hills National Landscape. The drive will cover about 100 miles in approximately three hours. If you want to take your time, leave Southampton on the A36 through the New Forest’s tranquil scenery, winding through Warminster and Shepton Mallet. Hop on the A39 West and enjoy Somerset’s beautiful countryside scenery that leads to the Quantock Hills, taking around 5 hours to get there. Browse 120 campervans and motorhomes within 60 miles of Southampton to hire a camper for your road trip to the Quantock Hills.
Age: 25-70
Travel: UK Only
Gearbox: Manual
Scooby is a handsome, well-equipped home on wheels, offering a range of comforts for your next road trip. He features comfortable seating, nifty storage spaces, a twin double burner cooker, USB charging, etc.
Your Campervan Guide to Visiting The Quantock Hills National Landscape
We answer your questions about the Quantock Hills and tell you about the best campsites near the beach and what Quantock really means. Read below as we answer all these questions, and we will tell you more about campervan hire prices, etc.
Quantock Hills National Landscape Campsites Near Beach
Seven Sisters. Nick Dawson
Are you searching for a quiet campsite near the Quantock Hills? You’re in luck! St. Audries Bay Holiday Club is a family-run site near the Quantock Hills National Landscape, boasting glorious views and a fantastic location near Minehead. A short drive leads to a range of beaches on the stunning Somerset coastline, and the campsite boasts excellent views from across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Explore the Quantock Hills or the nearby Exmoor National Park with ease. Campers can also hop over to Bridgwater and Taunton, just 15 miles away. The site has electric hardstanding bases for campervans, motorhomes and caravans, along with a range of modern amenities, including a launderette, a washing-up area, a shower block, a play area, free Wi-Fi, and the freedom to enjoy barbecues on your pitch.
Home Farm Holiday Centre is a lovely camping space on a beautiful orchard, offering guests a peaceful and spacious base for a well-earned break from it all. If peace and lush camping surroundings are on the cards.
Quantock Hills National Landscape Campervans Price
The Quantocks. Visit Exmoor
Several factors influence campervan pricing. Seasonality plays a significant role, with summer and holidays seeing higher demand, while autumn and winter often bring discounts. Campervan size and type matter, too. Larger models or decked-out camper conversions with facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and multiple beds are pricier than basic models. Rental duration also impacts the price. Longer trips often qualify for discounts, while sorter rentals are priced higher per day. Our Quantock Hills National Landscape campervans start at £80 per night, and we have 58 campervans and motorhomes within 40 miles of the Quantock Hills National Landscape.
Making Our Way Back Home
We hope this campervan road trip guide to the Quantock Hills has inspired you to explore this beautiful region. With convenient campervan hire locations near major cities and a selection of campsites offering fantastic facilities for tents and touring vehicles, the hills offer fantastic opportunities to unwind and explore in nature. Stay tuned for our next National Landscape guide, where we’ll delve into the enchanting Surrey Hills National Landscape, promising even more breathtaking scenery and exciting experiences.
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