Van Miles

Back in April 2021 we spent a few days travelling around Yorkshire in the campervan. We started near Harrogate, moved across to Dalby Forest and finished with a few nights in Whitby.

It turned into one of those trips with a bit of everything – reservoir walks, cycle routes, very heavy rain, sunshine, coastal views and plenty of miles on foot and bike.

Staying at Dyke Bottom Farm

We stayed at Dyke Bottom Farm for two nights. It was a fairly basic campsite, but nice and peaceful and had everything we needed for a short stay.

It’s only around 2 miles from Harrogate, so it was a great base without actually having to stay in the busy town itself.

We were given a really good welcome pack when we arrived with lots of information about the local area, walks and places to visit, which was really useful when deciding what to do while we were there.

As it was spring, there were also lots of baby sheep around the farm. Some were being hand fed, which was lovely to see and made the stay feel a little bit more memorable.

One of the other bonuses was having a pub within walking distance. We could also get straight on the bikes and cycle into Harrogate, so once we’d parked the campervan we didn’t need to keep moving it.

For a basic campsite, the location was probably its biggest selling point – countryside around you, a pub you could walk to and Harrogate only around 2 miles away.

Walking Fewston Reservoir

From the campsite we drove to Fewston Reservoir, just off the A59.

We found a free lay-by to park in and did a walk of around 6–7 miles around the reservoir and surrounding countryside.

It was a lovely walk and a good one to add to a weekend around Harrogate.

Cycling into Harrogate

We also got the bikes out and cycled from the campsite into Harrogate using the cycle paths.

Harrogate was really busy when we arrived, so I was glad we hadn’t taken the campervan in and had to find somewhere to park.

We had a look around before finding a pub where we could sit outside with the bikes and have a drink.

It was sunny but cold, which was pretty typical for the end of April.

That evening we walked to the pub near the campsite. It happened to be pizza night, which suited us perfectly.

Knaresborough & Nidd Gorge

The next morning we drove into Knaresborough.

We parked in a large car park in the town centre, which was handy for exploring on foot and getting the bikes out.

We walked towards Nidd Gorge and also cycled the Beryl Burton Cycleway as a circular route.

After putting the bikes away, we had a proper walk around Knaresborough.

It’s a lovely place but definitely worth knowing that it is quite hilly, particularly if you’re walking between the town and the riverside.

A Very Wet Stop at Lindley Wood

When it was time to leave Dyke Bottom Farm, we packed up and started heading towards our next campsite.

The rain was absolutely pouring but the dogs still needed a walk, so we stopped at Lindley Wood.

We did a fairly simple linear walk through the woods. I wouldn’t say it was one of the most exciting walks we’ve ever done, but sometimes you just need somewhere to stretch your legs and get the dogs out.

Waterproofs on, walk done and everyone thoroughly wet, we got back in the van and carried on towards Dalby Forest.

Dalby Forest

Our next stop was a caravan site right on the edge of Dalby Forest, which was a great location for getting straight out and exploring.

Dalby Forest is huge, with miles of walking and cycling trails through woodland. There are different routes depending on how far you want to go, as well as picnic areas, viewpoints and plenty of places where you can just park up and head off for a walk.

Unfortunately, the weather really wasn’t on our side when we arrived.

We still headed into the forest and did a 7-mile walk in very heavy rain. We had decent waterproofs with us, so rather than waste the day we just got them on and went for it.

Even in the rain it was a nice place to walk. Once you get away from the main areas it feels really peaceful, with long forest tracks, woodland paths and hardly anyone around.

That evening the rain was still coming down, so we stayed in the van. Definitely one of those campervan days where you’re grateful for somewhere warm and dry to get back to.

Walking & Cycling Dalby Forest

The next morning we packed up and left the campsite, but rather than leaving Dalby we drove further into the forest and parked in one of the pay-and-display areas.

Thankfully the weather had completely changed and the sun had finally come out.

We decided to make the most of it and headed off on another 7-mile walk.

Dalby is the sort of place where you could easily spend a full day. There are miles of forest tracks and trails and you can choose how much or how little you want to do. It also felt completely different walking it in the sunshine after the previous day’s downpour.

Once we’d finished walking, we got the bikes out and did a 14-mile ride through the forest.

Dalby is well known for its cycling and mountain-bike trails, although you don’t have to be doing the more challenging routes to enjoy it on a bike. We stuck to a route that allowed us to see more of the forest and get a decent ride in.

After 7 miles on foot followed by 14 miles on the bikes, we’d definitely made up for spending the previous evening stuck in the van.

If you enjoy walking and cycling, I’d definitely allow a full day for Dalby Forest rather than treating it as somewhere to just stop for a couple of hours.

From here we packed the bikes away and set off for the next part of our trip – Whitby.

On to Whitby

From Dalby Forest we set off towards Whitby and checked into Broadings Farm Caravan Park.

We paid £26 a night including electric hook-up back in 2021.

The location worked really well because we could leave the campervan parked up and walk into Whitby.

That evening we walked into town for a few drinks.

There are loads of pubs around the centre and harbour and we found it easy to find somewhere that welcomed the dogs.

We ended up having fish and chips in a pub overlooking the harbour, which felt like the perfect way to finish the day.

Cycling to Robin Hood’s Bay

The next day we got the bikes out again and cycled from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay using the cycle route.

The ride was around 14 miles in total.

It was a lovely ride and a great way to get between the two places without moving the campervan.

Robin Hood’s Bay itself is beautiful, but the one thing I definitely remember is how steep it is.

Getting down is one thing.

Getting back out on a bike is another.

There was a serious climb waiting for us before we could properly get going again.

After the ride we headed back to the campsite and had tea in the van.

Whitby Abbey & the Coastal Walk

The next morning we packed up the campervan ready to head home, but we weren’t finished yet.

We drove to the headland near Whitby Abbey and parked up so we could fit in one final walk.

We followed the coastal path as a linear walk and did around 3 miles in total.

The views along this stretch of coast were beautiful, with big open sea views and cliffs stretching away in front of us.

We also walked through a lovely campsite right on the coast. It looked like a brilliant location if you wanted somewhere with sea views and direct access to the coastal path.

We stopped at a cafe for lunch before turning back towards Whitby.

Before leaving, we also had a look around the ruins of Whitby Abbey.

Even if you don’t spend hours there, the abbey and the headland are worth seeing just for the setting and views over Whitby.

Time to Head Home

After the coastal walk and a final look around the abbey, it was time to get back in the campervan and head home.

Looking back, we fitted a lot into this trip.

We walked around Fewston Reservoir, cycled into Harrogate, explored Knaresborough and Nidd Gorge, got soaked at Lindley Wood, walked and cycled around Dalby Forest, stayed in Whitby, cycled to Robin Hood’s Bay and finished with a coastal walk from Whitby Abbey.

There was plenty of rain, a bit of sunshine and some very tired legs by the end of it.

Exactly the sort of road trip that reminds me why I like travelling this way – park up, get the boots or bikes out and see where you end up.

Campsites We Stayed At

All three campsites we used on this trip were dog friendly, which was important as we were travelling with our dogs.

Dyke Bottom Farm CL
Skipton Road, Killinghall, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 2BT
A small working-farm site less than 2 miles from Harrogate. Basic but peaceful, with a pub within walking distance and easy access to walks and cycling.

Dalby Forest Caravan & Camping Site
Pexton Moor Farm, Low Dalby, Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LU
Dog friendly and right by Dalby Forest, making it a great base if you want to spend your time walking and cycling straight from the area.

Broadings Farm Caravan Park
Guisborough Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1TL
Dog friendly and around a mile from Whitby town centre. We paid £26 a night with electric hook-up in 2021 and could leave the campervan on site and walk into Whitby.

All prices and details are based on our trip in April 2021, so check current prices, facilities and dog policies before booking.