Planning To Take Your Motorhome from John O’Groats to Land’s End?

^{LEJOG or JOGLE? Whether you start in John O’Groats or at Land’s End, travelling from one end of the country to the other is an ambition for many campervan and motorhome owners.}

But while it may sound like an idyllic trip, don’t forget it is 874 miles from the top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, and for the journey to be a success, you’ll need to make sure you are well prepared – including having comprehensive motorhome insurance to protect you - read below for a few quick tips on some of the best places to stay on route and how to take care of your motor home as it embarks on one of the UK’s most iconic trips…

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1.     Take your time

According to the RAC, the quickest route from John O Groats to Land’s End uses 10 major roads - the A99, A9, M9, M80, M74, A74, M6, M5 and finally, the A30 – and will take 14 hours and 27 minutes, but why rush? You are not looking to break any records, so make sure you leave yourself enough time to take in the sights and enjoy the journey, not forgetting of course to incorporate getting back home again into your timeline!

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2.     Think about what you want to see

The classic John O’Groats to Land’s End journey can include some of the country’s most vibrant and beautiful places, so have a think about what you might like to do and see on the way. A few suggestions for the start of your trip include Loch Lomond and Loch Ness in Scotland, a city break in Edinburgh or Glasgow, or a walk around the gorgeous Lake District.

Once you are into Yorkshire, why not travel around the Peak District or the Yorkshire Dales? Or park up in Liverpool or Manchester – two of the North’s most vibrant cities - for an explore? When you get a bit further south, why not have a stop in Bath and check out the Roman Baths? Or if you prefer country life, you could explore the Cotswolds. Before you reach Land’s End, take your time to meander along the Atlantic coast, stopping off at some of Cornwall’s beautiful beaches and taking in the breath-taking views England’s southern-most county has to offer.

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3.     Plan your route

Once you have decided what you want to see, you’ll need to think about where you might like to stay. For example, are you hoping to spend every night at a proper campsite, or are you happy in a car park? Remember, you can’t just stop anywhere so make sure you have permission from the landowner before you park up. You’ll also need to think about the type of roads you want to travel on – are you happier on wide main roads or do you prefer winding through narrow country lanes?

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4.     Make sure your motorhome is in tip top condition

Before embarking on any journey in your motorhome, you should always run your pre-journey checks, so it goes without saying that this is even more important if you are planning on taking your motorhome on an almost 900mile trip! Things to remember include:

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·       Tyres – check for wear and pressure and that you have a spare

·       Test the breaks

·       Check the oil

·       Test the lights

·       Check the mirrors

·       Check the windscreen wipers and wash

·       Turn off the gas and disconnect the electric

·       Drain the water system and empty the toilet

·       Close/lock cupboards and doors

·       Check smoke detectors and that you have a fire extinguisher

·       Check if you need a service, MOT and don’t forget about breakdown cover

5.     Protect your vehicle with InsureMy

Not only should you make sure that you have your motorhome security up to scratch but one of the most important things to do before setting off on your trip is to make sure you have a good insurance policy in place. You need to know that if anything happens – whether you break down, have an accident or are a victim of theft – that you are protected.

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