With what sounds like an act of perfect timing comes news of a swath of new resources from Cumbria Tourism to help motorcaravan visitors prepare for a Cumbrian adventure.
As part of our monthly brief to write destination features for MotorCaravan Magazine our editors have highlighted Cumbia and the Lake District as the feature for the September issue.
That means we are bound for Cumbria later this month and the timing of their announcement is for us nothing short of perfect.
The agency has put plans in place ahead of the busy summer season to help motorhome owners visiting the Lake District, Cumbria to support local and play their part in protecting the county’s world-famous landscapes during their visit.
Cumbrian Coastal Route
An all-new Cumbrian Coastal Route 200 (CCR 200), which stretches from Morecambe Bay to the Scottish border offers something for everyone. With stunning beaches and nature reserves, plenty of cycling and walking routes to explore, the route highlights the areas rich history and cultural attractions including a slice of Hadrian’s Wall.
As part of the initiative, Cumbria Tourism has also developed a handy new print resource which includes practical advice for motorhome visitors on how to better navigate their way around – avoiding complex and narrow rural roads – plus a QR code linking to downloadable route maps, approved places to stay, and highlighting waste and recycling facilities around the county.
Over 15,000 of these perfect-sized flyers will be distributed along key corridors into the Lake District and wider Cumbria, including at service stations, motorhome hire sites and campsites.
Meanwhile Lake District National Park Authority Rangers will be engaging with those visitors who are already within the Lake District National Park in their motorhomes and campervans, providing useful information and helping to distribute a whopping 10,000 flyers directly into visitor’s hands.
This new resource will provide the perfect, physical reminder for motorhome owners to refer back to during their trip and builds on the existing online ‘Vanlife’ hub which is available for visitors before they arrive at www.visitlakedistrict.com/vanlife.
Motorcaravaners can find plenty of inspirational material to help plan their trip, with creative itineraries and suggestions to explore some of Cumbria’s hidden gems away from the usual tourist hotspots, including the county’s majestic coastline along the recently created Cumbrian Coastal Route 200, and local farm shops and unique attractions.
Downloadable route maps
Along with the downloadable route maps, there is also practical advice on approved parking locations, accommodation guides, and how to ‘leave no trace’ and protect Cumbria’s stunning landscape by taking litter home and disposing of waste properly.
Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism says, “As the school summer holidays officially kick off around the UK in July, we encourage those motorhome owners who are planning a visit to the Lake District, Cumbria to book ahead and explore some of the county’s lesser-known gems.
“We urge motorhome owners to plan ahead and do their part in looking after our spectacular environment once they arrive. We are aiming to get 25,000 of these new informational resources into the hands of motorhome visitors as they arrive to help them to choose sensible routes and explore our beautiful county responsibly during their trip.”
Katie Read, Tourism Sector Development Officer at Copeland Borough Council says, “Every time I travel along the Cumbrian coast, I get this sense it’s a hidden gem in the Lake District. Its dramatic beachscapes are rich in wildlife, and there are nuggets of history dotted along the coastline – from the 18th century harbour town of Whitehaven in the north, to the post-industrial mining settlements at Millom in the south. Motorhome users can discover something new, with no need to venture far from Cumbria’s most popular tourist destinations.”
Watch out for our feature detailing what sounds like a perfect way to explore Cumbria and the Lake District. It will be published in MotorCaravanner magazine the official monthly magazine for members of The Motor Caraavanners Club