More campervan adventures to the NC500

Campervan Review – July 2025
This was our first time renting a campervan, so naturally we were a little nervous. However, the
team’s quick and helpful responses to our questions immediately put our minds at ease. They
clearly know what they’re doing and go out of their way to include thoughtful touches that made
our trip truly unforgettable.

The van itself was spotless and well-presented. We received a friendly walkthrough of how
everything works—ably overseen by young Seb (aged !3), who added a bit of charm to the
handover. Shortly after, we were on our way.

 

We spent a week exploring Scotland’s stunning NC500 coastal route, passing through some of
the most breath-taking scenery we’ve ever seen. If you’ve never been, it’s absolutely worth the
trip—and having the flexibility of a campervan makes it even better. One of the highlights was
parking at the John O’Groats campsite, facing the North Sea, watching sea lions play in the
water while enjoying dinner cooked in our mobile kitchen. Magical.

 

The campervan was faultless throughout. We shared the driving, which shows just how easy
and comfortable it is to use.

We’ll definitely be booking again. Huge thanks to the team for making our first campervan
experience such a memorable one!
Warm regards
Tobias & Lyndsay Higgins

Lad, Dad and Dog Weekend trip to Abersoch

abersoch
As an end of school treat for my son I hired one of Ascent’s campers. I opted for the automatic model which was prepared  in immaculate condition upon collection. Dave did the handover and carefully explained the vehicles features, it is all very straighforward. The VW T6’s are fairly car like to drive and not overly large for those narrow country lanes.
With a very  excited boy and miniature Schnauzer tethered to the back of the camper, we set off towards the Llyn Peninsula of North Wales.
The journey on a late Friday afternoon was of around 3 and a half hours was an easy drive and the camper was good on fuel. The views as you travel through North Wales are great, particularly after the road tunnels carved out of the rock faces around Conwy, as you head across land towards Abersoch.
We camped at https://tyn-y-mur.co.uk/ which is advertised as the closest camp site to Abersoch, although it is located up a hill around 1 mile away from Abersoch. We arrived quite refreshed as the camper covers distance with little fuss and  received a warm welcome from the  site managers. The site is immaculate, with level pitches and very clean toilets and showers. The advantage of being up a hill is the fabulous views down in the sea. There is also a takeaway food option on site although we did not use it. The site manager Lina is also a licensed taxi driver if you don’t fancy the walk back up the hill after a trip to the beach.
My son loved sleeping in the pop top bed with a view through its front zippable window and zippable mesh sides which nicely ventilated the upper area bed area and  had a great nights sleep. My little dog slept on his bed on the front swivel passenger seat, which is a great feature.
Abersoch has a great beach which is split in two by a slipway, one side serving as a family beach and the other side  allowing dogs and for boats to be launched. It was busy though with a lot of jetski’s being launched into the sea on the dog friendly side . I personally wouldn’t swim in the area where the jet skis were active and would stick to the family / non dog friendly side.
One of the advantages of a T6 camper is that its “foot print” is not much larger that a biggish car so you can easily park it in standard car parking spaces. With this in mind we visted Llanbedrog beach
We   parked at the beautiful Plas Glyn y Weddw art gallery Where you can park for free for upto 2 hours.
Llanbedrog beach is a gentle walk down a leafy lane from here and is my idea of what a beach should be, nice sand  with a stream running into the sea, a nice beach cafe and beautiful views across to cardigan bay.
There is lots more to see around the this area and hopefully we will hire an Ascent camper again to explore further, in fact time always goes quickly when you are on a relaxing break, perhaps a sign that hiring a camper is a great idea. The journey back to Lancashire was a breeze in the camper and my security deposit was returned back to me quickly by Liz and Dave at Ascent who are fair and honest people to deal with.
If you fancy a taste of the camper van life then I highly recommend contacting and booking with Ascent Campers.
Deamtime
Van Open
Sea in Abersoch
Van

Claire and Darren North Coast 500

The Ultimate NC500 Road Trip – Hire one of our VW Campervans. We hire out to lots of adventurers from Lancashire, Greater Manchester & Beyond.

 
Dreaming of the North Coast 500? There’s no better way to explore Scotland’s most iconic driving route than in one of ourVW campervans.

We are in a great location on the edge of the M65, just outside Bolton, making us accessible Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Bolton, and more locally Ramsbottom, Greenmount, and Blackburn our adventure starts right on your doorstep.
 
Clare and Darren recently toured the NC500 and gave some some great info and tips. We’ve put it together in a blog for you!
 
Plan the Perfect NC500 Road Trip

The NC500 loops around the north of Scotland, offering breathtaking coastal views, dramatic mountains, and unforgettable experiences. If you’re hiring one of our VW campervans here are some insider tips to help you get the most out of your trip:

1. Plan Ahead & Go Anticlockwise
Start your route from the east (Inverness up to John O’ Groats) and loop west – this way, you’ll save the most stunning scenery for last. The west coast is incredibly dramatic and a true highlight of the NC500.
 

2. Travel in Spring
April or May is the sweet spot – you’ll avoid the summer crowds and pesky midges while still enjoying great weather and open roads.

 
3. Book Campsites Early
Popular spots get booked fast, so reserve in advance. We recommend hardstanding pitches with electric hook-ups – perfect for our fully equipped VW campers.

 
4. Research What You Want to See
There’s so much to explore! Grab a copy of NC500 by Robbie Roams – his book and YouTube channel are packed with great tips.
 
Must-Visit Stops & Campsites
We’ve explored the NC500 ourselves and here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:
• Foodie Faves:
• Surf and Turf in Dornoch
• Lochinver Larder
• Cheese ‘n’ Toasted – seriously good!
 
 Top Campsites:
• Ardmair, Ullapool
• Sango Sands
• Clachtoll Beach Campsite – incredible facilities
• Applecross Campsite – with access to the jaw-dropping Bealach na Bà Pass
 
Natural Wonders & Sights:
• Smoo Cave
• Whaligoe Steps
• Ardvreck Castle
• Castle Sinclair
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Wailing Widow Falls
• Falls of Foyers
• Rogie Falls
 
Beaches That’ll Blow You Away:
• Sango Sands
• Strathy Bay
• Crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sands – among the most beautiful beaches in the world.
 
Wildlife & Scenic Gems:
• Highland cows, dolphins at Chanonry Point, epic Lochs including Loch Ness and Loch Maree
• Torridon Mountains – absolutely awe-inspiring
 
Final Thoughts from Claire and Darren…
“We absolutely loved our NC500 trip and will 100% be booking with Ascent Campers again. There’s so much more to see, and the experience is simply unforgettable. Trust us – once you hit the road, you’ll be hooked”.
 
 
Why Hire a VW Campervan from us?
Hiring from Ascent Campers means you are right on the edge of Lancashire and Greater Manchester, so you’re ready to roll in a perfectly sized, easy-to-drive, and fully equipped vehicle. It’s got everything you need for the journey – and nothing you don’t.
Whether you’re in Bolton, Ramsbottom, Bury, Chorley, Wigan, Blackburn or Manchester our VW campervan hire is ideal for adventurers looking to explore in comfort and style.
 
Ready to hit the NC500? Book your VW campervan hire today from us– and get ready for the road trip of a lifetime!

Brecon Beacons – Anthony, Lucy, Alfie, Sadie and Bobby 🐶

lovely view
What an amazing week we had travelling the south of Wales in your lovely VW Campervan.

 
It was our first time ever doing this type of holiday and we had a blast. Taking our Cockapoo Bobby asking with us. He loved it too.
 
First we set off from Sunny Bolton 🤣 (we wish) and drove down the Brecon Beacons. Finally arriving around 2130 to a lovely little campsite, Brecon Beacons touring park.

 
The rain was lashing down but it didn’t deter us one bit. Hooked up onsite and then proceeded with a light snack before setting up the camper to sleep for the first time ever.

Waking up early to the now light rain but the views were nice.

 
A couple of miles away, we had a good few hours exploring amazing caves at the National Showcase centre for Wales.
We honestly didn’t know what to expect here. Jaw dropping and breathtaking views inside the caves. Bobby was allowed in the caves too.

If it was in California, it would be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Just unreal.

 
Then, we decided to go for a walk near Pan y Fan. Waterfalls galore as the rain hadn’t stopped.😆 It made the caves awesome with the water running in , but we was wet through from the walk around the waterfalls. Exiting to a lovely place that served fresh coffee and homemade cakes. Carrot Cake was the best ever 😋 Luckily the women had bought him a muddoggy travel wash pump. That was a godsend and a great thing to purchase before we travelled, as we could clean up Bobby and dry him by the side of the van before we set off for the campsite and rest.


 
Day 2 in the Beacons:

We packed up the campervan on the campsite and set off for Zipworld and we all rode the fastest zip line in the world. Great great fun and again the views were just amazing. Great adrenaline rush

After this we set off for Carmarthenshire and stayed in a lovely site near Kidwelly. Hazeldene Caravan Park. We got here late and the host was brilliant. The facilities were amazing. The showers lovely and hot. With it being late, we was all a bit tired.
The host gave us some menus from the local village and we all decided to have a huge pizza each from Super Mario’s in Kidwelly. A taxi pulled up at the gate and we enjoyed our pizzas under the clear night sky.

 
We woke up to lovely views over Carmarthen bay. Then we set off again for another day of adventure. Down to the beach in Tenby with Bobby and let him run free into the sea. Stopping in a lay by along the way to have some latebreakfast with the chairs and table set up. Fish finger butties cooked in the layby with salt and vinegar. What a strange pick for breakfast 😋 Arriving in Tenby, lovely walks and some lovely local shops to browse. All the local homes painted in bright colours or some in pastel colours. Another fun day we had. We left Tenby about 3 in the afternoon and then we had to travel up to Celtic Camping in St Davids. Along the journey though we de-toured and went to St Govans Chapel. WOW .

 
A chapel built in the rocks with the waves and sea crashing below it. Another local gem that is a must to view and visit. We all climbed down onto the rocks and just admired the scenery. An old Ice Cream Van was parked up on the car park above the cliffs and we all had an Ice Cream in the cold 😆

 
Then, we finally set off for St Davids and then campsite there. The journey took us along an amazing route. The A road opened up and goes down directly to the coast on Newgale Beach. Well, it was sunset coming down this A Road. Never expected it at all. Unreal views of the Pembrokeshire coast. We arrived at the campsite and hooked up. The farmer running the live farm was great and showed us all around. The facilities were again amazing and we didn’t need to eat in the VW. The facilities had everything so we made use of them and all had a Spaghetti Bolognese.

 
In the morning, we got up early and set off for a lovely walk along the coast to Abereiddy Beach and the Blue Lagoon. The walk was long but easy for any age. Me and my lad decided we wanted to venture over to Trywn Castell. The girls weren’t pleased but it looked a lot scarier than it was. It was just a little shimmy up the cliff to get onto the part of the land where the Castell was. We was looking for some seals, but never managed to see any. Then we trekked back to the campsite and went on our way to St Davids Cathedral.

 
The smallest city in the UK. But the cathedral is breathtaking and huge. Its free to roam and visit. You can leave a donation to help them with daily upkeep. The cathedral is pristine and 100% intact.

 
By now it was getting close to tea time and so we set off for home. A long journey home of 5 1/2″ Hours. In all honesty, it went fast for me driving as the roads up through Wales give some amazing views.

 
We wish we had more time, as we would have travelled right up the west Coast into Aberystwyth etc.

 
The campervan was great fun. The first day and night we totally winged it 😆 But we quickly understood what was needed and what to do. The whole van was smooth and fun to drive. Liz and Dave were great with the booking. Very easy and Dave showed me and my boy the van before we set off.

 
We definitely have the bug to do it again. Then, we are seriously thinking of getting a VW Camper ourselves, such was the good time we had.
 
Thanks again
Anthony, Lucy, Alfie, Sadie and Bobby 🐶
All Our Photos

North Lakes Camper Loop

North Lakes ‘Forest, Sea & Mountains’ Loop – Ascent Campers

http://ascentcampers.co.uk/ (Phil H)

3 nights. Total mileage: 270+/-.

This route was our first experience of a campervan and was designed to ‘break us in gently’  whilst giving a range of the wonderful scenery that the North Lakes and Cumbria has to offer. We certainly aren’t experts but hopefully this guide helps other newbies to plan an interesting, hassle free break.

We booked all the sites via Pitchup.com for simplicity but direct bookings can be made in most cases. They all cost between £25-30/night when we went during May bank holiday. 

Day/Night 1 – Forest:
Site: https://www.lowther-holidaypark.co.uk/
Location: Penrith
Electrical hook up: Yes

Approx. 2 hours away from Liz & Dave in Edgworth, driving to this site is really  straightforward, basically just up the M6 beyond Tebay (do stop at Tebay if you can – it’s essentially a giant farm shop and canteen selling lovely food/drinks. Very useful for stocking up on treats/booze). Tebay is about 1 hour and 45 mins away from the starting point and the site approx. 15-20 mins beyond that.  Lowther Holiday Park is a biiiiiig site with lots of large, posh holiday cabin things. It’s set in the middle of a forest so the scenery around it is beautiful. We particularly enjoyed taking our boy for a night time torch walk through the forest and down to the river.

The site itself has plenty of amenities, including an independent on-site bakery/shop (amazing breakfast baps), a pub and plenty of shower blocks etc. The wash/toilet facilities whilst plentiful were starting to get a bit tired. That said, they were clean!
The only negative with this site was the proximity to other campers – we felt a little hemmed in. It didn’t ruin anything, but compared to the other two sites, we were quite close to other groups. Other pitches looked bigger so it’s just luck of the draw I guess.

Day / Night 2 – Sea:
Site: https://www.maryportmarina.co.uk/book
Location: Maryport
Electrical hook up: Yes

Less than 1 hour away from Lowther, getting to Harbour Side Caravan Site takes you through Keswick. We stopped there to stretch our legs and indulge in a spot of retail therapy (I’m a sucker for an outdoor shop of which Keswick has dozens).

The site itself is MUCH smaller than Lowther, having space for probably around 20ish campers/motorhomes and a couple of glamping pods.  Each camper is positioned on its own flat gravel pitch with a dedicated electrical output and
water tap. There’s plenty of space between each pitch so you don’t feel on top of one another.

The facilities here were grade A. Absolutely immaculate and very modern. Toilets and showers in dedicated rooms giving plenty of privacy etc. We were very lucky with our pitch as it afforded views over the marina and out towards the Solway, but any pitch on this site is going to be pretty decent.

Maryport itself is essentially built around the working fishing harbour. It’s not the most picturesque of seaside towns, but there is an aquarium and some decent coastal walks to keep you occupied. We had dinner at the Lifeboat Inn after doing the obligatory tripadvisor review sift. It was proper pub grub but really decent. Excellent beer too and very friendly staff.

Day / Night 3 – Mountains:
Site: https://seatollerfarm.co.uk/campsite/
Location: Seatoller (bottom of Honister pass)
Electrical hook up: No

Getting to Seatoller from Maryport was an adventure in itself. We drove there via Buttermere as we wanted to walk round it again (it’s a stunning 4.5 mile circular walk – highly recommended but does get busy). I also wanted to drive down the Honister pass (epic drive – the scenery is spectacular!) 

Surrounded on all 4 sides by mountains/fells, Seatoller is a stunning site. Absolutely stunning. We pitched-up down by the river at the bottom, but the top field with unobstructed views of the ‘Base Brown’ wainwright is equally beautiful. There aren’t any set pitches either, more just rock up where you find a space whilst being respectful of other people’s space etc. You should know that this site is entirely off-grid – there is no wi-fi or mobile signal at all. Not even if you stand on top of your camper and wave your phone around (please don’t try this – Liz and Dave will be cross).

You should also know that beyond a small toilet block and washing facilities, there is nothing else on the site itself. Showers have to be taken back up the road at the farm (which is a 5 min walk away). It didn’t bother us as it was our last stop before heading home anyway, but it may put others off. There is also a pub in Seatoller but we cooked using the outdoor camping stove provided with the van. (One pot camping beans in you’re interested – recipe available on request!) I loved this site the most, whilst there were still plenty of other campers, the lack of formality and facilities made it feel more like proper camping. The guys pitched next to us had the  firepit going and it was just beautiful watching the sun set and the mist rolling down the fells (i’ll bring my camping bbq next time as I definitely got a large dose of FOMO with that).

In summary, we had a great time at three very different sites, in very different environments. All had their pros and cons, but we wouldn’t hesitate to stay at any of them again. The driving wasn’t onerous and left us with plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas etc. 

All in all, tremendously enjoyable.

General tips

  • After the first night, we quickly got a routine for setting up the camper or breaking it down to get moving – it takes less than 5 minutes.
  • Pack light – you’ll use less than you think (but there is plenty of space/cubby holes anyway) Dave was absolutely right with this, and even though we re-packed after he mentioned it – we still had plenty of stuff we didn’t use.
  • Don’t forget to cap the water tanks – I did and had a fun few minutes drying out the cupboard. Dave did specifically mention this to me too but i’m a forgetful idiot.
  • Don’t stress if you have a night or two without plugging in – the leisure battery recharges when you’re driving and will last.
  • Put a tea towel between the grill and the rack. It stops it rattling on bumpy roads.