Camping on the way of the roses and trans pennine

[greenwoodbodger]

Hi all, I'm new to forums so bear with me!

The girlfriend and I have been planning a cycle trip for a few months now. Initially the way of the roses (as we're based in Lancaster) but we were put off by the cost of getting the train to or from Bridlington. We've now realised that if we combine the trans pennine route with the way of the roses it makes a nice round trip. We're both pretty active so am sure we can manage it but I'd really like some tips on finding campsites along the way. We'd preffer not to get tied down by booking sites as it's nice to push on when things are going well (and vice versa!). So far i've found google maps to be ok, and some of the free online searches are similar, but none have anything approaching a full list. If anyone knows if such a thing exists or can point me in the right direction it'd be really helpfully.

Oh, and any feel free to add anything you think could be of help.

Cheers

Rob

 

[delport]

Aren't there cheap advance train fares for the journey?
Nothing on megatrain?What about "trainline".If you can do 400 miles for £14 on the train there may well be something for a much shorter journey.

 

[mcr]

This is the most comprehensive campsite list I've found.

 

[Amanda P]

The Camping and Caravanning Club may sound like something that promotes jolly songs around the campfire, knee-socks and baggy shorts, but it's not. Besides owning and managing large club sites, it has a network of Certified Sites, not usually marked on maps and only available to members. Joining is a bit pricey, but you get access to all of these sites, and there are many, including in some out-of-the-way places. Some are farms, private woodlands, pub gardens etc;, some are in the grounds of stately homes or outdoor museums. Places like that.

Oh yes, and they tend to be lots cheaper than commercial sites; often quieter too.

 

[Ticktockmy]

The Camping and Caravanning Club may sound like something that promotes jolly songs around the campfire, knee-socks and baggy shorts, but it's not. Besides owning and managing large club sites, it has a network of Certified Sites, not usually marked on maps and only available to members. Joining is a bit pricey, but you get access to all of these sites, and there are many, including in some out-of-the-way places. Some are farms, private woodlands, pub gardens etc;, some are in the grounds of stately homes or outdoor museums. Places like that.

Oh yes, and they tend to be lots cheaper than commercial sites; often quieter too.

I am member, and they will always find a corner of the site for a member who is backpacking or cyclepacking, even when the sites are full, and I find the prices reasonable. with good quality services.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Aren't there cheap advance train fares for the journey?
Nothing on megatrain?What about "trainline".If you can do 400 miles for £14 on the train there may well be something for a much shorter journey.

Beware of of buying tickets on Trainline, as they will offer a cheaper fare, then when you go to buy it they then have credit card and debit card charges and postage charges. Best to use the site to plan, then purchase your ticket through one of the train companies which is operating on the route you want to travel over. most will send the tickets via first class post or you can pick them up using the ticket machine at your station.

 

[delport]

Beware of of buying tickets on Trainline, as they will offer a cheaper fare, then when you go to buy it they then have credit card and debit card charges and postage charges. Best to use the site to plan, then purchase your ticket through one of the train companies which is operating on the route you want to travel over. most will send the tickets via first class post or you can pick them up using the ticket machine at your station.

I use trainline as a reference only, i never buy off them.
Trainline have the exact same prices as my local train station [fareham], so i check trainline on the web, and an hour later go up to the local station to buy the ticket at the trainline price and get a bike reservation.

 

[Bigsharn]

Camp wild

In addition to what Ticktockmy said, crosscountrytrains has no booking fee and redspottedhanky actually has a loyalty scheme, where you get money off the next purchase.

 

[andrew_s]

Camp wild

That's illegal, and therefore discretion is required - i.e. don't get spotted (eg dusk/dawn arrival and departure, no lights etc).
It's no good if you like a lie-in in the mornings.

 

[Soltydog]

I have a paddock 3 miles south of Hornsea/east of trans pennine trail & you are welcome to camp there free of charge
Cheapest way on train is to split journey into 2 or 3 tickets. Brid to Hull, Northern service (dont do cheap advance tickets but may be able to get a duo on the day 1 full & 1 half price) Hull to Manchester or Lancaster TPE (book on tanspennine website for cheap advance tickets & no booking fee or postage charge, but you'll be stuck on a certain time train) maybe Manchester - Lancaster on Northern if TPE dont offer trains up that way

 

[ZIZAG]

Hello Greenwoodbodger . . Reference to Campsites .
If go On UK.Campsite.uk.co . You can join or peruse all campsites with very good Reviews by members who know all about camping . And you get a fair opinion of pro's and con's . In the area you are going to .Or pass by.
Have got your gear for touring .
If not I can recommend a good cheap £14:99. 60ltr Pannier bags From lidl . On sale again 14th March .
Also what tent and gear have you got . ?

 

[vernon]

One thing that might help is a Philips motorists road atlas which shows the positions of lots of campsites nationwide as it's based on OS maps. Ok there's no addresses listed but it will allow you to make rough plans.

Failing that there is an online facility at www.bikehike.co.uk which allows you to paln routes on OS maps and it will show camp site locations. Ironically I've just checked the site and the OS maps are not being displayed.

 

[greenwoodbodger]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the train info. We've decided to try and avoid trains for the cost and the inconvenicence of having to book specific times to get a reasonable ticket price. useful info though.

@ Phil and ticktockmy. I've had another look at the C & C club website and it has plenty of sites just where we need them so will likely join on your recommendations. The prices seem very reasonable too and should even out the expensive membership fee.

@ soltydog. that's really good of you. I'll come back to you when we've a little further organised with our route.

@ Zizag. thanks for the website. I'll have a look at the panniers next week. otherwise I was thinking of splashing out on some waterproof avenir ones that i hope would last as long as i'm likely to need them. We've got plenty of light weight kit used for walking and canoeing, we've just got to sort out what works best with the bikes. On that note I'm just deciding on a good touring bike and am going to try out an Edinburgh cycle coop revolution explorer this week. the girlfriend is already kitted up with bikes so i need something that'll allow me to keep up with her....