The Ultimate UK Eclipse Road Trip Guide
Chase the 2026 skies with a campervan adventure
2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for sky-watchers.
With a dramatic “Blood Moon” lunar eclipse in March and a major solar eclipse in August, travellers across Europe are already planning trips around these rare celestial events. While the UK won’t sit directly in the path of total solar totality, much of the country will still experience a striking partial eclipse — and both events provide the perfect excuse for a scenic road trip.
And when it comes to chasing clear skies, flexibility is everything.
That’s exactly why campervan travel is becoming one of the most popular ways to plan eclipse adventures.
Why a Campervan Is Perfect for Eclipse Watching
Unlike hotel stays tied to one location, a campervan lets you move wherever the weather looks best.
That matters, because cloud cover can make or break sky-watching in Britain.
With a campervan, you can:
drive toward clearer skies on the day
stay far from city light pollution
park beside coastal viewpoints or open countryside
avoid peak-event accommodation price spikes
For events that only last minutes, having total location flexibility makes a huge difference.
Best UK Regions for Eclipse Road Trips
If you’re planning to turn eclipse-watching into a full getaway, these regions offer some of Britain’s best dark skies and wide horizons.
🌊 South West Coast (Dorset, Devon & Cornwall)
The South West is one of the UK’s top regions for combining coastal scenery with relatively low light pollution.
Excellent viewing spots include:
the Jurassic Coast cliffs
Dartmoor’s open landscapes
Cornwall’s Atlantic headlands
Wide sea horizons and minimal urban lighting make these areas ideal for watching astronomical events unfold.
For travellers starting from the West Country, they’re also quick and easy to reach.
🏔 Wales & Pembrokeshire Dark Skies
Wales offers some of Britain’s darkest accessible skies.
The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) is an official Dark Sky Reserve, while the Pembrokeshire coast combines huge horizons with spectacular sea views.
For eclipse watching, that means:
darker conditions
fewer crowds
dramatic natural scenery
It’s one of the best UK regions for a sky-focused campervan trip.
How to Plan an Eclipse Campervan Trip
A few simple tips can dramatically improve your chances of a perfect viewing.
✔ Choose open landscapes
Coastlines, moors and national parks give the widest sky views.
✔ Avoid city lighting
Even a short drive from major towns improves visibility.
✔ Build flexibility into your route
Weather forecasts just 48 hours ahead can help you reposition.
✔ Arrive early at viewing spots
Popular scenic locations can get busy during major celestial events.
Why Start Your Road Trip from the West Country
Being based in the West Country makes Trailblazer Campervans ideally positioned for eclipse-watching trips.
Within a short drive, you can reach:
Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast
Dartmoor’s wide open moorland
Cornwall’s Atlantic viewpoints
Wales’ national parks and coastal reserves
That means less time on motorways and more time finding the perfect sky.
Make the Eclipse the Start of Your Adventure
The best part of an eclipse road trip isn’t just the few minutes of the event itself.
It’s the journey.
Quiet coastal drives, sunset walks, star-filled nights and the freedom to change plans whenever you want — that’s what makes campervan travel such a memorable way to explore Britain.
And when the sky finally darkens and the eclipse begins, you’ll already be in exactly the right place to watch it.