A Summer Road Trip Through Somerset & Dorset: The Joy of Slow Campervan Travel

July is the month when the UK feels made for campervanning. The days stretch long into the evening, the countryside is at its greenest, and there’s a relaxed rhythm to travel that’s hard to replicate at any other time of year. For a classic summer road trip without long drives, Somerset and Dorset make a perfect pairing.

Both are easily reached from our base in Trowbridge, making this route ideal whether you’re heading out for a long weekend or a full week of exploring at a slower pace.

Rolling Countryside & Market Towns

In July, Somerset’s lanes and villages feel especially inviting. Hedgerows are full, fields glow in the evening light and small market towns come alive with local produce, cafés and independent shops. Stopping for a farm shop lunch or an impromptu picnic is one of the small pleasures that campervan travel does best.

With no rigid itinerary, you can follow brown signs, explore back roads and stay longer where the mood takes you.

Jurassic Coast Highlights

Crossing into Dorset brings a shift in scenery. Dramatic cliffs, fossil-strewn beaches and sweeping coastal views define this stretch of the Jurassic Coast. Places like West Bay offer a lively but unpretentious coastal stop, perfect for a late afternoon wander and supper by the sea.

While beaches are part of the appeal, July is also ideal for coastal walks, early evening swims and clifftop picnics without the pressure of peak midday crowds.

Campsites, Evenings & Simple Pleasures

Summer campervanning is as much about the evenings as the days. Longer daylight means unhurried dinners outside, a glass of something cold as the sun dips, and waking up to birdsong rather than alarm clocks. Somerset and Dorset both offer a wide choice of campsites — from working farms to coastal fields — giving you plenty of options depending on how off-grid or social you want to be.

July also brings that reassuring feeling of warmth and predictability, making it a great month for first-time campervan travellers.

Why July Works So Well

Travelling by campervan in July is about embracing flexibility. You can chase sunshine, avoid busy hotspots and discover places you’d otherwise drive straight past. There’s no need to rush — the journey itself becomes the holiday.

For those looking to experience the best of the South West without overplanning, a July campervan trip through Somerset and Dorset offers the perfect balance of countryside, coast and calm.