Campervan adventures to have this autumn

While those warm, sunny months are now very much in the rear-view mirror, autumn has plenty going for it – namely Halloween, Bonfire Night and a whole host of Christmas festivities! It also represents one more opportunity to get out in your campervan before the year is out and winter takes hold.

So, give your campervan the once over – ensuring that it’s firing on all cylinders – check that your campervan insurance hasn’t expired, and pack your bags for one last adventure in 2021.

To help you decide on where in the UK to visit, we’ve curated a list of autumn events which should cater for all tastes:

Take in some classical music in Bath at Mozartfest

Somehow, Bath seems like the perfect place for a festival celebrating the music of prolific and influential composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Founded by Mrs Mary Purnell, in memory of her late son Mark who adored the music of Mozart and the city of Bath, Mozartfest is set in the intimate Bath Assembly Rooms.

Bath Mozartfest has now been running for 30 years – in that time, it has established itself as one of Europe’s leading classical music festivals, attracting world-renowned artists who never fail to captivate the capacity audiences. Prepare yourself for something very special.

Bath Mozartfest takes place from 13^th – 20^th November 2021.

Expand your mind with some contemporary music in Huddersfield

If contemporary classic music is more your thing, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival returns in 2021 after a year of digital events (thanks, Covid).

Promising a “future-leaning programme” this year, led by Composer in Residence Chaya Czernowin, you can expect the cutting edge of contemporary classical music in venues ranging from immense concert halls to intimate gallery spaces.

Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival takes place from 18^th – 22^nd November 2021.

Check out some Oscar bait at Cornwall Film Festival

The Cornwall Film Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and has a programme of films to match.

Feature films on show include Pablo Larraín’s Spencer starring Kristen Stewart as Lady Diana. The film charts her decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles, which has seen Stewart pick up all kinds of praise for her performance – she is a big favourite to pick up the Best Actress award at next year’s Oscars.

Check out the full programme here.

Cornwall Film Festival takes place at Princess Pavilions in Falmouth from 15^th – 21^st November 2021.

Hear from a legendary poet at Chester Literature Festival

Voted one of the best post-war writers, Benjamin Zephaniah takes centre stage at this year’s Chester Literature Festival as the Artist in Residence. His work will be emblazoned across the Story house complex throughout the course of the three-week festival.

You can expect all kinds of fun and thought-provoking events, performances and conversations at what is now one of the longest-running annual literature events in the country

The festival welcomes the queen of dictionary corner, Countdown’s Susie Dent who presents The Secret Life of Words. Also on the bill is performance poet, rock star, presenter and cultural commentator Dr John Cooper Clarke who brings his ‘I Wanna Be Yours’ tour to the festival which blends poetry, hilarious ponderings on modern life and more!

Chester Literature Festival takes place from 6^th – 20th November 2021.

Marvel at mountaineers at the Kendal Mountain Festival

You don’t have to be a keen explorer to enjoy the Kendal Mountain Festival, but it does help. Perhaps you’re just looking to be inspired? Well, there’s plenty of awe-inspiring, life-affirming stories from the world of outdoor adventure to be found here!

Taking place in the picturesque town of Kendal, Cumbria, the festival looks to celebrate adventure through a mix of film, literature, speaker events, music, art, dance and parties. It’s very much a family-friendly event with plenty of fun activities for the little ones to get involved in including talks from children’s authors and a selection of thrilling short films.

The original objective of the festival, which was born in 1980, was “To inspire more people to explore, respect and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures”. Head along to see if there’s anything to inspire you to your feet!

Kendal Mountain Festival takes place from 18^th November - 22nd January 2022.

Get a taste for Christmas in the capital

Every year, in the run up to the Christmas period, famous TV chefs, popular cookbook authors, Michelin-starred restaurant chefs and expert drinks mixologists make their way to East London’s Tobacco Dock to perform a schedule of themed demonstrations and tastings.

But there’s more. You’ll also be able to sample some of the capital’s best restaurants, with each creating fresh tasting menus especially for the event. Arrive hungry and you won’t know quite where to start – by the time you’re done, you’re guaranteed a great night’s sleep back in the van with all that amazing food and drink in your stomach!

Taste: The Festive Edition takes place from 18^th – 21^st November 2021.

Pick up some unique gifts at Exeter Christmas Market

Set in the beautiful grounds of Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Christmas Market seems to draw more visitors every year with the promise of one-off, handmade gifts and mulled wine/cider.

With the market postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, organisers are expecting visitors to turn up in their droves this year to enjoy the selection of foods from around the world, pop-up bars, local gift and craft makers and more, all housed in traditional-style Bavarian chalets for that truly festive feel.

More than 90 traders have been lined up for this year’s market. If you’re worried about the sheer amount of people in attendance, organisers say they’re implementing a new layout to improve the flow and spacing of pedestrians, which includes wider paths between stalls, table service at the Cathedral Tavern bar and plenty of hand sanitiser stations.

While you’re there, you can explore the Cathedral itself, plus the rest of the city.

Exeter Christmas Market takes place from 18^th November – 18^th December 2021.

Step into a Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is no secret with more than three million people turning up at the annual event in 2019 (it was, like so many events, cancelled in 2020 due to Covid).

It’s a bit too busy for some tastes, but with attractions including the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink, it can prove hard to resist for those who are looking to get into the festivities.

There’s something for everyone at Winter Wonderland, from thrill-seeking rides and carnival games, to Christmas markets, a magical ice kingdom and much, much more.

Winter Wonderland takes place from 19^th November – 3^rd January 2022.

Be enchanted at Westonbirt Arboretum

If Winter Wonderland is a bit too commercialised for your tastes, the Enchanted Christmas trail at Westonbirt Arboretum might be more up your street this December.

This immersive sensory experience engages kids with a narrative – the story being that an almighty storm that has separated Father Christmas from his reindeer, and the big man needs all the help he can get to be reunited with Rudolph and the gang, recover lost presents, and save Christmas!

It’s set to be a truly magical event, surrounded by twinkling lights and sparkling illuminations. During the day you can explore the rest of Gloucestershire, where there are many delights to be found!

Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum takes place from 26^th November – 21^st December 2021.

Explore Hogwarts in the snow at Warner Bros. Studio

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in the UK. If you’re a Potter fan – or you know someone who is – it makes for a great day out.

They always do something special for the festive season and this year sees the return of Hogwarts in the Snow feature. The entire studio – including the Forbidden Forest – will be given a festive makeover.

Wander around the Great Hall and take in all the festive decorations – wreaths, garlands and trees topped with witches on miniature broomsticks. Don’t miss the FX flaming Christmas puddings, too!

Located in Watford, just off the M1 and M25, the studios are easy to get to and you can either team it with a trip to London, Oxford or somewhere else north of the capital.

Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio takes place from 12th November – 16th January 2022.

Sample some free-from treats in Bristol

It's estimated that 8.5 million people in the UK have now gone gluten free – so it’s perhaps surprising we’ve had to wait so long for the UK’s first gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free food festival!

But a feast of gluten-free fancies await you this autumn at the Pennywell Project in the heart of Bristol.

All the food at the event is made by small UK-based artisan producers, who serve up all kinds of delicious chocolate, desserts, savoury snacks and street food. There will also be a selection of gluten-free beer, organic wine and refined sugar-free beverages being served at the bar, so make sure you’ve parked the van up for the night so you can make the most of it!

To add a bit of atmosphere, there'll be some live music provided by talented up and coming artists.

Free From Festival in Bristol takes place on Saturday 4^th December 2021.

Celebrate St Andrew's Day in Scotland

St Andrew’s Day (30th November) is one of the most important dates in the Scottish calendar (after Burns Night and Hogmanay) – an official bank holiday, it provides a great opportunity to celebrate everything that’s great about Scottish culture.

Celebrated in towns and cities across Scotland, why not head north of the border to get involved in the festivities? In Edinburgh, for example, there'll be all kinds of storytelling events, street markets and traditional music to get involved in. Or you could head to Fife where the festivities often last an entire week!

Gaze at the stars in Greenwich

If you’ve never explored the wonders of the night sky, now’s your chance to do it in style, through the telescopes of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. You’ll have a rare opportunity to look through the 130-year-old Great Equatorial Telescope.

There will also be a live planetarium show on the sights of the night sky before – and don’t worry, if the weather isn’t playing ball, you’ll still be able to enjoy talks from some experience astronomers, where you’ll have the chance to ask questions about anything to do with the world of astronomy.

Evening With the Stars takes place on 19^th & 20^th November, and then 3rd, 4th, 17^th & 18th December 2021.

See the illuminated gardens at Hestercombe

Explore the beautiful gardens at Hestercombe House near Taunton this autumn and see them in a whole new light! The winter trail, ILLUMINATE, will light up the Rock Wood and Yew Tunnel with a beautiful multi-coloured display that leads you all the way to Santa’s Grotto!

Just be sure to grab a cup of hot chocolate to warm up after your adventure.

ILLUMINATE will take place between 27th November - 2nd January 2022.

Campervan insurance to protect you as you explore some autumnal delights

Hopefully you now feel suitably inspired to get in your campervan for some autumn fun! Remember, these events are only something to centre your trip around – it’s up to you where you go.

However, before you set off, you should just double check that your campervan insurance is in order.

It goes without saying that driving at this time of the year throws up more hazards with wind, rain and snow now firmly on the agenda. So, in the case of something unexpected happening, you want to make sure you have adequate campervan insurance covering you the whole way.

Here at Lancaster Insurance, our campervan insurance can include:

• Motorhome Club member discounts
• EU cover up to 90 days
• Up to 365 days EU cover available
• Gas bottle and awning over
• Windscreen cover
• Optional breakdown cover
• 24-hour claims helpline
• UK-based call centre
• Personal effects up to £6000
• Limit mileage discounts available

As specialists in campervan insurance, we know exactly what you need.

Get your campervan insurance quote from Lancaster Insurance today!

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.