A NEWLY-designated 200-mile route exploring Cumbria’s coast – the ‘CCR 200’ – has been unveiled to inspire the motorhome and campervan community to experience lesser-known parts of the Lake District.

The new 200-mile ‘CCR 200’ (or Cumbrian Coastal Route) will help motorhome and campervan owners explore this diverse and tranquil coastline and has been timed to coincide with Cumbria’s official Year of the Coast 2021.

The route has been split into smaller sections, all do-able in a day, to show that there’s more to Cumbria than meets the eye – from Morecambe Bay in the south to the Solway Firth in the north. It is packed with itinerary ideas so people staying overnight can also have great days out with or without their motorhomes too.

There’s now even more to discover by foot or bike from the CCR 200 with the newly-opened 32-mile stretch of England’s Coast Path, linking the historic harbour town of Whitehaven and the tranquility of Silecroft beach, set against the backdrop of the majestic Black Combe summit.

The ‘CCR 200’ includes a good mix of both formal and informal sites for motorhome and campervan owners, from larger holiday parks with fantastic facilities to smaller, more basic sites. A number of locations offer overnight stays in car parks.

Meanwhile, a handy map will help motorhome and campervan owners plan the best routes and easily identify approved locations to stay throughout their stay throughout the county, while www.visitlakedistrict.com/vanlife is a helpful hub of information including a range of itineraries/days out and practical hints to uncover those sites offering the most flexible booking policies and basic facilities along the way, including public toilets and waste disposal.

A new Motor Caravanners’ Code has also recently been developed to enable motorhome owners to better navigate their way around Cumbria, avoiding some of the complex – and sometimes narrow – rural road network, whilst highlighting the most suitable routes to explore the world-renowned but sensitive landscape without missing its scenic highlights.

“Our main message to the motorhome and campervan community is that there’s more to the county than you might expect and some great new places and experiences to discover,” says the managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh. “Once you’re here, there you can often leave your motorhome in its designated spot for the day while you enjoy a fantastic day out by foot, bike, boat or train.”

“Our visitor research shows that walking, spending time near or on the water and exploring safe, quiet and captivating landscapes are some of the main reasons people visit.”