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You don’t need to be a druid or wait until summer solstice to watch the sunrise. There are beautiful places around the UK that make the perfect spot for you to park up your campervan and enjoy one of nature’s greatest shows.

All you have to do is wake up in time…

Getting out of bed before dawn isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but there’s a lot to gain from watching the sunrise.

There’s the wonder of watching a pastel-sky emerge above you. Getting a head-start on the day means you’re more positive and productive, and you can head out in your campervan before the roads get busy.

Just remember that accidents can happen at any time of day, so make sure you have your campervan insurance in place before setting off.

Can you think of a better way to start the day?

4 campervan driving tips for early starts

Watching the start of a new day is a magical thing. But you need to get there first – safely. Here are a few things to think about when planning your sunrise campervan trip.

1 Never drive tired: If you’re setting your alarm for early in the morning, make sure you get a good eight hours sleep the night before. Caffeine is going to be your friend.

2 Prepare for low light driving: Our eyes can struggle when driving in low light, and as we age, our night vision deteriorates. Make sure headlights are properly positioned, windscreen is clean, avoid internal light sources, and keep an eye out for wandering wildlife.

3 Go steady in bad weather: You’re probably not going to set off in your campervan to watch the sunrise if it’s pouring with rain (you need to be able to see the sun when it rises!) but an early drive can mean wet roads or fog. Always check the forecast, use the correct headlight setting and take your time.

4 Make sure you’re covered: Don’t forget to check your insurance for your campervan regularly. It won’t insure you for missed alarms, but it will help cover the costs of an early morning prang!

Where to watch the best sunrises

Take a look at our top picks for places to watch the sunrise all year round.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

You might be in the middle of Scotland’s capital, but from Arthur’s Seat it won’t feel like it. Park your campervan on the outskirts of Holyrood Park and it’s just a short walk to the top of this ancient volcano. There are lots of paths up – some steeper than others – and once there, you get views over the city, Leith, and across the Firth of Forth to Fife. A great spot to welcome a new day.

Bushy Park, Richmond

More than 1,000 acres of peaceful woodland and parkland make Bushy Park a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life – and it offers spectacular views of the rising sun. With lakes and streams, beautiful gardens, and herds of deer, you can sit back and enjoy the view – you don’t even have to get out of your campervan.

Cromer, Norfolk

When the tide is out at Cromer beach, the landscape seems huge, and the same can be said for the sunrises. Park your campervan and set up camp on the sandy beach to watch the vast sky change from black to pinks, purples, oranges and blue. It’s a wonderful place to spend time before the dog walkers and day-trippers arrive. Plus, the pier makes the perfect addition to your sunrise photos.

Durdle Door, Dorset

Along the Jurassic Coast in West Lulworth, Durdle Door’s 10,000-year-old natural arch is particularly picturesque at dawn. Visitors can enjoy the sunrise year-round, but between mid-December and early January, they’re also treated to the drama of a ‘through the keyhole’ sunrise (when the sun perfectly hits and fills the arch). Cameras at the ready, folks.

Glastonbury Tor, Somerset

You can’t list sunrise hotspots without including Glastonbury or Stonehenge (we’ve opted for the former). Famous for its mythical and mystical associations, the Tor at Glastonbury is a pagan mecca filled with myths of King Arthur. Head there in your campervan on summer solstice, and you won’t be alone. But any other day of the year, it’s a tranquil place to marvel at the epic early morning views over the Somerset Levels.

Lake District National Park, Cumbria

Lake District National Park is a wonderful medley of woodlands, valleys, fells and lakes. The scenery and sights around the park are breath-taking at any time of the day. But head there before dawn and you’re in for a treat. The beautiful ribbon lake of Ullswater is a particularly pretty spot, and if it’s a chilly morning, you may get the added bonus of a mist over the still water. Park up and enjoy the show.

Saltwick Bay, Yorkshire

With its rugged coastline, you’re spoilt for choice for sunrise spots in North Yorkshire. However, head to the secluded, sandy cove of Saltwick Bay and you’ll be met with striking rock formations and a magnificently majestic sunrise over the North Sea. In summer, you can watch both the sunrise and sunset from this beach. Talk about novelty appeal!

Shetland Isles, Scotland

Sunrise from the Shetland Islands will take your breath away. With no light pollution, remote beaches, and often dramatic weather, this is sunrise gold. They’re listed in the Lonely Planet’s top sunrises of the world! Getting your campervan to the islands is easy (a ferry from Aberdeen). The same can’t be said about getting up for sunrise in the summer (the sun only sets for a few hours each night).

Start Point, Devon

The most southerly point in Devon, Start Point is a picture-perfect place to watch the sunrise over the Channel. Leave your campervan in the car park and take the short, steep walk to the lighthouse (which dates back to 1836). Or if you’d rather stay put, the view from the car park isn’t too shabby either. Stick around after dawn and you might even spot a dolphin or seal cruising by.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire

By day, Tenby is a bustling little Welsh seaside town, complete with multi-coloured houses and fishing boats. At dawn, it makes for a tranquil location to enjoy the day’s sunrise. Park the campervan and head to Castle Beach to enjoy the sun lighting up the harbour, St Catherine’s Island, and Caldey Island out to sea.

Get a quote for campervan insurance today

Looking for campervan insurance you can rely on? Whether you’re an early riser or you prefer travelling at night, accidents can happen at any hour. That’s why it’s best to be prepared with protection from the experts.

Get a 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.