No, I haven't started speaking French...Le Jog is the nickname given to the journey between Land's End and John O'Groats.
With the advent of cheap flights and European city breaks, it's easy to miss out on all of the sights that the UK has to offer on our doorstep. I did a trip from Manchester to Land's End, then up to John O'Groats and back to Manchester in two weeks! I've created a map here which shows most of the campsites and attractions that I stopped at along the way. Hopefully this will give you a bit of inspiration for planning your own trip around this (sometimes) green and pleasant land! Check out this map for places to stay and things to do!
Day 1 - Manchester to Wales
Load up the van with everything you need (and nothing that you don't!) for two weeks on the open road. Head down to Llyn Gwynant Campsite in the Snowdonia national park for a chilled night in the van. Whilst you're here you can take a canoe out on the lake straight from the site, or just sit by the campfire and enjoy one of the wood-fired pizzas sold by Jones Pizza Co. You might want to get an early night...
Day 2 - Snowdon
Up and at 'em! Seeing as you're here, it would be rude not to tackle Snowdon. If the weather is on your side, the views are stunning. You can walk straight from the campsite, drive up the hill to start at the bottom of the Pyg Track, or even head to Llanberis and take the train. If the weather isn't great, the alternative is to head to Bounce Below, where you can throw yourself around an underground trampoline park inside a disused slate mine! They also have 2km of zip lines if you're after even more fun. When all that's done, head down to Pencelli Castle campsite to recover.
Day 3 - Whisky and Cheese
After yesterday's exertion, you've got an excuse to chill out a bit. You could head to the Penderyn Distillery and try Wales' only malt whisky (and trust me, it's GOOD!) or take a trip out to Tenby to mooch around this gorgeous seaside town. As you cross back into England and start heading further south, stop off at Cheddar Gorge, or have a run up Glastonbury Tor to take in the views of Somerset. You might even be able to make out the frame of the world-famous Pyramid Stage which is there all year round. Then it's just a short drive to Wookey Farm Campsite where you can hang out with the goats and try some of the cheese that they've made!
Day 4 - Land's End
On the move again, with a fridge full of cheese, today you'll make it to Land's End. Stop off at The Eden Project for a taste of the rainforest and the Mediterranean. Carry on through Cornwall until you get to Land's End, ideally in time to watch the sunset. After the sun's gone down, head across to the Little Trethvas campsite for the night.
Day 5 - Jurassic Lark
At this point, it's okay to admit defeat and stay in Cornwall! The views, the beaches, and Little Trethvas campsite have that effect on people, and the best thing about a campervan trip is that you can change your destination whenever you want to. Alternatively, have a mooch down to Lizard Point lighthouse so you can say you've been to the southernmost part of the country, before venturing north. Take the scenic route through Dartmoor, and stop for a selfie with the wild ponies. Carry on across into Dorset, and pitch up at Cummins Farm campsite near Charmouth. From here you can wander down to the beach anywhere along the Jurassic Coast and see if you can find any fossils.
Day 6 - Stonehenge
You might want an early start! The thing with seeing a lot of the country is that at some point you're going to have to spend a lot of the day driving. Head to Stonehenge on your way north and come up with your own theories about how and why 25 tonnes of rock were moved here 5000 years ago. Now hit the motorway and either head for a campsite in the Peak District or keep going to The Hideaway at Haxby Manor in North Yorkshire. You can stop off at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park if you have time, or stop for a look at Mam Tor and Blue John Cavern near Edale.
Day 7 - Lindisfarne and Edinburgh
Back on the road - you could head to the coast to check out Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay, or you can go straight to Lindisfarne, the tidal island also known as Holy Island. Just make sure you pay attention to the tide times or you'll be stuck on the island (or worse, stuck on the causeway when the tide comes in). Once you've explored the island, you can carry on up the road to Edinburgh. If you can't find a campsite close enough to Edinburgh, tonight might be a good time to treat yourself to a hotel so you can enjoy everything Edinburgh has to offer. If you feel like you've already done Edinburgh, then carry on as far as you like until you find a spot that's suitable for wild camping.
Day 8 - Edinburgh
Edinburgh has so much to offer - there's obviously the castle, but just next to it is the whisky discovery tour too. If you're feeling healthy you can head up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill, and it'd be rude not to check in with Greyfriar's Bobby too. After that, get back on the road and head up to Loch Fleet where you should be able to find somewhere quiet to stop for the night. I stopped in a lay-by next to the Loch and woke up in the morning surrounded by seals! You can break up the journey with a quick stop at the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies too.
Day 9 - JOG on
Time for the final push north! Head on to John O' Groats, take the obligatory photo by the signpost, and then take in Duncansby stacks, and maybe the distillery at Dunnet Bay. Before you check in at Sango Sands campsite, pop to Dunnet Head too, the most northern point on the mainland. Just round the corner from the campsite is Smoo Cave too, definitely worth a look.
Day 10 - Skye's the limit
From Sango Sands head south to Skye. You might want to stop at Ullapool, or break for lunch at Kishorn Seafood Bar. Skye deserves a full week, but you can take your pick from the Fairy Pools, The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, the Fairy Glen, the dinosaur footprints at An Corran beach, or a wildlife-spotting boat trip from Elgol. Stay at Sligachan campsite which will give you great access to the whole island, and great views to boot.
Day 11 - Beach day
Today you'll have to choose which parts of Skye you've still got to do, then catch the ferry to Mallaig. Head to Invercaimbe campsite where you can have a rest, play on the beach and have a barbecue. Watch the sun go down across small isles, and keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights.
Day 12 - Top of the world
It's an early start again! Take in Glenfinnan Viaduct on your way to Fort William, and get your boots on and get to the top of Ben Nevis. If you get decent weather, the views are incredible. If you don't get good weather, then just head to the Ben Nevis Inn instead. Once you're done with Ben Nevis, hit the road and aim for Cashel Campsite, right on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Day 13 - The Lakes
Nearly done! Drive to Wasdale and tackle Scafell Pike - once this is done you can say you've done the three peaks! You can eat at the Wasdale Head pub and stay at the National Trust campsite which has great facilities and is surrounded by hills.
Day 14 - Home time
It's all over - pack up your stuff and head back to Manchester. You've probably earned a holiday after all that, so you can start planning your next trip!
Thanks for reading! Nick 😄🚌