Whether you're hopelessly romantic, mildly obsessed with Mr Darcy, or just love a good period drama, this Pride and Prejudice-themed road trip is the perfect way to explore the UK by motorhome. From the sweeping hills of Derbyshire to the elegant streets of Bath, you’ll visit filming locations, real-life inspirations, and charming countryside straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Given that it’s the 20th anniversary of the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, there’s no better time to embark on this adventure of dedication!
This five-day itinerary is packed with stately homes, storybook villages, and plenty of spots to brood, flirt, or simply take in the view. We've also included motorhome-friendly campsites so you can soak up all the Regency vibes without sacrificing comfort (or access to a proper shower). Time to prep your playlist, pack your empire-waist dresses (optional), and hit the road Austen-style!
Day 1: Bath – Austen Beginnings
We must make haste and begin our Austen-tacious road trip! We’re starting things off in a town steeped in history.
Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage city and the perfect starting point for any Pride and Prejudice road trip, with its elegant Georgian architecture and deep connections to Jane Austen. Austen lived here from 1801 to 1806, and the city inspired scenes in both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Strolling the Royal Crescent or taking tea at The Pump Room feels like stepping into one of her novels.
Things to Do:
- Obviously, you need to visit the Jane Austen Centre. Start your trip where Austen herself lived and wrote. The immersive exhibits and costumed guides bring Regency-era Bath to life.
- Head to the Royal Crescent & The Circus. Take a dramatic promenade through these architectural icons, ideal for channelling your inner Elizabeth Bennet on a reflective walk.
- Enjoy a spot of afternoon tea at The Pump Room. Sip where Austen’s characters would have mingled, ideally with a side of gossip and a harpist in the background.
Staying at: Bath Marina & Caravan Park
For the first campsite on our Pride and Prejudice road trip itinerary, we’ve selected the delightful Bath Marina & Caravan Park. Just two miles from the city centre, this tranquil riverside spot has excellent motorhome facilities and a scenic walking path into town. It’s peaceful, clean, and the perfect soft start before Darcy-level drama kicks in.
Brassmill Ln, Bath BA1 3JT
51.388131, -2.403572
Day 2: Lacock & Luckington – Country Charm & BBC Nostalgia
Driving distance: 14 miles and 13.9 miles
Are you ready to leave Bath? We know, it’s easier said than done, but we’ve got plenty more stops on this Jane Austen road trip to enjoy. It’s a minimal driving day, so the focus is just on fitting in numerous Pride and Prejudice-themed sights. First up is Lacock Village, which should take about thirty-five minutes to reach from your campsite.
Lacock is a perfectly preserved village frozen in time, often used as a filming location for period dramas, including Meryton in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice series. With its crooked cottages, cobbled streets and historic abbey, it feels like stepping straight into Austen’s England.
Then it’s a further thirty-minute drive to Luckington, a lucky name with hopefully some lucky weather to match! Luckington is a quiet Cotswold village best known to Austen fans as the exterior of Longbourn, the Bennet family home, in the 1995 BBC adaptation. Although the house is privately owned, fans still make the pilgrimage to catch a glimpse of its charming façade from the road.
Things to Do:
- Explore Lacock Village, a time capsule of a village that remains virtually untouched by modern life. It doubled as Meryton in the 1995 BBC adaptation, and you can even stop for a pint at The Red Lion, which appeared on screen.
- Wander the atmospheric cloisters and sweeping grounds of Lacock Abbey, a former abbey turned stately home. With its romantic corners and historic charm, it radiates serious Austen vibes.
- Drive past Luckington Court, famously used as Longbourn—the Bennet family home—in the BBC series. Though you can only see it from the road, it's a thrilling sight for true fans.
Staying at: Blackland Lakes Campsite
Nestled in the Wiltshire countryside, Blackland Lakes Campsite is peaceful and surrounded by walking trails and wildflower meadows. It focuses on providing the right balance between wild nature and maintained areas to encourage wildlife in the area. They welcome motorhomes and provide essential hookups with a rustic, relaxed vibe.
Stockley Ln, Calne SN11 0NQ
51.419826, -1.993746
Day 3: Derbyshire – Pemberley Awaits
Driving distance: 144 miles
Alright, the real driving aspect of your Pride and Prejudice road trip itinerary is beginning today! We’ve got quite the drive ahead of us, so we recommend rising nice and early and drinking a big cup of coffee before you hit the road. The drive to Pemberley should take just under three hours. If you’d like to split this into two parts, you could always stop somewhere before Birmingham for a cuppa and to stretch your legs.
Contrary to popular belief, you won’t be visiting the real Permberley in London—thankfully so, as that would be a nightmare with the Low Emission Zone. Instead, you’re heading to Derbyshire for several Pride and Prejudice filming locations.
Things to Do:
- The first stop is Chatsworth House. This magnificent estate famously served as the setting for Pemberley in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Stroll through the grand gardens, tour the lavish interiors, and picture yourself bumping into Mr Darcy by the fountain.
- The charming market town of Bakewell is believed to have inspired Lambton in Austen's novel. It’s the perfect stop for a relaxed lunch and a proper Bakewell tart from a local bakery.
- Lace up your walking boots for the Monsal Head Walk. Take in sweeping views of the Monsal Dale valley on this stunning scenic walk. It’s an ideal spot for brooding stares, philosophical pacing or pretending you just rejected a marriage proposal.
Staying at: Laneside Caravan Park
Close to the Peaks and Chatsworth, this well-equipped site is ideal for motorhomes. Laneside Caravan Park offers great views, modern facilities, and a convenient location for exploring Derbyshire. If all that walking and swooning has got you too tired to cook, you can make use of their on-site food services, which serve everything from breakfast to homemade burgers.
Station Rd, Hope, Hope Valley S33 6RR
53.345690, -1.734472
Day 4: Stamford – Meryton Meets Pemberley
Driving distance: 70 miles
Be sure to grab a fresh breakfast from the campsite’s food truck, and then it’s back on the road. Don’t fret, today’s drive is shorter than the whopper from yesterday! Speaking of, no judgment from us if you got a whopper along the way to ease the drive…
From Derbyshire, you’re taking the A1 southeast to Stamford, a place steeped in Austenian film lore. Stamford is a picturesque Georgian town that served as Meryton in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film. With its honey-stone buildings, cobbled streets and historic charm, it’s easy to imagine the Bennet sisters strolling past in search of gossip.
Things to Do:
- The grand estate of Burghley House was used as Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s Rosings Park in the 2005 film adaptation. Its opulent façade and sweeping grounds perfectly capture the extravagance of Austen’s upper class.
- Then it’s off to Stamford Town Centre. Wander the cobbled streets that brought Meryton to life on screen. With old-world pubs and elegant Georgian architecture, it feels like stepping straight into one of Austen’s chapters.
- Hopefully without any injuries of your own, we’re heading to Browne’s Hospital. This beautifully preserved medieval almshouse offers a quieter, more intimate slice of history. The small chapel is open to visitors and feels like a hidden gem tucked away from the tourist trail.
Staying at: Top Lodge Caravan & Motorhome Club Site
Tucked into the forest just outside Stamford, Top Lodge Caravan & Motorhome Club Site is an oasis for motorhomes. It’s peaceful with great trails and a café nearby. Perfectly placed for exploring Burghley, it’s ideal if you’re after peace, natural scenery, and perhaps glimpses of red kites soaring overhead.
Forestry England Visitor Centre, Fineshade, Corby NN17 3BB
52.574328, -0.556861
Day 5: Hampshire – Austen’s Real-Life Ending
Driving distance: 139 miles
Every book must have a final chapter, and this itinerary for Pride and Prejudice filming locations must also have a final day. We’ve got quite the drive planned, so if you have time to spare, this could be the stop you choose to split over two parts. If not, don’t fear, it’s possible with a Darcy-ian love of schedule and plenty of caffeine.
The drive from Stamford to Hampshire will take about three hours. We advise you to avoid the route that passes beside London, as it’s a notorious hotspot for traffic. Instead, follow the A43 and A34, and stop in Oxford if you find the drive a bit too long.
Hampshire is Jane Austen’s home county and the final, heartfelt stop on your Pride and Prejudice pilgrimage. With its rolling countryside and literary landmarks, it provides a serene, reflective conclusion to your Regency-inspired road trip.
Things to Do:
- End your literary journey at the charming cottage where Austen spent her final years. It’s here she revised and published Pride and Prejudice, and walking through the rooms feels like stepping into her creative world. Jane Austen’s House is a beloved pilgrimage for fans of her work, and you’ll soon see why.
- Visit Chawton House, the impressive ‘Great House’ once owned by Austen’s brother, now dedicated to early women’s literature. With its lush gardens and beautifully preserved interiors, it’s both a scholarly treasure and a sight to behold.
- It’s not technically Austen-themed, but we have no doubt that Jane spent hours wandering across the South Downs National Park and working out plot points. The rolling hills and woodlands of the South Downs inspired much of Austen’s writing. Whether you’re quoting poetry or imagining a heated exchange with Mr Darcy, it’s pure Regency magic.
Staying at: Two Hoots Campsite
A boutique adults-only motorhome site with panoramic views and peaceful vibes, Two Hoots Campsite is just a short drive from Chawton. It’s beautifully maintained and ideal for a quiet, reflective Austen finale. In particular, the shower facilities come highly recommended, so you can enjoy a hot shower before heading home tomorrow.
Sutton Wood Ln, Alresford SO24 9SG
51.092946, -1.101107
After five days of wandering through Jane Austen’s world, from elegant Georgian streets to grand country estates, you’ll have stepped into the very heart of Regency England. Whether you’ve fallen for Darcy’s brooding charm or simply soaked up the timeless beauty of the English countryside, this trip leaves you with memories as rich as a ball at Pemberley. So, pull up your bonnet, pour a cup of tea, and start planning your next literary adventure, because with a motorhome and a love of Austen, the road is always calling.
Next stop? Our list of Bridgerton filming locations, of course! Or for another literary moment, you can embark on a Harry Potter road trip across the UK.
