Swamper Road Trips
Hand-picked UK routes for slow escapes & scenic stops.
Swamper Road Trip #1
-Forest of Bowland
A proper peaceful loop through Lancashire’s best-kept secret — the Forest of Bowland AONB. Expect winding roads, wild views, quiet villages, and plenty of stops for pub lunches and brews. Perfect for a laid-back weekend escape. 📍 Trip Stops: 📍 Lancaster – Kick things off in this historic city with riverside walks, a medieval castle and decent coffee. 🏰☕ 📍 Quernmore – Country lanes, big skies and a proper farming feel. 🚜🌾 📍 Jubilee Tower – A short detour with big pay-off. Hike up for unreal views across Bowland. 🥾🌄 📍 Trough of Bowland – The heart of the route. Remote beauty, dramatic roads, and sheep who think they own the place. 🐑📸 📍 Whitewell – Classic pub stop. Local ales and countryside charm. 🍺🍽️ 📍 Chipping – Quaint, quiet and full of old-English village vibes. 🏡🍰 📍 Clitheroe – End your trip with a wander around this market town. Castle views, indie shops, and a big choice of spots for a final brew. 🏯🛍️ 🚐 Trip Facts: 🛣️ Approx. 35 miles ⏱️ Best over 1–2 days 🐾 Dog friendly 📍 Collection from Oldham — hit the hills within the hour 🎧 Bonus: Pair this one with our playlist: The Swamper Sessions Soundtrack to the slow lane. Now playing on Spotify.
Swamper Road Trip #2
-The Diddly Squat Detour
Clarkson chaos meets Cotswolds charm. This loop takes you from ancient stones to craft beers, sleepy villages and the one and only Diddly Squat Farm Shop — with pub stops, big views and a decent bacon roll along the way. 📍 Trip Stops: 📍 (Optional) Rollright Stones – Neolithic stone circle. Bit spooky. Very cool. Worth the detour. 🪨🌄 📍 (Optional) Pub Stop – The Chequers, Churchill – Proper pint. Opens at 12. Literally down the road from Diddly. 🍻🍽️ 📍 Hawkstone Brewery – Home of Clarkson’s lager. Tour the brewery, sip the goods, soak up the relaxed Cotswolds vibe. 🍺🧢 📍 Bourton-on-the-Water – The “Venice of the Cotswolds.” Waterside cafés, little bridges, model village. Insta-perfect. 🏞️📸 📍 Diddly Squat Farm Shop – You’ve seen the show. Now go and see the queue. Great merch, good bacon, better people watching. 🐷🥓 📍 The Farmer’s Dog (Clarkson’s pub) – End the loop with a pint at Jeremy’s pub in Burford. Easy to find, hard to leave. 🍻🐕 🚐 Trip Facts: 🛣️ Approx. 40–45 miles ⏱️ Best over 1–2 relaxed days 🐾 Dog friendly (most stops) 🍻 Pub stops built-in 📍 Ideal for fans of Clarkson, countryside, or cold beer 🎧 Vibe: Stick The Swamper Sessions on repeat — because nothing pairs with Neolithic stones and pints like a slow lane soundtrack. 🎵
Swamper Road Trip #3
-Chasing Waterfalls - Wales
Swamper Road Trip #3 – Welsh Waterfalls & Winding Roads 💦⛰️ Tight bends, mountain views, hidden falls and café stops — this one's a proper road trip through the heart of South Snowdonia. Ideal for those who like their weekends with a side of misty hills and strong brews. 📍 Trip Stops: 📍 Machynlleth – Start in this small but lively town, known for markets, arty shops and a cracking bakery or two. 🛍️🥐 📍 Dolgoch Falls – One of Wales’ prettiest waterfall walks. 15–20 mins through woodland to the falls. Easy and beautiful. 🍃💧 📍 Castell y Bere – Remote ruin with dramatic views. Not touristy, just vibes. 🏰🌄 📍 Llanfihangel-y-Pennant – Tiny hamlet, wild scenery, and the kind of place that makes you pull over just to breathe it all in. 🌿🚐 📍 Café at Cross Foxes – Pit stop time. Coffee, food, and a killer view. 🍳☕ 📍 Torrent Walk – Another waterfall walk, bit longer this time — but the views and gorges are well worth it. Bring decent boots. 🥾🍂 📍 Dolgellau – End in this handsome stone-built town surrounded by mountains. Good food, friendly locals, and the ideal overnight stop. 🏞️🍻 🚐 Trip Facts: 🛣️ Approx. 35–40 miles ⏱️ Best over 2 days with walks included 🐾 Dog friendly 📍 Collection from Oldham — Snowdonia is a stunning 2.5hr drive out 🎧 Swamper Sessions This one pairs best with foggy beats, mellow blues, and quiet van moments. Listen on Spotify → “The Swamper Sessions: Soundtrack to the Slow Lane” 🎵