I went on a fully-funded dream road trip and here’s how you can too

I love a road trip. Living in Devon, heading further down south into Cornwall for some surfing and wild swimming is my go-to, primarily because I think the turquoise waters and reliable swell at Tolcarne Beach is hard to beat and it doesn’t end up costing too much, either.

When Dacia asked me to plan a road trip and said they’d foot the bill, courtesy of their Bucket List Fund, it felt like a dream. I started to think of things I’d talked about doing with my 8-year-old but hadn’t gotten round to yet – planning our ultimate half-term adventure with a pot of cash and a Dacia Duster to get us where we wanted to go!

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I started planning my trip by deciding on our penultimate destination, Snowdonia, to climb 3,560 feet up Yr Wyddfa. I first climbed Snowdon when I was about 10 years old, and my son loves a challenge, so it felt like good timing. I then started to think about places to visit and things to do on the way to and back from Wales to make it into a well-rounded trip, that would take us the four days we had free. Knowing you’ve got a spacious SUV to drive, no restrictions on your trip and money to spend on your adventure is even more freeing than it sounds…

Dacia’s Bucket List Fund is open to the public now, until June 30th, so you can apply for funding for your dream road trip. The fund will support adventures through the UK and Europe, awarding up to £5,000 to each winner, based on their itinerary. Want to do a tour of the most haunted bothies in Scotland or visit every waterfall in Wales? No idea is off limits.

The open road

Want some inspo? Here’s what my son and I got up to on our road trip!

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Low-flying barn owls, illuminated by the Duster’s headlights as I drove through Herefordshire to Ludlow were the absolute highlight of the first leg of my road trip, which I did after work, the night before the official day one…

Day 1: Three Crackin’ Castles

Waking up fresh in Ludlow, I was wowed by just how pretty the town is with its many listed buildings and quirky mix of Medieval, Tudor, and Georgian architecture and immaculate flower-lined streets and, when we visited, eclectic morris dancers…

Getting there as it opened, my son and I practically had the medieval Ludlow Castle to ourselves and enjoyed exploring the interlinked passageways and the towers, where you’re always rewarded with stunning views across the Shropshire countryside. 

Back in the Duster, with air on full, it was off to North Wales. Nearing Conwy, the views were stunning, especially as we’d lucked out with the weather for our road trip. Conwy Castle itself, when it comes into view, is enough to take your breath away – it literally towers over the entire town, which is still protected by an unbroken 1.3km ring of town walls.

Amazingly well preserved, you can climb all the staircases at Conwy Castle and even walk a complete loop around the battlements. There’s lots to see and imagine with unbeatable views out to the town, estuary and on to Snowdonia. A hit! 

Onwards to the beautiful and historic seaside town of Beaumaris, on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales for the night and we were greeted with a stunning view of its own castle, complete with moat, for a castle hat-trick. My son’s copy of Horrible Histories: Crackin’ Castles came to dinner.

Day 2: Lookin’ for puffins!

I take my son on some sort of wildlife adventure every summer. Last year we did a sail-powered safari from Penzance, where we watched dolphins bow-ride and the year before we were lucky enough to swim with manatees in Mexico. This year, with boat trips leaving for Ynys Seiriol, AKA Puffin Island, from Beaumaris, it was all about the clowns of the sea! 

It’s a lovely boat ride to get to Puffin Island, which is uninhabited and a haven for Atlantic puffins and razorbills and home to the UK’s largest colony of cormorants. We’d seen puffins before we even reached the island itself and more seals basking in the sun together than I’d ever seen before. A delight. 

That evening we drove up to Betws-y-coed, where we had a lodge for the night. We talked about puffins, watched some footy, played some footy, went for a swim and still got an early night, ready for our ascent the next day. 

Day 3: The big climb

Is it even an adventure without a 5am alarm? We were up bright and early to beat the heat and drive to the foot of the Llamberis Path. I’ve never found climbing a mountain “easy” but I always find it gives me a feeling of freedom and accomplishment. 

It was hot even at 7am while I walked and my son ran ahead, waiting patiently for me to catch up! My son found the climb easier than I thought he would and I found it harder than I remembered from nine years ago – mountains are humbling like that! 

We passed a surprising number of people turning back, while we enjoyed our time together talking about anything and everything, looking at the views and how the change as you get higher, and admiring the sheep! 

If I’d been alone, I’d have stopped for little rests, but 8-year-olds are hard masters and we got to the summit of Yr Wyddfa ahead of schedule… I felt incredibly proud of my boy (and maybe a little bit proud of myself), so I said yes to buying him two jumbo hot dogs in the summit restaurant… 

We caught the train back down to the Llamberis at the request of my son and I must say that Snowdon Mountain Railway, Britain’s only public rack-and-pinion railway, was another epic experience. A chance to enjoy the expansive mountain views again, watching while the steep summit turns to rugged rock face then green valleys, eventually turning to a beautiful waterfall at the bottom. 

It was time to drive back to England for our final night, before heading back to Devon the next day. As a surprise for my son, I’d booked a stay at the West Midlands Safari Park, in the Red Panda Lodge! Pandas and puffins – can it get any better? 

Day 4: Safari in the UK

The Red Panda Lodge didn’t disappoint. Being most active at dawn and dusk, the red pandas made excellent viewing all evening and we were still playing and eating when we woke up! The opulent lodge was a real treat and the fact you could get a great view of the pandas from every room was amazing. 

The next day, we drove the Duster, which by now felt like a second home, around West Midlands Safari Park. It impressed me equally with how comfortable it is and how efficient its fuel consumption is (yes, the trip was on Dacia, but old habits die hard…). 

After seeing all the animals from the comfort of the SUV, having a stand off with an Ostrich, taking the off road route and feeding a giraffe, it was time to get back to Devon. Our legs were a little sore but our cups were full – what a trip! 

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