The South West was never designed to be rushed. Its winding coastal roads, fishing harbours, dramatic cliffs and hidden villages invite you to slow down, take a different route and enjoy the journey itself. That philosophy sits at the heart of Freebird Campers.
Based near Bideford in North Devon, Freebird Campers was created around the idea that travel should be about more than simply arriving somewhere. Our classic VW T2 campervans, Monty (glorious green), Ruby (rich red) and Campo (beautiful blue) offer the chance to rediscover a slower pace of life. Where the journey becomes part of the adventure and every stop along the way has the potential to become a lasting memory.
Which is exactly why South West 660 feels like such a natural partnership for us, with 12 routes to enjoy in parts or as a whole.
Why choose a Freebird camper to drive the route?
Fasten your seatbelt as we take you on an anti-clockwise journey from Route 11 in North Devon and stretching along the south-west coastline toward the Lizard Peninsula on Route 7. You can enjoy some of the most beautiful and character-filled corners of the region. It captures everything we love about campervan travel: freedom, exploration and discovering places you might otherwise drive straight past.
For many of our guests, travelling in a classic VW T2 naturally changes the way they experience these places. Stop more often. Notice more. You become less concerned with racing between destinations and more interested in enjoying the moments in between.
For some, stepping into one of our campervans reconnects them with nostalgic memories of years gone by – family holidays, adventures from decades past or the excitement these iconic vans once represented.
For others, it becomes an opportunity to create those memories for the first time. Whether you’re a first time or old hand campervan explorer, despite Freebird’s classic VW campers retro vibes. They’re kitted out with genuinely useful modern touches to make you feel at home. Crisp stylish upholstery, warm lighting, pop top roofs, the essential fridge and freezer, comfortable double beds, the essentials to prepare and cook meals. Plus the all-important facilities for a cup of tea or coffee!
Starting in North Devon…
As you set off from our base near Bideford on Route 11, the route quickly leads you to places that feel wonderfully untouched by time. There’s the historic fishing village of Clovelly, with its cobbled streets tumbling steeply down towards the harbour. Here, cars disappear and life feels instantly slower. A little further west lies Hartland on Route 10. Dramatic coastlines and rugged scenery offer some of North Devon’s most spectacular views. Why not park up in Hartland Point Car Park. Take a clifftop stroll, with views down to the lighthouse, it’s ideal for dramatic early morning views, or stormy sea photography.
Travelling south into Cornwall, the route unfolds into a collection of coastal towns and harbours. Perfectly suited to classic campervan travel.
Places like Boscastle reward those willing to take the scenic route. Tiny fishing villages and hidden corners of coastline often become the places people remember most. The unplanned discoveries that turn into favourite memories.
Port Isaac (or Portwenn to some), with its narrow lanes and whitewashed cottages, offers endless character and charm. Also a perfect pit-stop for fans of the Doc Martin series. Well known Padstow invites slower afternoons spent wandering the harbour. Enjoyed best out of season, where you can indulge in an array of excellent local food from the humble pasty to cuisine from world renowned chefs, whilst you watch boats drift in and out with the tide.
And down to the south of Cornwall…
On joining Route 8, is St Ives, perhaps one of Cornwall’s most iconic destinations. Famous for its white sand and crystal blue clear beaches, thriving art scene and winding streets, it perfectly captures the balance of adventure and relaxation that makes travelling by campervan so special.
And finally, heading toward the Lizard Peninsula on Route 7, the landscape begins to feel even more dramatic and remote. England’s most southerly point offers breathtaking scenery, hidden coves and the feeling that you’ve truly escaped everyday life.
Because people aren’t simply hiring a campervan. They’re booking slow mornings with coffee outside the van. Sea air drifting through open doors. A sandy beach just a stones throw away. The unmistakeable crackling of breakfast sizzling in the frying pan.
They’re choosing evenings at beautiful campsites. Relaxing under coastal sunsets, starry night skies and the simple pleasure of having nowhere particular to be but in the here and now.
Imagine this…
At Freebird Campers, we want people to picture themselves in the journey as much as the destination itself. We believe the best travel experiences feel natural, relaxed and authentic. Whether it’s a quiet coastal drive, fish and chips beside a harbour wall or discovering a village you hadn’t planned to visit. Those moments often become the highlights.
And let’s not forget your four-legged friends, they can enjoy the journey too! Imagine those coast path walks, launching that ball with a chuck it on the beach, happy tongues, tails and flapping ears, and sitting down in a cosy café with an ice cream for both humans and pooches – take the time to pause with your paws.
The South West has always had a way of encouraging people to slow down naturally. Perhaps that’s why travelling through it in a classic VW feels so right.
South West 660 and Freebird Campers offer more than a route and a vehicle. Together they inspire and help you create an experience built around freedom, nostalgia and making memories.
Because sometimes the very best journeys aren’t about getting there quickly. They’re about enjoying every mile along the way and embracing slow travel.
