We're thinking of heading to Spain with the tintent. I've done the big french drive so am thinking a boat to Bilbao or Santander would be OK. Anyone got experience of this route and maybe recommend a nice site no more than 100 miles from the port ?

 Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

Sorry, don't know about caravan sites, but Santilana Del Mar is a very nice area.
Also, the road down from the coast to Potes is stunning.
From Potes you can drive up to the cable car at the end of the valley.

Sounds good. TBH not just about the sites, any areas that are nice would be good to hear more....how far from Bilbao is that town/area?  Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

You will be far better off pushing a bit further to the med! Bilbao gets its fair share of rain!! 2010 defender utility
2010 RRS TDV8 (gone)
2007 discovery 3 (gone)
2004 discovery 4 (gone)
1994 discovery 1
1970 v8 hybrid (gone)
1975 bobtail (gone)

Nah, if I'm going to end up driving a fair whack.....we'll jump on the big bird Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........

The Santander ferry is very nice if expensive. The cabins are small but efficient with good small bathroom. Go to the "upper class" restaurant for meals, don't use the diner. Very good food indeed.

Don't know of any camping sites as we were on motorbikes but the coastline heading west from Santander is awesome and the food of that region is amongst the best in Spain.

Enjoy and I expect to see a full photographic record when u get back!

Santilana Del mar is only 20 minutes drive from the ferry terminal in Santander. That bit of coastline has brilliant sandy beaches and the views looking back into Santander bay are amazing.
Lots of info on the Internet.
The road from the coast to Potes is N621. (Not good for towing a caravan along, but not to be missed.).
The cable car at Fuente De is via the CA 185
The National park area of The Picos de Europa in general is beautiful.
Google Fuente De. You will want to go when you see the pictures.

Looking like were heading to Noja and a site called Camping Playa Joyel. Pitches look a bit cosy but reviews read well and a colleague at work has just spent 3 weeks there, he said it was great.

Cheshire - Portsmouth - Santander - Noja = 257 miles (not the 1135 through france) and after we have added up travel, overnight sites and fuel there isn't too much price difference.

A key reason in me keeping the RR Is this where I put the car details and a bit about myself ?........