Best Campervan Rentals in the UK (+expert tips!)

Traveling the UK in a campervan is the perfect way to explore the country’s stunning mountain vistas, storybook villages, ancient castles, and jaw-dropping coastal scenery. This guide lays out the best campervan rentals in the UK to help you plan your dream trip.

If you’re considering a campervan rental in the UK, then I want to be the first one to give you a big ol’ high five and tell you wholeheartedly that you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

From England’s fairytale villages to the rugged coastline of Wales to Scotland’s dramatic Highlands, the UK is a dream road trip destination.

And with plenty of campgrounds, holiday parks, and rental companies to choose from, the UK is also well-set up for a campervan trip. But all that choice can make planning a little—or a lot—overwhelming. That’s where we come in!

If this is your first time on our website (welcome!), there’s something you should know about us…

We are absolutely obsessed with traveling by campervan. We’ve rented campervans all over the world (including the UK!) and have some expert advice that’ll be essential when planning your trip. 

In this article, we’ll go over exactly how to choose the best campervan rental in the UK for your budget and travel style (because what was best for us might not be best for you!). 

We’re also sharing some tips that have come in really handy over the years, essential items to pack, and mistakes we’ve made, all so that you have the very best experience. 

In the end, we want you to fall in love with vanlife too!

Guide to renting a campervan in the UK

Here’s what we cover in this guide. Click on any of the links below to jump down to that section, or keep scrolling to get all the juicy details.

• Why trust us?
• Our experience
• Our top recommendation
• How to book a campervan rental in the UK
• Best Campervan Rentals in the UK
• Why hire a campervan or RV in the UK?
• When to make your booking
• Things to consider when choosing a vehicle
• How much does a campervan rental cost?
• UK Campervan Rental FAQs
• Campervan insurance
• What to pack for a campervan trip
• Campervan with a baby
• Where to stay in your campervan
• UK camping resources

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Why you can trust us about campervan rentals

If you’re new to this blog (welcome!), we want to share a few reasons why you can trust us about all things campervan-related:

• We have personally built 3 campervans from scratch.
• We have traveled all over the US in our own campervans.
• We have rented vans all over the world, in New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, and the UK.

Now do you understand why I said we’re obsessed!?

I mention all of this to let you know we have a lot of personal experience on this subject. We truly know what we’re talking about and in this article we’re sharing our expertise with you.

Also, we simply love connecting with others who are interested in RV and campervan adventures, so let’s be friends!

Quick English language note: We use the words “rental and “hire” interchangeably in this article.

Our personal experience traveling in a campervan in the UK 

We personally rented a campervan in Scotland and had such an incredible time. In fact, we wrote an entire article about our experience with the rental company we chose (Bunk Campers).

We feel like a campervan or motorhome really gives you an added level of freedom that you just don’t have when you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, and we highly recommend it.

Since we’ve personally rented a camper in the UK ourselves, you can trust that we know what we’re talking about in this article and are sharing tips that will truly help you plan your own trip.

Our top campervan rental recommendation

If you just want to skip to our overall recommendation, here it is:

We’d recommend using Motorhome Republic to compare all rental options for your dates.

Spoiler Alert: Our top pick for companies in the UK is Bunk Campers (and we have personal experience renting with them!).

We’d highly recommend you continue reading this guide as it is packed with insider tips on what to look for when choosing your vehicle, mistakes to avoid, and some other companies we’d recommend if you have a different budget or travel needs.

How to book a campervan rental in the UK

Best campervan rental companies in the UK

Okay, so you’ve got Motorhome Republic pulled up for your dates and you can see all your options… But how do you even begin to choose between the companies?

Being that we’ve personally rented campervans all around the world (and have built 3 of our own!), we feel like we have a really good handle on what to look for. 

The companies below have been hand-picked by us, and we think each can be a good choice depending on what it is you’re looking for.

Campervan rental companies in the UK

• Bunk Campers (our top rec)
• Spaceships (top rec for budget travelers)
• Indie
• Just Go
• McRent
• Anywhere Campers
• Apollo
• GoBoony

We’ve scoured reviews, compared specs, and analyzed prices to bring you a comprehensive list of the best campervan rentals in the UK so the decision is a little simpler for you.

We’re sharing which company we chose to rent with, but we’ll also highlight some other companies in case you think a different one would be a better fit for your personal needs or budget.

For each company, we’re sharing pros, cons, and price points (whether budget or mid-range) to make this big decision a breeze.

Bunk Campers

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: all types of travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: Belfast, Edinburgh Airport & London
• Check availability here

Bunk Campers are our top pick and also who we personally rented with for our Scotland campervan trip. We wrote a detailed review of our experience with Bunk Campers as well as the vehicle we rented (Aero Plus).

Bunk Campers is based out of both the UK and Ireland (yay for supporting local business!). They have a variety of sizes, prices, and types of vehicles, making them a great choice for most travelers. 

With more than 15 years of experience, Bunk Campers are well-established and have smooth systems in place. They know what people need in their vans and the kind of support and customer service that will make your road trip perfect.

Pros:

• TONS of storage and fully-stocked vehicles with everything you could possibly need for a road trip, such as kitchen supplies, camp chairs, and linens.
• Variety of layouts, from a 2-berth van to a 6-person motorhome.
• They are working toward a greener fleet with a handful of initiatives, such as fuel-efficient engines (all vehicles are under 3 years old) and an environmentally-friendly fluid for their toilets.
• You can check your water levels at a glance with a meter that tells you what level your freshwater and gray water tanks are at (similar to the gas tank meter on your dash). Now we want this in our own campervan!
• Super effective heating system that you can adjust to the degree.
• Convenient accordion-style window covers.

Cons: 

• Our vehicle was bigger than we would have preferred to drive on the narrow roads of the UK, but this is more a con of the vehicle we chose (Aero Plus) than the company itself.
• There was only one USB outlet in the back of the camper. It was near the bench seat area, so we couldn’t easily charge our phones at night. We recommend bringing this super handy power bank.
• In both Iceland and New Zealand, there was a large space at the rental shop where people could leave unused or leftover food items. We were a bit bummed that Bunk Campers didn’t have a food exchange, especially as a company promoting green initiatives.

Spaceships

• Price range: budget
• Recommended for: budget travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: London & Edinburgh
• Check availability here

Known for their converted minivan “spaceships”, these budget-friendly campers are nice for no-frills travelers.

They’ve done a good job with the limited space they’re working with inside a minivan. But you’re not able to fully stand up in these vehicles, making it hard to cook and change clothes.

Pros:

• Unlimited mileage in the UK or Europe
• No security deposit
• One-way hires available
• Dog-friendly

Cons: 

• Campervans are manual transmission (motorhomes are automatic)
• You won’t be able to stand up in any of their campervans

Indie

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: all types of travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: London, Manchester & Edinburgh
• Check availability here

Indie Campers’ fleet of more than 6,000 campervans and RVs covers more than 70 destinations across North America, Europe, and Oceania.

They offer a variety of campervans, both high-roof and low-roof, as well as pop-tops, roof tents, and motorhomes.

Pros:

• 24/7 pickup and drop-off
• One-way trips available
• Fully-digital experience with online check-in and video tutorials

Cons: 

• Some things, such as bedding and camp furniture, cost extra
• Set number of miles included

Just Go

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: 
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: Belfast, Edinburgh Airport, London & Heathrow
• Check availability here

Specializing in motorhomes, Just Go is an international company with locations in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK. 

They have a variety of motorhome styles, with some unique features such as split bathrooms and dropdown second beds. However, some of the styles would be way too big for the roads in the UK as they do not offer campervans or mini motorhomes. 

Pros:

• Lots of vehicles and layouts to choose from
• All rentals have automatic transmission
• Pet-friendly

Cons: 

• Larger vehicles would be difficult to maneuver on some of the UK’s narrow roads
• Parking can be harder to find for a larger vehicle

McRent

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: spontaneous travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: Edinburgh, London, Bristol & Preston
• Check availability here

One of the largest campervan and motorhome rentals in all of Europe with hubs in 17 countries. They have vehicles ranging from pop-up vans to large, fully-integrated motorhomes. 

This would most likely have been our second choice for a campervan rental when we went to Scotland, as they have a large selection of layouts and availability for last-minute offers.

Pros:

• They sometimes offer exclusive deals for last-minute bookings, though vehicle selection may be limited.
• The hiring fee includes an awning, bike rack, gas bottles, balancing wedges, water hose, and cable.
• Vehicles are guaranteed to be no older than three years and include a bathroom with sink, shower and toilet, heating, and cooking facilities.

Cons: 

• Manual transmission only, so ya gotta be able to drive a stick.
• Dish sets and bedding are not included in the rental fee and cost extra.
• One-way booking is not available, so you have to begin and end your road trip at the same station (this is honestly the case with most campervan rental companies).

Anywhere Campers

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: couples or smaller families
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: it’s in the name – Anywhere!
• Check availability here

Flexible one-way rental service with a fleet of 50+ motorhomes across 35 countries.

Anywhere Campers’ big selling point is that you can pick up anywhere, anytime. From their website: “Whether it’s an early morning at an airport in Paris, or a dock in Oslo at midnight, we’ll be there.” Pretty badass if you ask me!

And when your trip is over, you don’t need to drop off at a depot – Anywhere Campers will come to you. 

Pros:

• Flexible pickup and drop-off.
• Manual and automatic transmission available.
• All-inclusive rental price includes a fully-equipped kitchen and bedroom, as well as extra amenities like a BBQ grill, camping furniture, and 2 bicycles.
• Responsive customer service and roadside assistance.

Cons: 

• Not a huge selection of vehicles, though they do offer both vans and motorhomes.
• You need a debit or credit card that allows online payments. Probably not an issue for most, but good to know.
• Their motorhomes have a max capacity of 5 adults, but they recommend traveling with fewer than that for the sake of comfort.

Apollo

• Price range: mid-range
• Recommended for: all types of travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: Belfast, Edinburgh Airport, London & Heathrow
• Check availability here

Apollo Motorhome Holidays originated in Australia in 1985 and has since expanded to New Zealand, North America, and Europe.

They operate year-round, offering a variety of vehicles all fitted with on-board heating. Their rentals range from compact campervans to 6-person motorhomes.

Pros:

• Competitive rates and special offers throughout the year.
• Modern vehicles no more than 2 years old.

Cons: 

• Manual transmission only.
• You may be able to hire for less than the minimum rental time, but you’ll still have to pay the full amount for the minimum hire period.
• The depot is only open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, so you need to time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.

GoBoony

• Price range: all ranges
• Recommended for: all types of travelers
• Pick-up/drop-off locations: available all over the UK
• Check availability here

This is essentially the “Airbnb of campervan rentals” and gives you the most options regardless of your location, your budget, or your style.

Here are a few of our top picks:

Why hire a campervan or RV in the UK?

Still need a little convincing on the whole renting a campervan thing?

We get it. If you’ve never experienced traveling in a campervan, the idea of it can be a little daunting. Don’t worry though — we literally have all the resources you need to make your trip a success. 

First, let’s chat about why renting a campervan in the UK is a good idea. Scratch that. An AMAZING idea.

a) You can save (lots of!) money.

Renting a campervan is like having a car, a hotel, and a kitchen all in one place. 

Sure, the total cost per day isn’t cheap, but consider what it would cost to book a hotel room, rent a car, and eat out for every meal.

Most likely, a campervan will save you quite a bit of money.

b) You have ultimate freedom.

With a campervan, you have more flexibility than if you are staying in hotels. 

Do you like a place? Stay longer. 

Want to move on more quickly? Go for it. 

Got a local tip and you want to switch up your route completely? Consider it done!

While having campground reservations is recommended at least a day or two in advance (more on that later), you have the ability to have a less rigid route. 

c) It’s the adventure of a lifetime!

You’ll be telling your grandchildren about this adventure. 

’Nuff said. 

When to book your campervan rental in the UK 

If you’re planning to rent a campervan in the UK, listen up because this is crucial… 

Book your vehicle as early as possible. (This applies to all companies on this list.)

During popular travel seasons (like summer), the best models get snagged up fast! 

Where to pick up your campervan in the UK

The most common pick-up and drop-off locations in the UK are London and Edinburgh. Some companies also have depots in Belfast and Heathrow.

Alternatively, renting with a company like GoBoony allows much more flexibility since people have campervans to rent all over the UK. You can narrow down your search to locations that are convenient for you.

What types of campervans or RVs are available?

There is a huge variety to choose from. 

We’ve listed a handful of different types below, but if you’re still confused, hop down to the next section where we’ve broken down some of the major things to consider that’ll make your decision easier.

• Low-roof converted minivan: ideal for budget-minded adventurers
• Pop-up campervan: iconic old-school campervan style
• High-roof campervan: spacious while still easy to drive and park
• Mini-motorhome: home on wheels, perfect for a young family
• Large motorhome: pile in the kids, bikes, and a dog for an epic road trip

Things to think about when choosing a rental vehicle

Consider your answer to the following questions, as they will help you narrow down the best campervan rental for your personal needs.

How many people are you traveling with?

How comfortable are you driving a large rig? 

If you have an RV at home, then perhaps driving a motorhome will be no big deal for you. However, if this is your first time in a larger vehicle, a campervan will be an easier transition for you. 

In short, our advice is to get the smallest possible size you think will work for you. This is especially relevant in the UK, where a lot of the roads are narrower and it’s harder to navigate a larger vehicle.

What is your budget? 

The answer to this question might help you narrow down your rental choices, so it should be one of the first things you really dive into. 

In general, a campervan will be cheaper than an RV. And a low-roof vehicle will be cheaper than a high-roof vehicle.

Psst! If you’re curious about how much a campervan rental in the UK costs, we have a whole section about that. Jump there now.

Do you want a high-roof vehicle?

Think about this one for a minute: Do you need to be able to stand up inside your campervan? 

This will help make things like getting dressed, cooking, and just hanging out more comfortable. But it will mean you’ll likely be in a higher price bracket. 

If a low roof isn’t a deal-breaker, you can probably save quite a bit of money. 

Our personal opinion: We’ve had lots of experience in both low-roof and high-roof vehicles. When we were on a budget, it was a great way for us to save money, especially when we were traveling in places where we spent a lot of time outside. However, once we spent more time in a high-roof van (and now that we travel with a child!) I don’t know if we could go back to a low roof. It’s honestly just so much more comfortable being able to stand up!

How luxurious of a set-up do you need?

From super basic to extra bougie, there are all types of campervan and RV rentals. Determining your budget is the first step, because this will help you narrow down your options. 

Then think about your personal preferences: Are you used to roughing it? Do you have a lot of camping experience? Or will splurging for a more plush vehicle be worth every penny to you? 

Keep your answers in mind while you’re sifting through your rental options.

Can you drive a manual transmission?

In the UK, many vehicles have manual transmissions, so if you’re able to drive a stick shift, you will have more options to choose from.

If you can only drive automatic transmission or know you’ll just feel a lot more comfortable (no shame there!), don’t worry; there are still options for you! Just know you will have a smaller selection and you will likely be paying a bit more money overall.

Before you book your trip, read up on our tips for driving in the UK.

How much does a UK campervan rental cost?

Campervan rentals will vary drastically, depending on the following factors: 

• which company you choose
• type of vehicle
• time of year
• manual vs. automatic transmission
• how far in advance you make your reservation

To give you a general price range:

• 1 week in the UK in July (peak season) for a 2-berth campervan will cost about £1,000
•  / $1,265 USD (priced in April 2024) 
• 1 week in the UK in October (shoulder season) for a 2-berth campervan will cost about £650 / $825 USD (priced in April 2024) 

Other costs to consider

In addition to paying the nightly rental fee, you won’t want to forget these other things:

• Additional rental add ons (make sure you understand what is included with your company and what is an extra fee)
• Campground fees
• Insurance
• Gas
  • Insider Tip: Be sure you know whether your vehicle is gas or diesel so you fill up at the proper pump at the gas station.

Top 7 places to visit on your UK road trip

You could easily spend months getting lost and falling in love with the magic of the UK. But if you’re looking for a list of the very best places to put on your itinerary, we’ve got you covered. 

We chose these places specifically because they are ideal for visiting in a campervan or RV. Use this list to start planning your perfect UK road trip route!

Good to know: You might notice that we purposely left cities off this list. That’s because cities are not as fun to navigate with a large vehicle and finding parking can be a pain. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add them in, but we’d highly recommend focusing your route around the places below. (We say this from personal experience!)

1. The Cotswolds 

On our third trip to England, we finally got to explore more of the countryside and we fell hard and fast for the Cotswolds.

Picture quaint villages of cute cottages, sparkling canals, magical gardens full of flowers and birdsong, and public walking paths through forests and farmlands. It’s a real-life fairytale.

2. Lake District 

The Lake District (aka the Lakelands) is England’s largest national park as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Between storybook villages with poetic names like Ambleside and Windermere, the landscape is rugged and wild. Craggy hills, river valleys, and deep blue lakes provide a setting for all kinds of outdoor adventures, such as hiking, canoeing, canyoning, rock climbing, and cycling.

In fact, this is such a popular area for campervan travels that the local board has a webpage dedicated to vanlife resources. Be sure to read up on the regulations because the national park has strict rules about where to camp.

3. Wales 

Although it often gets overlooked by travelers to England and Scotland, Wales is absolutely worth adding to your UK itinerary.

With 3 national parks comprising dense forests, towering mountains, sweeping moorlands, and 1,680 miles of coastline, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise.

Plus, 19% of the country has Dark Sky status, so get a campervan with a skylight for some serious stargazing!

4. Scotland 

In September 2022, we spent about 2 weeks traveling around Scotland in a campervan. This UK nation is a vanlifer’s dream, with endless magical destinations to discover and plenty of places to camp.

On our Scotland road trip, we explored the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. We experienced the breathtaking natural beauty of the Isle of Skye and Finnich Glen. We discovered enchanting castles, ate incredible food, and checked box after box on our Scotland bucket list.

If I’m being honest, there’s so much to see and do in Scotland that you’ll probably want to make this its own trip… luckily, we just so happen to have the perfect 2-week Scotland road trip itinerary already planned out for you. Click the image below to get your copy today!

5. Cornwall 

Located on a scenic peninsula at the mouth of the English Channel, the county of Cornwall boasts stunning coastal scenery with a mild climate and laid-back vibe.

Catch some rays on the pristine beaches and savor the freshest seafood in idyllic seaside villages. Afterwards, fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves at an oceanside campground.

6. Ireland 

Some rental companies allow you to take your campervan on a ferry from the UK to Ireland, making it a great opportunity to experience two countries on one unforgettable road trip.

We’ve personally traveled by campervan in Ireland and have created tons of resources to help you plan your trip. Check out our Ireland Travel Homepage for everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles:

• Ultimate Ireland Bucket List
• Places to Visit in Ireland You Can’t Miss
• Camping in Ireland: Essential Tips + Best Campsites
• Scotland vs. Ireland: Which should you visit?

UK campervan rental FAQs

I get it — there is a lot to think about when it comes to renting a campervan in the UK. 

Let’s go over some common questions and see if we can get them answered!

Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a campervan in the UK?

Most likely, no.

Unless your home country’s license is in a non-Roman language (Japanese, Russian, etc.), you will not need an international driver’s license. 

Can I bring a child on a campervan trip?

Absolutely. We’ve brought our daughter on many campervan trips! 

In fact, we’d say it’s a great way to travel with a baby or older children.

You will need to select a vehicle that has enough seating for your family. And you will need to think about what you will do about a sleeping space. (We have tips on that!)

Which is better: Campervan or RV?

The answer to this is truly a matter of personal opinion, but here’s our opinion:

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, then we’d absolutely recommend a campervan to keep the size to a minimum. However, if you’re traveling with a small family, a campervan may be too small to fit you all comfortably, so a small l motorhome might be a better option.

Insurance for your campervan trip

Insurance is always one of those tricky topics to write about because it widely varies from person to person depending on the amount of risk you are willing to take. 

When traveling, we always make sure we are covered (we’ve heard some horror stories of accidents happening abroad).

Read the fine print of your credit card: A typical credit card rental car insurance policy only covers 4-door sedans and not campervans, so don’t rely on that coverage. 

As always, whether you get campervan rental insurance or not, we recommend getting medical travel insurance. 

Psst! We have an entire guide to how to choose the best travel insurance policy for you that should be helpful!

What to pack for a campervan trip

Be sure to download our FREE Scotland packing list, which is full of tips and essential items to bring on your UK campervan trip. In the meantime, here are some items you really don’t want to forget:

• Aeropress: If you are a coffee drinker and your rental company doesn’t include a coffee maker (many don’t), definitely pack this!
• Rubber bands and/or chip clips: This is something that is often overlooked, but important to keep the food you buy sealed (think bags of granola, crackers, etc.).
• Spices and oil: When going on a campervan trip, we always like to bring our own spices so we don’t have to stock up. You can bring mini containers filled with your faves (we bring high-quality salt, pepper, cayenne, and any others that strike our fancy). We like this leak-proof container for storing coconut oil and this one for storing olive oil.
• Lightweight towel: If your campervan rental does not include towels in the rental price (many charge extra), bring your own! We like this microfiber one or this Turkish towel.
• Travel lumbar pillow: If you have a bad back (like Ben!), this would be clutch! He had some back issues during our trip, and was wishing we had packed his lumbar pillow. It’s way too bulky to fly with though, so I found this pillow for next time!
• Universal outlet adaptor: A basic travel item that everyone should have so you can plug in your device anywhere. 
• Shower shoes: Trust me when I say you don’t want to go barefoot in some of the campground showers! 
• Travel slippers: The floors of your vehicle will inevitably get dirty, so it’s nice to have a lightweight pair of slippers to wear at night to prevent your feet from collecting all that dirt.

Packing for a baby on a campervan trip

This checklist has a whole section of all our baby-related items we recommend, but here are a few things we’d definitely recommend bringing if you are renting a campervan with a little one in tow:

• Travel high chair: We love this portable high chair and use it in our personal campervan at home. We also flew with it to the UK and loved that our daughter had a seat in our Bunk Camper.
• Travel tent: This is the sleeping tent that we used on trips when our daughter was under a year old. It packs up super small and gave her a safe space to sleep.
• Inflatable bed bumpers: We’ve transitioned from the tent to these as our daughter has grown and they worked really well to transform a normal bed into a safe sleeping space for our toddler.
• Your favorite baby foods: We found some baby-friendly foods while in the UK, but the selection was more limited than I was expecting. If you have favorites (freeze dried strawberries from Trader Joe’s are one of our go-tos for travel!), we’d recommend prioritizing packing foods over diapers and wipes, as those will be easier to find anywhere.
• Travel sound machine: We don’t go anywhere without this!
• Tap light: This light is super handy at home or on travels.

Psst! Looking for more family travel tips? Check out our list of practical (& super encouraging!) tips for traveling with a baby.

Where to stay in your campervan

You’ll be happy to know that the UK is very campervan-friendly, and there are tons of campgrounds all around England, Scotland, and Wales. We recommend some awesome UK campsites in this article.

We also have a map of some of the best campsites in Scotland if your UK road trip takes you north of the border.

Wild Camping 

If you’re traveling on a tight budget and don’t want to pay for campgrounds every night, it’s worth mentioning that it is possible to wild camp in the UK (aka park somewhere that is not an established campground). 

But you can’t just park anywhere! We have a section on wild camping so you know the ins and outs and are sure not to inadvertently break the law (yikes!) on your road trip!

UK camping resources

Be sure to bookmark these additional articles because they will be a huge help as you plan your trip.

When to plan your UK campervan trip

The best time for a UK campervan trip is during the spring or fall, just outside of peak tourism season and when the weather is most pleasant.

We would personally avoid planning a UK campervan trip in the summer, when prices are at their peak and campsites book up fast; or in the winter, when some seasonal attractions are closed.

Summer and winter in the UK are also the rainiest months, while spring and fall are the driest seasons (though you’re bound to get some rain no matter when you go, so be prepared!).

We have an article all about the best time to visit Scotland that will give you a good idea of weather, seasons, and how to avoid tourist crowds in the UK.

What to expect at campsites in the UK 

In both Scotland and Ireland, we found that most campgrounds don’t have private, wooded spaces like you might be used to if you do a lot of camping in the USA or Canada. 

Instead, the caravan parks are more open with designated spaces for you to park a rig or pitch a tent. 

The types of parking spaces vary. Some caravan parks have gravel spots where you’re allowed to park a van or RV. Other campgrounds are more or less big open fields where you can find a vacant space to park.

Some campgrounds have great views, while others are, well, just a spot to park for the night. 

Insider Tip: If great views are important to you, we’d encourage you to do a little extra advanced planning, read reviews, scroll through photos, and make reservations.

We have an entire article on camping in Scotland that will give you an idea of what to expect at campsites in the UK.

UK Camping & Caravanning Club

When researching UK camping options, you’ll likely come across this name.

The UK Camping & Caravanning Club is actually the biggest and oldest camping club in the entire world, and it has a stellar reputation for having some of the nicest campsites and caravan parks in the UK. 

To put it simply, caravan clubs are identical to RV memberships in North America (like Good Sam or Passport America). 

Members pay annual dues in order to have exclusive access and get deeply-discounted rates at the club’s network of campgrounds, as well as top-notch amenities and facilities. Other caravan club perks include exclusive, members-only sites, discounts on camping and outdoor gear, special insurance rates for RVers, and more. 

In most cases, non-members are welcome at caravan club campsites. However, expect to pay an additional non-member fee. 

Good to know: If you rent a campervan in the UK, there’s a chance that your rental will include a club membership for free. This was exactly our experience when we rented from Bunk Campers in Scotland! Check with your rental company to see if this perk is included.

UK road trip ideas

From winding coastal routes to steep mountain passes, there are endless roads to explore in the UK. Here are some ideas for a memorable campervan trip you’ll be talking about for years to come.

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Love the idea of campervan trips around the world? 

Us too – which is exactly why we keep booking campervan trips!

Here are some more ideas for you to bookmark for future travels:

• Scotland Campervan Rental Guide
• Ireland Campervan Rental Guide
• Iceland Campervan Rental Guide 
• New Zealand Campervan Rental Guide
• USA Campervan Rental Guide

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We want to hear from you!

Are you planning a campervan trip in the UK and still have questions? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the answers you’re looking for!