Campervan hire UK

Once you’ve rented your campervan, RV or motorhome, where do you go first? The beauty of the United Kingdom is that whether you drive your motorhomes north, south, east or west, there’s nothing to compare to the variety of landscapes, things to see and do and welcome of the British people. England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland – it’s all here for you. So compare the best campervan hire UK deals and get booking, it couldn’t be easier with Motorhome Republic.

Grab a motorhome rental UK to enjoy British cities

No matter which region you pick up your motorhome rental UK, you’re sure to have a memorable time. The main focus of the campervan holiday is, of course, London, with a population of more than eight million. However, campgrounds are few and far between in the central area, so you have to look slightly further afield. But don’t just zone in on the capital, as there are plenty of other reasons to hit the road in your motorhome rental.

The natural beach beauty of the south coast, the character of the Norfolk Broads in East Anglia, the cultural attractions of Liverpool and Manchester, Scotland’s stunningly rugged beauty and the charm of Northern Ireland – the list goes on and on. Most searched campervan hire UK destinations include London and Birmingham.

Ready to book? Secure your RV hire UK online and start an epic tour in the United Kingdom. Call 0808 234 8955 and speak to our friendly customer support.

Pick up your camper van hire UK at the airport

The beauty of booking your campervan rental UK with Motorhome Republic is the fact that we have a wide range of motorhomes for hire to choose from and so many pick-up locations. Whether you're going on a campervan tour in Ireland, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, etc… just click the filter and arrange the ideal collection point. Our friendly customer service team can help you with any queries you may have e.g. how much does it cost to hire a motorhome UK. If your knowledge of UK geography isn’t strong, we will make sure you know where you’re going, which is especially important if you’re embarking on a family holiday in your campervan rental.

Before you set out on a cross country road trip, get familiar with the key points about driving an RV in the UK, and what you can expect along the way. 

Before you go

• Foreign visitors to the UK are allowed to drive for up to 12 months as long as they have a valid driver’s licence from their home country and are 17 years of age. Visitors from certain countries, such as those in the EU, may be able to use their home licence for up to three years. If your licence is not written in English, you’re advised to obtain an international driver’s permit.
• Many motorhomes for hire in the UK have a stick shift, which is located to the left of the steering wheel. If you’re used to driving on the right side of the road, or are inexperienced with manual transmissions, be sure to request an automatic vehicle when you book your motorhome rental UK.
• In the UK, you drive a motorhome on the left side of the road—this can present a steep learning curve for many people. If you’re used to driving on the right, then take extra care and remember to stay left when turning corners. It’s also a good idea to spend some time getting to know your UK’s motorhome, as things such as indicators, windscreen wipers and of course, the gearbox, are likely to be found on the opposite side.

The UK road system

Motorways, A Roads and B Roads

Motorways, A-roads, B-roads and local routes form the bones of the UK road network. Clearly marked with an ‘M’ prefix, these roads are controlled-access, dual-carriageway highways. Each main motorway is assigned a number. In England and Wales, you will find M1-M6, and in Scotland M7-M9. Smaller motorways which link to the main motorways are assigned a second number. A Roads are primary routes which are not motorways. The numbering system is nearly identical to that of motorways, except routes are marked with an ‘A’ instead of an ‘M’. B Roads, on the other hand, are important local routes. The numbering system is similar to that of A-roads, except they usually feature three or four digits after the letter ‘B’.

Toll roads

Surprisingly, toll roads are few and far between in the UK. Most are located in England and in or near London. The largest toll road is the M6 Toll, which also goes by the name of the ‘Birmingham North Relief Road’. As the name suggests, it was constructed to provide an alternative route and minimise congestion. It runs parallel to the M6 and is completely optional. The cost of travelling on this road varies depending on the time of day. To give you an idea, you can expect to pay about five and a half pounds on weekdays.

Several bridges and tunnels in the UK also incur charges. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Dartford Crossing (Greater London)
• Humber Bridge (Kingston upon Hull)
• Mersey Tunnels (Liverpool)
• Severn Bridge (near Bristol, connecting England to southeast Wales)
• Tyne Tunnel (between Newcastle and South Shields)

Congestion charges

In London and Durham, congestion charges apply in certain areas and certain times of the day. These are in place to minimise traffic and discourage people from driving through highly congested areas. In London, there is a designated ‘Congestion Zone’ which covers the majority of the city centre, so it’s best to use public transport if you want to avoid this charge. If you do decide to drive, you can pay online at Transport for London. In Durham, the congestion charge only applies to Saddler Street in the city centre. You can pay by calling 0191 384 6633 or by visiting ‘The Parking Shop’ on Finchale Road.

Parking

The ease of finding a parking space varies widely across the United Kingdom. In large cities like London, it can be quite a challenge, and given the size of the average UK’s motorhome, you’re probably best to use public transport for the day instead. Fortunately, in smaller towns where public transport isn’t great, there tends to be ample parking available.

As one of the premier travel destinations in Europe, the competition for campervan & motorhome rentals is fierce, which is why Motorhome Republic is a step ahead of the rest with the best motorhome hire UK and the cheapest campervan hire deals online. And once you’ve decided to hit the UK highways with your ‘portable hotel’, you have to decide where to go. Here are some ideas.

Camper van hire UK holidays on the South Coast

This region is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, with Land’s End at Cornwall truly breathtaking. The Jurassic Coast of Dorset is a vision of crystal-blue sea and gorgeous sandy beaches, while Brighton is an incredibly pretty, cosmopolitan city, with a huge number of clubs, bars and restaurants. Effectively a south coast London but nowhere near as busy. Or pop across the water the Needles of the Isle of Wight. Kind of a rite of passage down south!

Take your motorhome hire UK east

How about the Norfolk Broads? An extremely popular campervan holiday destination, the beautiful rivers and countryside host a variety of wildlife and pleasure-filled cruises. Deep in the south-east is the picturesque cathedral city of Canterbury and is one of the most-visited UK cities. A delightful historical destination, it really is the heart of all things British.

Go west in your campervan or RV rental

Also growing in popularity is the mountainous country of Wales. Perfectly built for UK campervan hire, you can scale the gorgeous Brecon Beacons in the south, or Mt Snowdonia in the north, although you’ll probably have to park the motorhome rental and take a tour. There are also fantastic, youthful cities such as Cardiff and Swansea to explore. The Mumbles of Swansea are a ‘must-see’ in your camper van hire UK.

Chase the Northern lights in a motorhome hire

Hosting sporting events and international exhibitions, the likes of Liverpool and Manchester in England, and Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland, are world-leading cities of Europe. Cultural and musical hot-beds, these destinations are also highly regarded for their restaurants and vibrant nightlife – and the down-to-earth people are great too!

RV Hire UK: Built for a campervan adventure

With a truly international customer service team, Motorhome Republic can help you create your perfect camper van hire UK itinerary, no matter where you want to go. Book yourself a fantastic deal when you hire a motorhome UK today.