The best UK campervan destinations

Our top 3 favourite destinations for a campervan trip

If you still can't decide after seeing the index, these are our top recommendations for an exciting campervan staycation.

York

And the results are in – the winner of ‘Best UK destination for campervans’ goes to York! With solid scores across our index, York really doesn’t have any weaknesses when it comes to family holidays on 4 wheels. As the top performer in the ‘number of campsites accepting campervans’ (72) and ‘nearby family activities for kids’ (164) categories, it sets itself apart from the competition.

York is the second-highest city on our list for popularity score, and it’s no surprise really. From its iconic medieval architecture (featuring an almost 2-mile-long defensive wall that circles the city) to its chocolate shops, the ‘Chocolate City’ really does have something for everyone.

Edinburgh

Although Edinburgh comes in at 7^th place overall, it does have several things going for it on our index that shouldn’t be ignored. For starters, it’s the most popular city in the UK above all other destinations in our study, with a score of 75%. It also has the 2^nd highest number of hikes and trails in the area (174) behind only Sheffield – so it’s got nature lovers well-covered.

There are only 10 campsites accepting campervans in Edinburgh, so it may be beneficial to plan ahead and make sure you secure your spot for any family holiday. But once you’re there, you can look forward to exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the country. From its classic cobblestone streets to its stunning architecture and historic castle, there are plenty of photo-worthy moments.

Poole

Poole doesn’t quite reach the heights of other destinations on our index when it comes to popularity scores (43%), but it does make for a strong campervan trip competitor. Located on the south coast near Bournemouth, it’s a great option for a summer staycation.

There are beaches aplenty in the area and lots of fun things for families to do, like visiting Poole Park, which has over 100 acres of parkland. You’ll find large play areas for kids, a saltwater lagoon, and numerous picturesque lakes. You can also check out Poole Quay for your pick of pubs and eateries, all with great views of the harbour.

Top 5 campervan destinations for family activities 

These are our top 5 destinations to visit if you're going on a campervan trip with kids – we've even thrown in some local attractions to get you started!

1. York (72 campsites) – The National Railway Museum

An age-old favourite for kids, trains are sure to be a popular choice for a family day out in York. The best thing? It’s free! Just simply visit their website and book your ticket in advance.

2. Poole (59 campsites) – Splashdown Waterpark

Assuming you’re visiting the seaside town of Poole in the summer, you can’t go wrong with a day out at a waterpark. With 13 flume rides to enjoy, your kids will remember this one for a long time.

3. Slough (9 campsites) – Windsor Castle

Just a short hop away if you’re in the Slough area, the majestic Windsor Castle is sure to fill the whole family with awe. Afterward, make sure to head down to the Thames for a new perspective of the famous river.

4. Portsmouth (31 campsites) – Blue Reef Aquarium

The 2^nd water-themed activity on our top 5 list, this time you and your family will be appreciating some sea life (rather than doing any swimming yourself). When booking tickets, there’s a special ‘online family of 4’ option that gives you a discount so make sure to capitalise by planning ahead on this one.

5. Birmingham (13 campsites) – Cadbury World

Technically, this is slightly outside of Birmingham. Regardless, who can argue with a day out at a chocolate factory? (Yes, there are chocolate tasters to be had as well).

How to make the most of a campervan trip 

If you’re a first-timer getting behind the wheel of a campervan, there are a few things to remember ahead of your maiden trip. Follow our checklist below for smooth sailing!

Know where you’re staying

It’s all well and good heading off on an adventure, but will you definitely have somewhere to pull up when you get there? Campsites often require advanced bookings, and some locations may lack street parking, as well. Keep all this in mind when it comes to planning your time and your budget.

Plan your route

Regardless of which option you pick for tip number 1, you’ll want to plan ahead a little bit by checking whether your campervan can actually access certain roads. If it’s your first time driving a larger vehicle, check your route ahead of time, in case you need to drive under a low bridge or down a narrow road.

Weight limits and mirrors

Similar to tip number 2, you won’t be able to make the most of your campervan trip if you get into an accident or unknowingly break the rules for driving a campervan. For instance, campervans that weigh over 3.5 tonnes (without any extra items added as storage) require you to have a C1 driving licence. They also have slightly different speed limits to other vehicles. You can check these for yourself at GOV.UK. You should be made aware of the weight of your vehicle at the time of purchase, but if not, you can find it on the VIN (Vehicle identifier) plate.

If you haven’t driven a vehicle like a campervan before, it’s worth knowing that you’ll be relying a lot more on your door mirrors than you usually would. This is because most motorhomes don’t have a rear window, or if they do, there’s often no clear line of sight to it – so make sure to pay extra close attention to your surroundings.

Think about the temperature

This depends on when you’re planning to have your trip. Still, if you’re doing this for the first time in the winter months, then it’s worth bringing plenty of extra layers and blankets as it can be difficult to properly heat up a campervan without wasting loads of energy. On the other hand, you may find that the summer months can get quite stuffy – so make sure to keep the vehicle well-ventilated.

Save power/fuel when you can

Most campervan heating/water systems will use fuel from the same tank that powers your engine. It’s good to be aware of this so you can make sure to keep an eye on the fuel gauge/carry some spare fuel with you just in case. It’s also best to try not to keep the heating on all night, this should help you avoid getting stranded which would put a real dent in your plans!

Get breakdown cover

Last but certainly not least, don't forget to make sure you're covered in the event that something goes wrong. The last thing you'd want is to set out on your first ever campervan trip only for a popped tyre to put a dampener on proceedings. With breakdown cover, you can get assistance from one of our mechanics who will help you get moving again.

Sources and methodology

To create this index, we scored 45 UK locations on 9 relevant metrics, using the sources below:

• https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/travel/popularity/cities/ - City popularity scores
• https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ - The number of campervan sites available (within 10 miles)
• https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ - The average cost of fuel (1 litre)
• https://www.alltrails.com/ - The number of hikes and trails
• https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ - Number of nearby National Trust sites
• https://www.numbeo.com/traffic/ - Traffic congestion (in minutes)
• https://carparkmaps.co.uk/ - The number of car parks in the area
• https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ - The average cost of a three-course meal
• https://www.picniq.co.uk/ - Family activities for kids