Motorhome & Campervan Hire in England

• The main thing to remember when driving in England is to drive on the left-hand side of the road, with drivers turning left having priority over drivers turning right. Turn left at roundabouts and follow them clockwise; drivers coming from the right have priority and must be waited for before you join the roundabout.
• Red lights at a traffic light mean stop, there is no exception like in the USA where it is sometimes possible to turn right at a red light!
• The speed limit is shown on circular signs with a red border. Unless stated, main roads have a 60mph limit, motorways 70mph, and roads in built-up areas 30mph.
• On the motorway do not undertake. Stick to the left-hand lane where possible unless passing slower vehicles, and don’t sit in the middle or right-hand lanes when there’s space in the left – you’ll end up blocking traffic and making people annoyed!
• Don’t be put off by the narrow lanes you find in some parts of the country – they usually lead somewhere special! These roads have passing spaces on them to make them usable by traffic driving in both directions. If you see a vehicle approaching from far off, pull into the first passing space you find unless they’ve already done so. Sometimes you may need to reverse to the nearest space which is when the reversing camera in your roadsurfer vehicle will come in handy! Only pull into a passing space on the left-hand side of the road, never the right.
• If you’re on narrow roads somewhere hilly, drivers facing downhill should pull over and let uphill drivers pass. And on the subject of driving etiquette, when it’s your first time road tripping through a new country it can be tempting to slow down and take in the sights around you. There’s no rule against this, but if you notice you have a line of cars behind you, pull over when you have the chance to do so safely and let them pass – it’ll make everyone happy!
• If you feel nervous about driving on the narrow country lanes, we recommend hiring a smaller campervan like the Surfer Suite as it will be easier to navigate and reverse.

There are a number of different types of campsites in England with varying facilities and atmospheres. You’ll probably stay at a mix of all of these on your road trip! Be aware that wild camping is not allowed in England; you may be moved on in the middle of the night or fined if you do try to wild camp.

• Independent Campsites – campsites run independently have wildly varying facilities, although you’ll be able to find out what to expect before you book. In England you’ll find campsites on small farms, big farms, in the forest, on the outskirts of towns. You’ll find places with big camping fields and places that only allow five campervans at a time. Some have extensive bathroom, kitchen, and laundry facilities, while at others there may be just a water tap (these are usually in amazingly peaceful spots). Some have a very back-to-nature feel, and others have very specific themes that turn your stay into an unforgettable experience.
• Camping and Caravanning Club Campsites – these campsites are still run independently, but as they are part of a network, they tend to all have similar standard facilities including hardstanding, water taps, bathrooms, and laundry. They might feel less adventurous than some of the really independent campsites but sometimes it’s nice to have a little luxury! The Club campsites are open to members and non-members alike, members simply get a discount on their stay amongst other benefits.

There are so many festivals and events year-round in England that there’s always something going on, from plants to food, from history to music. It’s always worth checking what’s on in the area you’re visiting! Here are a few of the big events that you might like to include in your trip:

• Trooping The Colour, June, in London – this is an iconic display of British military troops with 1400 officers as well as horses and bands, and is something special to witness.
• Glastonbury, June, in Somerset – another one that you’ll be lucky to get tickets for, Glastonbury is one of the UK’s most famous music festivals. Tickets acquired, why not make it the final stop after a week of roundtripping around the southwest?
• Wimbledon Tennis Championship, July, in London – Wimbledon generally needs little introduction: strawberries, Pimms, sunshine if you’re lucky…oh yes, and a bit of tennis sprinkled in there too!
• Dorset Volkfest, July, in Dorset – if you love campervans, Volkfest is a gem. Wander around looking at exquisite and rare campervans, get some inspo for when you finally buy your own, and chill out with good food and music. This is a great one for kids too.
• Boardmasters Festival, August, in Cornwall – head to the famous Cornish coast near Newquay for a music and surf festival. Spend the day on the beach, watching surf competitions and enjoying the sun before watching incredible music acts all night long.

There truly is something to discover from the comfort of your campervan hire in every corner of England, however there are a few areas that are particularly popular and that you won’t want to miss.

The Lake District, famous for its lakes and for inspiring certain writers, is a breath-taking part of England in the northwest and England’s largest national park. Home to the highest mountain and deepest lake, discover cosy towns and narrow lanes surrounded by craggy, hulking hills and huge bodies of water. The perfect place for some wild swimming, cycling, Wainwright-bagging, and a good pub meal after a long day on your legs.

The Peak District is a little closer to London that the Lakes which might make it more accessible if you’re short on time. Its valleys, hills, winding roads, and gorgeous villages mean it’s an amazing pace to explore both on foot and by van. There’s plenty of history and culture here in its stately homes and market towns, and adventures include mountain biking, horse riding, and caving.

The Southwest often refers to Devon and Cornwall only, but to make sure you don’t miss out on two other very special counties we’ve included Dorset and Somerset. Cornwall, Devon and Dorset all have incredible coastal scenery and the opportunity to either lounge on the beach or tear it up in the water in whatever water sport you choose. Hike across Dartmoor or Exmoor in Devon, and visit Somerset for places like Bristol, Bath, Glastonbury and Bradford-on-Avon that are some of the country’s most interesting towns and cities.

Sussex is just an hour from London, perfect for those crunched for time. Explore the expansive South Downs, the white cliffs of East Sussex, the town of Rye, and the somewhat hippy city of Brighton. There are beaches aplenty, as well as historical sites like that of the Battle of Hastings.

Visit Yorkshire for the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors and discover vibrant and historical cities like York and Leeds, links to literary giants including Wuthering Heights and Dracula, and a whole lot of waterfalls. Fuel your adventures are traditional countryside pubs where the Sunday roasts are unbeatable.