Travel: Motorhome & Campervan Holidays

With the promise of freedom and adventure, the popularity of campervan and motorhome holidays is soaring. Lisa de Silva explores the benefits of this style of travel 

Initially fuelled by pandemic enforced staycations, it’s estimated that over 4.5m of us have taken our first holiday of this type since 2020. Add to this the affordability of this type of break, coupled with the lingering cost of living crisis, and it’s easy to understand why the growth in campervan and motorhome holidays is predicted to skyrocket.

The trend has also been encouraged by social media, with various influencers promoting ‘Van Life’ culture, which idealises the freedom and potential for adventure of a nomadic lifestyle. Another factor helping to grow the market is the increase in the number of upscale campsites, with many offering a range of family-friendly sporting and cultural activities and experiences.

The vehicles themselves have also come a long way and now feature innovative design focusing on smart feature integration, better insulation, heating technology and a growing emphasis on eco-friendly power systems and sustainability. 

THE BENEFITS OF CAMPERVAN AND MOTORHOME HOLIDAYS 

Freedom and flexibility

There is little to beat the romance and freedom of the open road. When travelling by campervan or motorhome you enjoy the freedom and flexibility to set the pace and destination, with the ability to make a spontaneous stop at any location that takes your fancy. If the weather looks awful in one direction, you can simply travel towards less inclement climes. 

Immersive and personal travel experiences

With the ability to explore diverse locations and choose where you want to sleep each night, this type of holiday offers a more immersive and personal experience than a traditional holiday. There is scope to access remote areas, scenic locations and to enjoy your own private space, without having to share facilities with others. 

Convenience 

Van dwellers enjoy the convenience of travelling with their own kitchen and bathroom facilities readily available and never need to endure the packing and unpacking process when moving on. 

Cost-effectiveness 

Depending on your group size, this type of holiday can be far more cost-effective than staying in hotels and eating out, making it an affordable way to explore a range of different locations. 

Holiday considerations 

While all this sounds enticing, there are a few things worth considering before you take to the road. Firstly, your level of driving experience and confidence. Would you be comfortable driving a large van, particularly in tight spaces? You’ll also need to consider the amount of living and storage space available and whether it is enough for the size of your group. Alongside this, you’ll need to spend time researching campsites for amenities, fees and seasonal availability in your chosen destination. 

CAMPERVAN OR MOTORHOME?

Possibly the biggest decision to make is whether to travel in a campervan or motorhome. When choosing the right vehicle for you and your trip, do bear in mind the following factors. 

Campervans: 

• Smaller, more manoeuvrable, less height restrictions and easier to drive 

• Good for narrow roads

• Great for short spontaneous trips

• More campsite choice

• Can be used for daily driving

• Ideal for couples

Motorhomes:

• Bigger in terms of size with more amenities and greater comfort

• More of a home on wheels with greater living and storage space

• Can include high-end features such as washing machines and sound systems

• Better for longer trips

• Greater capacity to sleep larger groups, so ideal for families

Try before you buy 

Before you invest in your own vehicle, it is worth hiring before you buy. The purchase price will be significant, so do get a feel for each type of van before you commit. Look for a layout that maximises space and functionality, with adequate storage and easy accessibility to kitchen, bathroom and sleeping facilities. 

Also consider how easy the vehicle is to drive and manoeuvre. Will the electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems cope in different climates? Does it offer good fuel efficiency? Will it be expensive to maintain? Does it include a bike rack? Does it come with an anti-theft device, immobiliser, alarm and tracker? 

On the road extras 

With space at a premium, we’d suggest travelling light with fold-up furniture. Other items to think about packing include a good quality torch, batteries, hand-held vacuum cleaner, power banks, and universal chargers. If you’re venturing out in cold weather, extra blankets and duvets will be useful, antifreeze spray and a small heater. While in the height of summer, do pack insect repellent, mosquito nets and a travel fan.