How to book your first campervan holiday

This guide is designed to help you plan your first campervan road trip. If you have questions like where should I stay? What should I take with me? How can I make the most of my campervan or motorhome holiday? Then the information below is for you.

This guide covers:

• Step 1: Choose a place to visit
• Step 2: Choose Where to Stay for The Best Campervan Sites in the UK
• Step 3: Book Your First Campervan Holiday
• Step 4: Pack for Your First Campervan Holiday

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Step 1: Choose a place to visit

The UK offers some of the best opportunities for a camper van holiday in Europe. You have the rugged and fossil-laden coastlines of Cornwall and Devon, the barren and historic plains of the Scottish Highlands or even the wilderness of Wales — and that’s just a few options.

Below are some of the best places this country has for you to explore in your campervan:

• National Parks: The UK has many beautiful National Parks to experience, such as famous ones like the Lake District, Snowdonia and Peak District. Don’t forget less busy ones like Northumberland and The Broads. Many of these parks have campsites within their borders that range from sites with full-service options to rustic ones that have a very limited number of pitches.
• Coastal Getaways: You could try heading to the seaside. The UK has a near-endless number of coastal towns, and each has a unique feel. For example, Lyme Regis is excellent for those who want to go fossil hunting; Llandudo is excellent for those who want a classic British seaside feel, and Brighton is for those who want art and nightlife. Not forgetting the incredible seafood that each is sure to offer.
• Historic Towns and Villages: If you prefer a mix of culture and nature, then many of the UK’s towns and cities offer many things to see. For example, you could visit Stratford-Upon-Avon to see the home of Shakespeare; Oxford for the endless bookshops and historic University buildings; or Bath for the Roman architecture and history. All of these are surrounded by countryside, so you get a perfect mix of history and the chance for countryside walks — perfect.

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Step 2: Choose Where to Stay for The Best Campervan Sites in the UK

When you’re looking for camp sites for campervans, you can hardly go wrong in the UK. But there is a way to guarantee you stay on a site to remember: club sites.

Two of the most well-known clubs that manage sites across the UK are the Caravan & Motorhome Club and the Camping & Caravanning Club. Both have loads of campsites to choose from. Plus they both offer facilities you can’t get anywhere else.

Caravan & Motorhome Club Sites

The Caravan & Motorhome Club has over 200 sites across the UK. These sites have all the facilities you could look for, including things like electric hook-ups, water supply, and waste disposal. The club also provides:

• Site Finder Tool: Their site finder tool allows you to search for your perfect campsite. Simply check what you’re looking for, and it will do the rest.
• Benefits: Membership includes access to exclusive sites, discounted ferry crossings, and peace of mind that you’ll be staying in safe, well-regulated environments.
• Types of Sites: From full-service sites with all the amenities to Certified Locations (CLs), you have a very wide choice of sites.

Camping & Caravanning Club Sites
The other major club in the UK is the Camping & Caravanning Club, which offers over 100 club sites and hundreds of Certified Sites (CS) across the UK. The club provides:

• Site Finder Tool: Their finder allows you to filter sites by what features they have, so that you can find what you need easier.
• Benefits: Members enjoy discounted rates on pitch fees. They even sometimes get early access to certain bookings, special rates on insurance and breakdown services.
• Types of Sites: Similar to the Caravan & Motorhome Club, they have a mix of full-service club sites and Certified Sites.

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Step 3: Book Your First Campervan Holiday

Once you’ve decided where you’d like to go, the next step is to book your campsite. Here’s how to go about it:

• Choose Your Club Site: Use one of the site finder tools mentioned above to choose your perfect campsite.
• Check It’s Available: You’ll be disappointed if you find the perfect spot and it’s taken, so try to book well in advance – especially in the summer.
• Plan Your Route: Take some time to map out your route, keeping in mind the distance from home, and make sure there are convenient stops along to get fuel and have a break. Also, research campervan parking at any stops you plan to make on your way because many car parks might not have room.

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Step 4: Pack for Your First Campervan Holiday

You’ll want to take the right things away with you on your campervan holiday. Here are some of the top things to bring:

Campervan must haves

For your first adventure, make sure you have the following essentials:

• Leisure Battery: Your campervan will likely already have one of these, but double check it does. If you stay on a campsite without an electric hook-up, you’ll want a leisure battery to run any electrical equipment you’ve brought with you.
• Electric Hook-Up Cable: Many campsites offer electric hook-ups. This means you can plug in to their on-site supply to keep the power flowing. Your campervan or motorhome should already have its electric hook-up cable in a storage compartment somewhere, but it won’t hurt to double-check it’s still there.
• Water and Waste Containers: Your vehicle will need two types of water containers: one for fresh water and one for wastewater (grey water). Ones that you can roll on the ground are easiest to use, and make sure they are different colours so you can keep track of which is which.
• Levelling Blocks: These are useful when parking on uneven ground. They will help you to keep your vehicle level and stop everything inside being at an angle, which is not handy when you’re cooking.

Consider what food to bring on your campervan holiday

What would a holiday be without the food? That’s equally true for campervan trips. However, eating can look a little bit different. For a start, your kitchen will be smaller than you’re used to.

Given that it’s your first time away, we recommend planning the meals you’re going to have in advance because this will stop you from bringing too much food. Here are some other tips:

• Non-perishable Foods: Tinned goods, pasta, rice, and cereals are great staples for easy meals.
• Fresh Produce: Bring fruits, vegetables, and some meats or dairy that can be stored in the fridge for the first few days of your trip.
• Snacks: Don’t forget to pack plenty of snacks like crisps, nuts, and biscuits for those quick bites during your road trip.

Think About Cooking Utensils

Your campervan kitchen is likely smaller than your home kitchen, so taking only the essentials is often the best idea. Here’s a list of what many years of travelling has taught us is essential:

• Compact Pots and Pans: One of the best tips is to choose collapsible and stackable cookware to take up less cupboard space.
• Multifunctional Cooking Tools: Try to find multi-functional cookware that can act as a spatula, spoon and fork in one go — a bit like a kitchen Swiss Army Knife.
• Cutlery and Crockery: Bring reusable, lightweight, and, ideally, plastic dishes so you’re not worried about them breaking during your drive.

Ready to start your own campervan adventure?

Explore our full range of campervan models at Bailey of Bristol and find the perfect one for your journey.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned explorer, our guides offer expert advice to help you hit the road with confidence. Check out our campervans today.

FAQS

Can you stay overnight in a layby in a campervan?
It’s not recommended. While not technically illegal, it can depend on local area restrictions and could result in fines or a request to move just as you’ve settled. If you need to find somewhere at short notice, apps like BritStops and Park4Night help you find a free stop or a campsite that takes campervans near you.

Are campervan holidays worth it?
Yes, campervan holidays are a great way to view the UK or abroad on your own terms. You get to stay in places you’d not normally visit if limited to hotels, simply because no building can reach where your campervan can go.

Can you stop anywhere in a campervan?
No, you can’t stop anywhere. In the UK, you need permission to park on private land, and certain areas, like public parks, have restrictions. Wild camping, the act of stopping overnight in a public place that isn’t a campsite, is typically illegal except for several areas.