Great value rentals from the United Kingdom’s most trusted campervan hire providers
For easy access to the multitude of attractions in Bristol and some of England's finest countryside, booking a motorhome hire is a must so you can jump from one place to another. No need to rent a hotel room because you and your family or mates can sleep inside the cosy campervan rental. Most of the Bristol campervan rentals listed at VroomVroomVroom are equipped with modern facilities, which brings in comfort to the travellers. It's like riding a mobile home!
Bristol is situated in the South West of England and was built around the River Avon. Over the years, it has developed into the largest centre of education, culture and employment in the region. The ceremonial county gained prosperity because of its close proximity to the sea. The busiest commercial areas in the city are the Port of Bristol and Royal Portbury Dock. Famous for its bridges, hot air balloons and boating, Bristol also has lots to offer in terms of history and heritage, TV and film, science and nature, events and festivals, and shopping.
Some of our favourite things to do year-round in Bristol are:
Summer (June, July, August): Make the most of a long summer day with a picnic in the park. Locals recommend parks like The Downs, Ashton Court Estate or Brandon Hill to lay a rug and soak up some rays. Marvel at 150 hot air balloons taking to the sky during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August), Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons. Enjoy free dance, music and art at Bristol Harbour Festival (July).
Fall (September, October, November): Visit Westonbirt Arboretum for the most brilliant display of autumnal colours. Sea lovers can enjoy the Ocean Film Festival or soak up literary greats at the Bristol Festival of Literature (October).
Winter (December, January, February): Winter is the perfect time to enjoy some classic British comfort food like bangers and mash at The Clifton Sausage, a quick 9-minute drive from the centre of town. Stay indoors and enjoy a show at the many theatres across the city. Find a unique souvenir or festive gift at St Nicholas Market where you can buy local produce, vintage wares or sweets.
Spring (March, April, May): With the weather warming, Spring in Bristol is the perfect time to explore Clifton Rocks Railway, which served as a transmission base for the BBC during WWII. Hire a bicycle and discover Bristol's best attractions and sights on two wheels. Sail across Bristol harbour on a ferry before a trip to Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park.
Year-Round: Visit the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for a top-up of culture. If you’re an avid aviator, no trip to Bristol would be complete without stopping at Aerospace Bristol for a glimpse of the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot. Marvel in the mystery of pop-culture icon Banksy with a walking tour of some of their earliest work throughout the city.
Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site can be found along Cumberland Road right in the heart of Bristol's beautiful dockland. You can take the ferry going to the vibrant city centre or try the excellent cycle paths nearby. Downs Park and the Zoo are within easy reach from the caravan park, which makes it an ideal place to stay for families with small children in tow.
Brook Lodge Farm Camping and Caravan Park is situated in the heritage site of Cowslip Green and was the former residence of Hannah More back in the 1730s. It has easy access to Glastonbury, Wells, Mendip Hills, and Bath. The 3.5-acre parkland has 29 touring and tent pitches with electric hook up as well as children's play areas and bicycles for hire.
Coast Caravan Park is known for its superb seaside location overlooking the spectacular Bristol Channel and the Welsh Coast. The family-owned park is just 5-minutes away from Portishead and Clevedon, where you can discover many exciting things. The 5-acre park operates between March and October only so make sure to check the park's availability first.
Walnut Tree Farm Camping & Bunk House is located in the parish village of Regil in the peaceful Chew Valley. People that wanted to escape the city noise often go here to enjoy the relaxing and tranquil environment. You can either stay in your campervan, put up a tent, or stay in their bunkhouse, which can accommodate up to 8 adults.
Bristol Zoo Gardens is situated in the Clifton area near the suspension bridge and can be easily accessed by car, campervan, or by public transport. The zoo houses more than 400 species and they are placed in 18 areas, including the Aquarium, Monkey Jungle, Reptile House, Twilight World, and the Butterfly Forest. The award-winning gardens feature exotic plants, unusual trees, and shrubs from different parts of the world.
Bristol Aquarium is a popular attraction in the Bristol harbour because of its amazing marine life displays. The huge aquarium features eight areas where you can find different species of fish and other marine creatures. Get a chance to see real-life Giant Pacific Octopus, spectacular rays, and terrifying sharks. Enjoy close encounters with all sorts of sea creatures at the underwater walkthrough tunnel.
Brunel's SS Great Britain lets you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of life on board! The Michelin-starred museum stands on the original Great Western Dockyard where it was built back in 1970. Before you start your journey on board, you can get a fish's eye view of the oldest iron hull in the world with the help of state-of-the-art technology. After exploring the ship, you can also check out the Dockyard Museum, Brunel Institute, and David MacGregor Library.
At-Bristol is one of the most visited interactive science centres in the UK. It is located along Anchor Road in Harbourside. Explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits and watch various live shows. It also features a Planetarium where you can witness amazing vistas of the night sky and learn how to spot the different constellations. There is a café that offers great views of the Millennium Square and an excellent selection of food and drinks.
St Mary Redcliffe is a magnificent church located at 12 Colston Parade in Redcliffe. It has been established more than 800 years ago and is known for its remarkable Gothic Architecture. Queen Elizabeth I even described this landmark as “the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England.” You can get in for free and even join the guided tours to learn more about the history of the church.
On hiring a campervan in Bristol
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book a campervan a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring a campervan, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right campervan for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the campervan you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with campervans, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent a campervan, start researching today, and when you find the right campervan for you, book it!
One more point, another way campervan rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make a campervan booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your campervan rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to campervans and not sure where to start, please give our before booking a campervan rental page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring a campervan in Bristol tends to look at campervans with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of campervan you should hire in Bristol depends very much on the type of campervan you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the campervan you hire in Bristol is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact campervan to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic campervans often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Bristol and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard campervan. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Bristol to Cornwall — or Glasgow — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as campervans vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking a campervan for pickup from Bristol, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect campervan for you.
For most rental caravan providers, the minimum age to rent a campervan is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the campervan rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the campervan rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent a campervan — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for campervan hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective campervan provider prior to booking.
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