Great value rentals from the United Kingdom’s most trusted campervan hire providers
Camping and caravanning are quite popular in Southampton because of its close proximity to New Forest, which has some of the largest pasture lands, forests, and heathlands in southern England. To help you find the perfect campervan for your holiday, VroomVroomVroom has found some of the best deals for campervan hire in Southampton. If you prefer a smaller like an SUV or station wagon vehicle, you can also hire a car in Southampton with us.
Southampton is one of the largest cities in England and the largest in Hampshire. It is situated southwest of London and northwest of Portsmouth. The city is sometimes written as “Soton” and the locals are called “Sotonians”.The city is now known for its universities: University of Southampton and Solent University.
Some of our favourite things to do year-round in Southampton are:
Summer (June, July, August): Celebrate Southampton’s cultural diversity at the annual Mela Festival with more than 28,000 people who fill Hoglands Park for arts and culture from around the world. Dine on a traditional lunch of fish and chips in the iconic seaside town of Bournemouth - just 42-minutes drive away.
Fall (September, October, November): Travel to The New Forest National Park (a 12-minute drive from Southampton CBD) and stroll through the beautiful parkland or enjoy a trip to Peppa Pig World. Enjoy a pint where Jane Austen celebrated her 18th birthday in 1793 at The Dolphin Hotel located in the heart of Southampton.
Winter (December, January, February): See the Christmas pantomime at The Mayflower Theatre. Take a 90-minute tour of Southampton FC Stadium and see what it takes to be a Premiership football team. Shop up a festive storm at the Southampton Christmas Market where more than 40 stalls offering unique and hand-made gift ideas.
Spring (March, April, May): Take the family for a sky-riffic day out at the Solent Sky Museum where they can learn about aviation and airport manufacturing. Meet a hedgehog at Manor Farm Park, a 20-minute drive from town. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon at Southampton Common including walks through woodland.
Year-Round: Visit one of Southampton’s most historic sites, Tudor House and Garden which was built in the late 15th Century. Spend the day exploring SeaCity Museum and learn more about the city’s Titanic heritage. See a musical at the Mayflower Theatre, one of only a few remaining producing theatres in the UK.
Sunnydale Farm Camping and Caravan Site welcomes campers and caravanners all year round and provides excellent facilities for motorhome rentals and campervan hire. The touring park lies on the edge of Netley Abbey and near Hamble's Sailing centre. It is just 5 minutes away from junction 8 on M27 and can be found along Grange Rd. The caravan site features 40 fully-serviced pitches including 16 hard-standing pitches. They also have 7 super-size pitches for those who want more space. Guests can bring along their favourite dogs as long as they are on leads.
YMCA Family Park & Campsite is the ideal destination for families who are looking for a friendly and relaxing environment. It is situated near Southampton and offers exciting activities for all ages. YMCA Family has been welcoming campers for more than 150 years so you are assured of excellent service and facilities. You can stay overnight or even just for an hour at the campsite. They offer 45 pitches for campervan rental and motorhome hire. They also have a spacious camping area for tents and feature shower blocks, toilets, campfire, and BBQ area.
Dibles Park is a four-star park located between Southampton and Portsmouth, approximately 23-minutes from Southampton’s CBD. The park has facilities that are family-friendly including hot showers, an on-site laundry, recycling facilities and electric hookups. They also welcome dogs with a beautiful common area nearby for walks. Open all year round, there are plenty of activities nearby including horse riding, fishing, golf, and more.
Solent Sky Museum retells the history of aviation in the Solent area and Southampton through their exhibits. The museum is located along Albert Road and is one of the most important areas in the UK because that's where the Spitfire was born as well as other aircraft. Before it became a museum, it was used for civil and military aircraft operation. Learn more about the 26 aircraft companies, including the world's largest flying boat by visiting the Solent Sky Museum.
The Mayflower Theatre is home to world-class stage plays, West End theatre shows, and musical performances. It is situated along Empire Lane right in the heart of Southampton; thus it was called The Empire Theatre when it first opened back in 1928. Ever since it was established, the theatre remains the largest in the south of England. In 1987, The Empire Theatre was renamed to The Mayflower Theatre. They became a popular venue for famous musicals and stage plays such as Peter Pan, Evita, West End's 42nd Street, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon.
New Forest Wildlife Park can be found in Deerleap Lane near Ashurst and is open all year round except on December 25 and 26. It was once a Butterfly Farm, but it is now a Nature Quest Wildlife Centre. The family-run park was renamed by the Heaps who have been working in wildlife conservation for more than 17 years. Learn more about the animals by joining the keepers during their keeper talks or feeding sessions. You can also take part in Animal Encounter sessions where you can get up close with birds and small mammals. The park also features a woodland restaurant and wildlife gift shop where you can unwind after a memorable animal encounter.
On hiring a campervan in Southampton
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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard campervan. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Southampton to Cornwall — or London — 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 Southampton, 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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