United Kingdom Bristol

Campervan and motorhome hire in Bristol

Campervans and motorhomes between south-west England and Wales

Compare the 2 campervan and motorhome rental companies in Bristol to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.

per day, from (observed prices)
€346
rental partners
2
branches
2
  • 2 partner companies and 2 depots
  • McRent depot in Ilminster, Somerset
  • Bath 18 km, Cardiff 41 km as the crow flies
  • Pleasant climate from June to August
  • Toll-free Severn bridges to Wales

Campervan hire in Bristol puts your starting point at the crossroads of south-west England and Wales. Bath and its Georgian façades are half an hour's drive away, Cheddar Gorge and the moors of Exmoor lie in neighbouring Somerset, while the Severn bridges open the road to the Brecon Beacons and the Gower Peninsula. 2 partner companies and 2 depots offer campervans and motorhomes: Anywhere Campers in Bristol and McRent in Ilminster, Somerset.

A former merchant port turned student and creative city, Bristol is best explored on foot along its quays, before joining the M5 motorway towards Devon and Cornwall.

2 rental partners

Where to pick up your vehicle in Bristol?

McRent Rental company category:Standard

  • McRent Bristol c/o Southwest Motorhomes
    Jordans Road, TA19 9FF Ilminster
    View map
Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Bristol

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €346/day median €349/day from €367/day median €370/day from €414/day median €417/day from €353/day median €356/day
Low-profile motorhome from €357/day median €375/day from €373/day median €389/day from €425/day median €436/day from €365/day median €376/day
Large motorhome from €363/day median €366/day from €379/day median €381/day from €425/day median €428/day from €370/day median €373/day

Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.

Road trip ideas

Road trips from Bristol

1 Bath, Lacock and the southern Cotswolds 3 to 4 days about 250 km
  1. Bristol
  2. Bath
  3. Lacock
  4. Castle Combe
  5. Tetbury
  6. Bibury
  7. Stow-on-the-Wold
  8. Painswick
  9. Bristol

Bath opens the loop with its Roman baths, its abbey and the Royal Crescent. You then reach Lacock, a village preserved by the National Trust, then Castle Combe, Tetbury and Bibury, famous for the cottages of Arlington Row, before Stow-on-the-Wold, perched in the heart of the Cotswolds. The way back runs via Painswick and the escarpment overlooking the Severn Vale. The lanes of these villages are narrow: a campervan squeezes through more easily.

Distance
about 250 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or camper van
2 Cheddar, Exmoor and the north coast of Cornwall 8 to 10 days about 700 km
  1. Bristol
  2. Cheddar
  3. Wells
  4. Glastonbury
  5. Porlock
  6. Lynmouth
  7. Clovelly
  8. Tintagel
  9. Padstow
  10. St Michael's Mount
  11. Bristol

Cheddar Gorge, the largest in England, opens the road south, followed by Wells, a small city dominated by its cathedral, and Glastonbury, at the foot of the Tor. The Exmoor coast, from Porlock to Lynmouth, then plunges towards the Bristol Channel. You follow the north Devon coast to the car-free village of Clovelly, then Tintagel, Padstow and St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, before a quick return via the A30 and the M5.

Distance
about 700 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or camper van
3 Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons, Gower and Pembrokeshire 6 to 8 days about 600 km
  1. Bristol
  2. Chepstow
  3. Tintern
  4. Brecon
  5. Rhossili
  6. Tenby
  7. St Davids
  8. Cardiff
  9. Bristol

The old Severn Bridge, on the M48, leads to Chepstow and the Wye Valley, where the ruins of Tintern Abbey stand. You then cross the Brecon Beacons National Park, now called Bannau Brycheiniog, before the cliffs and the long beach of Rhossili on the Gower Peninsula, then Tenby and St Davids in Pembrokeshire. The way back passes through Cardiff, another departure city of our partners.

Distance
about 600 km
Recommended vehicle
Low-profile motorhome or campervan
Weather and seasons

When to go in Bristol?

Best time

June to August

June to August
highs 20 to 21 °C, lows 12 to 14 °C

The most pleasant time to leave from Bristol, with long days and around eleven hours of sunshine a day in June and July. It is also the season of the British school holidays and of the International Balloon Fiesta in August: Cornwall and Pembrokeshire fill up, so book your vehicle and campsites early.

April, May, September and October

April to May, September to October
highs 13 to 18 °C, lows 5 to 11 °C

April is the driest month of the year in Bristol and May is already mild: a good time for the Cotswolds and the gardens of Somerset, before the summer crowds. September and October remain pleasant for Wales, but rainfall rises sharply in autumn, and some campsites close after the October half-term holidays.

Winter

November to March

November to March
highs 8 to 11 °C, lows 2 to 5 °C

Bristol's winter is mild but very wet: December is the rainiest month and, from November to January, the sun shines only three to four hours a day. The high roads of Exmoor and the Brecon Beacons can be icy. Opt for short stays in Bath or on the Welsh coast, at campsites open all year.

Climate in Bristol, month by month

Most pleasant months: June to August.

Month High Low Rain Sun Sea
Jan 8 °C 2 °C 75 mm 4 h/day 6 °C
Feb 9 °C 3 °C 77 mm 5 h/day 6 °C
Mar 10 °C 4 °C 83 mm 7 h/day 8 °C
Apr 13 °C 5 °C 55 mm 9 h/day 11 °C
May 17 °C 8 °C 72 mm 11 h/day 15 °C
Jun 20 °C 12 °C 69 mm 11 h/day 19 °C
Jul 21 °C 14 °C 69 mm 11 h/day 21 °C
Aug 21 °C 13 °C 73 mm 10 h/day 20 °C
Sep 18 °C 11 °C 92 mm 8 h/day 18 °C
Oct 15 °C 9 °C 99 mm 6 h/day 14 °C
Nov 11 °C 5 °C 89 mm 4 h/day 11 °C
Dec 9 °C 4 °C 106 mm 3 h/day 7 °C

Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Ilminster, a countryside depot

The McRent depot in Ilminster lies deep in the Somerset countryside, with no station nearby: from Bristol Temple Meads, a train takes you to Taunton, then a taxi completes the journey in about twenty minutes. The advantage of the location: you set off directly on the A303 towards Stonehenge or on the A358 towards Devon, without crossing a big city.

Clean Air Zone in the city centre

Bristol city centre is a Clean Air Zone: vehicles that do not meet emission standards, especially older diesels, pay a daily charge there, paid online since there are no barriers. Recent rental vehicles are generally compliant, but ask the rental company to confirm and check the current rules on the official website before driving in.

The steep hills of Exmoor

On the Exmoor coast, the A39 climbs Porlock Hill and Countisbury Hill, among the steepest gradients on England's main roads, with hairpin bends. In a motorhome, many drivers prefer the private Porlock toll road, which is more gradual, and go down in a low gear to spare the brakes. The road through Cheddar Gorge is also narrow and winding.

No wild camping in England or Wales

Spending the night outside an authorised site is forbidden on both sides of the Severn without the landowner's permission, including in Exmoor and the Brecon Beacons, where park rangers keep watch. Campsites are plentiful in Somerset, Devon and Pembrokeshire, and small certified farm sites often have the best views: book them in summer.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Bristol

Where can I pick up a campervan in Bristol?

Two partner companies are present: Anywhere Campers hands over its vehicles in Bristol itself, and McRent operates through Southwest Motorhomes in Ilminster, Somerset, about an hour's drive south-west via the M5 and then the A358. This second depot, close to the A303, is well placed for heading to Devon and Cornwall. The exact address and appointment time are in your confirmation.

How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Bristol?

The price depends mainly on the season, the length of hire and the size of the vehicle: a two-seat campervan and a six-berth motorhome do not cost the same, and the summer school holidays are the busiest period. Run a search with your dates: offers are shown with mandatory fees included, ready to book immediately.

Can I return the campervan in another city?

Our partners also have departures in Cardiff, Hereford, Salisbury, Bournemouth and Bath, which opens the door to one-way trips, for example a Welsh tour ending in Cardiff. Depending on the company, one-way fees apply: they are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city when searching, and only compatible offers appear.

Which motorhomes can I hire in Bristol?

The offers observed from Bristol range from the Van for 2, a camper van with two seats and two berths, to the Sunlight A70, with six seats and six berths for families. In between, the Adria Matrix M670SL and the Sunlight T 68 sleep five, the Carado T-447 four. Most come with a manual or automatic gearbox: choose the version that suits you when booking.

Can I reach Ireland from Wales?

The Welsh ports of Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, in Pembrokeshire, have ferries to Rosslare in south-east Ireland; they are about three hours' drive from Bristol. Not all rental companies allow the crossing, or only with extended insurance: check the countries covered in the offer conditions before booking the ferry.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Bristol with CoolDrive Nomad

4.3
818 reviews

Functional and easy-to-use application that meets expectations.

N.
United Kingdom · Jul 2025
Trustpilot

1. The motorhome had neither a reversing alarm nor a rear camera. Essential for this type of vehicle. 2. There was no option to purchase insurance without a deductible. The options were either to take out an external one or to reduce it with Indie Campers. Additionally, in the case of the one rented in Scotland, we were informed at the last moment that no insurance covered the upper and lower parts of the sides... Incredible! We could crash it but not scratch it... 3. Regarding the rental in Dublin: a) The location is very far from the airport and much further from the city.

J.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Trustpilot

Available team and very good service

Nicolas E.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Bristol

What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in the United Kingdom?

For motorhomes, campervans and camper vans under 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is enough, whether British or European. Holders of another licence should check whether it is recognised in the United Kingdom or whether an international driving permit is needed with it. The minimum age and years of driving experience are set by each rental company and stated in the offer conditions.

How do I get used to driving on the left when leaving Bristol?

The easiest way is to leave the centre via the M32, which leads straight onto the M4 motorway and then the M5: you find your bearings with the steering wheel on the right on wide lanes before tackling the small roads of Somerset. Roundabouts are taken clockwise, giving way to traffic from the right, and mini-roundabouts painted on the road are common in the suburbs.

Do I have to pay to cross into Wales?

No: both bridges over the Severn estuary, the Prince of Wales Bridge on the M4 motorway and the old Severn Bridge on the M48, have been toll-free since December 2018. Once in Wales, watch your speed: it is limited to 20 mph on most streets in towns and villages, and road signs are bilingual, in Welsh and English.

How do I get to the depots from Bristol Airport?

Bristol Airport is at Lulsgate, south-west of the city, on the A38. The Airport Flyer bus runs to the centre and Temple Meads station, from where you reach the Anywhere Campers meeting point. For the McRent depot in Ilminster, allow about an hour by taxi. In both cases, let the rental company know your arrival time.

Where can I stay overnight in a motorhome to visit Bristol?

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has a site on the harbour at Baltic Wharf, a few minutes' walk from the SS Great Britain and the Harbourside district; it is very popular and should be booked early. Otherwise, leave the vehicle at a park-and-ride on the outskirts and take the bus into the centre, or stay at a campsite nearby and come in by train.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Bristol

Bristol brings two very different trips together on the same map. To the south and east lies rural England: the stone villages of the Cotswolds, the spa city of Bath, the moors of Exmoor and the fishing harbours of Cornwall. To the west, once across the Severn estuary, Wales unfolds its mountains, castles and wild coastline all the way to Pembrokeshire.

Two partner companies, Anywhere Campers in Bristol and McRent in Somerset, cover most needs, from the two-seat campervan to the six-berth family motorhome, and nearby Cardiff makes it possible to end a Welsh tour one way. The city itself, with its harbour, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and its colourful neighbourhoods, deserves a day on foot before hitting the road, ideally from June to August, the most pleasant months.

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