United Kingdom Plymouth

Campervan and motorhome hire in Plymouth

Campervans and motorhomes between Dartmoor, South Devon and Cornwall

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

per day, from (observed prices)
€431
rental partner
1
branch
1
  • 1 partner company: Anywhere Campers
  • Campervans and motorhomes sleeping 2 to 6
  • Bristol 162 km as the crow flies
  • Dartmoor less than half an hour's drive away
  • Most pleasant months: June and July

Hiring a campervan in Plymouth means setting off from the Tamar estuary, the river that separates Devon from Cornwall. The granite moorland of Dartmoor National Park begins less than half an hour from the centre; to the east, the South Hams estuaries lead to Salcombe and Dartmouth; to the west, the Tamar Bridge opens up the south coast of Cornwall, from Looe to Land's End. A major naval port and ferry port, the city also lies on the South West Coast Path. Our partner company, Anywhere Campers, offers everything from campervans for two to family motorhomes sleeping up to six.

1 rental partner

Where to pick up your vehicle in Plymouth?

Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Plymouth

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €431/day median €434/day from €453/day median €456/day from €499/day median €502/day from €439/day median €442/day
Low-profile motorhome from €443/day median €460/day from €459/day median €475/day from €511/day median €522/day from €450/day median €462/day
Large motorhome from €448/day median €451/day from €465/day median €467/day from €511/day median €513/day from €456/day median €459/day

Daily prices observed on October 24, 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 Plymouth

1 Dartmoor, moorland and granite villages 2 to 3 days about 140 km
  1. Plymouth
  2. Yelverton
  3. Princetown
  4. Two Bridges
  5. Postbridge
  6. Widecombe-in-the-Moor
  7. Haytor
  8. Lydford
  9. Tavistock
  10. Plymouth

Via Yelverton, you climb onto the Dartmoor plateau to Princetown and its old granite prison, then Two Bridges and the ancient clapper bridge at Postbridge. Widecombe-in-the-Moor, nestled around its tall-towered church, comes before the rocks of Haytor, where the view stretches all the way to the sea. The return follows the western edge of the moor via the wooded Lydford Gorge and the market town of Tavistock.

Distance
about 140 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or converted van
2 The South Hams and the Dart estuary 3 to 4 days about 150 km
  1. Plymouth
  2. Bigbury-on-Sea
  3. Kingsbridge
  4. Salcombe
  5. Slapton Sands
  6. Dartmouth
  7. Totnes
  8. Plymouth

East of Plymouth, Bigbury-on-Sea faces Burgh Island, reached on foot at low tide and by sea tractor at high tide. Kingsbridge leads to Salcombe, a sailing harbour at the end of its estuary, then the road runs along the shingle beach of Slapton Sands to Dartmouth, with its castle and naval college. You then follow the Dart upstream to Totnes, a small medieval town on the riverbank.

Distance
about 150 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or low-profile motorhome
3 Cornwall's south coast to Land's End 5 to 6 days about 370 km
  1. Plymouth
  2. Looe
  3. Polperro
  4. Fowey
  5. Mevagissey
  6. Falmouth
  7. Lizard Point
  8. Porthcurno
  9. Land's End
  10. Plymouth

The Tamar Bridge takes you into Cornwall. Looe and Polperro, fishing harbours tucked into their coves, come before Fowey and its estuary, then the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey. After Falmouth and its harbour, the Lizard peninsula leads to the southernmost point of Great Britain. The Minack Theatre, carved into the cliff at Porthcurno, comes before Land's End; you then head back along the main inland roads.

Distance
about 370 km
Recommended vehicle
Low-profile or over-cab motorhome
Weather and seasons

When to go in Plymouth?

Best time

April to June

April to June
highs 13 to 18 °C, lows 7 to 12 °C

The best time to set off from Plymouth: April is the driest month of the year and June, with eleven hours of sunshine a day, is among the most pleasant. Gorse blooms on Dartmoor, the rhododendrons in Cornwall's gardens are at their peak, and campsites still have space outside the Easter and late-May holidays.

High season

July and August

July to August
highs 20 °C, lows 14 °C

The warmest months remain mild, around 20 °C in the afternoon, with the sea reaching 16 to 17 °C. This is the height of the British school holidays: the South Hams and Cornwall draw crowds, the A38 and A30 are jammed on Saturdays and coastal campsites are fully booked. Book early and keep Dartmoor for weekdays.

September and October

September to October
highs 15 to 18 °C, lows 11 to 13 °C

September keeps the sea at 17 °C and the beaches quieter once schools are back: the ideal time to walk the coast path. October turns noticeably wetter, with more than 150 mm, but the wooded valleys of the Dart and the Tamar then take on their autumn colours.

Winter

November to March

November to March
highs 9 to 12 °C, lows 4 to 8 °C

Winter remains mild by the sea, with nights rarely below 4 °C, but it is very wet: December is the rainiest month, with more than 160 mm. On the heights of Dartmoor, fog, ice and sometimes snow make driving harder. Many campsites close until Easter: look out for those that stay open.

Climate in Plymouth, month by month

Most pleasant months: June to July.

Month High Low Rain Sun Sea
Jan 9 °C 4 °C 117 mm 4 h/day 10 °C
Feb 10 °C 5 °C 113 mm 5 h/day 10 °C
Mar 11 °C 6 °C 117 mm 7 h/day 10 °C
Apr 13 °C 7 °C 67 mm 10 h/day 11 °C
May 16 °C 9 °C 75 mm 11 h/day 14 °C
Jun 18 °C 12 °C 82 mm 11 h/day 16 °C
Jul 20 °C 14 °C 81 mm 12 h/day 16 °C
Aug 20 °C 14 °C 93 mm 10 h/day 17 °C
Sep 18 °C 13 °C 113 mm 8 h/day 17 °C
Oct 15 °C 11 °C 156 mm 7 h/day 15 °C
Nov 12 °C 8 °C 149 mm 5 h/day 13 °C
Dec 10 °C 7 °C 162 mm 4 h/day 11 °C

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

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

The Tamar Bridge toll

The Tamar Bridge, on the A38, and the Torpoint chain ferry are the two direct crossings between Plymouth and Cornwall. Tolls are only charged in the Cornwall-to-Devon direction: the outward trip is free, the return is paid at the barrier or with an electronic tag. For a large motorhome, the bridge is simpler than the ferry.

Devon's sunken lanes

Between Dartmoor and the coast, the minor roads of Devon and Cornwall are often single-track sunken lanes, lined with banks and hedges taller than the vehicle. To pass a tractor, you sometimes have to reverse to a passing place. Stay on A roads as much as possible and be wary of the satnav, which readily takes these shortcuts.

Park before the coastal villages

The streets of Polperro are closed to visitors' vehicles: leave yours in the car park above the village and walk down to the harbour. Fowey, Mevagissey and Salcombe have lanes that are impassable in a motorhome; use the car parks at the edge of town and, in season, the park-and-ride shuttles.

Dartmoor: tents yes, motorhomes no

Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping in a tent is allowed on certain areas of the moor, but this right does not extend to vehicles: sleeping in a motorhome in the park's car parks or by the roadside is forbidden. Elsewhere, spending the night outside an authorised site requires the landowner's permission.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Plymouth

Where can I pick up a campervan in Plymouth?

Our partner company in Plymouth is Anywhere Campers, which has a depot in the city. The exact address and handover time are given in your booking confirmation. If you arrive by train, Plymouth station has direct services to London and Bristol: plan a taxi to the depot and let the company know your arrival time.

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

There is no fixed rate: it depends on the departure date, the length of hire, the model and gearbox chosen, and any one-way trip. A search with your exact dates shows the available Anywhere Campers offers, mandatory fees included, ready to book straight away. Also compare a departure outside the British school holidays.

Can I take the ferry to France from Plymouth?

Yes, ferries link Millbay port, west of the centre, with Roscoff in Brittany. Before booking the crossing, check that the rental company allows you to leave the United Kingdom and that the insurance covers France: this is not always the case. The fare depends on the vehicle's length and height, which must be declared accurately.

Which vehicles can I hire in Plymouth?

The offers observed range from the Van for 2, for two travellers, to the Adria Matrix M670SL and Sunlight T 68 low-profile motorhomes, with five seats and five berths, up to the Sunlight A70, an over-cab motorhome sleeping six. The Carado T-447 suits four people. Most models come with a manual or automatic gearbox, a real comfort when getting used to driving on the left.

Can I return the motorhome in another city?

Cardiff, Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth and Salisbury are other departure cities of our partners, between 140 and 185 km away as the crow flies. For a one-way trip, enter the return city in your search: any fees are then included in the price shown. This option depends on the depot network of the chosen company.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Plymouth 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 Plymouth

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

Rental vehicles under 3.5 tonnes can be driven with a category B car licence. A licence issued in the European Union is accepted as it is; with a licence from another country, an international driving permit may be required. The rental company also sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, shown in the offer conditions.

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

You drive on the left, take roundabouts clockwise while giving way to traffic from the right, and speeds and distances are in miles. For the first miles, the A38 dual carriageway bypasses the city and lets you get your bearings before tackling the narrow roads of the moor and the coast.

Which airport should I use to reach Plymouth?

Plymouth no longer has a commercial airport. The nearest are Exeter, about an hour's drive away, and Newquay, in Cornwall. Bristol and the London airports offer more international flights, followed by the train to Plymouth. Arrange this journey before setting the motorhome handover time, especially if you arrive late in the day.

Where can I stay overnight in a motorhome around Plymouth?

There is no shortage of campsites on the city's doorstep: on the Rame peninsula, on the Cornish side, above Whitsand Bay; around Tavistock and Yelverton, on the edge of Dartmoor; and in the South Hams, near Bigbury and Salcombe. To visit Plymouth, a campsite on the outskirts and the bus into the centre avoid height-restricted car parks.

What should I see in Plymouth before hitting the road?

The Hoe, a wide esplanade overlooking the Sound, is home to the red-and-white striped lighthouse of Smeaton's Tower. Below, the Barbican keeps its cobbled lanes and the Mayflower Steps, from which the Pilgrims set sail for America; the National Marine Aquarium is right next door. Further west, the Royal William Yard, a former naval yard, houses restaurants and galleries.

When should I book a campervan in Plymouth?

Several months ahead for July, August and the Easter and late-May holidays, when Devon and Cornwall are among Britons' favourite destinations. With only one rental company on site, the number of vehicles is limited: book early, especially if you want an automatic gearbox. Outside the holidays, a few weeks is often enough.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Plymouth

Plymouth is the major departure point straddling Devon and Cornwall: in a single day's drive, you go from the granite tors of Dartmoor to the sandy beaches of the South Hams, then to the fishing harbours and cliffs of the Cornish coast all the way to Land's End. Distances remain short, leaving time to walk the coast path, visit the gardens of Cornwall or linger in the estuary villages.

Anywhere Campers, our partner company on site, offers a range from campervans for two to over-cab motorhomes sleeping six, with several models available with an automatic gearbox. Bristol, Bath, Bournemouth and Salisbury, other departure cities of our partners, open the way to a one-way trip north or east, via Exmoor, Dorset or Salisbury Plain. June and July are the most pleasant months to enjoy this south-western tip of England.

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