United Kingdom Reading

Campervan and motorhome hire in Reading

Camper vans and motorhomes between the Thames, the Downs and the Hampshire coast

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

per day, from (observed prices)
€318
rental partner
1
branch
1
  • 1 partner company and 1 depot
  • Oxford 39 km, London 59 km as the crow flies
  • From a 2-seat van to a 6-berth motorhome
  • Most pleasant season from May to September
  • Left-hand driving, M4 south of town

Hiring a campervan in Reading means setting off from the heart of the Thames Valley, in Berkshire, halfway between London and Oxford. Within a few miles the river leads to Henley-on-Thames, Marlow and Windsor Castle, while the chalk hills of the North Wessex Downs, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Hampshire coast open up to the west and south. One partner company, Anywhere Campers, offers both vans for two and family motorhomes.

A major rail hub, Reading has direct links to London and the airports, and the M4 motorway runs along the south of the town: you hit the road without crossing a large urban area.

1 rental partner

Where to pick up your vehicle in Reading?

Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Reading

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €318/day median €321/day from €339/day median €342/day from €386/day median €389/day from €325/day median €328/day
Low-profile motorhome from €329/day median €347/day from €345/day median €361/day from €397/day median €408/day from €337/day median €348/day
Large motorhome from €335/day median €338/day from €351/day median €353/day from €397/day median €400/day from €342/day median €345/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 Reading

1 The Thames from Sonning to Windsor 2 to 3 days about 110 km
  1. Reading
  2. Sonning
  3. Henley-on-Thames
  4. Hambleden
  5. Marlow
  6. Cookham
  7. Windsor
  8. Reading

Downstream from Reading, the Thames flows under the old brick bridge at Sonning, then past Henley-on-Thames, home of the famous rowing regatta, and the village of Hambleden, tucked at the foot of the Chilterns. Marlow, Cookham and the gardens of Cliveden lead to Windsor, its royal castle and its great park. The riverside roads are narrow: a campervan or compact motorhome gets through more easily.

Distance
about 110 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or compact motorhome
2 North Wessex Downs and the Kennet and Avon Canal 3 to 4 days about 180 km
  1. Reading
  2. Pangbourne
  3. Goring-on-Thames
  4. Uffington
  5. Lambourn
  6. Marlborough
  7. Savernake
  8. Hungerford
  9. Highclere
  10. Newbury
  11. Reading

Heading west, the Thames slips between the hills at Pangbourne and Goring, before the ridges of the Ridgeway and the Uffington White Horse, cut into the chalk in the Bronze Age. You come down through Lambourn, the valley of the racehorse, to Marlborough and Savernake Forest, then follow the Kennet and Avon Canal through Hungerford before Highclere Castle, near Newbury.

Distance
about 180 km
Recommended vehicle
Low-profile motorhome or campervan
3 Winchester, the Isle of Wight and the South Downs 5 to 6 days about 350 km
  1. Reading
  2. Winchester
  3. Portsmouth
  4. Isle of Wight
  5. Chichester
  6. Arundel
  7. South Downs
  8. Guildford
  9. Reading

Via Basingstoke and the M3, you reach Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex, and its cathedral, then Portsmouth, where a ferry crosses the Solent to the Isle of Wight: the cliffs of the Needles, the beaches of Sandown and Osborne House, Queen Victoria's residence. On the way back, Chichester, Arundel and its castle, then the hills of the South Downs National Park lead back to Reading through Surrey.

Distance
about 350 km
Recommended vehicle
All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons

When to go in Reading?

Best time

May, June and September

May to June, September
highs 18 to 21 °C, lows 8 to 12 °C

The most pleasant months to leave from Reading: long days, up to eleven hours of sunshine a day in May and June, green meadows along the Thames and campsites still available. September is calm again after the school holidays and keeps a mildness that is ideal for walking the Ridgeway.

High season

July and August

July to August
highs 22 to 23 °C, lows 13 to 14 °C

Peak season, the warmest time of the year. Henley Royal Regatta, between late June and early July, and the Reading Festival, on the late August bank holiday weekend, fill the valley's campsites and roads: book your vehicle and pitches very early, as well as the crossing to the Isle of Wight.

March, April, October and November

March to April, October to November
highs 11 to 15 °C, lows 4 to 9 °C

Cool but practical shoulder seasons, with gardens in bloom in April and golden forests in October, the wettest month of the year. Sites are quiet; pack rain gear and check the opening dates of campsites and stately homes, some of which can only be visited in the warmer months.

Winter

December to February

December to February
highs 8 to 9 °C, lows 2 to 4 °C

Winter is grey and damp, with three to five hours of sunshine a day, but rarely freezing. Short days mean shorter stages: choose a heated vehicle and campsites open all year, then enjoy the Christmas markets of Winchester or Windsor.

Climate in Reading, month by month

Most pleasant months: May to September.

Month High Low Rain Sun
Jan 8 °C 2 °C 64 mm 4 h/day
Feb 9 °C 3 °C 53 mm 5 h/day
Mar 11 °C 4 °C 62 mm 7 h/day
Apr 14 °C 5 °C 44 mm 9 h/day
May 18 °C 8 °C 56 mm 11 h/day
Jun 21 °C 12 °C 57 mm 11 h/day
Jul 23 °C 14 °C 61 mm 11 h/day
Aug 22 °C 13 °C 53 mm 10 h/day
Sep 19 °C 11 °C 69 mm 8 h/day
Oct 15 °C 9 °C 83 mm 6 h/day
Nov 11 °C 5 °C 73 mm 5 h/day
Dec 9 °C 4 °C 70 mm 3 h/day

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

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Narrow bridges over the Thames

Marlow's suspension bridge has a weight limit below that of most motorhomes: bypass the town on the A404. At Sonning, the old single-lane bridge, controlled by traffic lights, causes long queues, and Whitchurch bridge, at Pangbourne, is a small toll bridge. Check the weight and width signs before each crossing.

Leaving Reading via the M4

Reading town centre is hemmed in by a one-way inner ring road and pedestrian streets. From the depot, head for the M4 motorway, to the south: Heathrow and London to the east, Newbury and Bristol to the west. To head down to Hampshire, the A33 runs to Basingstoke and the M3.

Campsites along the Thames

Wild camping is banned in England without the landowner's permission, and the banks of the Thames are often private or reserved for boats. Several campsites line the river between Henley and Marlow, some right by the water, and Caravan and Motorhome Club sites add to the choice in Berkshire and Hampshire.

Booking the Isle of Wight ferry

From Portsmouth, Southampton or Lymington, vehicle ferries cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The fare depends on the length of the vehicle and the date: book as soon as your route is fixed and make sure you declare a motorhome, which is longer than a car. On the island, roads are narrow and winding.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Reading

Where can I pick up a campervan in Reading?

You set off from Anywhere Campers, our partner company in Reading, Berkshire. The exact meeting point and key handover time are shown in your booking confirmation. If you arrive by train, Reading's main station is the most convenient starting point to reach the depot by taxi.

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

The price depends on the season, the length of hire, the model and the gearbox, manual or automatic. Summer and long weekends are the busiest periods. Run a search with your departure and return dates: you get real prices, mandatory fees included, that you can book straight away.

Which vehicles can I hire in Reading?

The offers we found range from the Van for 2, a camper van for two people, to family motorhomes: the Carado T-447 for four, the Adria Matrix M670SL and Sunlight T 68 for five, and the Sunlight A70 over-cab for six. Each model comes with a manual or automatic gearbox, handy when you are new to driving on the left.

Can I return the campervan in Oxford, London or Southampton?

These three cities, 39, 59 and 68 km away as the crow flies, are other departure points of our partners. A one-way trip is only possible if the rental company accepts it for that route: enter the return city when searching, and only compatible offers are shown, one-way fees included.

Can I drive to France with a campervan hired in Reading?

Portsmouth, about an hour and a quarter's drive away, is the nearest port, with ferries to Normandy and Brittany. Leaving the United Kingdom must be authorised by the rental company and covered by the insurance: check these conditions in the offer before booking the crossing, and bring the vehicle documents.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Reading 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 Reading

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

A category B licence is enough for a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes, the category of most rental motorhomes. With a licence written in a language other than English, an international driving permit may be required. Depending on your nationality, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required to enter the United Kingdom: apply before you travel.

How do I get to Reading from the London airports?

Heathrow is about forty kilometres to the east: a direct coach links the terminal to Reading station, and the train runs with a change onto the Elizabeth line. Gatwick is linked to Reading by a direct train via Guildford. Let the rental company know your arrival time to arrange the vehicle handover.

Are there tolls around Reading?

No, the M4 and M3 motorways and the main roads of Berkshire and Hampshire are free. Charges only apply if you enter Greater London, covered by the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and, in the centre, by the congestion charge, or if you cross the Thames at Dartford, east of the capital. Everything is paid online.

Can I visit London without driving the motorhome there?

Yes, and it is the easiest option: leave the vehicle at a campsite in the Thames Valley and take the train from Reading. Fast trains reach Paddington in about half an hour, and the Elizabeth line then crosses the centre without changing. You avoid traffic jams and parking that is almost impossible to find for a motorhome.

Where can I empty waste water in England?

Public service points are rare in England, unlike much of the continent. Grey water and toilet cassettes are emptied at campsites, and some accept passing motorhomes for a small fee. Around Reading, plan these stops together with your nights at campsites.

When should I book a campervan in Reading?

With a single partner company and a limited fleet, it is best to book several months ahead for July and August, as well as for the long bank holiday weekends in May. In spring and September, a few weeks are often enough, but automatic models and vans for two are always the first to go.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Reading

Reading is often driven through without stopping, yet the town is a very well placed starting point for discovering the south of England. At the confluence of the Thames and the Kennet, around the ruins of the abbey founded by Henry I, it lies between two protected landscapes, the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs, with Windsor and Henley less than half an hour's drive away and the Hampshire coast about an hour and a half away.

Anywhere Campers rents out anything from a van for two to a motorhome for six. Oxford, London and Southampton, other departure cities of our partners, open up one-way trips in several directions. From May to September, you can link riverside brick villages, chalk hills and the crossing to the Isle of Wight, without ever facing the capital's traffic.

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