Campervan Hire in Cornwall

Hiring a campervan or motorhome in Cornwall

Cornwall is synonymous with camping and with summer holidays in the UK. So if you're going to hire a campervan anywhere and enjoy that slower, rural pace of life, then you'd be hard pressed to pick a better spot. If you are planning on exploring Cornwall in a campervan, it might be a sensible option to collect your camper once you are there rather than journeying all the way from further afield. This gives you the option of taking the train, which cuts down your motorway time and increases your holiday time on the coast and in Cornwall itself.

When picking a campervan or motorhome rental it is important to consider accessibility and location. Smaller modern VW’s or vintage campers are easier to drive on the narrow countryside roads typical of the Cornish countryside. Perhaps hire a VW camper for two and head straight to Newquay. It’s one of the most popular towns on the Cornish coast and with good reason. In Newquay you’ll have a choice of 12 beaches to surf, swim, stroll and build sandcastles on. From there you could follow signs for the A39 north up to the small fishing village of Port Isaac and then continue on the A39 to finish at Bude’s superb surfing beaches. Alternatively, head south from Newquay along the A30 all the way to Land’s End, calling in at Penzance along the way.

It probably won't be news to learn that Cornwall is amongst the popular tourist destinations in the UK every summer. And the result is a huge variety of Cornish campsites to choose from. This means you can afford to be picky in your campervan  and find the campsite that best suits your needs, perhaps linking together a few in a handy campervan roadtrip. In summer it's best to book well in advance, though, as the most popular campsites will often book up early. Similarly, when picking your camper you may want to consider choosing a campervan rental, which offers vans with surf or bike racks or maybe dog-friendly campervan hire depending on what you plan to get up to while you’re there. The earlier you book, the more likely you'll be to secure the exact campervan or motorhome you want.

VW Campervan hire in Cornwall

Often when we picture a campervan road trip we imagine the classic vintage VW camper. These are great for couples or smaller families of up to four. Their compact size makes them easier to drive and park but most have pop-top roofs which allow for more space, with children enjoying sleeping in the bed in the roof. Small campervans like this do offer slightly less comfort and generally will not have things like a toilet onboard. However, they will often include a stove, sink, and a cool box, as well as heating to keep you toasty on chillier nights. For Cornwall's famously small country lanes and rural backroads a compact campervan like a VW is commonly the go-to choice.

Those with three or more children will generally need a larger five or six-berth motorhome, unless you travel by campervan and bring an additional tent along. Hiring a motorhome might be a better option for you if you are worried about all the family having enough space as they will often feature a shower onboard and more seating space for the whole family to sit comfortably. If you're travelling outside of the warmer summer season, for instance, you might be glad of having that extra bit of 'indoor' space. For families, campervans and motorhomes really do open up a whole world of opportunity, making the journey part of the adventure itself instead of just a vehicle to get you to your destination. You don’t need to worry about setting up the tent when you arrive, there's a lot more storage space and it makes camping life a lot more practical and comfortable.

What do I need to hire a campervan in Cornwall?

Whether you are hiring a private campervan or hiring from an established campervan hire company, there are a few items you will need to bring with you. You should find out from your campervan hirer whether you need to acquire your check in code from DVLA yourself or if they will request it on your behalf. Your driving license, of course, should be at the top of your list when hiring a campervan but vehicle hirers may have slightly different rules on who is eligible to hire a van. For example, there could be a minimum age for the driver or it may be based on the number of years you've had your driving license so this is worth checking online. The basic requirements to hire a campervan in Cornwall are a driving license, at least two proofs of address and a clean driving record. More information about what's needed to hire a campervan can be found here.