• London's position in southeast England gives you access to diverse landscapes and historic regions. Here's what you can reach:
• Cotswolds - Oxford (95km northwest, 1h 30min via M40), Burford (130km, 2 hours), Bourton-on-the-Water (145km, 2h 15min). Honey-stone villages, rolling hills, historic pubs.
• Southern Coast - Brighton (87km south, 1h 45min via M23), Dover (130km southeast, 2 hours), Isle of Wight (160km southwest, 2h 30min + ferry). Seaside towns, white cliffs, coastal paths.
• Historic Cities - Bath (190km west, 2h 30min via M4), Cambridge (100km north, 1h 30min), Canterbury (100km southeast, 1h 30min). Roman baths, medieval architecture, university colleges.
• National Parks - South Downs (100km south, 1h 45min), New Forest (130km southwest, 2 hours), Peak District (260km north, 3h 30min). Hiking trails, ancient woodlands, scenic drives.
• Wales - Cardiff (240km west, 3 hours via M4), Brecon Beacons (285km, 3h 45min), Snowdonia (400km, 5 hours). Mountains, castles, rugged coastline.
• Scotland - Edinburgh (665km north, 7-8 hours via A1/M6), Lake District (430km northwest, 5-6 hours). Highland scenery, lochs, whisky distilleries.

The roads are excellent. M-motorways make long distances manageable, while A-roads and country lanes show you thatched cottages and village greens. Driving is on the left—if you're not used to it, give yourself time to adjust.

Here's what sets us apart:

• Unlimited kilometres – Drive without distance caps. Many UK competitors limit you to 100-150 miles per day—that barely covers London to Bath.
• 80+ drop-off locations across Europe.
• Kitchen kits included – Full cooking equipment comes standard.
• 24/7 roadside assistance – Across the UK.
• Flexible one-way hire – Start in London, end in Manchester. Or Bristol. Whatever your route demands.

April through October is ideal. May, September, and October are especially popular—you avoid peak summer crowds and school holidays while getting decent weather for both city exploring and countryside drives.

Spring (March to May)

Temperatures: 8-17°C
Gardens and countryside are blooming. Perfect for visiting stately homes and their grounds (Kew Gardens, Hampton Court). Easter brings some crowds. Frequent rain—bring waterproofs. By May, days are long and outdoor exploration is comfortable.

Best for: Garden visits, historic houses, walking trails, fewer tourists, lambing season in the countryside.

Summer (June to August)

Temperatures: 15-23°C
Peak season. London gets busy—especially July-August during school holidays. Coastal towns (Brighton, Cornwall) are packed. Longer days (sunset around 9pm) mean more exploring time. Book campgrounds ahead. Occasional heatwaves but generally comfortable.

Best for: Coastal trips, festivals (Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Notting Hill Carnival), outdoor activities, beach visits, long daylight hours.

Fall (September to November)

Temperatures: 10-18°C (September), cooling to 5-10°C (November)
Autumn colors in New Forest and Lake District. Fewer tourists after school starts mid-September. Harvest season—farmers' markets abundant. More rain and wind, especially November. Darker evenings from October onward.

Best for: Scenic drives, pub lunches, historic sites without crowds, autumn landscapes, lower campground prices.

Winter (December to February)

Temperatures: 2-8°C
Lowest hire prices (30-40% less). Many coastal campgrounds close. Some moorland roads close due to snow/ice. London Christmas markets and lights through December. Museums and indoor attractions are excellent alternatives. Short days (dark by 4pm). Some rural areas feel isolated.

Best for: Budget travellers, city exploration, Christmas markets, museum visits, cosy pub culture, New Year's celebrations.

Most popular months: May, July, August, and September.

3 to 5 Days

London to Cotswolds Loop (300km, 3-4 days)

• Day 1: London → Oxford (95km, 1h 30min via M40) - University colleges, Bodleian Library
• Day 2: Oxford → Bourton-on-the-Water (55km) → Stow-on-the-Wold (10km) - Classic Cotswold villages
• Day 3: Bibury → Cirencester → return to London (150km)

London to South Coast (250km, 4 days)

• Day 1: London → Brighton (87km, 1h 45min) - Pier, Royal Pavilion, beach
• Day 2: Brighton → Seven Sisters Cliffs (30km) - Coastal walk, white chalk cliffs
• Day 3: Eastbourne → Rye (50km) - Medieval hilltop town
• Day 4: Return via Canterbury (80km)

London to Bath & Stonehenge (450km loop, 5 days)

• Days 1-2: London → Stonehenge (140km) → Bath (60km) - Roman baths, Georgian architecture
• Day 3: Bath → Cotswolds villages (50km)
• Days 4-5: Return via Oxford (120km) → London (95km)

7 to 10 Days

Southern England Grand Tour (900km, 8 days)
London → Oxford → Cotswolds → Bath → Stonehenge → Salisbury → New Forest → Brighton → Canterbury → London

London to Cornwall (1,200km round trip, 9 days)
London → Bath → Exeter → Dartmoor → Cornwall (St. Ives, Land's End, Tintagel) → return via Devon coast

London to Wales & Back (1,100km, 10 days)
London → Bath → Cardiff → Brecon Beacons → Pembrokeshire Coast → Snowdonia → Chester → Oxford → London

14+ Days

Full UK Tour (3,000km, 16 days)
London → Cotswolds → Wales → Lake District → Yorkshire Dales → Edinburgh → Scottish Highlands → return via east coast (York, Cambridge)

London to Europe via Eurotunnel (2,500km, 18 days)
London → Dover → Eurotunnel to Calais → Paris → Loire Valley → Burgundy → return, or continue to Amsterdam/Belgium

Most travellers find 7-10 days gives the right balance for London + 2-3 regions.

Fuel Stations

• Tesco Extra Gallions Reach - 3 Armada Way, London E6 | Large vehicle access, diesel, competitive pricing, 24-hour pumps
• BP Connect M25 - Multiple M25 motorway services | Diesel, AdBlue (at truck pumps), open 24 hours
• Esso Station - North Circular Road, various locations | campervan-friendly lanes, diesel, convenient for pre-departure fill-ups
• Morrisons Petrol Station - Various Greater London locations | Budget-friendly diesel prices, daytime hours (typically 7am-10pm)

Average diesel price: £1.45-1.60/litre (motorway services £0.10-0.15 more expensive)

Important: Most London campervans run on diesel, NOT petrol. Check your fuel type before filling.

Dump Stations

• Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site - Federation Road, Abbey Wood, SE2 0LS | £8 for non-members, includes water refill, 9am-5pm
• Crystal Palace Caravan Club Site - Crystal Palace Parade, SE19 1UF | £8 service fee, members/non-members welcome, 9am-5pm
• Lee Valley Camping - Sewardstone Road, Chingford, E4 7RA | £6 dump fee, water available, 8am-6pm

Most campgrounds along major routes (M4, M40, A1) have dump stations for non-guests (£5-8 fee).

Helpful Apps

• Park4Night - Best for UK, shows 3,000+ spots including wild camping areas
• Campercontact - Good for campground details and reviews
• iOverlander - Works well for Scotland and rural areas
• Waze - Real-time fuel prices and speed camera alerts (legal in UK)

Requirements

• Minimum age: 21 (25 for larger motorhomes with some companies)
• Valid driver's licence (international licence recommended for non-UK/EU drivers)
• Credit card for deposit (£1,000-2,500)

Booking

• Book 3-4 weeks ahead for June-August (school holidays)
• Prices 30-40% lower November-February

What's Included

• Unlimited kilometres
• Kitchen kit (pots, pans, plates, cutlery)
• Cleaning kit
• Basic protection plan
• 24/7 roadside assistance

Parking Near Central London

Important: DO NOT drive your campervan into central London if you can avoid it. Congestion Charge (£15/day) + ULEZ charge (Ultra Low Emission Zone, £12.50/day for older diesels) + difficult parking = expensive and stressful.

Park & Ride Strategy: Park at campgrounds outside London, take public transport in.

If you must park in London:

London Gateway Services (M1 North) - Scratchwood, NW7 | Free up to 2 hours, then £25/24 hours | Height restrictions apply | Not for overnight

Brent Cross Shopping Centre - NW4 | £6-15/day depending on duration | Height limit 2.4m (too low for most campervans)

Alexandra Palace Way - N22 | Street parking, free on Sundays | Check signs for restrictions | Not secure

Best approach: Stay at Lee Valley or Crystal Palace campsites and use public transport.

Congestion Charge & ULEZ

Congestion Charge Zone: Central London, Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, weekends 12pm-6pm | £15/day | Must pay online by midnight next day

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone): Most of Greater London, 24/7 | £12.50/day for older diesel vehicles | Check your campervan's Euro emissions standard (should be Euro 6 or newer to avoid charge)

How to check: Enter licence plate at tfl.gov.uk/check-vehicle

Our advice: Avoid driving in these zones entirely.

Getting from Airport/Train

From London Heathrow (LHR):

• Taxi: £50-70 to most depots (45-60 min depending on traffic)
• Tube + train: £6-12 (60-90 min depending on depot location)

From London Gatwick (LGW):

• Taxi: £60-80 to south London depots
• Train: Gatwick Express to Victoria, then bus/Tube (£20-25, 60 min)

From London Stansted (STN):

• Taxi: £70-90 to northeast depots
• Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then bus/Tube (£20, 60 min)

From King's Cross/St Pancras Station:

• Tube/bus: £3-8 depending on depot (20-40 min)
• Taxi: £25-40

Left-Hand Driving for International Visitors

If you're not used to driving on the left, here are key tips:

Your passenger is your curb guide - They're closest to the curb. If they can touch it, you're too far left.

Roundabouts go clockwise - Enter from left, give way to traffic from the right, exit where needed. Signal left when exiting.

The driver sits in the centre of the road - If you find yourself on the left side of the lane, you're probably in the wrong lane.

Wipers vs turn signals - You'll accidentally hit wipers instead of turn signals for the first day. Everyone does it.

Practice in a quiet area first - Spend 30 minutes driving in a quiet neighborhood or car park before hitting major roads.

Country lanes - Single-track roads with passing places. Pull over at wider sections to let oncoming traffic pass. Locals know the roads—let them through.

Speed Limits

• Motorways (M-roads): 70 mph (112 mph)
• Dual carriageways (A-roads): 60 mph (96 mph)
• Single carriageways: 60 mph (96 mph)
• Urban areas: 30 mph (48 mph)
• Note: Campervans/motorhomes over 3.05 tonnes have lower limits (60mph on motorways, 50mph on single carriageways)

Speed cameras (fixed and mobile) are common. Fines sent to your address.

Roundabouts

Give way to the right - Traffic already in the roundabout has priority. Enter when clear, exit at your desired road. Signal left when exiting.

Single-Track Roads

Common in Scotland, Wales, and rural England. Passing places (marked with blue signs) allow vehicles to pass. Pull in on the left, or wait opposite if the passing place is on the right. Be patient—locals know when to go.

Alcohol Limit

England/Wales: 0.08% BAC (roughly 1 pint). Scotland: 0.05% BAC (half a pint). Don't risk it. Penalties include licence suspension, fines, possible jail time.

Campervan-Specific

Height: Know your vehicle height (2.7-3.2m typical). Many historic bridges, tunnels, and village lanes are 3m or lower. Watch for low bridges (clearly marked with height in feet and metres).

Width: Narrow country lanes are common. Pull in at wider sections to let oncoming traffic pass. Wing mirrors will fold in if needed.

Wild camping: Not illegal in most of England/Wales but frowned upon on private land. Scotland has "Right to Roam" laws allowing wild camping. Use common sense: remote areas, leave no trace, move after one night. Better to use campgrounds or designated spots.

Parking: Most pub car parks allow overnight parking if you're a customer (ask permission). National Trust car parks often prohibit overnight stays (signs posted). Height barriers common in town centre car parks.

Narrow bridges: Many old stone bridges are single-lane. Priority signs indicate who gives way (larger red arrow = you must wait).

Campervan hire: £650-1,300 (varies by vehicle/season)
Fuel: £180-320 (diesel £1.45-1.60/L, 600-800km typical)
Campgrounds: £210-350 (£30-50/night × 7)
Food: £140-300 (cooking vs restaurants)
Attractions: £100-250 (museums, historic sites, National Trust properties)
Congestion/ULEZ charges: £0-27.50/day if driving in London zones

Total estimates:

• Budget: £1,400 (Adventure campervan, cook meals, free museums, avoid London charges)
• Mid-range: £2,000 (California/Active, regular campgrounds, some attractions)
• Comfort: £2,700 (Comfort campervan, premium sites, frequent restaurant meals)

• London → Edinburgh (665km, 7-8 hours via A1/M6) - East coast route via York, Durham, and Northumberland. Hadrian's Wall, Yorkshire Dales, Scottish Borders. One of Britain's great north-south drives.
• London → Manchester (320km, 3-4 hours via M1/M6) - Peak District on the doorstep, Lake District within easy reach, gateway to northern England's finest national parks.
• London → Bristol (190km, 2-2.5 hours via M4) - Gateway to the Cotswolds, Exmoor National Park, and the South West Peninsula. Ideal starting point for a Devon and Cornwall loop without backtracking to London.

One-way fees vary.

London is the gateway to Britain's most diverse road trip network, and Britain delivers extraordinary variety within a remarkably compact geography. The Cotswolds are 90 minutes west. The South Downs coast is under 2 hours south. Dartmoor and Cornwall's Atlantic beaches are 4 hours southwest. Snowdonia's mountain lakes are 4 hours northwest. The Scottish Highlands are a full day's drive north, and worth every mile. No other city in the UK, and few in Europe, puts this concentration of landscapes, heritage, and coastline within a single week's driving range.

The practical advantages are equally strong. London has multiple hire locations, excellent road connections in every direction, and you're clear of the city and into open countryside within 30-45 minutes via the M25 orbital. Unlike starting a trip from a rural depot, you have full supermarket provisioning, camping gear retailers, and fuel infrastructure before you leave. The M4 heads west to Wales and Bristol. The A1/M1 heads north toward Yorkshire and Scotland. The M3 heads southwest toward Hampshire and Dorset. Every route is well-surfaced, well-signposted, and campervan-accessible throughout.

September and October are consistently strong months for London campervan hire — summer crowds have thinned, the New Forest and Peak District are at their most atmospheric, and the Cotswolds turn golden. May and June are the finest months for Cornwall and the South West: long evenings, bluebells in the Devon hedgerows, and manageable crowds before the school summer holiday peak in late July.

Over 11,000 travellers rented campervans from London last year. Find your vehicle and start planning your UK road trip.