British summer holidays wouldn’t be the same without camping, whether you’re a fan or not. It fell out of favour somewhat in the modern era, but the 2020 pandemic saw interest rise again and people have realised that the old days of soggy tents and rubbish stoves are gone and modern camping tech makes things a lot more pleasant.
Especially if you have a great camping vehicle, there’s no reason why modern camping can’t be comfortable and hygienic. It can also offer the chance to visit beautiful places at a much lower cost than staying in a hotel and bring you closer to the nature around you while you’re there as well.
Car enthusiasts will also appreciate the chance to drive on the nation’s greatest roads, as many of them are in very rural locations where camping is just about the only option if you’re staying locally.
Since this is the Parkers guide to camping we’ll focus on the best camping vehicles, frequently asked questions about your stay and what extras you may want to take. We’ll also look at what to do once you’re at the campsite and what to expect from your camping holiday.
What’s the best car for camping?
The best car for camping is probably the one you already have, but if you’re considering a new model with camping in mind, the best thing to look for is the amount of boot space. An SUV would be a popular choice, as the extra ground clearance they offer could be useful when accessing a muddy campsite or traversing a gravel track to get there. However, campsites are mostly accessible by motorhomes too, so you’ll rarely get stuck no matter what car you have.
If you’re going on a more adventurous camping trip to the true wilderness then you definitely want something up to the job: an off-roader. Be sure to check out our Off-roader of the year awards to find out the models we recommend, then check out how to drive off-road. A used family off-roader would save on budget, too.
Cars with a big boot are great for camping, but they have nothing on a van when it comes to carrying capacity. Our own Adam Binnie put the Ford Transit Custom Trail through its paces as a camping vehicle during a long-term update, investigating just how well a van would fare as a camping car.
You could also consider an estate car, which will be just as roomy as an SUV and probably more efficient and better to drive than a like-for-like SUV. The best estate cars are true all-rounders, offering comfort and practicality in one package.
It’s worth noting that, if you intend on towing a caravan or trailer, you should check the towing capacity of your vehicle to ascertain that it’s fit for the job. For more information, be sure to check out our towing capacity guide.
Camping extras
There’s nothing like the clean air of the countryside for a moment’s respite from urban life, but that doesn’t mean a little bit of civilization can’t come with you on your next camping trip. Along with your tent, cooker, and any other extras, you may want to consider a few portable amenities to ensure you stay clean and hygienic on your next trip away.
We recommend starting with a portable toilet – you don’t know how long the queues may stretch for your camping site loo every morning – if it features public toilets at all.
If you’d like to maintain a certain degree of hygiene while away, you could also opt for a portable washing station. Many campsites offer public showers but why not bring a portable bathtub instead?
If you’d like to keep your living quarters fresh for a comfortable camping trip away, consider an air conditioning unit for your campervan. It’s also worth noting that Tesla cars, such as the Model 3, have a ‘camp mode’ which keeps the cabin at a comfortable temperature for sleeping in overnight.
Though we advise packing as light as you can to save space and weight, we also recommend investing in a decent bed to ensure you get some valuable sleep while away.
Invest in a cot bed for some much-needed shuteye and don’t forget to pack comfy shoes, specifically for the camp area (there’s no nicer feeling than whipping your hiking boots off after a full day of walking).
Should I buy a campervan instead?
Campervans are currently enjoying a renaissance and we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to get in on the action. Even prices for the ancient Mazda Bongo have climbed and as far as campervans go, if you’re sure you want a factory-built camper, few models are as popular or as capable as the VW California.
The California comes in a range of different sizes, so you may want to consider which California is right for you. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a rolling home with a little more space and luxury, you could consider a motorhome instead. Auto Sleepers has been producing some of the most luxurious motorhomes on the market for decades in its Kingham range, though be sure to check out our guide on buying a motorhome for more guidance.
DIY campervans
While factory-bought campervans are comfortable and commodious rolling home solutions, they can also be very expensive. If you’d like to go campervanning on a budget, you may want to consider carrying out the campervan conversion yourself.
It’ll likely cost you some blood and sweat, but a DIY campervan conversion could save you a significant amount of money. Be sure to check out our guide on DIY camper conversions or, alternatively, pay for a professional camper renovation service instead.
What are the rules for camping in the UK?
Camping in the UK isn’t as straightforward as it could be. For a start, there are different rules around where you can camp. Scotland allows wild camping, meaning you can pitch your tent anywhere, whereas rules in England and Wales require you to be in an officially licensed campsite.
Top tip: Wherever you choose, pick an area where you’ll do the least amount of damage to the biodiversity in the immediate vicinity. Clean up after yourself and leave the area exactly as you found it.
Can I sleep wherever I want in my campervan?
Within reason: contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to sleep in your vehicle in England and Wales, but if you decide to stop and sleep in your caravan on a public road you may be asked by the local authority to leave.
However, if you are over the drink or drug-driving limits while in a public space, on a public road or in a layby, you could face up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £2500 or a possible driving ban.
The limits for England and Wales are:
- 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (the ‘blood limit’)
- 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath (the ‘breath limit’)
- 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine (the ‘urine limit’)
The limits for Scotland are much lower, at 50mg per 100ml of blood.
While parking up by the side of the road is a recommended solution if you’re feeling drowsy or over-tired behind the wheel, for a full night’s sleep, you might find heading to a designated campsite a bit quieter. Once on a private camping site, you won’t have any legal obligation to stop drinking.
The car parks of service stations see a lot of drivers coming and going, slamming doors shut, etc—not the greatest environment for some shuteye.
Campsite parking
The benefit of staying in a campsite is that you should be able to use all the facilities. Usually campsites will have designated areas for cooking, showering and more home-from-home toilet facilities. Wild camping relies on you carrying your toilet paper in and back out (prep with a Ziploc bag and lightweight trowel) to maintain a ‘Leave No Trace’ policy.
If you plan on camping with a tent, you’ll need a designated spot—ideally away from water. If you have a campervan or motorhome, you’re going to want to ensure you select a site which allows you to hook up to the mains electricity and water.
Where can I eat?
Campsites operate their own policies about the use of gas stoves, single-use barbeque and portable BBQ sets. Some have their own little shops for essential provisions – in case you’ve forgotten something – but all will have information and directions to the nearest supermarket.
Keeping things cool, even in cool boxes or portable chillers, isn’t easy.
Top tip: While the destination supermarket might be pricier than your local one at home, food spoiled by being out of the fridge too long renders shopping before you travel a false economy. Budget for shopping where you camp.
Of course, there are probably going to be local eateries if you’re in an area that’s not too remote. Remember to check that they’re child and pet-friendly, if need be.
What kit do I take camping?
If you plan on camping a fair distance away from the car, you’ll want to pack light to save yourself some energy before setting up. Depending on how far away you intend on camping, though, you may want to pack a few extra luxuries for the sake of your trip.
If your car is on the small side, consider renting a bigger car or retrofitting your existing car with roof racks or a towbar. This way you can pack the majority of your items in a cargo carrier or trailer, though be sure to check out our guide on towing first.
Bicycles
Bike riding is one of the most popular camping-trip pastimes. It’s a great way of getting out and getting some exercise while seeing a lot of the surrounding area in a short period of time. To bring your own bike along, we recommend fixing a bike rack to your car.
For some extra guidance on which bike rack is right for you, check out our bike rack comparison test.
How do I get there?
Navigating using maps on Android Auto (Google Maps), Apple Carplay or Waze can make the journey getting there smoother and less fraught. A holiday isn’t a holiday if it’s stressful. Give yourself plenty of cushion time to allow for traffic, impromptu toilet stops and other unexpected delays. It might be worth configuring the navigation settings to ‘avoid motorways’.
Getting the car packed the night before, then setting off in the morning enables you to travel in the daylight and set your tent up while the sun is still up. If you’ve pre-booked your campsite pitch, you can rock up whenever. If you don’t have a booking, many campsites operate an ‘after 1pm’ policy. Turn up just after and they’ll have a better idea of whether they can squeeze you in or not.
Does camping mean no technology?
Absolutely not. While it’s nice to be able to get out of the lounge, away from the telly and into nature (it’s scientifically proven to manage stress and enhance wellbeing, by the way), we understand anyone’s need to have a working mobile in case of emergency.
Plus, there’s all sorts of modern tech to make camping more comfortable, from hi-tech waterproofing in tents to all-singing-all-dancing cookers and stoves that fold away. Modern camper vans are incredibly well insulated and quiet too, so it really does feel like a home away from home.
