Cornwall and Devon Motorhome Hire: Bristol to Land’s End in a Week
The Jurassic Coast, Dartmoor, St Ives and Land’s End in one loop. A researched route guide with real hire prices, the narrow-lane rules and how to book a motorhome for summer 2027 before the best dates go.
Cornwall and Devon are the postcard of the English south west: granite cliffs, sandy coves, fishing harbours and moorland. They are also hard to see by car in July, when the narrow lanes jam and the hotels sell out months ahead. A motorhome solves the bed problem and, with a little planning, the traffic one too.
Below is a researched guide to Cornwall and Devon motorhome hire from Bristol, using the route and price data on the CampervanPlanet UK page and well-known local facts. We are a Finnish couple writing from Rovaniemi, so this is a planning guide rather than a travel diary, and we flag anywhere you should check the current rules.
If you are planning for summer 2027, now is the right time to look. Summer dates in the south west book up early, and the comparison lets you see how much cheaper the shoulder months are.
The UK page puts motorhome hire from €75 a day, typically about €129 a day from November to March and €192 a day from June to August for a 7-night rental, which works out to roughly €901 in winter and €1,347 in summer for a week. The Cornwall and Devon route is about 5 to 7 days and a standard car licence covers motorhomes under 3,500 kg. Our €20 reader coupon works at checkout.
The route: London or Bristol to Land’s End
The Cornwall and Devon itinerary on the UK page runs from London to Land’s End and takes in Stonehenge, the Jurassic Coast, charming St Ives, wild Dartmoor and the cliffs of Land’s End. It is listed as a 5 to 7 day trip, best from May to September, with plentiful campsites that need booking ahead in summer, grey seals and dolphins as the wildlife highlight, and a clear warning: narrow country lanes.
From Bristol the loop is more compact. You skip the long motorway run from London and start closer to Somerset and Devon. Pick-ups are listed in London, London Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester, Preston, Chester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, and Bristol is the natural gateway to Cornwall, Devon and the Welsh coast. Check the UK motorhome hire page for current Bristol availability on your dates.
Day 1 to 2: Dorset and the Jurassic Coast
Heading south west from Bristol, make for the Dorset coast. The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, around 150 km of cliffs that record some 185 million years of geology, and walks at places like Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are the classic stops. Check the car-park rules and height barriers before you commit, because motorhomes are not allowed everywhere and some coastal car parks restrict overnight stays.
If you are travelling from London instead, Stonehenge makes a sensible first stop on the way. Book entry in advance in summer and leave time for the visitor centre.
Day 3 to 4: Devon and Dartmoor
Devon gives you two kinds of scenery in a day. The south coast has harbour towns and estuaries; Dartmoor National Park, inland, has tors, wild ponies and very narrow roads. A smaller motorhome is easier on the moor, and on every lane in the county. Many hire fleets have compact options, and the UK page lists a compact campervan from €129 a day alongside standard motorhomes from €75 a day.
Use caravan parks and club sites for overnight stops. The UK page suggests Camping and Caravanning Club sites and Brit Stops, which offer farm and vineyard parking, and many towns have motorhome parking areas. Wild parking in laybys is sometimes possible but facilities and security are better at a designated site, and the rules vary by location, so check before you stop.
💡 Our campervan tip: prices for the same van vary a lot between rental brands. We compare the UK campervans across 160+ rental companies on CampervanPlanet — and code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off your booking.
Day 5 to 6: Cornwall, St Ives and Land’s End
Cornwall is where the lanes get narrowest and the summer crowds get thickest. St Ives is the famous stop, a harbour town of galleries and beaches, and driving a large vehicle into the centre is a bad idea. Use a park-and-ride or a car park on the edge of town, and check the council websites for current arrangements. Land’s End and the Penwith coast are open and easier to drive, and on a clear evening the cliffs are worth the detour.
The route page flags grey seals and dolphins as highlights, and the coastal paths here are among the best in Britain. Plan more driving time than the map suggests. A 30 km journey on a summer Saturday can take an hour, and Cornwall is notorious for Saturday changeovers when everyone drives in and out at once. If you can, choose midweek pick-up and drop-off.
What a motorhome costs in 2027
From the UK page: motorhomes start from €75 a day in the search, and a typical 7-night price is about €129 a day from November to March, €139 in April and May, €154 in September and October and €192 from June to August. A week costs about €901 in winter and €1,347 in summer. The vehicle types listed are a compact campervan from €129 a day, a standard motorhome from €75 a day, a family motorhome from €89 a day and a premium motorhome from €248 a day.
Budget another €100 to €150 for fuel across a week, depending on distance and vehicle size, and remember that campsites in Cornwall in July are not cheap. May, June and September are the sweet spot for weather against price, according to the page. For a deeper look at seasonal pricing, see our UK motorhome hire cost guide and the UK motorhome hire cost page.
Licence, driving side and the narrow-lane rules
A standard car licence is valid for motorhomes under 3,500 kg, and larger vehicles of 3,500 to 7,500 kg need a C1 category. Most hire companies provide vehicles within standard licence limits, but check the offer. The UK drives on the left, and the first hour at roundabouts is the hardest part for visitors; by day two most drivers feel fine.
Narrow lanes are the real learning curve in the south west. Use passing places, reverse politely, and do not trust a satnav that sends a motorhome down a lane with high hedges. Check the height and width of your vehicle before you travel, and choose a smaller model if the route includes moorland or fishing villages. Low Emission Zones and charges can apply in some cities, so check the local authority websites before you plan a city stop.
How to book and our verdict
Compare several brands rather than booking the first offer. You book on CampervanPlanet but you rent from the company named in each offer, and the deposit, insurance and security hold are that company’s. Many offers take a deposit online and the rest at pick-up, and the refundable security deposit is held on the main driver’s card, with the amount shown in the offer.
Our verdict: Cornwall and Devon by motorhome is an excellent week if you choose a small vehicle, book midweek and accept that July will be busy. For shoulder-season value, May and September are the best bet. When you are ready, search the UK motorhome hire page and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 at checkout to take €20 off. For other UK regions, our guides to Wales and the Lake District use the same data, and our campervan rental guide explains the booking process.
Book your the UK campervan
Compare prices across 160+ campervan and motorhome rental brands, get a free 1GB eSIM with every booking — and €20 off with code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20.
Check prices & availability →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special licence for a motorhome in the UK?
A standard car licence is valid for motorhomes under 3,500 kg. Larger vehicles of 3,500 to 7,500 kg need a C1 category. Most hire companies provide vehicles within the standard limit, but check your offer.
How much does motorhome hire cost for Cornwall and Devon?
The UK page shows motorhomes from €75 a day, with typical 7-night prices around €129 a day from November to March and €192 a day from June to August. A week costs roughly €901 in winter and €1,347 in summer.
Where can I park overnight?
Use caravan parks, Camping and Caravanning Club sites and Brit Stops, which offer farm and vineyard parking. Many towns have motorhome parking areas. Wild parking in laybys is sometimes possible, but check local rules and use designated sites for facilities and security.
Is Cornwall suitable for a large motorhome?
Cornwall has very narrow lanes and tight car parks, so a compact or standard model is easier than a large family or premium vehicle. Park outside busy towns like St Ives and use park-and-ride where available.
When is the best time to go?
May to September is the sweet spot according to the UK page, with May, June and September offering the best balance of weather, crowds and price. July and August are busy and expensive.
Is there a discount code for CampervanPlanet?
Yes. Enter the code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 at checkout on CampervanPlanet to take €20 off the booking. Bookings made within 30 days of clicking one of our links are credited to us.