Lake District motorhome hire is one of the easiest ways to try a motorhome holiday in Britain. The lakes, fells and market towns sit within a few hours of Manchester and Preston, the route is short enough to do in five to seven days, and the campsite network is dense. It is also a place where the wrong vehicle can make life difficult, because the lanes are narrow and the stone walls unforgiving.

We live in Rovaniemi, so this is a researched guide rather than a trip report. We have read the live data on CampervanPlanet’s UK page (prices checked in November 2026) and added stable local knowledge about driving, camping and the routes, so you can plan a loop for 2027.

Why the Lake District suits a first motorhome trip

Distances are small, so you spend time out of the vehicle rather than in it. The loop CampervanPlanet maps from Manchester covers about 600 km: Windermere, Keswick, the Yorkshire Dales and Hadrian’s Wall, and it is rated easy and beginner-friendly, with more than ten campsites along the route and travel possible all year.

It is also a classic family destination: lakes to paddle in, short fell walks, steam railways, castles and a pub in every village. If your group includes children or first-time drivers, the short days and frequent campsites are a real advantage. And because the country drives on the left, a UK trip is a gentle introduction for visitors from continental Europe who are curious about the other side of the road.

If you want something bigger in Britain, our guide to the North Coast 500 by motorhome covers the Scottish Highlands from Inverness.

Where to collect the vehicle

CampervanPlanet lists pick-up in London, London Heathrow, Preston, Manchester, Bristol, Chester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. For the Lakes, Preston is the closest depot: the page describes it as the gateway to the Lake District and Peak District in North West England, and it is about an hour from Windermere on the M6. Manchester is the natural choice if you fly in, because the airport connects well to Europe, and the mapped loop starts there.

London and Heathrow are the choice if you want to do the Cotswolds or the south coast first, and Edinburgh and Glasgow open Scotland. Bristol is the gateway to Cornwall, Devon and the Welsh coast. If you are not sure, run the search for your dates and compare the nearest two or three depots, because availability and one-way options differ.

First-time visitors should allow a slow first day after the flight: collect the vehicle, buy food and water, and drive no more than an hour before the first campsite.

A 5 to 7 day Lakes and Dales loop

Days 1 to 2: Windermere and Ambleside

Head north to Windermere, England’s largest natural lake, and use a campsite near Ambleside or Bowness as your base. Take the ferry across the lake rather than driving the whole shoreline, and walk to a viewpoint such as Orrest Head in a couple of hours.

Days 3 to 4: Keswick, Derwentwater and Buttermere

Keswick is the lakeland hub for walking, with Derwentwater on its doorstep. Buttermere and Borrowdale are among the most beautiful valleys, and the lane network is narrow, so park in village car parks and walk or use the local bus. We would avoid the steepest passes, such as Hardknott and Wrynose, in a large motorhome.

Days 5 to 7: Yorkshire Dales and Hadrian’s Wall

Cross to the Yorkshire Dales for limestone scenery around Malham and Hawes, then loop north to Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman frontier that crosses Northumberland. The route suits a smaller campervan or a compact motorhome best, and you can add the Peak District if you have extra days.

Driving a motorhome on British roads

Britain drives on the left, and many rental vehicles in the UK are manual, though automatics are available, so check the transmission in the offer if you are not used to a gear stick. Lanes are single-track in places, with passing places: pull in on your side and let oncoming traffic through. Stone walls, hedgerows and low bridges are the real hazard for tall vehicles, so know the height and width of your vehicle and watch the road signs.

Fuel is expensive by international standards, and fuel stops are frequent in England, so you can wait until the tank is at a quarter. Parking in Lake District villages is tight in summer, and car parks are pay-and-display with height barriers in some places, so check before you enter.

Weather is changeable in any month, so allow for rain days with indoor stops such as museums and historic houses, and pack waterproofs.

Sleeping, campsites and the rules

In England, wild camping is generally not permitted without the landowner’s permission, and this includes motorhomes parked overnight on many roadsides and in many car parks. The practical approach is to use campsites, many of which are run by national clubs and independent owners, and some farm sites that take motorhomes on a small number of pitches. Check the pitch size and hook-up details when you book.

In summer and on bank-holiday weekends the Lakes campsites fill early, so reserve ahead. Outside school holidays, campsites are quieter and cheaper, and many parks stay open through the winter. If you are travelling with a dog, check dog policies, as some sites restrict dogs in peak months.

What it costs and when to go

The page lists motorhomes from €75 a day, and its November 2026 index puts typical seven-night prices at €110 a day in November, €152 in May and €193 in July. By season, spring is roughly €125 to €152 a day, summer €192, autumn €130 to €161 and winter €97 to €132. Add fuel, site fees and any one-way charge.

The best balance for the Lakes is May or September: longer days, quieter roads and lower prices than July and August. Our UK motorhome hire cost guide breaks the rates down by month, and the CampervanPlanet cost page shows the live index.

How to book well

Book the vehicle first, then the campsites. For a school-holiday week, book several months ahead, because the vehicles and the best Lakes sites go first. Compare at least three brands for the same dates. Our our campervan rental guide explains how the comparison and booking works, and code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off a booking made through our links.

If you book through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.