If you are searching for UK motorhome hire, the road trip you probably have in mind is the North Coast 500: 800 km around the northern Highlands, with sea lochs, empty beaches, mountain passes and single-track roads. It is one of the best motorhome journeys in Europe, and it is also one of the easiest to book badly, because the best months fill up and the roads reward the right size of vehicle.

We are Joona & Alla, and we love northern landscapes. The Highlands remind us of Lapland in places, though we have not driven the NC500 ourselves, so this is a researched guide rather than a diary. We have studied the CampervanPlanet UK page (checked October 2026) and shaped it into a plan for 2027.

Summer 2027 bookings are already open, and school-holiday weeks are the first to go.

UK motorhome hire prices and what is on offer

The CampervanPlanet UK page says motorhome hire starts from €78 a day in its search. There are four vehicle types: the cheapest is a Standard Motorhome from €78 a day, the most expensive a Premium Motorhome from €248 a day, and a compact campervan for two sits at the easy end for narrow roads. The October 2026 price index puts the typical 7-night price at €110 a day in November, €152 in May and €193 in July.

The seasons page adds a rough guide: June to August is peak season with school holidays, busy roads and full campsites, so book early. March to May and September to November are the shoulder seasons, with quieter roads and campsites, and December to February is the quietest season with short daylight but many caravan parks still open.

You can compare live prices on CampervanPlanet’s UK motorhome page, and code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off at checkout. Our overview of UK motorhome hire cost goes deeper on pricing.

Licence, driving side and tolls

A standard car licence is valid for motorhomes under 3,500 kg, and larger motorhomes of 3,500–7,500 kg require a C1 licence category. Most hire companies provide vehicles within standard car licence limits, but check your licence if you hold one from outside the UK.

The UK drives on the left. Take extra care at roundabouts and on narrow country lanes where passing requires patience. The page notes that by day two most drivers feel comfortable. The Dartford Crossing near London, the M6 Toll in the Midlands and London’s congestion charges can apply to a motorhome, adding roughly €5–15 per journey in some places, so check the local authority websites before you travel. London’s ultra-low emission zone applies to most vehicles, and some historic cities have height restrictions on bridges and narrow lanes, so avoid taking a big motorhome into a city centre.

The North Coast 500: how to plan it

The page describes the NC500 as the famous Inverness loop through Scotland’s most dramatic scenery: an iconic 800 km circular route taking 5–7 days, winding through the Highlands with rugged coastlines and mountains. The best months are May to September. The route passes places such as John o’Groats, Durness and the Applecross Pass, which is a high, steep road.

Most people start and finish in Inverness, where there is a pick-up point. If you are travelling from the south, you can collect in Edinburgh or Glasgow and add a day or two to reach the Highlands. Plan for narrow roads and limited parking in remote areas, and build in time for weather, because the Highlands can change quickly.

Our guide to campervan rental on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way covers a similar kind of coastal route, with some of the same single-track habits.

Single-track roads and passing places

This is the skill that defines Highland driving. On single-track roads there are passing places, marked by diamond-shaped signs or white posts. You pull in on the left, or stop opposite a passing place on the right, to let oncoming traffic pass. Uphill traffic has priority in many cases, and vehicles should also pull in to let faster traffic overtake. The key is to look far ahead and keep your speed low.

Motorhome width matters. A compact campervan or a smaller motorhome is much easier on these roads than a wide, tall vehicle. When you compare vans, check the width and height, and ask the rental company about its recommendations for the Highlands. If you are unsure which type to choose, our guide to campervan vs motorhome vs RV explains the differences.

Camping and overnight parking: England versus Scotland

The page notes that rules differ by country and landowner. In England, wild camping is technically illegal on public land without landowner permission, although enforcement is rare on public rights of way, and you should always ask farmers for permission on private land. In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code grants limited wild camping rights, which the page says extend to motorhomes away from houses and buildings, on uncultivated land, for up to 2–3 nights in one location. Leave no trace. The page also says that wild camping is legal in Scotland under the right to roam, but local restrictions can apply, particularly on busy sections of popular routes, so check current signage and council guidance.

Alternatives include caravan parks, Camping and Caravanning Club sites and Brit Stops, which offer free parking on farms and vineyards. The page also lists basic sites with water and waste facilities at about £5–15 a night. In peak season, popular NC500 campsites book up, so reserve ahead.

Other routes: Lake District, Wales and Cornwall

The page lists four mapped itineraries of 5 to 7 days: the North Coast 500, the Lake District and Yorkshire, the Welsh Coast Road Trip, and Cornwall and Devon. Manchester and Preston are gateways to the Lake District and Peak District, while Bristol is the gateway to Cornwall, Devon and the Welsh coast.

These are more crowded than the Highlands, particularly in school holidays, so spring and autumn are our preferred seasons. September to November offers autumn colours, clear crisp air and quieter roads, and it is excellent for walking in the Scottish Highlands and Welsh mountains.

Deposit, insurance and booking tips

Almost every company holds a refundable security deposit on the main driver’s credit card at pick-up. The amount depends on the company, the vehicle and the insurance you choose, and higher protection plans lower it. Many offers take a deposit online, often 10 to 20 per cent of the price, with the rest due later, so read the payment terms before you book. Our explainer on campervan insurance, deposits and excess goes through the details.

The cheapest approach is to avoid school holidays, pick a smaller vehicle, and book early. Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 is a fixed €20 off at checkout. For more on how comparison works, read our campervan rental guide.

Our verdict on UK motorhome hire

For travellers who want dramatic scenery and are happy with narrow roads, UK motorhome hire is superb, and the NC500 deserves its reputation. The trade-offs are weather, midges in summer, and the need for patience on single-track roads. Choose the smallest vehicle that works, book early for summer 2027, and have a plan for each night. We would aim for May or September for the best balance.