Is the heyday of the Campervan/Motorhome drawing to a close?

[WelshGas]

Once upon a time with a Campervan or small motorhome you could travel far and wide in the UK and Europe and besides camping in paid campsites there were many places you could stop overnight and also use the vehicle for sightseeing etc.
But now, particularly since Covid, society seems to be turning against this community if they step outside paid for campsites.
Many areas are introducing restrictions on parking overnight or even sightseeing parking ( no camping involved ) if you have a campervan so the freedom or spontaneous element is being increasingly curtailed.
In fact a car and caravan can give you more sightseeing choices in some areas than a campervan due to parking restrictions.
I know a few people, a loy younger than us who have crossed over to a car and caravan so that they can travel to an area and go out each day sightseeing etc without worrying if they can park here or there with a campervan.

Any thoughts?

 

[Velma's Dad]

I seem to notice more motorhomes (ie 'whites') than ever on the roads generally in UK, maybe not so many campervans, not sure about caravans, it would be interesting to see some actual stats.

It's well reported that some popular locations are getting resistant to campervan/MH parking but I think that's mostly the places that are over-touristed generally, and locals are getting fed up generally. If you want to go to those places with a Cali I guess it might be an impediment to parking up for a few hours during the daytime, although I don't think we've really experienced that ourselves.

We wouldn't consider swapping to a caravan because we practically never stay more than one night anywhere and sightseeing stops tends to be en route between overnights in different places. In 99 percent of those daytime stops a Cali is still perfect for a roadside or car park lay-over.

Very different for folks with kids of course, in our case it's just the two of us and the dog. Which just shows it's horses for courses.

 

[Abracadabra]

This thread caught my eye as its author it one of the most prolific, supportive and expert in all matters Cali and beyond. For Welsh Gas to express 'doubts' or 'apprehension' then take note.
Entering the Cali world nine years ago I feared a crack down on roadside camping, restrictions everywhere, hostile natives, unwelcoming signs sprouting up like Himalayan Balsam. Yesterday I noticed new restrictions for caravans and campervans on Arnside promenade, very recent indeed.
Back in 2016 I thought myself to be in the last chance saloon of free campervan travels. Yet here in 2025 I find things are clearer, more available and no sense of losing the freedom and flexibility the Cali offers. I would point out that 95% of my use is in Scotland where there is more space, more remote landscapes and established patterns of use. I am seeing communities seize the opportunity of campervan/great white convoys by providing facilities: e.g. Dunbeath, Forestry and Land Scotland, Seil, where for a very modest fee you are welcome overnight.
I am optimistic that there will be continued opportunity to travel and overnight without much hinderance. Campervans are not going away, so many people I know own, desire or aspire to have a 'van'. The tide shows no sign of ebbing in the Lakes or Scotland.
What I would advocate is that intelligence, sensitivity and responsibility is applied at all times. (There was a time in my life when I don't think any of those words would have been remotely applied to myself)
Carry on flying our flag Welsh Gas, it'll be allright on the night!

 

[OGII]

Having just returned from a two week trip to the Outer Hebrides taking in Barra to Lewis and a return to the mainland via Skye I'd say the MoHo and camper have replaced caravans in numbers. The islands were obviously a magnet for vans and not natural caravan territory (just saw one plucky Dutch couple towing their Eriba) but based on the journeys from the New Forest up to Oban and back via Edinburgh there were virtually no caravans on the roads but every variety of self and commercial van conversion.

Skye and the Highlands are obviously a honeypot for rentals with a number of companies trucks going the other way almost in convoys, some driven well, others less so. I was surprised how many rental Calis there were (one careful owner on the next sales advert...)

We chatted to the sales guys from Breeze at the New Forest show mid week, they had T7 Beach, Ocean and both GC there. It seems there are still two active types of buyers, the PCP to jump to their aspirational purchase rather than a Tiguan by upping their payments and the cash buyers buying GC. Dormobile were there as well with some hefty pricetag conversions on a variety of platforms. No caravan dealers though.

 

[Lee.Van.Cleef]

We live on the north east coast and while I don't think there is a backlash targeting campervans particularly, there has been in increase in the number of inconsiderate individuals visiting since COVID, which can be an issue. Convoys of middle-aged men speeding through villages on unnecessarily loud motorbikes are a particular annoyance, along with dog walkers who 'forget' to pick up their little bags at the end of the walk. I don't think there's any hostility to campervans, provided owners park sensibly and don't leave a mess. I know there have been issues in some carparks elsewhere with campervans effectively banned, but our local council has gone the other way and stated to allow overnight parking in designated bays, so far only for vans with 'self contained' facilities.

 

[FivetonesCali]

Not been doing this long enough (only 2+ years) to fully address your point @WelshGas but when I camp off site I don’t raise the roof and keep it low profile. It’s just me and a tiny dog though so it’s easier to do. I’m very careful doing this so I’ve not seen much in the way of resistance.

However, I do scout the place out a lot before I park and I try and be as respectful as possible to residents. I live in a semi-rural area so I try to be sensitive to what’s going to annoy. I also prefer to camp away from school holidays.

It’s interesting this has been raised though, I don’t see too many issues out and about but I mainly travel north from the Calder Valley where I live.

 

[Daveb999]

Nope, well at least not Cali sized campervans.

Larger MHs definitely and contrary to your thoughts a lot against caravans. Actually very few young people buying caravans if a CV is a choice. Large MHs and towed caravans cause much more disruption on the roads and smaller towns due to size and general incompetence of driving skills (this is across the board with driving but more often apparent when driving a larger vehicle.

One thing going against the CV lot is some park up and dump waste, however, unfortunately some MH etc owners/renters seem to think this is acceptable as well.

I often park up not on a paid campsite, however I’m always respectful to those around me and careful about where I park. So far I’ve never had an issue with any locals.

 

[Meoncoast]

@WelshGas I see where you are coming from, but I remain happy with a campervan and what we get from the van both as a day van and a campervan. Did these changes in owning a camper lead to your move away from a camper when you replaced your van?

 

[Mansfieldman750]

You are definitely right about more restrictions coming on overnight parking eg on the Old Mam Tor road, ( use it, abuse it, lose it ) but I can’t see it resulting in a swing back to Caravanning.

Will new plans solve parking woes in Peak District tourist hotspot?

Residents give their reaction to a council plan to tackle parking problems in the Castleton area.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas I see where you are coming from, but I remain happy with a campervan and what we get from the van both as a day van and a campervan. Did these changes in owning a camper lead to your move away from a camper when you replaced your van?

Possibly. The Multivan is the same length but lower and definitely not a Campervan so I can go where I like and take great delight in parking where the signs say No Campervans/ Motorhomes. But we like sightseeing and at our age even ebikes can't always get you where you want and coupled with narrow roads, traffic and lack of cycle infrastructure it becomes limiting.

 

[WelshGas]

You are definitely right about more restrictions coming on overnight parking eg on the Old Mam Tor road, ( use it, abuse it, lose it ) but I can’t see it resulting in a swing back to Caravanning.

Will new plans solve parking woes in Peak District tourist hotspot?

Residents give their reaction to a council plan to tackle parking problems in the Castleton area.

www.bbc.co.uk

But the friends who've changed don't tour with their caravans. They pick their site often away from the busy areas and use as a base to visit the area. One has just returned from Cornwall. A CL on the border with very basic amenities and then visited all the " tourist places" interspersed with lazy days at the site.

 

[Meoncoast]

Possibly. The Multivan is the same length but lower and definitely not a Campervan so I can go where I like and take great delight in parking where the signs say No Campervans/ Motorhomes. But we like sightseeing and at our age even ebikes can't always get you where you want and coupled with narrow roads, traffic and lack of cycle infrastructure it becomes limiting.

But I also find a lot of parking spaces do not only say No Motorhome but also add a length restriction, which excludes many other vehicles. We like sightseeing narrow roads etc - as well, at this time, the advantages of the Cali outweigh any negatives, so the heyday is not over YET for us.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

But the friends who've changed don't tour with their caravans. They pick their site often away from the busy areas and use as a base to visit the area. One has just returned from Cornwall. A CL on the border with very basic amenities and then visited all the " tourist places" interspersed with lazy days at the site.

Yeah I can see where you’re coming from and it makes sense, but I’d be a nervous wreck towing a caravan so not for us.
Another possibility for oldies like us is to use our bus pass. We do that a lot in Lake District. Camp at Keswick, walk up to bus terminal outside Booths supermarket, bus to Ambleside or Windermere. Or up Borrowdale and walk back.
Not just Lakes, Looe, Brixham, Pembrokeshire, used it loads.

 

[The Merle]

Every time I venture back into England/wales I notice parkup that have been lost.
I would say it’s the dreaded apps that kill them off!
Butser hill (parked up there for the odd night for 10yrs+)
Matterdale spot just up from campsite, never stayed at that one finally blocked off.

 

[WelshGas]

Yeah I can see where you’re coming from and it makes sense, but I’d be a nervous wreck towing a caravan so not for us.
Another possibility for oldies like us is to use our bus pass. We do that a lot in Lake District. Camp at Keswick, walk up to bus terminal outside Booths supermarket, bus to Ambleside or Windermere. Or up Borrowdale and walk back.
Not just Lakes, Looe, Brixham, Pembrokeshire, used it loads.

Welsh bus pass restricted to Wales unfortunately.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

Welsh bus pass restricted to Wales unfortunately.

Ah then we must have paid for that one. All I remember is getting on the bus in St David’s and asking for 2 to Leather and the bus driver made me pronounce it properly. Lleithyr isn’t Leather at all.

 

[Califan61]

Since Covid there has been a massive growth in campervan and motorhomes on the road, the vast majority are considerate to others but it only takes a small number to give everyone a bad rap. I’m happy to pay as we want showers. If you stop at the side of a road or in a lay-by you should not set up camp but you can have a rest and if asked to move on you do.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I hate to say it, but I agree. After a long lapse in the VW campervan world, I bought a Cali last year.

I found the restrictions, even just trying to park in a normal bay when holidaying in Dorset were so contrary to the freedom I was yearning for that I sold.

In Europe, they make huge sense. I’m in Portugal at the moment and would love a van for beach days. And out France road trip in April was great.

In my opinion and experience over 18 months or so of campervan ownership, the proliferation of converted vans (I am assuming a Covid boom), and restrictions and just being stuck in traffic in the south west due to the staycation boom detracted from our enjoyment.

I don’t mean to detract from Cali ownership. They are great. Just not for me in the UK any longer.

 

[sticky1]

Once upon a time with a Campervan or small motorhome you could travel far and wide in the UK and Europe and besides camping in paid campsites there were many places you could stop overnight and also use the vehicle for sightseeing etc.
But now, particularly since Covid, society seems to be turning against this community if they step outside paid for campsites.
Many areas are introducing restrictions on parking overnight or even sightseeing parking ( no camping involved ) if you have a campervan so the freedom or spontaneous element is being increasingly curtailed.
In fact a car and caravan can give you more sightseeing choices in some areas than a campervan due to parking restrictions.
I know a few people, a loy younger than us who have crossed over to a car and caravan so that they can travel to an area and go out each day sightseeing etc without worrying if they can park here or there with a campervan.

Any thoughts?

My experience is that many of the seaside parking spots are being lost to campervans and motor homes across the UK.
We spend a fair amount of time in Anglesey which has become very difficult to wild camp, you really have to know the island to find the gems.
I suspect that it’s often to do with lazy campers leaving rubbish around and letting it blow across the countryside.
Councils don’t seem to take responsibility for managing bins in busy periods but find it easy to enforce wholesale bans as a result of the rubbish that they should have been collecting and despite increasing parking revenues don’t bother clearing overflowing bins.
I also see many of these car parks empty at night and think of the missed revenues that could be had.
I contrast this with elsewhere in the world where you see facilities being specifically laid on to attract travellers. I suspect the tradition of public Aires in France has helped keep campsites pricing lower too.

 

[Velma's Dad]

...
I suspect that it’s often to do with lazy campers leaving rubbish around and letting it blow across the countryside....

It might be, in some cases. But often I suspect it's simply the visual clutter of having MHs and campervans staying overnight in places that used not to.

There are rarely any real benefits to the majority of local residents when we rock up and park in a beauty spot, even when we reckon we're being "considerate". I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, just that we shouldn't be surprised that we're not particularly welcome and that locals will lobby their local authorities to control it.

As for the comparisons to the Continent, an aire in a village in the middle of rural France is of course very different from a seafront carpark in Devon or Cornwall.

 

[Brian S]

I have been to France and other parts of Europe since getting my van in 2018.
I joined ACSI and traveled off peak. Mid May until end of June and September.

Up to this year I have had very little difficulty getting into camp sites. Generally there was plenty of a availability.

However this year it has been difficult to find a campsite that wasn't full.
I had to resort to advance booking. I have decided to cancel my ACSI subscription.

The freedom to wander around and expect to find an available campsite seems to be coming to an end.

 

[sticky1]

It might be, in some cases. But often I suspect it's simply the visual clutter of having MHs and campervans staying overnight in places that used not to.

There are rarely any real benefits to the majority of local residents when we rock up and park in a beauty spot, even when we reckon we're being "considerate". I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, just that we shouldn't be surprised that we're not particularly welcome and that locals will lobby their local authorities to control it.

As for the comparisons to the Continent, an aire in a village in the middle of rural France is of course very different from a seafront carpark in Devon or Cornwall.

I know what you mean about MH’s cluttering prime parking spots, however it would be possible to limit the number of hours/ days a van can stay in one carpark.
I think about the US where some places encourage motor homes to park overnight - Walmart being an example and some national parks, the logic being that empty car parks attract anti social behaviour and boy racer meet ups.
Lastly I have also stayed in Aires in the the middle of real tourist hotspots - the Aire in St Martin on the Ile De Re couldn’t be described as rural and over the years we have used dozens in cities. I personally think the French have a different attitude to encouraging cheaper options for their citizens. There are plenty of high quality and more expensive options where you pay UK pricing, but you have a choice.

 

[Jay586]

Well, l live on the north Wales coast & it’s mayhem in my town here most nights now. Camper vans parked nose to tail, barrier locks cut, fires, windbreaks out, stuff everywhere…most definitely not wild or particularly safe. Lots of noise complaints too. It’s like that in lots of other places too. The lay-bys up in the hills are packed.

My extortionate council tax is paying towards clearing the mess & also resulting in car parking charges along the coast rocketing.

You may all be considerate, stealthy campers but I can assure you a significant % of wild campers are absolutely ruining it for you & the local residents.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Interesting topic, @WelshGas

As a former Britstops member (pre the US Harvest takeover) and a frequent pub carpark camper, I have been surprised and disappointed to learn that some pubs are pulling their listings due to the local councils are now insisting on planning permission for pubs to allow overnight stays on their carparks. This can't help the situation, and for sure there seems to be a huge disparity between the free or low cost aires found in Europe and the extortionate camp site fees and lack of free safe parkups found in the UK.

 

[chockswahay]

It is easy to feel a little defeated when looking into this subject. We have tried a new strategy a few times (even in Edinburgh city!) of parking hidden in plain sight! Turn up late, park in a residential area (just like any other vehicle) and leave early in the morning. Yes, not suited to everyone, but works well if you wish or need to be at a specific location. Of course the Cali is ideal for this as it is seen as 'just another van with windows'.

In reality, we much prefer touring in Europe, especially France and Germany, where we (campers) are welcomed with open arms and generally either free or for very reasonable costs. As it happens we tour and rarely stop for more than one night so Aires and the like work well for us.