Our summer stay has seen campsites across the country as many people have vacationed in the great outdoors to avoid inflated vacation home and hotel rental prices.
Another change has also taken place for those who want it a little more comfortable, without the hassle of towing a caravan in and out. The RV vacation has seen a boom, with Volkswagen alone reporting a 621 percent year-over-year increase in sales of its very popular VW California vans (from £ 52,000).
Used car dealers are almost sold out – and total motorhome sales are said to have increased by around 40 percent annually, with rents rising by a similar percentage. But who wants a simple shoebox on wheels? Why not choose one of the more eccentric motorhome offers on the market? As our guide shows, they come in all shapes and sizes. . .
COLT FOLLOWS
Creative living: the converted Juniper horse transporter
Juniper has a kitchen and a small bathroom with a toilet and sink and beds for six
Take a vacation by hopping on and driving a wooden horse truck called the Juniper, which has been converted into a rustic, wheeled cottage with a wood-burning stove, couches, and old wooden floorboards. Trot up the ramp to find beds for six.
There is also a kitchen with an oven, stove and refrigerator (all cutlery, dishes and pans are available) – as well as a small bathroom with toilet and sink, but without a shower.
Juniper was a custom built horse truck from George Smith, a renowned horse truck manufacturer with 30 years of experience in Wiltshire. Originally used to transport Shetland ponies, it was converted into a home in 2017, after which it was inhabited by a family for three years.
All yours: From £ 129 a night (quirkycampers.com).
A GREEN ESCAPE
Take an emission-free camping tour with the latest green vacation machine. It claims to be “the nation’s only all-electric campervan that can be rented”. The converted Nissan – called Spoot – drives silently between campsites without disturbing your eco-conscience and has a plug-in range of 120 miles. It sleeps two.
All yours: From £ 120 per night (camplify.co.uk).
THE MEGA MOTORHOME
Dembell’s £ 1.3 million luxury RV is “the size of a National Express coach”
The Monster RV has a luxurious yacht-style interior. The dining area is shown
The size of a National Express coach, it is filled with handcrafted wood and glass suites modeled after a luxury yacht. The chicest motorhome in the world was presented this month at a European caravan fair.
The German-made Monster-RV (short for recreational vehicle) includes a huge 1.80 m² bed and a mobile garage for a Ferrari (if you have one).
All yours: On sale for £ 1.3 million (dembell.com).
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
A tiny converted van could be the UK’s smallest motorhome. The Wheelhome is the size of a normal family hatchback, but neatly squeezes into a compact kitchen and two beds.
It might not suit campers with bigger bones as well, but the micro RV could be just what you’re looking for.
All yours: On sale for £ 23,995 (somersetmotorhomecentre.co.uk).
FAST EXCURSION
According to Guinness World Records, a super campervan is the fastest motorhome in the world at 141 mph. There is a double bed, toilet and kitchen, which makes it perfect for an extremely quick getaway. Similar super vans can be ordered. The one who broke the record was a souped-up, cherry-red Fiat Doblo.
All yours: Prices vary (creationcampers.co.uk).
WOOD YOU DARE?
The 2008 Fiat Ducato was transformed into a “chalet van” by the designer and artist Barry Stimson
The spectacular house offers space for two people and has a table, stove and shower
Designed for the eccentric camper, the “Chalet on Wheels” used to be an art classroom in a special school.
It’s now a sensational home for two with a table, stove, shower and a Heidi-style look that is sure to be the campsite’s talking point.
The 2008 Fiat Ducato was transformed into a “chalet van” by the designer and artist Barry Stimson as a “unique functional work of art” and its current owner has already taken it on a six-week adventure across Europe.
All yours: From £ 65 per day (camplify.co.uk).
GO BERSERK!
Get off the beaten path in a rugged converted Land Rover 4×4 Defender called the Blue Belle.
The camping version of the Queen’s favorite off-roader sleeps four and has a refrigerator, shower, patio furniture and awning and is pet-friendly. It’s just the thing to take the whole family away from the hustle and bustle.
All yours: From £ 100 per night (camplify.co.uk).
- More information is available from the Caravan and Motorhome Club (caravanclub.co.uk) and the National Caravan Council (thencc.org.uk).