We love campervans and motorhomes in the UK, and they’ve become even more popular in recent years as people look for something sturdier and more comfortable than a tent. Whether it’s for a staycation, a European adventure, or just the occasional weekend getaway, they’re a great way to have an affordable holiday.
While campervans and motorhomes are a big investment for most, there’s a wide range of options available to suit plenty of budgets and needs. You might be looking for something compact for two, a larger campervan for couples or families, or an even bigger one that ventures into motorhome territory.
But, if you’re thinking about buying a campervan, all the choices on offer can make it tricky to decide what’s best for you. So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of eight of our favourites, as well as some interesting alternatives, including used options.
1. Bailey Endeavour
Bailey is renowned for its premium-quality caravans and motorhomes. Recently, it added a campervan to its portfolio in the form of the Endeavour. Priced from £69,999, there are two options available: the Endeavour B62 for two and the B64 for four. Bailey also produced an electric version, but that’s just a concept for now.
Based on the full-size Ford Transit van, the Endeavour is similar in size to the VW Grand California. This means it’s not that compact, unless you’re comparing it to a proper motorhome. The interior also has a bit of a drab caravan look to it, rather than the stylish design of some of its rivals.
However, what it lacks aesthetically, it makes up for in space, practicality, and equipment. The Endeavour has everything you need, not just for weekends away, but also for long-distance adventures. It’s a proper home away from home.
2. Ford Nugget
We had a great family holiday in Cornwall in a Ford Transit Nugget a couple of years ago. With its clearly defined sections, the family particularly liked the kitchen segment at the rear. It meant we could set up a nice alfresco area on summer evenings, looking out over the beach at Bude. Unlike the VW California, the Nugget has a built-in toilet, but it was basically in the kitchen, which was a bit odd.
The Nugget we took to Cornwall seemed more up-to-date than some of its rivals, but now there’s a new one. Converted by Westfalia, it’s a proper Ford model that you can order from your dealer. We haven’t tried it yet, but it’s available as a plug-in hybrid, and you can have it with all-wheel drive to avoid getting stuck on a soggy bank holiday weekend.
The cooking, living, and sleeping areas have all been redesigned to allow more space for people to get around, even when the two double beds are set up. One of these is in the pop-up roof and the other is created by converting the dining area.
The new model also offers a bit more luxury, with a three-seater rear bench and two rotating captain’s chairs up front, which are all heated. Talking of heating, the Nugget now has a hot and cold outside shower, although you’ll need to order the optional tailgate tent for some privacy.
There are lots of other new bits too, including an updated dashboard, more tech and controls, and nice features like the 33-litre drawer fridge. If you fancy a Nugget, prices start at £77,338.
3. Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo
Marco? Polo. Sorry, I couldn’t resist, and what do you expect when Mercedes-Benz has called its premium camper a Marco Polo? It’s a direct rival to the VW California but with slightly more luxury and a higher price tag. Like the Nugget, this one is converted by Westfalia and is a proper Mercedes model, with all the warranties that go with it.
It seemed that everyone decided to update their campervans for 2024, and Mercedes was no exception, with the new Marco Polo.
The German manufacturer is pitching it as a glamping-mobile, clearly seeing it as more luxurious than its rivals. And generally, that’s true, with air suspension to keep everything flat, wooden flooring, and a new touchscreen interface or smartphone app to control all the camping functions.
Plus, there’s reasonable space and two double beds – with one in the pop-up roof. The seats are more sumptuous than its competitors and you have all the essentials, such as a sink, fridge, wardrobe, twin gas hob, and pull-out camping furniture.
There’s no word yet on prices, but we expect it to be a bit more expensive than the California or Nugget. Though, if you can’t wait, you could snap up a used model for a decent price.
4. Swift Monza
If you aren’t keen on telling your friends you have a Nugget, perhaps a Monza sounds a little cooler.
The Monza from Swift is a stylish, compact campervan that’s based on a Ford Transit and comes with all the mod cons. Priced from £71,995, it sleeps four and has seating for five. Like many rivals, the back seats fold down into a double bed and there’s another in the pop-up roof. Plus, the Monza boasts LED lighting and zipped windows with screens to keep out the creepy crawlies.
Swift’s version looks even more premium than Ford’s offering, with soft furnishings, dark wood grain, and quality finishes. At 42 litres, even the drawer fridge is bigger than the Nugget’s. Could this be better than Ford’s model? It looks like it might be.
5. Swift Trekker
The name Swift Trekker kind of says it all. Like the Bailey Endeavour, this is a campervan designed and engineered for adventure, to go a bit beyond the traditional Camping and Caravanning Club sites. Based on the full-size Ford Transit, it sleeps two or four and is priced from £70.995.
It’s not just epic road trips that the Trekker seems suitable for. It provides its fair share of luxury features too, including a plush rear bedroom, decent-sized bathroom, and a nice look to all the materials.
Admittedly, it’s not as compact as some models on this list, but there’s a lot to be said for actually being able to stand up when you get out of bed in the morning and go to make a cuppa. And, for many, models like the Trekker are plenty compact.
6. Volkswagen Caddy California
If you don’t need a full-size campervan, you could consider the Volkswagen Caddy California.
Barely bigger than a family hatchback, it’s more of an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) with built-in camping equipment. For £35,683, you do get quite a lot though. There’s a unit in the boot with storage space, a pull-out mini-kitchen, and a removable dining set. The top forms a flat double bed base when the rear seats are down, and it has blackout blinds with additional storage.
However, the Caddy California only sleeps two, so if you have guests or the kids in the back seats, you’ll need to pack an additional tent. There’s an optional tailgate tent available too. It’s a clever thing that features a main living space and a couple of side rooms. You can even stand up in it, something you definitely can’t do in the Caddy itself.
7. Volkswagen California
Next up is the Volkswagen California, the proper California. It’s by far the most popular campervan on the market in terms of sales. Head to any camping site, festival, or sports event and you’ll see loads of them. That’s simply because it’s a very good campervan, with a high level of quality, great interior packaging, and excellent equipment. Plus, it’s easy to drive.
When it comes to the California, there’s also an alluring heritage that comes from the days of the Bulli, the classic VW camper. It’s pricey compared to some rivals, but it continues to be the benchmark for all campervans.
Volkswagen revealed the latest generation of the California in May 2024. Prices start at £63,376.
For the first time, the California has two sliding side doors, providing access to the kitchen from the outside, which is perfect for outdoor cooking. There are three specifications to choose from: the Beach, Coast, and Ocean. All are well-equipped, with multiple zones and a standard pop-up roof.
The new one is also available as a plug-in hybrid, which is useful when you arrive at a site late and need to sneak in quietly. We haven’t spent any time with the new model yet, but given our experience with the previous generation, it seems a given that it’ll continue to be as well-liked as ever.
The popularity of the California also means there are plenty on the used market. And because they’ve been regularly updated over the years, there are plenty of options to choose from, including a number of special editions. Whether you’re new to campervan life or looking for a trusty bargain, the California is probably your best go-to if you want a used model.
8. Volkswagen Grand California
Like many compact campervans, the California can feel a bit cramped for some, and it doesn’t have any bathroom facilities. For that, you need to go for its big brother, the Grand California.
Based on the VW Crafter long wheelbase van, the Grand California is available in two lengths, both of which have a wet room with a loo and shower. Starting at £82,030, you get a lot more interior space and versatility than a regular California, but oddly, the standard version only sleeps two. For more sleeping space, you’ll need the larger 600 model, which has a higher roof with a cab-over bed.
The kitchen area is well-equipped and has expandable panels to make it larger if needed. You can also access the fridge and some of the counters from outside. If the British weather keeps you indoors, the dining area is spacious and you can make use of the optional satellite system. Though, if that sounds too connected and you want to be properly off-grid, there’s an option to fit solar panels on the roof to become self-sufficient.
Are there any alternatives?
Thanks to the huge number of campervan conversion companies in the UK and Europe, there are plenty of other campervans out there that are ready to buy. However, if you’re looking to embrace the campervan lifestyle, there are a few other routes you can go down. For example…
Converting a van yourself
Those who are confident enough in their DIY skills could consider converting a vehicle themselves. This can be an exciting opportunity to custom-design your camper to fit your needs – not to mention the sense of reward you’ll feel afterwards.
If a DIY van conversion sounds exciting to you, why not read this blog post from Backpacking Like a Boss, which guides you through the whole process step-by-step?
Employing a conversion specialist
If you like the sound of a totally custom conversion but don’t want to go down the DIY route, you could consider buying a vehicle and employing a campervan conversion specialist to do the work for you.
There are companies out there who convert everything – from old vans to new vans, and minibuses to even more unusual vehicles. You’ll know what we mean if you’ve seen George’s Amazing Spaces. You can even employ specialists to help you with only a part of your conversion if you want to get stuck in and do the rest yourself.
To browse some of the campervan conversion specialists out there, why not head over to the Quirky Campers website?
Buying an electric camper van
Going electric is also an option. Again, most people buy these from conversion companies, such as We Are EV, Sussex Camper Vans, and others.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that electric campervans can be limited by their driving range and many campsites don’t have charging facilities. If you want to go camping in the middle of nowhere, electric is probably not going to be for you – at least not yet.
Converting your car into a camper van
Then there’s the idea of turning your car into a camper van. In 2023, I took an electric Porsche Taycan with a roof tent and headed to North Wales. It was great, although, admittedly, we did take an additional tent with us.
Like the VW Caddy California, there are ways to convert your estate car or SUV into a camper van using aftermarket kits that fit into the boot. Dacia has one for its Jogger and Duster crossover models. These kits usually convert into a double bed with the back seats folded and contain kitchen equipment, storage, and other bits and bobs you might need. You could call it a ‘camper car’. If that catches on, I want royalties!
What about buying used?
Demand for campervans rocketed during the pandemic. We were all using words like ‘staycation’ and searching through Pitch-Up and other camping websites.
Used vehicle prices shot up too, but many people joined the campervan crowd only to find it wasn’t really for them. This means there are lots of secondhand campervans around. Admittedly, prices haven’t fallen to pre-pandemic levels because demand remains high, but there are still plenty of choices out there.
If you’re new to campervan life, secondhand is a good way to go as most models will hold their value in the used market. Or you could just hire one for your first trip and see how you go.
When buying secondhand, we recommend using a specialist dealer, especially if you don’t have much experience with campervans. They’ll offer a full checklist of the model you’re looking at and should be able to answer all your questions.
Plus, buying privately from websites like Auto Trader makes it trickier to spot any hidden flaws if you don’t know what to look for. In this case, you might want to have an expert look over it before you buy for some peace of mind.
Final thoughts…
When buying a campervan, take the time to consider what exactly it’ll be used for before you start looking. Would you like a day van for the occasional trip, or are you dreaming of an epic adventure across Europe? Are you planning on bringing kids along, or do you only need space for one or two passengers?
Questions like these will hopefully narrow down your search and help you find the best option for you. For some inspiration for the kinds of trips you could take, check out our list of 8 incredible campervan holidays in the UK.
Whether you buy new or used, there are plenty of choices out there, which will all allow you to hit the road and start creating memories. Package tours, hotel stays, and cruises are great, but, for some, nothing beats the freedom that comes with having a campervan.
Do you have a campervan? Or are you thinking about buying one? If so, do you have any tips? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.