Campervan rental near Bristol

Motorhome Rental Bristol

Bristol is the largest city in southwest England and takes its name from the Old English for ‘place of the bridge’. It is home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which stretches across Avon Gorge and many other engineering and natural marvels. It is also an excellent base from which to explore the wider region, not least the UNESCO-listed city of Bath.

One of England’s most eclectic cities, Bristol is a thriving hub for the arts. Not only is it the home city of street artist Banksy, with many of his works to be found around the city, but a multitude of venues attracting a steady stream of big names. The youthful population ensure there is a lively nightlife, while visitors to Bristol are never far from the quintessential English countryside.

Getting to Bristol

Located in the southwest of England, Bristol campervan hire is easily accessible from elsewhere in the UK and abroad. It is situated at the crossing point of the M4 and M5 motorways. The M4 connects Bristol with the bright lights of London in as little as 2.5 hours. The M5 runs roughly north-south, connecting the international airport at Birmingham in the Midlands with the attractive city of Exeter on the Devon coast.

Bristol’s airport receives regular flights from the likes of Aer Lingus, KLM and budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair. Bristol can be reached from more than 125 different European cities, with flights from Bristol to Amsterdam lasting just one hour 15 minutes.

Bristol Temple Meads is the city’s main rail terminal. Up to three trains per hour connect Bristol with London in around 1.5 hours, while other domestic destinations including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and even Edinburgh.

Parking in Bristol

With more than 11,000 parking spaces dotted across the city, motorhome hire in Bristol can easily find parking. Central 24-hour options include Trenchard Street and West End multi-storey car parks offering hundreds of spaces over several floors. Prices are around £4.50 for 4 hours, or £12 for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. There are also smaller kerbside parking bays operated by the city council. Signposted and marked as a painted white box on the road, generally speaking, they operate on a ‘pay and display’ basis. This means you will need to purchase a ticket for a set number of hours from one of the automated roadside machines on arrival and display it clearly on your front windscreen. Costs start at £1.50/hour.

Annual Events in Bristol

• Bristol Pride, city wide, mid-July: A celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture in all its diversity, Pride fortnight ends with a huge parade. Free.
  
• Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Ashton Court, mid-August: Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky in one of the biggest festivals of its kind in Europe. Free.
  
• Foodies Festival, Durdham Downs, 10-12 September: The biggest food festival in the UK, with celebrity guests and a family-friendly atmosphere. £5-20.

Camping in Bristol

Even in quieter months, it’s recommended to book campsites ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

• Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Site: Family-run site on a historic farm approximately 18 km south of Bristol. Prices start at £10/night.
  
• Bucklegrove Holiday Park: A mix of cabins and touring pitches on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. From £20/night.
  
• Ennywevers Campsite: Basic facilities just a mile from the city centre and the harbourside. From £20/night.