Photo: Alberto Zanetti on Unsplash
A campervan with shower is possible, but it is the exception in UK van conversions and the norm in larger motorhomes with a washroom. If your hire has no shower, you can still stay clean using campsite shower blocks, leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools. The trick is to decide before you book, so you pick a vehicle that matches how you want to wash.
| Van conversion | Usually no fixed shower. Some have an outdoor or cold shower, and a few have a wet room. |
|---|---|
| Coachbuilt motorhome | Often a washroom with a shower, but check the listing and photos. |
| A-class motorhome | Usually a separate shower cubicle or wet room. |
| Campsite shower block | Common on larger sites. Some are included in the pitch fee and some are metered or token-operated. |
| CL and CS sites | Small members-only club sites, limited to five caravans or motorhomes. Facilities range from basic to well equipped, and many have no shower. |
| Leisure centre or gym | A pay-as-you-go swim or a day pass often includes a hot shower. |
How to find a campervan with shower on a listing
On our partner Outdoorsy you can narrow results by vehicle type, price, number of beds and amenities, so start with those filters and then read each listing closely. The word shower on its own can mean very different things, so look for these details:
- Wet room or cubicle: a fixed shower with a drain, or a pull-out hose that uses part of the washroom.
- Hot water: how it is heated (gas, diesel or mains hook-up) and how long it takes.
- Tank size: the fresh and waste water capacity, because a shower empties a small tank faster than you expect.
- Photos: the washroom itself, not just the bedroom and kitchen.
If the listing is vague, message the owner before you book and ask for the detail. Our main hire pages, motorhome hire and camper van hire, are good places to start. For how van types differ, see the difference between a campervan and a motorhome.
Which hire vehicles have showers
Motorhomes with a built-in washroom are the safest bet. Coachbuilt and A-class models often include a toilet and shower, and a hire company or owner will usually state it in the headline description. Van conversions are different. Space is the issue, so most have a kitchenette and a bed but no bathroom. Some add an outdoor shower attached to the rear, with cold or heated water, and a smaller number have a compact wet room that doubles as a toilet. Luxury models with a full wet room tend to cost more, so check the nightly rate against your budget.
Campsite showers and facilities
Most campsites with serviced pitches have toilets and shower blocks, so a van with no shower is rarely a problem if you stay on commercial sites. Before you arrive, check three things on the site's own page: opening hours, whether showers are free or metered, and whether the block is suitable for accessible use. Showers may need coins or tokens, so carry change. Holiday parks usually have the fullest facilities. Our holiday parks page lists the options.
CL and CS sites with limited facilities
The Caravan and Motorhome Club runs a network of Certificated Locations, known as CLs. They are small, privately run sites for members, taking up to five units, and their facilities range from basic fresh water and waste disposal to fuller provision. Only some CLs, roughly 540 by the club's count, have showers. The Camping and Caravanning Club runs a similar members-only scheme of Certificated Sites (CS), limited to five caravans or motorhomes, and toilets and showers are not part of its basic requirements. The key point is that a CL or CS can be a lovely quiet pitch but may have no shower at all, so read the individual site page. The Caravan and Motorhome Club explains the scheme on its Certificated Locations page.
Leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools
A swim and a shower is a good use of a rest day, especially with children. Many towns have a council-run leisure centre, and some gym chains sell day passes. Check three things before you go: the price of a single entry, opening hours (some close early on weekends) and whether lockers need a coin. A towel and a small wash bag in a day bag save you carrying everything in. In coastal areas, some beaches and harbours also have coin-operated showers, but facilities vary, so treat them as a bonus rather than a plan.
Solar showers and the rules on grey water
A solar shower is a black bag that warms water in the sun. It works on a bright afternoon but is unreliable in the UK, and it needs privacy and somewhere to drain. Grey water is the used water from sinks and showers, and the rules matter. Do not tip it onto roads, into surface drains or into streams. Use the campsite's grey waste point or a signed disposal point. In Scotland, SEPA says campervan wastewater should be disposed of at a proper facility. Biodegradable soap does not change that, and if a site asks you to keep your waste on board, follow its rule.
Saving water and shower etiquette
- Use a navy shower: wet, turn the water off, soap, then rinse.
- Keep a sink-wash habit: a quick wash at the basin saves a full shower on lazy days.
- Time it: campsite blocks tend to be busiest in the morning and early evening, so a mid-morning or mid-afternoon shower means less queuing.
- Clean up: wipe the floor and clear hair from the drain in shared blocks.
- Ventilate afterwards: open the roof vent or a window after a shower, because steam can leave a small van damp for days.
- Refill before you leave: top up the fresh-water tank at the site tap, and empty the waste tank at the disposal point.
How hire works
- Search by location and dates.
- Check the listing for washroom details and photos, and message the owner if needed.
- Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking. 24/7 roadside assistance is optional.
- Collect or have it delivered, then ask the owner to show you the water heater and tank gauges.
FAQs
What is a wet room in a motorhome?
A wet room is a washroom where the whole floor is waterproof and acts as the shower tray. The toilet sits in the same space, so the room is wiped dry afterwards.
Do campsite showers cost extra?
It depends on the site. Many include showers in the pitch fee, while others use tokens or coins. The site page or booking confirmation normally says which.
How much water does a campervan shower use?
It varies with the shower head and how long you run it, and most vans carry a modest fresh-water tank. Check the capacity on the listing and keep showers short.
Can I get hot water without a hook-up?
Often yes. Many vans heat water with a gas or diesel heater, which works off-grid. Electric-only water heaters need a hook-up. The listing or the owner should say how it works and how long it takes to heat.
Want a shower on board? Search motorhomes with a washroom.