Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to hire in the New Forest, listed by private owners and local hire businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for campervan hire in the UK, then book online with insurance included.
A gentle, low-effort national park — flat heathland, free-roaming ponies wandering the roads, and one of the best-served campsite networks in the country, built with exactly this kind of trip in mind. Enter a New Forest or Hampshire postcode on the search page, set how far you will travel to collect, and you will see insured campervans and motorhomes from owners and operators in and around the park.
Every vehicle is listed by its owner — private owners and local rental businesses — and booked through our partner Outdoorsy, with insurance and payment protection on every booking.
Campervans and motorhomes for the New Forest
The choice runs from 2-berth camper vans — a converted van that sleeps two and drives much like a large car — to 6-berth motorhomes with a full kitchen and bathroom. A berth is a sleeping space, so a 4-berth sleeps four.
The Forest’s roads are flat and generally easy, so vehicle size matters less here than in hillier national parks — the main things to watch for are ponies, cattle and pigs wandering onto the road, especially around dawn and dusk. See camper van hire and motorhome hire.
Price follows the same pattern wherever you hire: the smallest camper van is consistently the lowest-cost option, a 6-berth motorhome the most expensive, and the price per night usually drops the longer you book for. Booking in the school holidays, especially August, costs noticeably more than spring or autumn. Enter your dates on the search page for a real price rather than a generic average — see motorhome hire prices for more on what moves it.
Where to collect a campervan for the New Forest
Vehicles are listed around Southampton, Bournemouth and Salisbury, on the edges of the Forest, as well as further afield in Portsmouth and along the M27 corridor. A 20–35 mile radius in the search widens your choice considerably. See Southampton for pickups from the closest city.
Best areas and routes in the New Forest
- Brockenhurst and the central Forest — the best-connected village, with direct rail links and easy access to the open heathland walks and pony-spotting drives.
- Lyndhurst — the Forest’s “capital,” with the New Forest Museum and a good base for exploring on foot or bike.
- Beaulieu — the National Motor Museum and Beaulieu Abbey, plus the Beaulieu River for a change of pace from the heathland.
- Lymington and the coast — a working harbour town with a ferry across to the Isle of Wight, good for combining the Forest with a longer coastal trip.
- Burley — smaller and quieter, with easy cycling routes through the woodland and heath.
Campsites in the New Forest
Forestry England runs ten campsites inside the New Forest itself — Aldridge Hill, Ashurst, Denny Wood, Hollands Wood, Holmsley, Longbeech, Matley Wood, Ocknell, Roundhill and Setthorns — ranging from simple, basic pitches to fuller-facility sites, several within walking distance of a village or pub.
- Long Meadow Campsite — well set up for motorhomes, with Brockenhurst station a short walk away for rail links to Southampton and London.
- New Forest Club Campsite, near Bransgore — open countryside on the Forest’s western edge.
Book well ahead for July and August; the Forestry England sites in particular are popular and release their booking windows in advance.
When to travel
July and August are busiest and dearest, and the closest campsites and vehicles book first — reserve three to four months ahead for those dates. Spring and September are quieter, with the ponies and foals (born from around April) a highlight of a late-spring visit.
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Campervan and motorhome hire for the New Forest — FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a campervan for the New Forest?
It depends mainly on the vehicle size, the season and how long you hire for. A small camper van is consistently the lowest-cost option and a large motorhome the most expensive; booking in the school holidays, especially August, costs noticeably more than spring or autumn; and the price per night usually drops the longer you book for. Enter your dates on the search page to see live prices. See motorhome hire prices for more on what moves the price.
Where can I pick up a campervan for the New Forest?
Owners list vehicles around Southampton, Bournemouth and Salisbury, and further out in Portsmouth and along the M27. A 20–35 mile radius in the search widens your choice.
Can I drive a motorhome on a normal car licence?
Yes, for almost all of them. A full UK car licence covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg — every camper van and most 2 to 6-berth motorhomes. The listing flags any that need a C1 licence.
Do I need to book a campsite in the New Forest in advance?
For July and August, yes — the Forestry England sites are popular and release booking windows well ahead of the season. Outside the school holidays you have more flexibility, though the best-known sites near Brockenhurst still book up first.
Are there dog-friendly campervans for the New Forest?
Yes — many owners set their vans up for dogs, and most of the Forestry England campsites welcome them too (on a lead near livestock). Filter for pet-friendly vehicles and check the owner’s policy. See dog-friendly campervan hire.
How far in advance should I book?
For summer, three to four months ahead — the nearest vehicles and the Forestry England campsites go first. Off-season, a few weeks is usually enough.