Yescapa

Campervan and Motorhome hire — Colchester

Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Colchester and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners — from compact campervans for 2, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexible booking, competitive prices and insurance included.

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Motorhomes available for hire — Colchester

From sleek A-class models to versatile coachbuilts and low-profiles, there’s a motorhome for every adventure—whether you need a compact getaway for two or a spacious multi-berth for the whole family.

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Campervans available for hire — Colchester

The campervan is the ultimate all-rounder. Effortlessly practical and built for freedom, it’s just as at home navigating tight city streets as it is exploring the heart of the countryside.

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Why choose Colchester for your road trip

Colchester — a city worth exploring

Colchester holds the title of Britain's oldest recorded town, with a history stretching back over 2,000 years to when it served as the Roman capital of Britannia under the name Camulodunum. Today, the remains of the largest Roman gateway in the country still stand at Balkerne Gate, while Colchester Castle — built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius — houses one of the finest archaeological collections in the region. Beyond its Roman roots, you can wander through Hollytrees Museum, explore the natural world at Colchester Zoo, or catch a performance at the Mercury Theatre, which reopened after a major redevelopment in 2022. The town sits at the head of the River Colne, with the Essex coast just 10 km to the south-east and the rolling Suffolk countryside beginning around 15 km to the north. Flat terrain and well-connected A-roads make the area easy to navigate in a larger vehicle, whether you are driving a campervan along the coast or taking a motorhome inland towards Dedham Vale. Hiring through Yescapa connects you with local owners who know the best routes and overnight spots, so you can plan a trip that goes well beyond the usual tourist trail. With a campervan collected from a nearby owner, you are free to combine Colchester's heritage with the beaches, estuaries and market towns that surround it — all at your own pace.

Best time to visit

Colchester comes alive in summer, when the Colchester Medieval Festival fills Castle Park with jousting and living history each June. August brings the Colchester Food and Drink Festival, a great excuse to sample local oysters — Colchester has been famous for them since Roman times. Spring and autumn are ideal for campervan touring, with quieter roads and easy access to pitches along the Essex coast. Book your Yescapa motorhome early for the July–August peak, when local owners' vehicles are in high demand. Winter visits reward you with peaceful heritage sites and lower hire prices through the platform.

Top getaways from Colchester

Colchester is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways

Colchester to Mersea Island

18km south 1–3 days

Just 18 km south of Colchester, Mersea Island is reached via the Strood causeway — check tide times before crossing in your campervan. Visit the Mersea Island Museum, feast on oysters at the Company Shed, and walk the coastal path around Cudmore Grove Country Park. Overnight parking is available at several small sites near the waterfront.

Colchester to Dedham Vale

22km north 1–4 days

Head 22 km north into Dedham Vale, the landscape that inspired John Constable. Stop at Flatford Mill for a riverside walk, then explore the pretty village of Dedham itself. The lanes are narrow in places, so a smaller campervan works best. Campsites near Stratford St Mary offer hook-ups and level pitches with views across the Stour Valley.

Colchester to Cambridge

105km northwest 3–6 days

Drive 105 km north-west from Colchester to Cambridge, passing through the market towns of Sudbury and Haverhill. In Cambridge, punt along the Backs, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and stroll through King's College Chapel. Motorhome parking is available at the Park & Ride sites on the city's outskirts, making access straightforward.

Colchester to Norfolk Broads

145km northeast 3–6 days

A 145 km drive north-east from Colchester brings you to the Norfolk Broads, a network of rivers and lakes perfect for waterside camping. Stop at Wroxham for boat trips, then continue to Horsey Windpump to spot grey seals on the beach. Several well-equipped campervan sites sit along the Broads, with electric hook-ups and waste disposal.

Colchester to the North Norfolk Coast

210km north 5–8 days

Cover 210 km heading north from Colchester to reach the North Norfolk Coast. Walk the boardwalk at Holkham Beach, explore the harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea and watch birds at Cley Marshes Nature Reserve. Motorhome-friendly aires and campsites dot the coast road, and the flat terrain makes driving relaxed and enjoyable throughout.

Colchester to the South Downs

260km southwest 5–8 days

Travel 260 km south-west from Colchester to the South Downs National Park. Visit Arundel Castle, hike the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and sample wine at Rathfinny Estate near Alfriston. The A27 offers good access for larger vehicles, and campsites around Lewes and Brighton provide full facilities including showers and fresh-water fill-up points.

Rent a campervan on Yescapa: how does it work?

Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.

Discover

Find the perfect vehicle

Find for a leisure vehicle near you or a destination idea according to your planned route, then specify the pick-up and return dates. The perfect vehicle for your road trip holiday is waiting for you!

Connecting people

Confirm your booking

Make one or more booking requests for leisure vehicles that have caught your eye and wait for the owners' responses. Once your request has been accepted, all you have to do is confirm your booking.

Pick-up

Go on an adventure

On the pick-up date, collect the vehicle and listen to the valuable advice of the owner for handling it; you are ready hit the road with family, as a couple or with friends.

Return

All good things must come to an end...

Once again, with the owner complete the vehicle condition check and sign the Rental Agreement as well as exchange your travel stories. All you have to do is imagine your next road trip!

Campsites and parkings for recreational vehicles in Colchester

Recommended campsites

Colchester and the surrounding Essex countryside offer a good range of campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. Along the coast you will find pitches with sea views and direct beach access, while inland sites tend to be quieter, set among farmland with spacious hardstanding. Most sites provide electric hook-ups, fresh-water points, waste disposal, showers and toilets, so you can stay comfortably for several nights at a time.

  • Fen Farm Caravan & Camping Site East Mersea (16km southeast)Electric hook-ups, toilets, showers, laundry, direct beach access, dog-friendly pitches
  • Waldegraves Holiday Park East Mersea (17km southeast)Hardstanding pitches, electric hook-ups, heated pool, shop, bar, Wi-Fi, waste disposal
  • Colchester Holiday Park Colchester (3km south)Electric hook-ups, toilets, showers, laundry room, play area, Wi-Fi
  • Tiptree Camping & Caravanning Club Site Tiptree (14km southwest)Hardstanding and grass pitches, electric hook-ups, toilets, showers, motorhome service point
  • Strangers Home Caravan Park Bradfield (15km northeast)Electric hook-ups, toilets, showers, waste disposal, quiet rural setting

Where to park your motorhome

Colchester has several options for parking larger vehicles while you explore the town centre. Overnight parking in a motorhome or campervan on public streets is generally not permitted, so plan to use designated areas or return to a nearby campsite. Height barriers apply at most multi-storey car parks, so stick to surface-level options.

  • Colchester Park & Ride (Sandown), 4km south — Surface-level car park south of the town centre with regular bus links. Suitable for motorhomes and campervans during daytime visits.
  • St John's Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Open-air car park near the town centre with no height barrier. Convenient for exploring Colchester Castle and the High Street on foot.
  • Sheepen Road Car Park, 1km west — Surface car park close to Balkerne Gate with space for larger vehicles. Pay-and-display, no overnight stays permitted.

Frequently asked questions

What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Colchester

Gareth
5 / 5

We have just returned from our 11 day trip in Jean’s fantastic camper van. Thanks to Jean and Emma’s good English the whole experience was very easy and relaxed. The van had everything we needed for our trip, touring parts of Germany, Austria, and France. As newcomers to camper van life we learned so much and were able to camp without the need to plug in to electric for days on end thanks to the great solar and battery system on the van and the on board water and waste tanks. Many thanks for a great holiday Jean and family! Thanks from Gareth & Samantha!

Simon
5 / 5

Thank you for an amazing holiday. We can't recommend this van enough. From the very first communication everything was 100%. The van was clean and had everything we needed for a three week trip. Everything was explained in detail and we were given advice and ideas for places to visit. We will be back again.

Denis
5 / 5

Had a wonderful trip! With Thibault’s guidance, you're in safe hands. This compact and comfortable van packs a big punch while remaining extremely easy to drive and park. I highly recommend this van and owner combo!

Menelaos
4 / 5

First let me say that Ricardo is a great owner, he was very good at explaining everything to us, gave advice on the trip and was always available to answer any questions we had. He even was understanding of our delayed return. 5/5 The van is as described in the ad, working perfectely, comfortable to drive worh all the amenities one would need in a van. We traveled all around portugal and overall enjoyed our time bery much. Definitely recommend.

Kyra
5 / 5

Absolutely loved staying in Alfreds campervan. The decor was beautiful. It had everything we needed, a perfect space for two people for time in nature travelling. It was so good having a fridge on the road. He answered any questions I had and the pick up/ drop off was great. Would definitely love to rent it again in the future when we come back to Spain. Thank you!

Guy
5 / 5

Patrick was very friendly and went above and beyond his duty to make sure everything went smoothly. He even took us to the station after we dropped the van off. We would highly recommend him.

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