Campervan and Motorhome hire — Durham

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

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Motorhomes available for hire — Durham

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.

Campervans available for hire — Durham

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.

Why hire a campervan or motorhome in Durham

Durham — a region worth exploring

Durham's cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, stands on a rocky peninsula above the River Wear and remains one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. This compact county in North East England blends a rich industrial heritage with sweeping countryside, from the high moorlands of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the rugged Durham Heritage Coast. The distance from Durham city to Barnard Castle is roughly 32 miles, while the drive from Durham to the coastal town of Seaham covers about 13 miles, making it easy to explore varied landscapes in a single day. You can visit the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, walk the ancient woodland trails of Hamsterley Forest, or follow the old railway paths that have been converted into cycling and walking routes across the county. The Durham Dales offer open roads and quiet valleys ideal for campervan touring, while the coast provides dramatic clifftop views and wildflower meadows in spring and summer. Motorhome travellers will find the county's mix of A-roads and country lanes manageable, though some narrower routes through the dales reward a more compact vehicle. With Yescapa, you hire directly from local owners across the region, giving you a wider choice of campervans and motorhomes at a range of price points — perfect for tailoring your Durham adventure to your budget and group size.

Best time to visit

Durham is wonderful from late spring through autumn. The Durham Book Festival in October draws literary enthusiasts to the city, while the Durham Miners' Gala — held on the second Saturday of July — is one of the largest trade union events in Europe and fills the streets with brass bands and banners. Summer months offer the longest daylight hours for exploring the Pennine moorlands and Heritage Coast by campervan. Booking through Yescapa outside peak summer can mean lower hire prices from local owners, and you will find campsites across the county quieter in May, June, and September.

The best road trips in Durham

To help you plan your trip, we have selected six unmissable road trips, suitable for all travelers.

The Heritage Coast Trail

95 km 3–5 days

Follow Durham's coastline from Seaham south to Hartlepool, looping inland through Castle Eden Dene. At roughly 95 km, this short route suits a campervan and takes in Nose's Point, Crimdon Dene, and the Headland. Allow time for coastal walks and local fish and chips.

The Wear Valley Circuit

120 km 3–6 days

A 120 km loop from Durham city along the River Wear through Wolsingham and Stanhope before returning via Crook. You pass through Weardale's open moorland and can stop at the Weardale Railway. Campervan-friendly roads and several small campsites make overnight stops straightforward.

The Pennine Dales Explorer

280 km 5–8 days

Starting in Barnard Castle, this 280 km route crosses Teesdale and Weardale, taking in High Force waterfall and Killhope Lead Mining Museum. The roads suit both campervans and motorhomes, with wider A-roads linking the valleys. Wild, open landscapes and dark skies reward evening stops.

Durham and North Yorkshire Link

350 km 5–8 days

A 350 km route connecting Durham city with Richmond and the northern Yorkshire Dales before returning via the A66. Stop at Raby Castle and Bowes Museum along the way. Motorhome drivers will appreciate the well-maintained A-roads, and campsites are plentiful on both sides of the county border.

The North East Grand Loop

500 km 7–11 days

This 500 km circuit links Durham with the Northumberland coast, looping through Alnwick and Kielder Forest before heading south through the North Pennines. You pass Hadrian's Wall and return via Stanhope. A mix of motorways and country lanes keeps the driving varied and interesting.

Coast, Castles and Dales Odyssey

600 km 10–15 days

At 600 km, this extended Durham-based tour covers the Heritage Coast, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island, and the full length of the Pennine dales. Ideal for a motorhome with plenty of storage, the route includes well-spaced campsites and service points. Take your time — there is much to see.

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 road information in Durham

Recommended campsites

Durham offers a good spread of campsites, from coastal pitches overlooking the North Sea to quiet spots in the Pennine dales. Many sites provide electric hook-ups, hardstanding pitches, and modern shower blocks suitable for both campervans and motorhomes. Whether you prefer a site near Durham city for exploring the cathedral and riverside, or a rural retreat deeper into the Durham Dales, you will find options to match your style of travel.

  • Strawberry Hill Farm Caravan and Camping Park WolsinghamElectric hook-ups, hardstanding pitches, hot showers, laundry room, and scenic Weardale views
  • Doe Park Caravan Site CotherstoneElectric hook-ups, toilets, showers, dishwashing area, and riverside walks nearby
  • Crimdon Dene Holiday Park HartlepoolElectric hook-ups, modern toilet and shower block, on-site shop, and direct beach access
  • Barnard Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site Barnard CastleHardstanding and grass pitches, electric hook-ups, Wi-Fi, showers, and waste disposal point
  • Finchale Abbey Touring Park DurhamElectric hook-ups, hardstanding pitches, toilets, showers, and riverside location close to Durham city

What you need to know about roads and motorways in Durham

Durham's road network centres on the A1(M) motorway, which runs north–south through the county and is toll-free. Speed limits for motorhomes over 3.05 tonnes are 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. The A66 crosses the western dales and can be exposed in winter, so check conditions before heading into the Pennines. Many rural roads in the Durham Dales are single-track with passing places — manageable in a campervan but worth planning around in a larger motorhome. Rest areas and services are available along the A1(M) at intervals.

Frequently asked questions

What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Durham

Thomas
5 / 5

The best experience ever!! Amazing van and amazing people who run it

Gary
5 / 5

Alfonso Y su pareja ha sido un placer tratar con ellos, son encantadores, muy educados, cuidaron nuestra autocaravana como si fuera suya y la devolvieron a tiempo, en perfectas condiciones y muy, muy limpia, la devolvieron igual que la recibieron. Los recomendamos encarecidamente, esperamos volver a verlos en el futuro. Muchas gracias. Gary y Michelle

Matthew
5 / 5

Lovely experience and fantastic van. Clean and worked very well. Leonardo and Eleanora were very friendly and helpful. One small feedback is the fridge did not work very well but otherwise its a great van.

Sergi
5 / 5

Muy buena experiencia. Ana nos ha tratado muy bien.

Eduardo
5 / 5

Proprietários espetaculares e super atenciosos. Autocaravana estava impecável, super confortável, excelente condução. Painéis solares dão autonomia total. Tudo impecável.

Donald
5 / 5

We had an amazing trip! Rafaela and Carina were so kind, and we couldn’t recommend their van enough 🤩🙏🏼 The van had everything we needed for a proper “van life” experience, and you can also stay at campsites whenever you want!

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