Campervan and Motorhome hire — Newtownards

Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Newtownards 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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Why choose Newtownards for your road trip

Newtownards — a city worth exploring

Newtownards sits at the northern tip of Strangford Lough, one of the largest sea inlets in the British Isles, covering roughly 150 square kilometres of sheltered tidal water. The town's iconic Scrabo Tower, built in 1857 as a memorial to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, rises 41 metres above Scrabo Hill and offers sweeping views across County Down and beyond. History enthusiasts can explore the Movilla Abbey ruins, a 6th-century monastic site just north of the town centre, or visit the Ards Arts Centre housed in the beautifully restored Town Hall on Conway Square. A short drive south brings you to Mount Stewart, a National Trust estate with world-renowned gardens stretching along the lough shore. Belfast is only 16 km to the west, while the seaside town of Donaghadee lies 11 km to the east, making Newtownards an ideal base for day trips. The surrounding Ards Peninsula provides quiet coastal roads well suited to campervan travel, with gentle terrain and plenty of laybys for stopping to take in the scenery. If you fancy exploring further afield, the Mourne Mountains and the Causeway Coast are both within easy reach. With Yescapa, you can hire a motorhome or campervan directly from local owners in the area, giving you the flexibility to set your own pace and discover this corner of Northern Ireland on your own terms.

Best time to visit

Newtownards is a rewarding destination throughout the year. May to September brings the longest days and warmest weather, ideal for exploring the Ards Peninsula by campervan. The annual Ards International Guitar Festival, typically held in late November, draws musicians and fans from across the UK and Ireland. Summer weekends can be popular around Strangford Lough, so booking your motorhome through Yescapa ahead of time helps you secure the best choice from local owners at competitive peer-to-peer prices. Spring and autumn are quieter, with mild conditions perfect for coastal drives and fewer vehicles on the narrow peninsula roads.

Top getaways from Newtownards

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

Newtownards to Portaferry

55km south 1–3 days

Head 55 km south along the eastern shore of the Ards Peninsula, passing through Kircubbin and Portavogie. Stop at Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry and catch the ferry across to Strangford village. Campervan parking is available at the harbour, and the coastal road is well surfaced throughout.

Newtownards to Bangor and the North Down Coast

40km east 1–3 days

Drive 40 km east and north through Donaghadee to Bangor, taking in the Copeland Islands viewpoint and Ballyholme Beach. Visit Bangor Castle and its Walled Garden, then explore the marina. Motorhome-friendly parking is available near the seafront, making this a relaxed short break.

Newtownards to the Mourne Mountains

130km south 3–6 days

Travel 130 km south through Downpatrick, where you can visit Saint Patrick's grave at Down Cathedral, before reaching Newcastle at the foot of the Mournes. Hike Slieve Donard or explore Tollymore Forest Park. Several campsites near Newcastle welcome campervans and offer electric hook-ups.

Newtownards to the Glens of Antrim

160km north 3–6 days

Head 160 km north via Larne to explore the nine Glens of Antrim. Walk the Gobbins cliff path, visit Glenariff Forest Park and its waterfalls, and stop in Cushendall. The Antrim Coast Road is well suited to motorhome travel, with regular laybys and scenic pull-ins along the way.

Newtownards to the Causeway Coast

250km northwest 5–8 days

Cover 250 km north-west to reach Portrush, Bushmills, and the Giant's Causeway. Cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and sample whiskey at Bushmills Distillery. Campervan pitches are plentiful along the coast, and the route passes through Ballycastle, a great overnight stop.

Newtownards to Donegal

280km northwest 5–8 days

Journey 280 km west and north into County Donegal, stopping at the Marble Arch Caves near Enniskillen en route. Explore Slieve League's towering sea cliffs and the sandy beaches at Rossnowlagh. Roads are quieter here, and several well-equipped campsites dot the Donegal coastline for overnight stays.

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 Newtownards

Recommended campsites

The Newtownards area offers a good selection of campsites, many positioned along the shores of Strangford Lough or on the Ards Peninsula coastline. You will find sites catering to both campervans and motorhomes, with facilities ranging from basic pitches to full-service parks with electric hook-ups, showers, and waste disposal points. Several sites sit within easy reach of the town centre, making it simple to stock up on supplies before heading out to explore.

  • Ganaway Activity Centre & Caravan Park Millisle (10km southeast)Electric hook-ups, showers, toilets, laundry, play area, direct beach access
  • Ballyhalbert Holiday Park Ballyhalbert (22km southeast)Electric hook-ups, showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, on-site shop, sea views
  • Delamont Country Park Camping Killyleagh (25km south)Hardstanding pitches, toilets, showers, nature trails, lough-side location
  • Castle Ward Caravan Park Strangford (35km south)Electric hook-ups, showers, toilets, National Trust estate access, woodland walks
  • Tollymore Forest Park Campsite Newcastle (65km south)Tent and campervan pitches, toilets, showers, forest trails, river walks

Where to park your motorhome

Newtownards has several car parks in and around the town centre that can accommodate larger vehicles, though spaces for motorhomes may be limited during busy periods. Overnight parking in public car parks is generally not permitted unless specifically signed. It is worth checking local council guidance before settling in for the night. Dedicated motorhome service points are available at some nearby campsites along the Ards Peninsula.

  • Conway Square Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Central pay-and-display car park in the town centre, suitable for shorter vehicles. Height restrictions may apply for larger motorhomes.
  • Ards Shopping Centre Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Large car park adjacent to the shopping centre with generous bays. Check signage for any overnight restrictions.
  • Scrabo Country Park Car Park, 2km west — Free car park at the base of Scrabo Tower with space for campervans. Ideal for a day visit but no overnight stays permitted.
  • Portaferry Road Park and Ride, 3km south — Spacious park-and-ride facility south of town with room for larger vehicles. Convenient for accessing Belfast by bus.

Frequently asked questions

What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Newtownards

Nikola
5 / 5

Everyting more than perfect, happy to welcome you again!

Nikola
5 / 5

Amazing renters, welcome again )

Matthew
5 / 5

We rented this camper van for a two-week trip through the Alps and southern france, it was fantastic from start to finish. The van was reliable and easy to drive, even on the steep, winding alpine mountain roads. It also performed exceptionally well on the motorways, with cruise control making the longer journeys comfortable and stress-free. The layout was perfect for two people. The rear seating folds out to a bed and pop-top roof bed provided plenty of space and privacy when sleeping. During the day, the seating area and well-equipped kitchen made the van feel comfortable and practical, while the retractable awning was great for relaxing outside on warm evenings. The owners were incredibly friendly and welcoming. On arrival, they took the time to explain all the features of the van and made sure we were comfortable before setting off. The return process was just as easy and straightforward. Overall, this is a fantastic camper van owned by a lovely family. We had an amazing trip and would highly recommend both the van and its owners to anyone looking for a memorable campervan adventure. We would happily rent from them again in the future.

Wayne
5 / 5

Incredibly easy- Hector was there to talk us through everything. He was happy to answer all of our questions and gave us excellent practical advice. We felt fully supported abd it gave us a real confidence boost when we took control of the camper. We had to contact Hector during out trip sbout the van and he was on hand and easy to engage with. Ditto with our drop off. We loved using the camper: it was confortable and easily accommodated our family of 5 (including two teenagers!). It was a wonderful way to explore the Basque Country and we would definitely be up for doing it again.

Maya
4 / 5

Tuvimos una gran semana con la furgo, yo y dos hijos adultos. El dueño Samu fue de mucha ayuda por mensajes de texto para extra preguntas mientras estuvimos fuera, y nos llevó a la estación después de devolver la furgo

Elizabeth
5 / 5

We had a lovely trip. The van has absolutely everything you need, and Pedro and Davids were so helpful and kind. Would recommend this van!