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.
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.
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.
Newtownards is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.
Discover
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
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
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
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!
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.
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.
The hire experience was excellent throughout. The owners were very friendly, accommodating and easy to deal with. We had such a good trip. The van is really well looked after and a pleasure to drive. The owners helped with anything we were unsure of and even gave us tips on where to eat and park up. We would definitely hire through these owners again.
We hired Trina for 5 nights earlier this July. My girlfriend and I had a fantastic time on the island. Jandro was incredibly helpful, always on hand before and during the trip to answer any questions which really helped us navigate the island and enjoy our trip. The vehicle was fantastic, an incredible experience to drive. All the amenities were brilliant as well. I would highly recommend using Jandro and one of his vans for a fantastic Mallorca experience!
Communication with the owner was great, van was immaculate, heaps of choice, love the peer to peer concept. Easy to add an extra driver and ID checks were very thorough but straightforward. Changing dates wasn't so easy, the owner was great, but the process at the back end took some manual effort. Teething problems, not a big deal. Main area that needs improving (for me anyway) is the deposit. There was a single line in a table stating Deposit: cash or transfer, that I hadn't seen. The owner asked for the cash or a transfer when we were at the car, which he explained was normal process, but Yescapa could have explained beforehand. I transferred €2000 directly to the owner, which didn't feel comfortable. I had expected this would all be done via Yescapa. I ended up losing €45 in exchange rate variations + fees as well, the owner's bank had challenges which meant it to 5 days to get a lot of cash back. It was lucky we had that amount at hand. I would use Yescapa again. I hope they can tidy up and improve the processes though.
Very easy and open person… all went well , on time and with all the agremants.
Incredible time spent across the south of France with an incredible van! From beach, lakes, mountains and fields, it got me places I didn’t even pre conceive. Can’t speak more highly of my over all experience from van collection at train station to drop off. Drives smoother than my Suzuki jimny and can confirm very 6ft 4 friendly.
We had an amazing experience hiring Eli's campervan! It was perfect for our family of four – myself, my partner, and our two young daughters. The van was spotless, comfortable, and had everything we needed for our trip. It was easy to drive, well-equipped, and made exploring the malaga so much more enjoyable. The owners were friendly, helpful, and made the whole rental process smooth from start to finish. We made some unforgettable family memories and wouldn't hesitate to rent this campervan again. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fun, comfortable, and hassle-free adventure in Spain. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
