Winter camping in a motorhome or campervan

Winter camping in a motorhome or campervan can be a fantastic experience and offers something different to summer adventures.

In this guide to winter camping, we highlight important things to consider, how to prepare your vehicle, and some great places to visit during your trip.

Things to consider when camping in winter

When planning your winter camping expedition, there are certain things you should consider to make sure your trip is an enjoyable experience and one to remember for all the right reasons. These include:

1. Keeping warm: You’re not going to have an enjoyable winter camping experience if you’re really cold, so ensure you have an efficient heating system in place, whether this is a storage heater or central heating. Find out more about keeping your vehicle warm.
2. Layer up: As well as having the heating on in your motorhome or campervan, you should pack layers for both you and your bed so you can get cosy on cold winter nights. Thermals and wool blankets are perfect examples of great layers for winter camping.
3. Stock the cupboards: In case you have to stop unexpectedly due to bad weather conditions or can’t get to a supermarket, stock your vehicle’s cupboards with food and drink so you can park up safely in the knowledge you have all you need until you can get on the road again.
4. Plan your route: When camping in winter, you shouldn’t risk travelling off the beaten path too much as smaller country lanes and lesser travelled roads may not be prepared for snow and ice. Plan your route using main roads where possible and double-check that your chosen campsites are fully open over the winter months as some close down or only offer selected facilities during quieter periods.
5. Be confident: Although winter camping in your motorhome or campervan may sound like a great idea, you need to be confident about driving in unfavourable conditions, such as snow and sleet. Motorhomes and campervans are trickier to drive than cars in wintery weather, so take this into consideration before setting off.

Preparing your vehicle for winter camping

There are many ways in which you can prepare your motorhome or campervan before heading out on your winter camping trip so your vehicle is safe to use, warm, and prepared for freezing temperatures.

Insulation

Ensuring your motorhome or campervan has efficient insulation will help you stay warm throughout your winter camping experience. Insulating your vehicle can cover everything from adding insulation to the walls, ceiling, and floors, filling in gaps around windows, hanging thermal curtains, and putting down cosy rugs.

Winterising your motorhome or campervan

If temperatures are likely to drop below freezing during your winter camping adventure, you should consider winterising your vehicle. Winterising your motorhome or campervan means ensuring the water in your tanks and pipes won’t freeze and cause damage. Steps involved in winterising include:

• Turning off the water supply
• Opening the drain-off valves
• Flushing the toilet and turning on the taps
• Removing any excess water using a small compressor

Find out more about winterising your vehicle, including the steps to take if you won’t be using your motorhome or campervan over winter.

Snow tyres and chains

If you’re planning on driving on icy or snow-covered roads, it’s best to fit your motorhome or campervan with snow tyres. This will help keep you safe and make sure wintery road conditions don’t negatively impact your journey. If you don’t have snow tyres, consider using snow chains which help to tackle snow- or ice-covered road surfaces. However, using snow chains when there isn’t a layer of ice or snow on the road can cause damage to your vehicle, so these should be used with caution.

The best places to go winter camping in the UK

Now that you’ve taken all important winter camping requirements into consideration and have prepared your motorhome or campervan for the wintery weather, you can start thinking about where to travel. Here are some exciting winter camping destination ideas in the UK:

Christmas markets

If you’re planning your winter camping trip in the lead-up to Christmas, a town or city hosting a Christmas market is a great option. Drink warming mulled wine or hot chocolate, indulge in seasonal treats, have fun at fairground attractions, buy festive decorations for your vehicle, and get into the Christmas spirit. York, Chester, Cardiff, and Bath all have lovely options to explore.

New Year celebrations

Choose winter camping over New Year, and you can take your motorhome or campervan to one of many amazing New Year celebrations. See London’s famous fireworks, immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s unmissable celebrations, or simply find a traditional town with a classic pub where you can get cosy and countdown to midnight.

Seasonal walks

Seasonal walks across wintery landscapes are a lovely way to pass the time during a winter camping trip. Many campsites are based amongst stunning scenery, with fields, parkland, and woods all offering excellent walking opportunities, and there are often maps and guides available to help you make to most of your winter wander. The Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, New Forest, and the Norfolk Coast Path are all popular options.

You might also like to take a look at the 10 best caravan parks in Scotland for inspiration, many of which welcome motorhomes and campervans.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to prepare my vehicle for winter camping?

Yes, it’s important to prepare your motorhome or campervan for winter camping, especially if temperatures will fall below zero. Consider winterising your vehicle, adding insulation, and making sure you have the correct tyres before planning your trip.

Are campsites open over winter?

Many campsites across the UK are open over winter, although some may offer fewer facilities during the colder months when they’re typically quieter. Research where you’d like to stop and your chosen campsite’s winter amenities to check they have all you need.

What should I pack for a winter camping trip?

There are a few things that you should definitely consider packing for your winter camping trip so you’re prepared for any potential issues. These include:

• Blankets and warm layers
• A snow shovel and ice scraper
• A torch
• Canned food and bottled water
• Essential toiletries and medications

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe

Ready to experience winter camping in your motorhome or campervan? Campervan and Motorhome insurance can provide you with additional peace of mind when you hit the road.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe allows you to build your policy so you can tailor your cover to suit you and protect your motorhome against things like theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage.

Motorhome insurance through Ripe also offers optional add-ons, including enhanced windscreen cover, personal accident cover, continental Europe cover, legal expenses cover, and key cover.

Find out more about specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe and get a free online quote today.