European Motorhome Holidays

A motorhome does not stop at the English Channel. Some of the finest motorhome touring in the world is found on the other side of the water — in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and beyond. At Heath's Motorhome Hire in Pontefract, we are happy for our customers to take their hired motorhome to continental Europe, and we have helped many families, couples, and groups plan unforgettable European adventures. With the right preparation, a European motorhome holiday is one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have.

The first decision is how to cross the Channel. There are two main options: the ferry and the Eurotunnel. The ferry services from Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk are the most popular routes for motorhomes, with crossings taking around 90 minutes. The ferries are spacious, well-equipped, and accustomed to motorhome traffic — you simply drive on, head up to the passenger decks for the crossing, and drive off on the other side. The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service from Folkestone to Calais takes around 35 minutes and keeps you in your vehicle throughout the crossing, which some motorhome travellers prefer. Both options are easy to book online, and we recommend securing your crossing well in advance during peak summer months.

There are also ferry routes from further north that can save you driving time. The Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge ferries, operated by P&O, are an overnight crossing that puts you on the continent ready to start your holiday the following morning. Hull is approximately 55 minutes from our Pontefract depot, making this a particularly convenient option for our customers. The North Shields to Amsterdam ferry, operated by DFDS, is another possibility, around two hours from Pontefract. Both services offer comfortable cabins and onboard restaurants, and the overnight crossing means you do not lose a day of your holiday to driving south.

Before you travel, there are a few important administrative matters to arrange. You will need to ensure that your travel insurance covers motorhome use in Europe — we can provide guidance on this during your booking. A European breakdown cover policy is strongly recommended, as standard UK cover typically does not extend across the Channel. You will need a valid passport for all travellers, and depending on your destination, you may need to carry additional documentation such as a GB sticker, a high-visibility vest for each passenger, a warning triangle, spare bulbs, and a breathalyser kit. French law requires several of these items, and while enforcement varies, it is always best to be prepared.

France is the most popular European destination for British motorhome travellers, and with good reason. The country is vast, varied, and extraordinarily welcoming to motorhomes. The French aire system — a network of thousands of dedicated motorhome parking and service areas, many of them free — is the envy of the motorhome world. These aires range from simple gravel parking areas beside a village to fully equipped facilities with electricity, water, and waste disposal. Many are located in stunning settings — beside rivers, in the shadow of chateaux, or overlooking vineyards — and they allow you to explore France at minimal cost.

The Normandy coast is an easy first stop after crossing from the UK, and its combination of D-Day history, charming harbour towns, and outstanding seafood makes it a rewarding region in its own right. The Bayeux Tapestry, the beaches of Omaha and Utah, and the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel are all within comfortable motorhome range. Further south, the Loire Valley offers chateaux, wine tasting, and gentle cycling along the river. Brittany, with its rugged coastline and Celtic heritage, has a character all its own.

For those with more time, the south of France is the ultimate prize. The Dordogne, with its medieval hilltop villages, walnut groves, and prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux, is classic motorhome territory. Provence offers lavender fields, Roman ruins at Arles and Orange, and the dramatic gorges of the Verdon. The Camargue, where the Rhone delta meets the Mediterranean, is a wild, flat landscape of salt marshes, flamingos, and white horses. And the Cote d'Azur, from Cassis to Menton, provides the glamour of the French Riviera at a fraction of the cost of a hotel stay.

Spain and Portugal are increasingly popular with our customers, particularly those who hire for two weeks or more. The northern coast of Spain — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia — offers dramatic scenery, superb food, and far fewer tourists than the Mediterranean coast. Portugal's Algarve and Alentejo regions are beautiful in spring and autumn, when the temperatures are pleasant and the campsites are quiet. Both countries have well-established motorhome infrastructure, with aires, campsites, and service points widely available.

Driving in Europe requires a few adjustments. You will be driving on the right, which feels unfamiliar for the first few miles but becomes natural surprisingly quickly. Our motorhomes are right-hand drive, which means overtaking requires extra care — having a passenger to check the road ahead is invaluable. Speed limits, road signs, and driving conventions vary between countries, so we recommend familiarising yourself with the rules of each country you plan to visit. Toll roads are common in France, Spain, and Italy, and a motorhome typically falls into a higher toll category than a car — budget accordingly.

A European motorhome holiday is an adventure in the truest sense. The freedom to cross borders, explore different cultures, taste different cuisines, and wake up in a different country is something that no other form of travel quite replicates. From our Pontefract depot, the continent is closer than you think — and with a motorhome from Heath's Motorhome Hire, it is waiting to be discovered.