Southampton sits on the southern coast of England, on a peninsular between the mouths of the rivers Test and Itchen, 120 miles south-west of London. It is a busy place, called the Cruise Capital of Europe, with over four million visitors a year. A motorhome hire in Southampton will allow you the freedom to plan your own itinerary and explore the quieter lanes and byways.
From Southampton, you can easily get to
London and
Bristol. In case you would like to explore continental Europe, you can take a ferry to
France from either Portsmouth or Bournemouth.
Compare brands on Southampton campervan rental with Motorhome Republic
What sort of camper do you need for your Great British Road Trip? Is this a romantic second honey-moon excursion, or an adventure with the whole tribe? Whatever type of van you are after, we can find it for you at Motorhome Republic. Input some details into our search engine and once we have your city of pick-up and dates of travel, we can show you all available campers – from cosy pop-tops to giant 8-berth sleepers. It is easy to compare, as you can see all the vans on screen and use filters to narrow your choice further. Once you’ve found the perfect van, book securely online with the confidence of a best price guarantee. Still got questions? Give one of our friendly, multi-lingual motorhome experts a call - they are available around the clock. We have over 100,000 happy campers who have booked their road trip with us and you can read some of their genuine feedback in our independent review section, thanks to TrustPilot.
What to see and do in Southampton
Up until the 1930s, Southampton was England’s largest passenger port for transatlantic travel. The SeaCity Museum explores the historic connection with the Titanic and the sea, in a state-of-the-art interactive centre. The 1930s Art Deco building that the museum is housed in is also home to the city’s art gallery.
Southampton was a medieval walled city and the stretches of unbroken wall are best viewed from the Western Esplanade, where you will also find the Wind Whistle Tower. Follow the walls to Mayflower Park, where there is a memorial to the pilgrim flowers.
Southampton’s football team, the Saints, is back in England’s Premier League. Try to plan your visit for a weekend of a home game.
Food, drink and nightlife in Southampton
The Handmade Burger Co is a unique concept. Their award-winning burgers are made from traditionally reared, grass-fed and 100% traceable prime Scotch beef. They make over 40 varieties of burger and can also cater for vegetarians.
The Chariteas tearooms are in a lovely Edwardian tea lounge and specialise in high and afternoon teas. Not only do they serve up a mean scone with jam and clotted cream, but proceeds support disabled or disadvantaged people.
The best pub in town is the Platform Tavern, a boho blues bar that has its own beer label, Dancing Men.
Where to stay in Southampton
Sunnydale Farm Camping and Caravan site is three miles from the city centre of Southampton, and is also conveniently located for catching ferries to the Isle of Wight and Europe. It is on the edge of Netley Abbey Village and the famous sailing centre of Hamble.
Riverside Holidays is a campsite in Hamble village, adjacent a marina. It is open over the summer months.
South Coast Road Trips from Southampton
Southampton is a handy starting point for some enjoyable road trips. It is the closest town to the New Forest National Park. From there, keep heading west to Lyme Regis and onward through Cornwall to St Ives. It will take you around four hours of driving time, but can be broken up with stops in villages. From Southampton to the Isle of Wight will take about two hours of travelling, including the ferry ride.
Staying safe in Southampton: Driving Tips
The ‘Roundabout’ is a common traffic device in the UK. There will be a sign before the roundabout telling you which exit you need to take, so pay attention and be ready before you need to leave the flow of traffic. A navigator or GPS is a great help for any car rental road trip!
