Interest in campervans and motorhomes has soared across the UK this spring, despite growing restrictions on parking and overnight stays in some areas.
New data from online classifieds platform Gumtree showed how searches for campervans, motorhomes and caravans have jumped by 133 per cent since the start of 2026.
That surge has been happening despite some councils introducing tighter rules on overnight parking and sleeping in vehicles in popular tourist hotspots.
The increase in demand was also found to be outpacing the wider car market. Over the same period, general vehicle interest has risen by just 33 per cent, meaning leisure vehicle demand is climbing around four times faster.
Experts said they now believe the early arrival of warmer spring weather is helping fuel the trend. During the first weekend of March, reports recorded the highest level of campervan and motorhome demand on the site since last September.
Interest is expected to keep climbing, with enquiries forecast to reach twice their January levels by April as the spring buying season gathers pace.
The boom highlighted how more Britons are planning staycations and flexible road trips instead of traditional holidays.
Campervans and motorhomes allow travellers to visit multiple destinations on a single journey, whether that is coastal drives, countryside escapes or national park adventures.
Reports showed a growing interest in motorhomes and campervans ahead of the peak spring and summer period
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GETTYFor many households, the ability to combine travel and accommodation in one vehicle has become increasingly appealing as holiday costs rise.
Research from VisitBritain suggested accommodation costs remain the biggest obstacle for people hoping to take a domestic break.
Its Domestic Sentiment Tracker found 41 per cent of UK adults stating that the cost of accommodation was the main reason stopping them from booking a UK holiday.
Using a campervan or motorhome can remove the need for hotels or short-term rentals, making trips more affordable for families and couples looking to explore Britain, experts detailed. Demand was also strongest in areas close to the coast or countryside rather than major cities.
Motorhomes and campervans have faced several parking and road restrictions in the UK this year | PAWhile general car searches were often concentrated in urban hubs such as London, Manchester and Glasgow, leisure vehicle interest was found to be centred in regions that act as gateways for touring holidays.
Fife in Scotland currently generated the most interest, with listings receiving more than 45,600 views. It was closely followed by County Antrim in Northern Ireland, which has attracted over 43,200 views.
Essex ranked third, while Lancashire and West Yorkshire complete the top five areas for campervan and caravan demand.
Industry experts stated the figures suggest buyers are planning road trips as temperatures rise and daylight hours increase.
More campervan parking bans have been introduced in the past few years | NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCILLouis Maxwell, motoring expert at Gumtree, said the market for leisure vehicles remained strong despite wider economic pressures.
He said: “Year-on-year trends show a stable and resilient market for self-contained travel. The first weekend in March has recorded the highest level of campervan and motorhome demand on Gumtree since September, suggesting the spring buying season is already gathering momentum.
“With availability currently strong, buyers are encouraged to begin their search early before competition intensifies as spring progresses.”
Some models have already begun attracting particularly strong interest. The Volkswagen Transporter is currently the most viewed campervan base vehicle on the platform, with more than 74,000 views.
It is followed by the Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato, both popular choices for campervan conversions thanks to their reliability and adaptable interiors.
