June 2025
Freedom on four wheels: Spontaneity and time in nature driving Brits to van life
CamperDays reveals exclusive insights, including:
One in two Brits have been on a campervan or motorhome holiday
60% of baby boomers cited spontaneity as most appealing aspect
Biggest draw for Gen Z and millennials is ability to spend more time in nature (55%)
New data* from CamperDays, Europe’s leading camper tour operator, has revealed that one in two Brits have been on a campervan or motorhome holiday, however when it comes to appeal, there is a clear generational shift.
For baby boomers, the ability to be spontaneous and travel whenever and wherever is what’s most appealing about a campervan or motorhome holiday. However, for more than half of Gen Z (50%) and millennials (55%), the biggest draw is being able to spend more time in nature.
Of those who have never been on a campervanning trip, 47% attribute concerns around driving a large vehicle as the main reason for not travelling. This increases among Baby Boomers, with over half (52%) nervous about driving a larger vehicle.
The resurgence in popularity of this traditional holiday among younger generations comes as no surprise as the proliferation of social media has inspired ‘quieter’ and ‘slow’ life trends, with campervanning holidays allowing travellers to take a break from electronics and get back into nature.
Max Schmidt, head of and chief adventurer of CamperDays, says, “There’s clearly a strong appetite for campervan and motorhome holidays in the UK, and we can attribute this to a significant cultural shift toward flexible, self-directed travel post-pandemic, which has led to an increased appreciation for domestic tourism, nature and sustainability.
“In a reality where hotel and holiday home rental costs are surging, campervan holidays offer a unique blend of affordability, adventure and autonomy which can appeal to a broad range of traveller - whether that’s a baby boomer tired of traditional package holidays and full-to-the-brim organised tours or a millennial keen to escape the rat race.
“Campervan and motorhome holidays offer a unique opportunity to be immersed in your natural surroundings without sacrificing on your home comforts, such as a shower or hot meal. Not only this, but you also have the freedom and flexibility to change plans and explore at your own pace.
“For those who are putting off their dream road trip due to concerns around driving a large vehicle, I’d urge you to give it a go. There are plenty of easy routes for first-timers which are largely flat with straight roads – perfect for finding your feet - you’ll quickly come to love it!”
*A nationally representative survey of 2,028 UK-based motorists
About CamperDays
Launched in Germany in 2013, CamperDays is Europe’s leading camper tour operator, working with 150 partners in over 1,000 locations globally.
CamperDays facilitates access to over 40,000 vehicles available for rent worldwide, including in the UK, Europe, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa. The platform allows customers to choose from a selection of trusted providers globally via an easy three step booking process, with rentals available from just £70 per day.
Since it was launched, CamperDays customers have booked over 1,000,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. CamperDays provides access to a broad selection of campervans and motorhomes catering to every type of traveller, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs. All vehicles come with insurance, with excess, as standard, to allow renters a truly carefree holiday.