Windermere, Wasdale and the western fells
Motorhome Hire in Lake District
Motorhome hire for the Lake District direct from private owners. Pick up near Kendal, Penrith or Windermere with full insurance and 24/7 cover. Book instantly.
Why hire a motorhome in the Lake District
The Lakes squeeze the highest density of motorhome-worthy stops in England into a 30-mile square — and a van lets you skip the hotel scramble at peak weekends. You can do Windermere, Ullswater and Buttermere from a single base, take the Wrynose and Hardknott passes only if your van is small enough to commit, and time the Wasdale or Borrowdale evenings for a sunset over the fells.
Best Lake District motorhome routes
A Kendal-to-Keswick loop via Coniston and Wasdale covers the western lakes; an Ullswater-to-Penrith run does the quieter north-east. Honister Pass and Whinlatter are fine for most motorhomes; Hardknott is for adventurous drivers in vans under 6m only. Many renters base in Coniston or Glenridding to skip the Bowness traffic entirely.
Hire and parking tips
Stick to formal Caravan & Motorhome Club sites or one of the dozens of CL5 (5-pitch) sites in the Lakes — wild camping is restricted on most lake-shore land. Cumbria Tourism's overnight motorhome pages list current aire-style locations. HireMyMotorhome bookings include hire & reward insurance and 24/7 breakdown, so if a pass blocks (rare but possible in winter) you have backup.
Where to head from Lake District
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Common questions about motorhome hire in Lake District
Where do Lake District motorhome pickups happen?
Kendal, Penrith, Windermere and Keswick are the most common pickup points. Some owners also offer collection from the West Coast Mainline station at Oxenholme — handy if you're training in from London or Manchester.
Can I take a motorhome over the Hardknott or Wrynose passes?
Only with a small van (under 6m) and confident driving — both passes hit 1-in-3 gradients with hairpins. Most renters skip them and use the A66/A595 to reach Wasdale and the west. Honister and Whinlatter are easier alternatives for the central fells.
Are there motorhome-friendly campsites near Windermere?
Yes — Limefitt, Park Cliffe and the Caravan & Motorhome Club site at Troutbeck Head are popular bases. Book ahead in summer; Lakes inventory fills earliest of any UK region.
Is the Lake District good for first-time motorhome renters?
It can be, if you stick to the main valley roads (A591, A66, A595) and pick a smaller van. The fell passes and minor lakes roads are challenging for first-timers — most owners will flag which routes their van is and isn't suited to.
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