Campervan bookings surge following washout summer

A specialist camper van rental company is experiencing a surge in autumn bookings as disgruntled Britons head to the continent to escape the misery of the washout summer.

With parts of the country experiencing the wettest August since records began, Southampton firm Kamper Hire have found themselves ideally placed for holidaymakers travelling to France and Spain in search of the most elusive commodity: blue sky.

Located only 30 minutes drive from the ferry port at Portsmouth, Kamper Hire’s customers have the largest choice of ferry destinations in the UK with eight different routes to France and Spain - and autumn is becoming an increasingly popular time to travel to the continent.

“We get a lot of rentals at this time of year from couples and families with pre-school children who aren’t tied to school holidays, and want to extend their summer by heading south,” explains Kamper Hire’s Mark Daysh.

“The vans are also really popular with surfers touring south-west France and the Spanish Basque coast. It’s no secret that September and October are prime time for surfing in southern Europe,and sea temperatures in Biscay still over 20 degrees centigrade. And for surfers, our VW Californias are ideal because they offer the flexibility to move around and follow the good waves and warm weather.”

While much of the UK languishes beneath a wet blanket of cumulo nimbus, temperatures in the south of France hit the mid 30s at the weekend. And with Spain and France typically enjoying warm, settled weather throughout autumn, the region has never looked so appealing.

Perfect for a touring holiday, Kamper Hire’s fleet of brand new VW ‘California’ conversions are fitted out to the highest specification, with everything required for a week on the road, including a gas cooker, fridge, sink with running water, and all crockery and cooking utensils.

The £38,000 vans can accommodate four people with ease: the front seats swivel round so everyone can sit around the dining table; the main cabin seats convert to a comfortable double bed, and children love the electrically powered pop-top roof bedroom.

Weekly rental rates for the T5s start at £550 inclusive of VAT, unlimited mileage in the UK, insurance for one named driver, roadside recovery and a welcome pack. Optional extras include cycle and surfboard racks, awnings and sun canopies, and European satellite navigation systems.

More information can be found at Kamperhire.co.uk.

Cultural & Sporting highlights in the region

International Surf Boat Racing - 5 to 6 September
60 crews from Europe and Australia will take part at Ocean Thunder - spectacular surf boat racing on Biarritz’s Grand Plage.

‘Borderline’ at the Guggenheim - ends 6th October
Exhibition showcasing the work of five artists from the 1970s post-minimalism movement at Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim museum.

Surfing’s World Championships - 19 September to 12 October
Surfing legend Kelly Slater could secure a record ninth world title as two back-to-back rounds of the elite ASP World Championship Tour come to Europe.
Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor, SW France - 19-28 September
Billabong Pro, Mundaka, Spanish Basque country - 29 September to 12 October

La Fête du Piment à Espelette - 25 to 26 October
Festival celebrating the famous A.O.C. red piment peppers from the village of Espelette in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.