Campervan & Motorhome Holidays with Dogs (UK)

The same law applies to a campervan as to a car: under Highway Code Rule 57, a dog must be suitably restrained so it cannot distract or injure you, or itself, in a crash. In a van the best options are a crash-tested travel harness clipped to a seatbelt point, or a secured travel crate - ideally fixed in the cab or just behind it, not loose in the living area where there are no seatbelts.

Never let a dog ride loose in the habitation area of a motorhome while driving: the rear of a van is full of hard surfaces and unsecured furniture, and an unrestrained dog becomes a projectile in a collision. Plan regular stops on longer drives so your dog can stretch, drink and toilet, just as you would on any road trip.

This is the single most important thing to understand about van life with a dog. A parked campervan or motorhome heats up even faster and hotter than a car - the large glass area, metal body and confined space turn it into an oven within minutes, even on a mild day with the windows cracked. Dogs die in hot vehicles every summer, and a van is among the worst.

The rule is simple: never leave your dog alone in a parked van in warm weather. Park in shade, use windows, roof vents and a fan to keep air moving when you are inside, and on hot days plan activities you can do together rather than ever leaving the dog behind. If your dog shows signs of heatstroke - heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, collapse - it is an emergency: cool the dog with tepid water and contact a vet immediately. The Highway Code and animal-welfare bodies are unanimous on this.

Most of the UK touring infrastructure is dog-friendly. The big membership clubs - the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club - welcome dogs at the great majority of their sites, as do most commercial holiday parks and small certificated locations (small, basic five-van sites, often on farms, which tend to be the most dog-friendly of all).

Look for sites with dog-walking fields or direct access to footpaths, and book dog-friendly pitches ahead in peak season. Many farm and rural sites have few restrictions; some larger holiday parks limit numbers or breeds, so check before booking. For a fuller rundown of dog-friendly campsites and what to look for, see our dedicated camping guide linked below - this guide focuses on the van-specific side.

Good pitch manners keep sites dog-friendly for everyone. Keep your dog on a lead or a secured long line on the pitch and around the site, never leave it tied up unattended, and always clean up immediately. Be mindful of barking - a dog that reacts to every passing van or dog disturbs the whole site, so settle anxious dogs inside.

Use the designated dog-walking areas where provided, keep dogs out of toilet and shower blocks and any on-site food areas, and respect any quiet hours. A well-behaved dog is the best advert for the next van owner being welcomed.