What are the best motorhomes and campsites for seniors?

There are so many good things about owning a motorhome – they give you the chance to get away at a moment’s notice; they allow you to explore new places in this country and abroad; and, most importantly, they allow you to take all the comforts of home with you on your travels.

From the wilds of Scotland to the stunning coasts of Cornwall, the world is your oyster in a mobile home, and, better yet, you can pick a vehicle tailored to your specific needs.

The UK has a wealth of beautiful campsites, so it’s easy to find a suitable spot for camping, whether you prefer quiet seclusion or a more social setup.

Motorhomes don’t come cheap, and you’ll want to enjoy it throughout retirement.

That’s why it’s vital to protect your investment before going anywhere.

You’ll be in safe hands with Motorhome Protect – we have decades of experience helping motorhome owners find the right cover for them.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, and will find you reliable motorhome insurance in no time, suited to your budget and needs.

Security starts with quality cover, but it doesn’t stop there.

Take a look at our advice on the best motorhomes and campsites for seniors, then set out on your new adventure!

 

Which motorhomes best suit the elderly?

When searching for the perfect recreational vehicle, it’s important to consider the practicality of living and travelling in it for long periods of time.

A motorhome is often the best choice for senior travellers, as they’re larger than campervans, designed to provide a home-from-home on four wheels.

While a campervan is fun for shorter trips, it’s not an ideal fit for those with mobility issues, as space is limited.

Motorhomes, especially the larger A-Class types, are built with long-distance travel in mind, with most offering bathrooms, comfortable beds, living areas and kitchens, which include fridges, ovens and heaps of storage. Learn more about the other motorhome and campervan class types elsewhere on our blog.

With this in mind, we’ll be looking at the best motorhomes for older campers, focusing on comfort, accessibility and top-quality facilities.

Sun Living S 65SL motorhome

If you’re looking for a quality motorhome that won’t break the bank, this is a great pick. With a Fiat Ducato base and two sizeable fixed twin beds, its clever design makes for a surprisingly roomy yet compact vehicle.

If you’re less mobile, space to easily manoeuvre in the bathroom and living quarters matters, whether you’re on or off the road.

When it comes to motorhomes, this often means a longer, heftier house trailer. Not so with the Sun Living S 65SL motorhome, coming in at a length of 6.71m.

This feat is achieved via the inclusion of a handy tambour door, which replaces what would have been the front wall of the bathroom.

The door’s tracking enables the washroom to contract when it’s unoccupied, freeing up more space in the main section of the house trailer. 

The kitchen also benefits from space-saving design, featuring an L-shaped sink and hob unit, ample cupboard space, and an oven/grill.

Raised floors make life easier in the living area – all in all, a comfortable yet practical option.

 

Dethleffs Globetrotter XL I 7850-2 DBM

A truly luxurious pick, this mobile home offers style and comfort in spades.

With the choice between air-suspended or ergonomic seats, 6-speed automatic transmission and a Fiat Ducato base, the Globetrotter XL I will be the envy of every campsite.

Top-quality workmanship is evident throughout the design, which includes a stylish bathroom, roomy Gourmet Plus kitchen, cosy bedroom and lounge.

Extra wide doors with electric closing and 2-point locking are ideal for those with restricted mobility.

A large seating area with a panoramic window displays rolling landscapes and sunsets in all their glory.

While plenty of attention has been paid to the beautiful interior design, this house trailer has been built with safety and practicality in mind, too.

While quality motorhome insurance is a must, bright LED headlights make for safer driving, and the rot-proof construction of the floor, sidewalls and roof will help preserve your home from home for years to come.

Benimar Tessoro 483

If your main concern is top-notch sleeping quarters, the Benimar Tessoro 483 could be for you.

It can comfortably accommodate the grandkids, too, should you wish to bring them along, and comes with a Renault Master base.

The drop-down bed guarantees sublime comfort, gliding down from the roof to the height you wish.

The absence of cupboards beneath allows it to come down low, yet also provides better headroom for those sleeping in the lower bed.

This bed is well designed as it’s roomy and relatively flat, so everyone should get a good night’s sleep.

The bathroom is perfectly spacious, with the shower standing in a separate cubicle.

The living area includes a two-seater sofa, L-shaped settee and pair of swivel cab chairs, so if you invite a few friends round for a meal or a board game, there’s room enough for six of you.

The kitchen is also well-appointed, including a large fridge/freezer, microwave, hob and oven/grill.

 

Dethleffs Advantage Edition T 705l EB

This German-made mobile home ticks all the boxes.

Designed with both winter-proofing and comfort in mind, it comes with a range of added perks, such as a flat screen TV and satellite dish.

Sitting on a Fiat Ducato base, you’re able to choose between a single or island bed layout.

The single bed layout is particularly clever; it comes in both low or high bed forms, but if you like plenty of sleeping space, the low bed model is best.

Two single mattresses, a central cushion and additional slot-in centre cushion come together to form a 2.13m wide expanse, so you’re basically getting a super king-sized double – perfect for breakfast in bed.

For added privacy, the toilet door can close off the en-suite bedroom area, while the loo and shower can be sectioned off from the bedroom with a sliding screen.

The general living area includes an oven, tall fridge, twin sunroofs, and smart two-tone fabric furnishings.

Winterisation has been considered throughout the vehicle, wood inserts and cold spots are totally omitted.

A powerful heating seating system and inboard fresh water tank will make life much easier during the colder months, while glass reinforced plastic (GRP) on the roof and floor helps preserve your home.

XPS foam provides water-repellent insulation, so, all in all, your trailer should stay in optimum condition.

Burstner Elegance Grand Panorama I 920 G

If you hope to spend a considerable portion of your time cruising the countryside, a high-end model such as the Burstner Elegance I 920 G is well worth the spend.

This vehicle encapsulates the perfect blend of luxury and functionality, so you can enjoy five-star standards in your own mobile home.

Climb through the extra-wide door to find sumptuous interior design, as well as insulated and heated double floors with integrated storage.

A generous, fold-down bed can be electrically controlled, and multi-zone cold foam mattresses are also provided, so you’ll have ultimate comfort.

An L-shaped kitchen includes a deep sink and soft-close drawers, while the bathroom’s ample proportions are ideal for those with restricted mobility.

Enjoy smooth travels thanks to the low frame chassis and LED daytime running lights, which give added visibility. Check out our blog on what certain motorhome and campervan lights mean for some more info.

 

What UK campsites have the best facilities for elderly people?

Once you’ve picked your dream recreational vehicle, you’ll want to hit the road.

The UK has plenty of appealing campsites, boasting great facilities and interesting attractions nearby.

We’ve picked some of our favourites:

 

Bay View Farm Camping Site, Cornwall

If you prefer the peace of a smaller site, coastal Bay View Farm is a wonderful option.

With stunning views sweeping across Looe and St. George’s Island, you’ll have direct access to the South West Coast Path, perfect for exploring.

The site also provides more than adequate amenities.

You don’t have to venture far for a cream tea or hearty lunch, as the quaint villages of Looe and Polperro are only a stone’s throw away.

 

Ninham Country Holidays, Isle of Wight

You may long to travel further afield but feel daunted by a long plane journey.

That’s why the Isle of Wight is so fantastic – you get the perks of a trip abroad minus the headache of significant travel.

Situated a small distance from Shanklin, the Ninham Country Holidays campsite offers 230 pitches divided across two fields, a heated swimming pool and pretty footpaths – the site’s facilities are well kept.

Fun days out can be had in the lively seaside town of Shanklin, a charming tourist hotspot with first-rate fish and chips.

 

The Meadows, St Austell, Cornwall

An adults-only site, The Meadows is nestled in the Pentewan Valley, in an easily accessible location – no steep hills here.

A small slice of seclusion, it’s set across six acres of woodland, meadow and campground, perfect for nature lovers hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife such as deer, owls, otters and kingfishers.

Nearby sights include the Eden Project, Pentewan Sands and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

A bus service runs from right outside the site, with St Austell train and bus station only three miles away.

There’s a shop on site, and dogs are welcome, too.

Slapton Sands Camping and Caravanning Club, Devon

With breath-taking views of Start Bay, sandy and shingle beaches accessible on foot, and top-tier facilities, Slapton Sands is the perfect place to park your house trailer.

Sitting on the beautiful South Devon Heritage Coast, this level, nicely presented site is a few miles from Dartmouth, which is accessible by bus.

Here, visitors can enjoy lovely shops, cafes and a harbour that’s ideal for crabbing enthusiasts.

Next, take a scenic boat trip up the River Dart to Totnes, a charming market town, finishing the day with a cream tea – heaven.

 

Accessories for motorhomes to help seniors

Before you set out, make sure you’re fully prepared and protected by quality motorhome insurance. Consider some of these useful accessories, too:

 

• Portable folding ramp

If you have trouble climbing in and out of your motorhome, a portable folding ramp can make life much easier.

There are plenty of lightweight options available, so you won’t be ferrying unnecessary weight around.

 

• A second leisure battery

Most modern recreational trailers use 12V power for almost everything, from the TV to the loo flush, so running out of battery juice could spell trouble.

A second battery enables you to enjoy extra power, should you go off hook-up, so you can still watch your favourite shows on TV.

 

• Sat-nav system

A sat-nav system specialised for mobile home use is a necessity.

A sat-nav helps you avoid difficult situations, as turning around, reversing down narrow roads or meeting low bridges in a recreational trailer can cause serious stress – and damage.

A house trailer-specific sat-nav can factor in your vehicle dimensions, navigating you along as safe a route as possible.

• Reversing camera

A mobile home 7m or longer can be tough to manoeuvre.

A reversing camera helps you reverse safely, and some even include proximity sensors or distance grids.

 

• Dash-cam

Protect yourself and possibly make some savings on your motorhome insurance: add a dash-cam to your vehicle.

Look for an automatic system that switches on as soon as the engine starts, capturing oncoming vehicles on camera.

 

Enjoying your mobile home

A mobile home comes with so many benefits, allowing owners to enjoy comfortable, low-cost holidays amidst beautiful scenery, but it’s important to be aware of potential risks to your vehicle.

Recreational vehicles are larger than the average on-road vehicle, so make sure you safeguard against the chance of damage and accidents, as well as theft.

You want to enjoy your holiday, so give yourself peace of mind and get dependable motorhome insurance.

Motorhome Protect understands that your mobile home is so much more than a vehicle.

It’s a treasured investment that deserves specialist insurance.

Don’t wait, get a quote today.