If you have ever sat in traffic on the way to Lulworth Cove or watched a motorhome roll past your window in Wimborne and thought maybe that’s for us, you are not alone. Motorhome holidays in Dorset have grown hugely in popularity, and it is easy to see why. Between the Jurassic Coast, the rolling countryside near Cranborne Chase and the New Forest on the doorstep, this part of the country was made for slow travel.
But before you start browsing listings or saving for a deposit, there is one big question to answer. Should you hire a motorhome for your Dorset holiday, or buy one of your own? The answer depends on how often you travel, how much you want to spend, and what kind of holidays you enjoy. This guide breaks it all down in plain terms, so you can work out which option fits your family best.
Why Motorhome Holidays Are So Popular in Dorset and Wimborne
Dorset has become one of the most loved destinations in the UK for motorhome and touring holidays, and the reasons are simple. The county packs an enormous variety of scenery into a relatively small area. Within an hour’s drive you can go from sandy beaches and chalk cliffs to ancient market towns and quiet woodland.
Wimborne sits right in the middle of this. It is close to Bournemouth and Poole for a beach day, a short hop from the New Forest National Park for woodland walks, and surrounded by the gentle hills of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. For motorhome owners and hirers alike, Wimborne makes a brilliant base camp. You can park up for a few nights and explore in every direction without long drives.
Add in the appeal of having your own kitchen, bed and bathroom on wheels, and it is no surprise that more families, couples and retired travellers are choosing motorhome holidays in Dorset over traditional hotel stays.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorhome for a Dorset Trip?
Hiring is often the first step for anyone curious about motorhome holidays, and the cost can vary quite a bit depending on the size and age of the vehicle. As a rough guide, motorhome hire in Dorset typically starts from around £50 to £75 per day for smaller campervans, rising to £100 or more per day for larger, family sized motorhomes with extra beds and facilities.
For a typical week long Dorset holiday, that works out at roughly £350 to £700, sometimes more during peak summer weeks. On top of the hire fee, you will usually need to budget for fuel, campsite or pitch fees, and any optional extras such as bedding, bikes or awnings.
The big advantage of hiring is that this is the full cost. There is no insurance to arrange, no servicing to think about, and no need to find somewhere to store the vehicle for the other fifty weeks of the year. You simply pick it up, enjoy your trip, and hand it back.
What Does It Cost to Own a Motorhome in the UK?
Owning a motorhome opens up a different set of numbers, and it helps to look at the full picture rather than just the purchase price.
Beyond the initial cost of buying, most UK motorhome owners spend somewhere between £1,500 and £4,000 a year on running costs. This usually includes:
Road tax, which depends on the weight of the vehicle but commonly falls between £170 and £360 a year.
Insurance, which tends to range from around £250 to £600 for a typical motorhome, though larger or higher value vehicles can cost more.
Servicing and habitation checks, often between £150 and £350 a year depending on the age of the vehicle.
Storage, if you cannot keep the motorhome on your own driveway. Off site storage in Dorset and the surrounding areas can add another £400 to £1,200 a year.
Then there is depreciation. New motorhomes can lose a noticeable chunk of their value in the first year alone, and this is a real cost even though it does not show up as a monthly bill. On the plus side, well maintained motorhomes from popular brands tend to hold their value reasonably well over time, especially compact models.
When you add it all up, owning makes the most financial sense if you are using the motorhome regularly. Many owners find that once they pass around six to eight weeks of use a year, ownership starts to work out cheaper than hiring for the same number of nights.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Motorhome
Hiring suits a lot of Dorset holidaymakers, particularly those who are still deciding whether the motorhome lifestyle is for them.
The main benefits are flexibility and simplicity. You can choose a different size or layout depending on who is travelling with you, whether that is a cosy two berth for a couple’s weekend in Wimborne or a six berth for a family trip to the coast. There is also no long term commitment. If your circumstances change, you simply stop hiring.
The downsides are mostly around cost per trip and availability. Hire prices rise sharply during school holidays and peak summer weekends, and popular vehicles get booked up early. You also do not get to personalise the vehicle, and every trip starts with the same handover and orientation process.
The Pros and Cons of Owning a Motorhome
For those who holiday often, particularly with regular weekend trips around Dorset, ownership has a lot going for it.
Owning a motorhome means total spontaneity. Fancy a Friday night away in the New Forest or a quick break near the Jurassic Coast? You can simply pack up and go, without booking weeks ahead. Your motorhome is set up exactly how you like it, with your own bedding, kitchen kit and storage already in place.
The trade offs are the upfront cost, the ongoing running costs mentioned earlier, and the practical question of where to keep it. Not everyone has space on their driveway, and storage fees in Dorset can add up over a year. There is also the responsibility of maintenance, MOTs once the vehicle is over three years old, and arranging your own insurance and breakdown cover.
How Often Do You Need to Travel for Owning to Make Sense?
This is really the heart of the decision. If you are planning one or two motorhome holidays a year, hiring almost always works out cheaper and far less hassle. You avoid storage costs, depreciation and maintenance entirely, and you only pay for the time you actually use the vehicle.
If, on the other hand, you are dreaming of regular weekend escapes to Wimborne, the New Forest or the Dorset coast, perhaps every month or more, ownership starts to make more financial and lifestyle sense. The convenience of having a motorhome ready to go, combined with the lower cost per night once you reach a certain level of use, tips the balance towards buying.
A good way to think about it is this. Work out roughly how many nights away you would realistically enjoy in a year, then compare that to both the cost of hiring for those nights and the rough annual running cost of owning. Whichever number comes out lower is usually your answer.
Where to Pitch Your Motorhome Near Wimborne and the Rest of Dorset
Whether you hire for a single trip or own your own motorhome for years to come, having a reliable base to pitch up matters just as much as the vehicle itself.
Meadow View Country Park is set in the Dorset countryside near the village of Horton, between the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and the New Forest National Park. It is around a twenty minute drive from Bournemouth, making it a brilliant location for motorhome holidaymakers who want easy access to the coast without staying right on top of it.
The park offers a generous number of motorhome and touring caravan pitches, many with electric hookup, so you can settle in comfortably whether you are staying for a long weekend or a fortnight. For those travelling with dogs, there is a dedicated dog park on site, and the surrounding countryside is perfect for walking off the journey.
Because Wimborne sits within easy reach of so many Dorset highlights, a pitch here gives you a central spot to come back to each evening after a day of exploring.
The Best Places to Explore by Motorhome in Dorset
One of the biggest joys of a motorhome holiday is the freedom to explore at your own pace, and Dorset rewards that freedom generously.
Along the coast, the Jurassic Coast offers some of the most striking scenery in the country. Lulworth Cove and the famous Durdle Door arch are both within reach for a day trip, and the drive itself takes in some beautiful countryside views.
Heading towards the Isle of Purbeck, Corfe Castle sits dramatically on a hilltop above the village of the same name, while Swanage offers a classic seaside town with sandy beaches and a traditional pier.
Closer to home, Wimborne Minster itself is well worth a wander, with its historic streets, riverside walks and the impressive Minster church at its centre. For families, attractions such as Monkey World and the Tank Museum make for a great change of pace, both within a manageable drive.
With a motorhome, you can mix big days out with quiet mornings spent simply enjoying the Dorset countryside around your pitch, something that is much harder to do when staying in a hotel.
Hiring vs Owning: A Quick Comparison for Dorset Holidaymakers
If you holiday once or twice a year, hiring a motorhome for your Dorset trip is usually the simpler and more cost effective choice. You avoid insurance, storage and maintenance, and you can pick a vehicle to suit each trip.
If you holiday often, perhaps several times a year including regular weekends, owning a motorhome tends to work out better in the long run. The upfront and running costs are higher, but the convenience and lower cost per night make it worthwhile for frequent travellers.
There is also a middle path that many Dorset visitors choose. Hire a few times first to get a feel for motorhome life, work out what size and layout suits your family, and only buy once you are confident it fits your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to hire or buy a motorhome for a Dorset holiday?
For occasional trips, hiring is usually cheaper because you avoid insurance, storage, servicing and depreciation. Buying tends to become cheaper if you use the motorhome regularly, often once you pass around six to eight weeks of use a year.
How much does it cost to hire a motorhome for a week in Dorset?
A week long hire typically costs between £350 and £700, depending on the size of the motorhome and the time of year. Prices are higher during school holidays and peak summer weeks.
What does it cost to own a motorhome in the UK each year?
Most owners spend between £1,500 and £4,000 a year on running costs, including road tax, insurance, servicing and storage if needed. This is in addition to the purchase price and any depreciation.
Do I need a special licence to drive a motorhome?
Most motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes can be driven on a standard car licence. Larger motorhomes may require additional licence categories, so it is worth checking the weight of any vehicle before hiring or buying.
Where can I park or pitch a motorhome near Wimborne?
Meadow View Country Park, near Horton between the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and the New Forest, offers motorhome and touring caravan pitches with electric hookup, around twenty minutes from Bournemouth.
Are pets allowed on motorhome pitches in Dorset?
Many Dorset parks, including Meadow View Country Park, welcome dogs year round, often with a dedicated dog park on site. It is always worth checking individual breed restrictions before booking.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your Dorset Motorhome Getaway
Whether you decide to hire for the season or take the plunge and buy your own motorhome, Dorset offers some of the best motorhome holiday experiences in the country. From the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast to the quiet lanes around Wimborne, there is enough variety here to fill many happy weekends.
If you are ready to plan your trip, Meadow View Country Park offers a peaceful, well placed base near Wimborne with motorhome and touring pitches set in the Dorset countryside. It is the perfect spot to park up, relax, and start exploring everything this beautiful county has to offer.