Spring Sunshine Sparks 133% Surge in Campervan Demand on Gumtree

Warmer temperatures are kickstarting the start of Britain’s road-trip season, with new data from Gumtree revealing a 133% surge in demand for campervans, motorhomes and caravans since the start of the year.

Interest in leisure vehicles is also rising four times faster than the wider vehicle market, where demand has increased by 33% over the same period. The data highlights how strongly road-trip travel and UK staycations are shaping early holiday planning as the weather begins to improve.

For many travellers, campervans and motorhomes offer the flexibility to explore multiple destinations in one trip from coastal routes and national parks to countryside escapes without relying on traditional accommodation. This flexibility is becoming increasingly appealing with 41% UK adults* citing the cost of accommodation as the biggest barrier to taking a UK holiday. 

Demand on the platform is expected to accelerate further in the coming weeks. By April, replies to listings are forecast to be double January’s levels, reflecting both the strong seasonality of the market and how quickly interest builds once temperatures begin to rise.

At the same time, supply is also ramping up ahead of peak travel season. Listings for campervans, motorhomes and caravans are up 22% since the start of the year, as sellers bring more vehicles to market in anticipation of growing demand.

Louis Maxwell, Motoring Expert at Gumtree, said: ‘’Year-on-year trends show a stable and resilient market for self-contained travel. The first weekend in March has recorded the highest level of campervan and motorhome demand on Gumtree since September, suggesting the spring buying season is already gathering momentum. With availability currently strong, buyers are encouraged to begin their search early before competition intensifies as spring progresses.’’

Unlike the broader car market, where demand is typically concentrated in major urban centres such as London, Manchester and Glasgow, interest in campervans and caravans is strongest in areas with easy access to coastlines and countryside.

Fife, County Antrim, Essex, Lancashire and West Yorkshire are currently seeing the highest levels of interest reflecting strong appetite for touring and outdoor escapes as the weather starts to improve.

Locations with the highest demand for campervans, motorhomes & caravans

Gumtree’s data also reveals the campervans and motorhomes attracting the most attention from buyers planning road-trip adventures.

The Volkswagen Transporter ranks as the most in-demand campervan on the platform, generating more than 74,000 views, followed by the Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato. These models remain popular choices thanks to their reliability, versatility and suitability for camper conversions.

As more buyers look for leisure vehicles that can support weekend breaks as well as longer summer holidays, demand for adaptable vans and motorhomes continues to grow.

With temperatures rising and daylight hours extending, the coming weeks are expected to mark the start of the busiest period of the year for leisure vehicle buyers and sellers alike, as more Brits prepare for road-trip holidays across the UK.

Whether you’re looking to purchase your first campervan, or a seller looking to make extra money by listing a leisure vehicle you no longer need, now is a great time to be active on Gumtree.