Here at Active Kampers campervan hire in Sussex we are really excited as we have just ordered a new VW California Ocean 6.1 in Ascot Grey for hire from March 2021, from SMG Tonbridge (thanks Matt Weller). We already have two T6 California Oceans available (2018 and 2019 better known as Basil and Casper) but this is our first on the 6.1 Ocean. We haven’t decided on the name yet, suggestions welcome!

Since 2011 we have seen quite a few changes to the VW California, but this is one of the bigger ones. With the upgrade there is of course a face lift to the front of the vehicle, but more exciting are the improvements to the digital cockpit, smarter camping interior and the new camping touchscreen console (for the roof, heater and fridge plus services).

The rest of the campervan remains pretty much the same as before with the key features of sliding rear bench seat to 3/4 width bed and two burner hob and sink kitchenette with the excellent fridge, plus the amazing and comfortable pop-up roof bed.

We will be running with three vans throughout 2021 due to the increased demand. Contact us now or go to the booking page to check our van availability and hire our new T6.1 California Ocean for a UK or European road-trip, or a try before you buy long weekend escape.

During the current Covid 19/Coronavirus pandemic we are allowing extra time for deeper cleaning of our VW California campervans between hires. Our cleaning routine includes: Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces areas e.g. fridge, tables, kitchen work surfaces, hard-backed chairs, light switches, remotes, handles, gear stick, steering wheel, toilets, sink and taps. All cutlery, pots, pans, cups, plates and bowls will be dishwasher after each hire. Additionally all seat covers will be changed and washed and carpets vacuum washed. We believe the self-contained independence of a campervan is the perfect way to enjoy a holiday currently. 

We have ordered new VW campervans for hire from our East Sussex base arriving in January. After 7 years of hiring the VW California we are taking our first T6 version, introduced in 2016, know as the VW California Ocean. The VW interior is substantially unchanged, the notable improvement is the improved LED lighting. There is also better lighting in the upper bunk bed and built in front screen and side window blind. The big improvement is the more efficient and less polluting engine technology. We have opted for the 204 BHP diesel engine.

We have named our first California Ocean Basil, to continue the tradition of rather odd boys names! Basil will be available to hire from March and you can take hime on a VW Campervan roadtrip anywhere in Sussex, Cornwall, Scotland or over to France and beyond into Europe.

VW Campervan rental

Active Kampers would like to welcome you to our 4^th and final pre-season blog, for your travelling pleasure.

So far in our last 3 blogs, we’ve covered Europe and our beloved South Coast for those of you wishing to travel compact with a VW Campervan rental – but what about the rest of the UK? Read on for the definitive guide to road tripping some of the best that Great Britain and Ireland has to offer…

Active Kampers – VW Campervan Rental : England / Ireland / Scotland

The South-West Coast, Ireland

Take a drive from the eastern ferry ports to Limerick – This route is 450 miles…

From Limerick, head south via Blarney to Cork and Kinsale. Then turn west for Skibbereen, following the sequence of picturesque peninsulas and deep, fjord-like bays back round to Limerick via Tarbert. You can add a circuit of County Clare’s coast and the cliffs of Moher, returning to Limerick on the N18 from Ardrahan.

Keep an eye out for the lush, green countryside, rugged coastlines, islands, lakes and rivers. Park up for charming country towns and villages of thatched cottages and friendly local pubs. Also, check out Cork’s city craic, Cobh’s historic harbour and Kinsale’s posh waterfront. The west coast road really does have some of Europe’s finest scenery – notable is the Dingle peninsular.

This route ends where you started; Limerick has a memorable medieval castle on a river island in an old centre full of all the shops, cafes and culture you would hope for.

Yorkshire Wolds, England

Turn off the M62 at J38, through North Cave village up to Beverley.

This route is 135 miles – from Beverley’s likable minster, galleries and doily-laden teashops. Head north to the seaside charms of Bridlington. From Bridlington, head south via the proud East Riding country towns of Driffield and Pocklington, where Burnby Hall Gardens’ pretty lakes are home to the national water lily collection.

Finish off by re-joining the M62 at the comfortable market town of Howden (J37), with its minster standing tall in the old town centre.

You’ll be taken in by the long straight roads and ancient villages nestling between smooth rolling hills. Worth a look in Rudston is the mysterious 26ft monolith, the tallest standing stone in England.

The Atlantic Highway, England       

Turn off the M5 at Bridgwater (J23) and admire the watercolour landscapes of the Somerset Levels, heading west on the A39. This route is 135 miles and is easy… Simply follow the A39, and enjoy the views. On one side of the road are increasingly wild hills; on the other, some of Britain’s best coastline.

The route ends in laid back Bude’s collection of windy dunes, Victoriana, beach cafes and great surfing marks the first seaside town in Cornwall – however, stay on the A39 for Padstow or Newquay.

Keep an eye out for the charming, little-known villages of the Quantocks and Brendon Hills; the National Trust’s lovely Selworthy village; the view from Lynmouth’s water-powered cliff funicular railway; and scenic detours to Ilfracombe and Combe Martin’s rocky seashores and Hartland’s bohemian end-of-the-worldness.

And for those of you really wishing to push the envelope…

The Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Firstly you’ll need to get CalMac ferry from Ullapool in the North west of Scotland to the island of Harris. Drive straight off the ferry onto the windy streets of Stornoway, the Outer Hebrides‘ main town.

This route is 150 miles…  It’s winding, single-track road all the way, and one of Britain’s greatest travel experiences. We recommend heading across Lewis’ vast, flat, open, treeless landscape to see the Stevenson’s lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis, and Port of Ness fishing. South are the impressive Callanish standing stones – which truly give a sense of prehistory that Stonehenge doesn’t match.

What to look out for – A sequence of islands, with great views of mountains, sea, lochs and glorious white-sand beaches. Highlights include driving through Harris’ mountain pass and through sea spray on the causeways linking the central islands. You can also spot seals from your van, plus an array of wildflowers in spring.

We hope that’s enough Euro, South Coast and UK inspiration to get you out of the old routine and firmly into a VW Camper for your 2015 holiday.

Whatever you wish to do and wherever you wish to go this year – get in touch with us at Active Kampers – and let us help you do it in true compact style and comfort with a VW Campervan rental…

VW Camper for Hire

Welcome to our 3rd blog of 2015 – to entice, encourage and engage you with a VW Camper for Hire!

Previously, we looked extensively at European holidaying options for our VW fleet – now, we’d like to focus on the good old British Isles, for probably the best staycation you’ll ever have!

Being based in Brighton, we love the South Coast with all its natural beauty and striking landmarks. From the breath taking South Downs to the soaring white cliffs of Beachy Head – it truly does contain some of England’s most stunning scenery. What’s more, it’s the sunniest place in mainland Britain! Yes – many of our beaches are pebbly, but who really enjoys messy sand in their sandwiches?!

VW Camper for Hire – Some of Sussex’s Best Bits …

Remote, wild and unspoilt, Climping is a natural haven on the built-up coast between Bognor Regis and Brighton. Pebbly at high tide, vast and sandy at low tide, it’s good for swimming and dog-walking. Be warned – naturists do frequent the sand dunes, parts of which are a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The beach has moody charm with its weathered groynes and constantly changing skies.

Shaking off its dusty 70’s caravan-park image, Camber Sands has experienced a huge comeback, fuelled by fashion photography, music festivals and the opening of The Place, a boutique hotel and brasserie. With seven magnificent miles of sand and mountainous dunes plus its shallow seas – Camber is the perfect spot for families.

West Wittering is one of Britain’s best all-round beaches with good sand, excellent swimming and plenty of amenities. It’s popular with Frisbee-playing families – however, the sand dunes at the East Head nature reserve are a respite from the crowds on the main beach. The shallow lagoons and tidal pools make for warm waters and safe swimming.

What to do and see:

The striking De la Warr Pavillion, a 1935 Art Deco building, is alone worth a trip to Bexhill-on-Sea. Following an £8 million restoration in 2005, it is a cultural hot spot, with an art gallery, free exhibitions, concert hall, bar, restaurant and roof terrace.

The South Downs Way, an ancient 100-mile footpath and now cycle-path from Winchester to Eastbourne, takes in some spectacular coastal scenery, from the hills and wildflowers of Ditchling Beacon to the cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. Often dubbed England’s prettiest town, Rye is the definition of chocolate box: half-timbered inns, narrow cobbled streets and a salty maritime air. Its mixture of Norman, Tudor and Georgian buildings is an architectural crash course.

Drusilla’s Park is a fascinating small zoo, specialising in animals of Lilliputian proportions and exotic origin, from monkeys to meerkats. Children can walk through Lemurland, or take a Thomas the Tank Engine ride through a llama paddock. Why not stay at the nearby simple and beautiful downland campsite in Alfriston perfect for exploring the Seven Sisters and popping out to a charming pub or tea place?

Wants some more Sussex inspiration for a VW Camper for Hire – check out this link to National Trust’s South East highlights page, shortlisting the must see natural beauty spots that Sussex has to offer…

Stay tuned for our 4th and final pre-holiday season blog landing next week…

All the very best – Active Kampers…

VW Campervan Hire Europe Travel

If you missed our 1st blog of 2015 covering VW Campervan Hire Europe – then don’t despair, as Active Kampers are giving you the roundup – plus even more good reasons to travel light – and in style with our VW California’s when journeying to Europe!

VW California Campervan Hire Benefits:

Our vans are stylish, very economical – and drive just like a car. They also take up 5 passengers for both travel and sleep.

The campers have enough storage for all your holiday and travelling needs – they come equipped with a 2-burner hob, sink, spacious fridge, heater, rollout sun canopy, and clever hidden features, such as the two chairs in the tailgate.

Our VW California hires even come complete with kitchen and dining equipment – without a plastic knife and fork in site!

European Destinations from First Hand Active Kampers Experience

Our Euro travel option comes WITH insurance, breakdown AND all required euro driving safety gear!

Click here for our tried and tested European itineraries…

Active Kampers – Environmentally Friendly Travel:

In addition to looking good on the road – the Active Kampers experience ensures your environmental impact is kept to a minimum.

Our low emission VW Campervan hire is perfect for reducing your holiday carbon impact. The vans emit far less carbon for a family than taking a short flight and are fuel efficient to 40mpg.

All our VW California’s recharge their leisure batteries as you drive, which means you can use them for several days without the need for an electrical hook-up.

We wash our vans using waterless cleaning products and good old-fashioned elbow grease! We also include Ecover cleaning products in your welcome pack and re-usable recycling bags – and we’ll even take-in your recyclable items at our base when you return!

VW Campervan Hire Europe Travel

VW Campervan Hire Europe Travel – Route tips and tricks…

There’s no better way to see Europe than on the road – especially from the comfort of a California. Here’s three more routes to get the juices going for your European adventure!

The Grand Tour: Switzerland, France, Italy

Kick off at Geneva’s Lake Léman waterfront. Then head along the south shore, passing from Switzerland into France.

Take the D902 south, climbing steeply to Chamonix via Thonon-Les-Bains. The seven-mile Mont-Blanc tunnel under the highest Alp is a strange thrill; emerging into Italy’s deep Aosta valley is even better. From Turin, head south for Alba, hitting the Med at Savona. Enjoy the Levantine Riviera as far as La Spezia, then find the little roads climbing up the Apennines to Abatone, and then twist down into Florence. Make a circuit by returning on the winding minor routes to Bologna or Modena, then back up to the Alps via Milan.

Route distance: 500 miles

Pas de Calais, France

Take the little D940 via Boulogne along the Côte d’Opale to Le Touquet. Passing the pretty coastal cliffs and villages, such as Wimereaux and its big sandy beach, perhaps stopping at a seafront cafe for lunch?
The D349 to Hesdin along the river Canche is one of northern France’s prettiest drives. Head north on the D928 to pretty St Omer and its vibrant and historic town square, then the N43 north-west back to Calais via Ardres.

Route distance: 160 miles

Basque Circuit: Spain, France

Start your journey from Bilbao’s port (served by ferry from Portsmouth) at Santurtzi has great motorway connections: Madrid is only three hours’ drive, Barcelona six. But this Basque country circuit makes a more interesting driving holiday. The Basque country seafood is not to be missed, neither is the challenging surfing!

Route distance: 300 miles

Want some more assistance?

This handy app lets you access your full travel itinerary on the go, while also having access to local maps, route details, and driving directions.

http://www.tripit.com/destinations/european-road-trip-planner/

Hopefully we’ve now filled you with enough inspiration to get in touch about your European adventure – give us a call on 01323 486858 and let us help you get on the road to a trip like no other!

Stay tuned for our next two blogs coming later this month – to keep you up to speed with all the latest info and goings on from Active Kampers HQ…