The Barnsley-based Wellhouse Leisure has been doing campervan conversions since 2002, and one of its stars is built on a 16ft-long Toyota base. The front two seats can swivel round to face inwards and make a small “lounge”, with a side counter housing a twin hob, sink and small fridge. The rear seats adjust into a chunky mattress, and there’s room in the pop-up roof (under a solar panel) for another snug double.DetailsFrom £51,000 (wellhouseleisure.com)
For touring holidays à la française, Chausson makes a range of vehicles using Ford Transit or Fiat Ducato chassis. Most are in the motorhome category, but the V594 lies closer to the old split-screen campervan ideal. With one double bed, converted from the facing benches in the rear dining area, it’s not a family option, but it does squeeze in a fully enclosed washroom.DetailsFrom £50,690 (motorhomes-chausson.co.uk)
The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo Sport
If you’re going to appropriate the name of the great Silk Road traveller, do it with style. This campervan is closer in look to a people-carrier with benefits than a studio apartment on wheels, but the details are luxurious, from the streamlined kitchen side counter to the yacht-style wood flooring. The main double bed created from the rear seats is a decent size, and two more can sleep (with goodwill) in the pop- up roof space.DetailsFrom £66,060 (mercedes-benz.co.uk)
A great-great-grandchild of the model that defined the campervan in the Swinging Sixties, this new five-seater from Volkswagen is the most compact in its range, and a starting point for anyone tentatively looking at motorhome life. The three rear seats fold down to accommodate a bed roughly 6½ft by 3½ft. There’s a pull-out gas stove at the back, with some shelter from the open tailgate — or an add-on rear tent.DetailsFrom £31,713 (volkswagen-vans.co.uk)
The VW Grand California 600The optional two-tone paintwork recalls the Volkswagen T1 that started it all, but this campervan is now grown up with two kids — who can go in the over-cab bed. The top of the VW range comes in two variants, the 600 and 680 (the latter only a two-sleeper), but both have a separate wet room with toilet, sink and shower, and pale-coloured interiors to add to the sense of space. They’re not cheap, mind.DetailsFrom £80,603 (volkswagen-vans.co.uk)
Origami enthusiasts will have an edge in using this intricately laid-out, two-berth camper, based on a Vauxhall Combo MPV. Wheelhome also makes a one-berth equivalent for £8,000 less. At 6ft high, headspace isn’t a problem, and although both beds (one in the raisable roof) are singles, the trade-off lies in the flexible space, all-electric cooking system and option of not having to venture outside for night-time loo visits.DetailsFrom £40,950 (wheelhome.co.uk)
Inside the Swift MonzaThe first pop-top campervan in Swift’s range, the Monza may take its name from a famously fast race circuit, but the aim is spontaneous holidays, not rushed ones. Seating and sleeping four, with upper and lower doubles, the standard design is smartly dark grey inside with chrome kitchen surrounds. The external shower point allows for the classic post-surfing hose-down.DetailsFrom £58,395 (swiftgroup.co.uk)
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