50 Must-Have Campervan Accessories: From £5 Essentials to Game-Changing Upgrades

Are you planning your first campervan holiday or looking to upgrade your kit? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve spent countless weekends testing gear, making mistakes (so you don’t have to), and working out what makes a difference on the road.

Here’s the thing about campervan accessories. You can spend a fortune or next to nothing. But the sweet spot? That’s what we’re exploring today.

Budget Essentials (£5-30): The No-Brainers

Let’s start with the basics. These are the items we’d grab even when campervanning on a budget.

1. Magnetic hooks (£6-10) are proper game-changers. Stick them anywhere metal and suddenly you’ve got places to hang towels, coats, or keys. Simple but brilliant.

2. Collapsible bowls and buckets (£8-15) save massive space. We use ours to wash up, carry water, and even store dirty laundry. They flatten down to practically nothing.

3. LED push lights (£5-12) mean you’re not fumbling in the dark. Battery-powered, stick-on, and bright enough to read by. Chuck a few around the van and you’re sorted.

4. A portable clothes line (£7-12) with suction cups or pegs sorts your clothing storage challenges when things get damp. It works inside or out.

5. Reusable water bottles (£10-20) might seem obvious, but get good ones. Insulated bottles keep drinks cold all day in summer or hot during winter trips.

6. Microfibre towels (£8-18) dry faster and pack smaller than regular towels. They are a game-changer for staying clean in a campervan.

7. Door mats (£12-25) stop you traipsing mud through the van. Those outdoor ones that shake clean are worth their weight.

8. Mesh laundry bags (£6-12) keep dirty clothes contained and make campsite washing machine trips easier.

9. Cutlery organisers (£8-15) prevent drawers from becoming chaotic. Expandable ones work brilliantly in tight spaces.

10. Cable ties and bungee cords (£5-15) fix about a million problems. Buy a variety pack and thank us later.

Mid-Range Upgrades (£30-100): Where Quality Counts

This is where you start feeling the difference. These accessories make life noticeably easier.

11. A portable gas stove (£40-80) transforms cooking in the campervan. Even if you’ve got a fitted kitchen, having a backup stove means cooking outside on sunny days—freedom.

12. Levelling ramps (£30-60) might not sound exciting until you’re trying to sleep on a slope. Your back will thank you. And yes, a spirit level (£5) should go with them.

13. A memory foam mattress topper (£50-90) is worth every penny. Standard van mattresses can be basic. A decent topper makes all the difference between waking up refreshed or feeling like you’ve been camping on concrete.

14. A portable power bank (£40-80) with a high capacity keeps phones, tablets, and cameras charged without draining your van’s battery. It is essential for anyone working remotely or just staying connected.

15. Portable toilet (£50-100) divides opinion, but we’d never travel without one now. Late-night bathroom trips to a campsite block? No thanks. Read our guide on whether you need to install a toilet for more thoughts.

16. Roof bars or roof boxes (£60-100) add serious storage capacity. They are perfect for longer trips or family adventures.

17. An outdoor table (£45-95) that folds away creates a proper dining space. We’ve found the roll-top aluminium ones work best.

18. Water containers (£25-60) with taps make life easier. Go for food-grade plastic and decent capacity.

19. A windbreak (£30-70) turns any pitch into a sheltered spot, which is essential for British weather.

20. Portable shower (£35-85) means you’re not always dependent on campsite facilities. Solar-heated ones are brilliant.

Premium Additions (£100+): The Investment Pieces

Right, these accessories aren’t cheap, but they genuinely change how you use your van.

21. A solar panel kit (£150-400) gives you proper freedom. You can park anywhere and still have power. This is brilliant for longer trips or wild camping adventures.

22. Portable fridge (£200-500) means fresh food, cold drinks, and no more soggy sandwiches. Check our campervan fridge guide to see what works best.

23. An awning or drive-away tent (£150-600) effectively doubles your living space. It’s perfect for families or when the weather is typically British and you need somewhere dry but outside.

24. Bike rack (£120-300) offers many more adventures. Park the van and explore Wales by bike or tackle trails in the Lake District.

25. Diesel heaters (£180-450) transform winter camping. They provide proper warmth without running your engine or draining gas bottles.

26. Inverter (£100-300) converts 12V to 240V, meaning you can run normal plug devices. Check your power requirements before buying.

27. A portable generator (£200-600) provides backup power when solar isn’t working. Choose a quiet model to avoid annoying your neighbours.

Kitchen Gear: Beyond the Basics

28. Nesting cookware sets (£30-70) are designed for van life. Everything stacks inside itself. Genius.

29. Cafetière or Aeropress (£15-40) because instant coffee doesn’t cut when watching the sunrise from a Scottish beach.

30. Spice rack organiser (£12-25) stops you carrying entire jars. Those magnetic spice tins work brilliantly on van walls.

31. Collapsible kettle (£20-35) boils water without taking up precious cupboard space.

32. A cast-iron skillet (£25-60) cooks everything brilliantly and lasts forever. It is heavy but worth it.

33. Food storage containers (£15-35) that stack and seal properly prevent everything from becoming a mess.

34. Portable BBQS (£30-80) are ideal for those evenings when cooking outside is the only option. Compact ones pack away easily.

Storage Solutions: Conquer the Chaos

Getting storage right makes or breaks campervan life. We’ve learned this the hard way.

35. Hanging organisers (£15-30) utilise vertical space. Door-mounted ones are perfect for shoes, toiletries, or all those random cables.

36. Under-bed storage boxes (£10-25) with wheels slide in and out easily. Label them and you’ll actually find things.

37. Vacuum storage bags (£8-20) for bedding and winter clothes. Squeeze the air out, and suddenly you’ve got loads more room.

38. Overhead net storage (£15-30) keeps stuff off surfaces but visible. Great for maps, books, or that jumper you might need later.

Comfort Items: The Difference Makers

39. Portable camping chairs (£25-80) that support your back. Not all chairs are equal, so test before you buy.

40. Good quality bedding (£40-100) appropriate for the season. We’ve learned the hard way that camping in winter requires proper gear.

41. Blackout curtains or screens (£30-70) allow you to sleep past sunrise, which can be life-changing in summer.

42. A portable heater (£50-150) is ideal for chilly nights. For safe choices, check out our guide to campervan heating options.

Safety Equipment: Don’t Skip This

43. Fire extinguisher (£15-30) and fire blanket (£8-15) should be non-negotiable. Mount them where you can reach them quickly. Read our campervan security guide for more safety tips.

44. Carbon monoxide detector (£20-40) if you use gas appliances. Not optional.

45. Make sure your first aid kit (£15-40) is properly stocked. Check that it actually has useful stuff, not just plasters.

46. Wheel chocks and a warning triangle (£10-20) because safety first, especially on British roads.

Tech Gadgets: Stay Connected

47. Mobile WiFi router (£80-200) keeps you online anywhere there’s a signal. Essential for remote workers or digital detoxing… eventually.

48. USB charging hub (£20-40) with multiple ports stops fights over charging cables.

49. Portable speaker (£30-100) that’s waterproof because campsite entertainment shouldn’t mean draining your phone battery.

50. Head torches (£12-35) for each person. Hands-free lighting when you’re setting up in the dark.

Where to Buy Your Campervan Accessories

The best places to kit your van include outdoor specialists like Decathlon and Go Outdoors for camping gear, Amazon for general accessories and tech, and specialist sites like Camping World for van-specific items. Don’t overlook eBay and Facebook Marketplace for secondhand bargains either.

Final Thoughts

Look, you don’t need everything on this list straight away. Start with the budget essentials, add the mid-range bits as you work out what you need, and save the premium investments for when you know campervan life is for you.

Whether you’re hiring a campervan for the first time or kitting out your own conversion, the right accessories transform your experience. And remember, the best accessory is often the simplest one that solves your problem.

Ready to use your new gear? Check out our guides to the best Scottish road trips or Cornwall campervan adventures for inspiration on where to go next.

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