We took our dogs on a motorhome city break to Cambridge – here’s what happened

As the crowds thin and the leaves turn, autumn is the perfect time to discover Cambridge by motorhome. In this dog-friendly city break, travel writer Lee Ness explores cobbled streets, riverside walks and welcoming pubs, all while road-testing the freedom of life on the open road with a hired van

Harbouring dreams of swapping the nine-to-five for life on the open road? Luckily, you don’t need to sell up and commit to ‘van life’ to get a taste of the freedom. Hiring a motorhome for a few days is an easy way to try it out, and with the summer crowds gone, now is the perfect time to explore Great Britain at your own pace.

Over the past few years motorhoming has shed its old-fashioned image and become one of the UK’s fastest-growing travel trends. Families, couples and solo travellers alike are discovering the appeal of carrying everything with you: your bed, your kitchen, and – thanks to a growing number of dog-friendly rentals – even your four-legged companions. For those travelling from overseas, hiring rather than buying makes it simple to dip into the lifestyle, combining city breaks with countryside stops without the headache of hotels or kennels.

And few places reward a short motorhome adventure quite like Cambridge. Just an hour from London yet worlds apart in atmosphere, the historic university city offers cobbled streets, riverside walks, centuries-old colleges and a lively food and pub scene. It’s compact, easy to navigate on foot, and brimming with outdoor spaces where both humans and dogs feel at home. Add the flexibility of a motorhome base just outside the centre, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a stress-free city break with a difference.

We planned a simple midweek escape, arriving on a Wednesday afternoon and leaving on Friday morning. That gave us a full day on Thursday to explore at an easy pace with the dogs, and it kept costs down while avoiding the weekend crowds.

Where to Hire a Dog-Friendly Motorhome

We booked our van through Goboony, a peer-to-peer hire platform that works much like Airbnb but for motorhomes. After entering our dates, number of travellers and the fact that our two spaniels, Tash and Tilly, would be joining us, we were presented with a wide choice of vehicles. Our pick was located about 30 miles away, and the handover with the owner was relaxed and thorough. He gave us a full walk-through of the electrics, heating and water systems before sending us off with the keys.

To make the getaway smoother, we collected the evening before. That gave us time to settle the dogs, stash our bits and pieces in the cupboards and set the bed, so we could roll out early the next morning without a rush.

The motorhome came stocked with far more than expected: cutlery, crockery, outdoor chairs, a table, washing-up liquid, condiments and even hand soap. Not every hire will include all of this, but it showed the personal touches that often come with private rentals. Since merging with Yescapa in 2023, Goboony has become Europe’s largest platform of its kind, so the choice is broad whether you want a compact camper for two or a larger family van.

Of course, Goboony isn’t the only way to hire. Traditional rental firms also operate across the UK, and some travellers prefer the certainty of a professional fleet. Others lean towards peer-to-peer because of the added homely touches. Either way, the process is straightforward and increasingly pet-friendly and many owners now actively welcome dogs, and it’s easy to filter for pet-friendly options.

For Tash and Tilly, it was as much an adventure as it was for us. Their beds slotted neatly into the living space and they quickly made themselves at home, enjoying the comfort of familiar routines while we enjoyed the novelty of life on the road. For us, it doubled as a useful test run (we’re planning to buy our own motorhome in 2026) but for overseas visitors it’s also a practical way to experience Britain beyond the big cities without needing to commit to ownership.

Where to Stay

To find somewhere to park overnight, we used BritStops, a membership scheme that costs £35.20 a year and gives access to hundreds of pubs, farm shops and small businesses across the UK that welcome motorhomes free of charge. The arrangement is straightforward: in return for a parking spot, you support the host by dining or buying produce. For those who travel frequently it quickly pays for itself, and it often leads to more memorable stopovers than a standard campsite. Staying somewhere with character – whether that’s a working vineyard, a farm shop or, in our case, a country pub – adds a social dimension to the journey that you rarely get on a commercial site.

Our choice was The Plough in Coton, a friendly village pub just a couple of miles outside Cambridge. We phoned ahead and were welcomed for two nights, which suited our plan to spend a full day in the city and keep the van as our base.

The van was parked in the grassy overflow car park, which was level and spacious, with enough room for several motorhomes. By early evening a handful of others had pulled in, creating a low-key but sociable feel. A couple of vans were on the hardstanding at the far end of the main car park, which suggested a flexible approach. Unlike some formal campsites there were no hook-ups or shower blocks, but for a short stop the simplicity worked well. The pub’s only request was that we ate there at least once – hardly a hardship when the menu promised proper comfort food.

Dinner ended up being a highlight of the trip. We began with squid and padron peppers before moving on to a burger and traditional fish and chips – dishes that could easily have been ordinary but were done with care, served hot, crisp and generously portioned. There was also a wide-ranging vegetarian section that looked just as tempting, suggesting the kitchen takes pride in catering for all. With two beers, a bottle of wine and the food, the bill came in just over £100. Not the cheapest night out, but it felt fair for the quality, and the ability to stroll back across the car park afterwards to the waiting van was worth every penny.

The atmosphere in the pub was warm and welcoming, with locals chatting at the bar and the staff taking the time to make sure we were comfortable. Tash and Tilly were made just as welcome, with water bowls brought to the table and a fuss from more than one diner. It summed up the appeal of this type of overnight stop: practical for the motorhome, rewarding for us, and relaxed enough that even the dogs felt right at home.

Into the City with Dogs

From The Plough, a tree-lined 2.5-mile footpath leads directly into Cambridge. It’s a pleasant, easy walk, traffic-free, and ideal if your dogs prefer peace and quiet. The route is well-signposted, shaded in parts, and takes you straight to the heart of the city without the stress of navigating traffic or parking. The name raised a smile. Locals simply call it The Footpath.

In the centre we began at the market square, where artisan stalls sell everything from local produce to handmade crafts. It’s not a large market, but it’s colourful and lively, and the dogs enjoyed sniffing their way past the food stalls. From there we admired the exterior of King’s College, with its iconic chapel towering above the street. Entry isn’t possible with dogs, but sitting at a café opposite with a coffee and cake while the spaniels had their treats felt like a fair trade.

Tash and Tilly are not keen on busy roads, but Cambridge is gentle on paws. The narrow historic streets limit traffic and the pedestrian areas keep things calm, which suits nervous dogs.

Cambridge has 31 colleges in total, each with its own character. While dogs aren’t allowed inside, simply strolling past their gates gives a sense of their history and grandeur. We made our way across King’s College Bridge to reach The Backs, a series of landscaped gardens and lawns stretching along the river. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the city and a highlight for anyone with a camera – or indeed, dogs who enjoy a bit of people-watching.

Punting with Pets

No trip to Cambridge is complete without punting, and dogs are welcome on board with Scudamore’s, one of the city’s main operators. A private punt will set you back upwards of £175, but a shared punt is much more affordable. It is worth booking in advance if you are bringing a dog, as being the first passengers gives others the choice to join or wait for the next departure. We booked a slot that left us forty minutes to spare, just enough time for a water stop across the road at the Pickerill and a quick cider for the humans.

The 45-minute journey was both relaxing and entertaining. Reclining in the punt, we glided past some of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Bridge of Sighs, Mathematical Bridge, and the sweeping lawns of the colleges. Our chauffeur shared snippets of history and trivia, from why the Bridge of Sighs has its name to the fact that graduates can get married in college chapels. He also touched on the tale of daylight robbery, the Cambridge Night Climbers and the enduring mystery of which room Alan Turing occupied. It was the kind of detail that brings the city to life.

The dogs were surprisingly at ease, lying quietly in the bottom of the punt and occasionally lifting their heads to watch ducks drift by. It proved to us that punting is perfectly manageable with pets, provided you give them a little water beforehand and choose a quiet time of day. For overseas visitors, it’s a quintessential Cambridge experience and one that offers a perspective of the colleges you simply can’t get on foot.

Where to Eat and Drink
After punting, we stopped at The Granta, a riverside pub perched on the willow-fringed waters of the Cam. With outdoor seating overlooking a mill pond, it’s one of the prettiest spots in the city to unwind after sightseeing.
We ordered duck hash and beef raclette pie, both rich and flavourful, while the dogs lounged contentedly under the table. The Granta is well known locally for its relaxed atmosphere, and it’s easy to see why – service was friendly, the drinks list had a good range of ciders and ales, and the setting was hard to beat.
Locals sometimes refer to this stretch of water as the Granta, which is how the pub gets its name. It is a small detail, but it adds to the sense of place.

What’s nice about Cambridge is that pubs like this don’t treat dogs as an afterthought. Water bowls are provided, staff often have a treat or two handy, and most of the outdoor terraces are full of locals with their pets. For visitors from abroad, it’s a chance to experience the very British tradition of the pub in a way that feels welcoming and inclusive.

Final Walks
Before leaving, we stretched our legs at Coton Countryside Reserve, just a few minutes from The Plough. It’s a peaceful network of trails and meadows, perfect for an early morning stroll. At the entrance, a leaflet box provides free maps of the different routes, ranging from short loops to longer rambles.
The reserve was quiet when we visited, with only a handful of walkers and birdwatchers, which made it ideal for the dogs to explore at their own pace. Tash and Tilly checked the local pee-mail and trotted on, ears up and tails swishing. It felt like a hidden gem – close to the city yet offering the tranquillity of the countryside. For anyone travelling by motorhome, it’s a good reminder that you don’t always need to head far out of town to find space and greenery.

Back at the van the spaniels tucked into their dinner while we put the kettle on. A simple routine, and one of the quiet joys of motorhoming.

Fact File: Dog-Friendly Motorhome Break in Cambridge
Getting There
• By road: Cambridge is easily reached via the M11 from London (around 60 miles/1.5 hours) or the A14 from the Midlands and East Anglia.
• By rail: Direct trains run from London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street in under an hour. For visitors from overseas, connections are simple from Stansted (30 mins by train), Heathrow (2 hrs by train), and Gatwick (2.5 hrs by train).
• By motorhome hire: Peer-to-peer platforms such as Goboony list dog-friendly vans of all shapes and sizes across the UK. Prices vary with season and size, but budget £80–£150 per night including insurance.

Where to Hire a Dog-Friendly Motorhome
• Look for listings that specifically allow pets – many owners now do.
• Most vans include basics such as cutlery, crockery, chairs and tables; check in advance what’s provided.
• Bedding and towels are sometimes extra, so confirm before travelling.
• A pre-trip handover covers electrics, water and heating – ask questions if you’re new to motorhoming.

Where to Stay
• BritStops membership: £35.20 per year; gives access to pubs, farm shops and other small businesses that welcome motorhomes overnight in exchange for patronage.
• The Plough, Coton: 2 High Street, Coton, Cambridge CB23 7PL. theploughcoton.co.uk / 01954 210 489. Parking is in the grassy overflow car park. Dogs welcome inside and out. Dinner mains £15–£20; full meal for two with drinks around £100.

Exploring Cambridge with Dogs
• On foot: From The Plough, a paved 2.5-mile path leads directly into the city centre.
• Around town: Most of Cambridge’s 31 colleges do not allow dogs inside, but the exteriors and surrounding streets are rewarding to explore. Pedestrianised areas and quiet lanes keep traffic minimal.
• Dog-friendly cafés and pubs: Many around King’s Parade and Quayside welcome dogs and provide water bowls.

Punting

• Scudamore’s Punting Company: scudamores.com / 01223 359750.
• Chauffeured punts last around 45 minutes; prices from £75 for a private punt (two adults plus dogs). Shared punts are cheaper but must be booked carefully if travelling with pets.
• Dogs are permitted but must be kept under control in the boat.
Final Walks
• Coton Countryside Reserve: Free to enter, with mapped walks of varying lengths. A peaceful, dog-friendly alternative to the bustle of the city centre.

When to Go
• Autumn and early winter offer mild(ish) weather and fewer crowds.
• Summer can be busy with tourists and students; winter is quieter but shorter daylight hours limit time for walking.

Costs to Expect
• Motorhome hire: £80–£150 per night depending on model and season.
• BritStops membership: £35.20 per year.
• Pub meals: £15–£20 mains; £100+ for a full dinner for two with drinks.
• Punting: £75 for private hire (two adults plus dogs).

Lee Ness is a freelance writer and author with a background in sport and travel. Over the course of his career he has written extensively on subjects ranging from athletics to international destinations, combining practical insight with clear and engaging storytelling. He is the author of five novels and a non-fiction book, and continues to balance his work in journalism with a focus on long-form writing projects.

Main photo:  PNW Production/Pexels