What is a Rooftop Tent?
Rooftop tents mount directly onto your car’s roof bars, offering elevated camping with quick setup and year-round comfort. Growing rapidly in popularity across the UK for good reason.
Types of Rooftop Tents
Hard Shell Tents
- Rigid aerodynamic shell
- 30-second setup
- Better fuel economy when driving
- £2,500-4,500
- Ideal for frequent use
Soft Shell Tents
- Fabric-based design
- 5-10 minute setup
- More interior space
- £1,200-2,500
- Best for extended trips
Rooftop Tent vs Traditional Camping
Advantages of Rooftop Tents
- Setup in under 10 minutes (vs 30+ for ground tents)
- Sleep off the ground – warmer and protected
- Built-in mattress provides comfort
- Camp anywhere with parking (within regulations)
- Wildlife protection
- Great views from elevation
- No need to find flat ground
Disadvantages to Consider
- High initial cost (£1,200-4,500)
- Requires strong roof bars and weight capacity
- Impacts fuel economy (10-15% increase)
- Difficult to access once setup
- Not ideal for families with young children
- Limited headroom compared to ground tents
UK Rooftop Tent Camping Spots
Scotland
- Wild camping permitted in most areas
- Loch Lomond shores
- Cairngorms National Park
- Isle of Skye viewpoints
Lake District
- Designated campsites with stunning views
- Lakeside locations
- Mountain foot camping
Wales
- Snowdonia mountain sites
- Pembrokeshire coastal spots
- Brecon Beacons locations
Cornwall
- Beachside campsites
- Clifftop locations
- Moor edge camping
Requirements & Setup
What You Need:
- Strong roof bars (check weight capacity 50-80kg)
- Vehicle with adequate roof load rating
- Ladder for access (usually included)
- Level parking spot
Basic Setup Process:
- Park on level ground
- Unlock tent clasps/zippers
- Unfold or pop up tent
- Secure ladder
- Climb up and arrange bedding
Is a Rooftop Tent Right for You?
Perfect if you:
- Camp 10+ nights per year
- Value quick setup over cost
- Have suitable vehicle and roof capacity
- Camp with partner (not young children)
- Enjoy off-grid adventure
- Want year-round camping ability
Stick with traditional camping if you:
- Camp less than 5 nights per year
- Have young children
- Need maximum interior space
- Prefer lower initial investment
- Want to move car independently of camp
UK Regulations & Wild Camping
England & Wales: Wild camping generally not permitted on private land without permission. Use designated campsites or ask landowner permission.
Scotland: Right to roam allows wild camping in most areas. Follow Scottish Outdoor Access Code – leave no trace, respect wildlife, stay away from buildings.
Always: Follow Leave No Trace principles, respect private property, and check local regulations before camping.
Interested in rooftop tent camping? Check out the rooftop tents listed to rent. We can also recommend traditional roof boxes if rooftop camping isn’t your style!