Van Life Articles

From Snowdonia's mountains to Pembrokeshire's beaches, a Wales campervan road trip packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a relatively small country. Here's where to go and how to do it properly.

Lochs, mountains, empty roads and enormous skies make the Scottish Highlands one of Britain's great campervan destinations. Here's how to explore them properly — without trying to drive the whole place in four days.

Mountains, lakes, stone villages and some of England's finest scenery make a Lake District campervan road trip difficult to beat. Here's how to explore it without spending your entire holiday looking for somewhere to park.

A Cornwall campervan road trip has pretty much everything you could want from van life: wild coastline, surf beaches, fishing villages, spectacular walks and rather a lot of opportunities to eat pasties.

Your first campervan trip should be exciting, not stressful. From choosing somewhere to stay and packing the right kit to surviving your first night without bringing half the house, here’s everything you need to know before setting off.

Should you wear shoes inside the van? It sounds like a simple question, but in the UK vanlife community it has become one of the most divisive debates around. In this hilarious edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate muddy boots, sandy floors, relationship tension and the strange psychology behind vanlife footwear rules. From dog owners and campsite veterans to gravel-covered floors and emergency tea situations, this is the great campervan debate nobody can escape.

What if the real benefit of van life isn't the adventure, but the peace of mind it brings? From escaping busy schedules to spending more time in nature, van life offers a slower, simpler way to live and travel. Discover why so many people find greater happiness, reduced stress and improved wellbeing on the road. Learn how life in a campervan can help you reconnect with what truly matters and find calm in an increasingly busy world.

Has solar obsession gone too far? In this hilarious edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate the UK vanlife community’s growing addiction to battery percentages, solar panels, lithium upgrades and endless Victron screenshots. From cloud-induced panic and off-grid bragging rights to campervans that resemble mobile solar farms, this painfully relatable article explores how a simple quest for freedom became a full-time electrical hobby for thousands of vanlifers.

Is the NC500 officially broken, or has Scotland’s most famous road trip simply become too popular for its own good? In this chaotic edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate the UK vanlife debate taking over campsites, Facebook groups and Highland lay-bys. From passing place panic and overcrowded “hidden spots” to midge warfare, reversing disasters and influencer chaos, this painfully relatable article explores the beautiful madness of modern NC500 travel.

Do vanlifers secretly hate each other, or is silent judgement just part of the lifestyle? In this chaotic edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate the UK vanlife community’s funniest unspoken truth. From stealth campers analysing tyre choices in car parks to £90k “minimalist” Sprinters with espresso machines, this painfully relatable debate covers vanlife class systems, sticker psychology, fairy light warfare and the strange tribal behaviour of campervan culture.

Did TikTok ruin vanlife, or did it just make everyone start filming coffee like a BBC nature documentary? In this chaotic edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate one of the UK vanlife community’s most divisive arguments. From geo-tagged “secret spots” packed with vans overnight to £90k “minimalist” builds full of fairy lights, drones and oat milk, this painfully relatable debate covers influencer culture, stealth camping rage and the strange performance of modern vanlife.

Do campervans really need toilets, or is carrying your own loo around deeply unhinged behaviour? In this chaotic edition of Vanlife Court, we investigate one of the UK vanlife community’s most divisive debates. From stealth campers sprinting through rainy car parks at 2am to cassette toilet owners quietly feeling superior, this painfully relatable courtroom battle covers emergency bottles, bush tactics, motorway services trauma and the brutal reality of British weather.

Awnings: practical campervan essential or rolling campsite cringe? In the first ever Vanlife Court, we investigate one of the UK vanlife community’s most divisive arguments. From stealth campers who think awnings should be illegal, to basecamp builders carrying enough lanterns to power a small village, this chaotic courtroom debate covers storms, wet dogs, relationship breakdowns, fairy lights, and the brutal reality of British weather. Court is now in session.

Campervan breakdown cover isn’t just a backup — it’s essential for stress-free van life in the UK. From roadside assistance to national recovery and onward travel, the right policy keeps your adventures moving when things go wrong. This guide breaks down what’s included, how to find cheap campervan breakdown cover, and how to choose the best option so you can explore with confidence.

I never planned van life the way people imagine. No grand plan, no perfect vision — it just happened. From the quiet forests of Sweden to cold nights stuck on a UK car park, this life has been anything but picture-perfect. But it’s real. It’s messy, honest, and somewhere in between the freedom and the struggle, I found something I didn’t expect — a story worth telling.

Learn how to build a safe and practical campervan gas system for UK vanlife. This beginner-friendly guide explains LPG bottles, regulators, ventilation, cooking setups and essential safety tips so you can design a reliable kitchen without overcomplicating your build. Whether you’re planning a simple weekend van or a full off-grid conversion, discover how gas systems fit alongside electrics, water and layout decisions in real UK campervan builds.

Design a simple, reliable campervan water system for real UK vanlife. This beginner-friendly guide explains fresh water tanks, 12V pumps, plumbing layouts, grey water solutions and smart installation tips that actually work on British roads. Whether you’re building a compact weekend camper or a full off-grid van, learn how to plan your water setup properly so it stays practical, efficient and easy to maintain wherever your travels take you.

Learn how to design safe, simple campervan electrics with this beginner-friendly Campervan Electrics UK guide. Discover how leisure batteries, solar panels, DC-DC chargers and 12V systems work together to power your vanlife setup. This practical guide explains wiring basics, safety tips and real UK van conversion advice so you can build a reliable electrical system that keeps your camper comfortable on British roads all year round.

Learn how to insulate a campervan properly for real UK weather with this complete campervan insulation UK guide. Discover the best materials, common mistakes to avoid and how to control condensation, warmth and airflow inside your van. Whether you’re building a micro camper or a full-size conversion, this practical step-by-step guide explains how to create a comfortable, dry and energy-efficient campervan interior designed for British roads and year-round vanlife travel.

Fixed bed vs rock and roll bed campervan interior comparison showing two UK campervan layout styles side by side

Plan your campervan layout the smart way with this complete UK guide to designing a practical van interior before you start building. Learn how to choose the right bed setup, kitchen position and storage layout for small vans, medium vans and large panel vans used on British roads. Discover common layout mistakes, weight planning tips and realistic ideas that help you create a comfortable campervan space designed for real UK vanlife, not just inspiration photos.

Discover the cheapest vans to convert into campervans in the UK with this realistic budget guide. From Citroën Berlingo micro campers to Renault Trafic medium vans and spacious Luton box conversions, explore affordable used vans that actually work for British roads. Learn which models offer the best value, what to check before buying and how to start a practical low-cost campervan build without sacrificing comfort or reliability.

Explore the best used vans to convert into a campervan in the UK with this complete mega guide. Compare micro campers, medium vans like the Transit Custom and Transporter, and large panel vans including Ducato, Sprinter and Transit. Learn which van sizes suit different layouts, budgets and travel styles, plus practical advice for choosing a reliable base vehicle that works on real British roads and makes your campervan conversion easier from the start.

Uneven pitches are part of UK van life, but the right levelling ramps make all the difference. This in-depth guide to the best campervan levelling ramps UK travellers use compares top options from Milenco, Fiamma, Thule and more. Discover what actually works on British terrain, how to choose the right ramps for your van, and simple tips to stay level, sleep better and make everyday van life easier.