Honest Van Life Adventures and Reviews
Let’s be honest — the DVLA’s checklist for turning your van into a ‘motor caravan’ feels like it was scribbled out during a lunch break in the ’90s and somehow became gospel. The obsession with stickers and side windows? It’s like they made it up as they went along. Still, if you want that shiny logbook update, here’s what you’re up against:
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You’re standing in Halfords, staring at a big blue box that claims to be a “40-litre electric coolbox.” It runs on 12V, 24V and mains. It’s got wheels. A lid. Maybe hopes and dreams. But—and here’s the kicker—not much else.
Okay, that’s not entirely fair. They do list some specs: 42 watts, 3.5 amps at 12V, and 55W at 240V. Decent numbers if you’re just checking how hard your leisure battery’s going to work. They even throw in a cooling claim: “cools up to 16°C below ambient.”
Which, in real-world UK vanlife, means your sausage rolls will still be sweating if it’s more than 25°C out—and your milk? You’re gambling.
I’ll say it straight: if you’re relying on one of those plastic fan boxes to keep your food safe, you’re already losing the game. I’ve been there—soggy sandwiches, warm cans of Coke, and that moment of dread when you realise your dinner’s been slowly fermenting in the sun all day.
This post is what I wish I’d read before wasting money on “cool” boxes that weren’t. I’ll walk you through why I swapped to a proper 12v compressor fridge—the Halfords 30L Compressor Coolbox (since discontinued but still in use) —and why it’s the only cooler I trust not to betray me mid-trip.
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A sweeping update to Greece’s camping regulations has ignited fierce debate, as authorities begin aggressively enforcing Law 5170/2025 – the nation’s strictest clampdown on motorhomes and caravans in nearly 50 years, but is it really killing VanLife?
While wild camping has been technically illegal since 1976, the newly implemented Article 27 closes longstanding loopholes that once afforded nomadic travelers some flexibility. The changes, effective since January 2025 but only now drawing widespread attention after high-profile fines, signal a dramatic shift in Greece’s approach to alternative tourism.
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For the UK’s van life community, Morocco has emerged as the new promised land—a sun-drenched, budget-friendly alternative to Europe’s increasingly regulated and expensive roads. What began as a trickle of adventurous overlanders has turned into a full-blown migration, with YouTube feeds filled with desert sunsets and Atlantic surf breaks. But what’s driving this exodus to North Africa? Our investigation reveals the magnetic pull of Morocco’s landscapes, culture, and van-friendly infrastructure that’s making it the ultimate destination for mobile living.
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Once described by Sir David Attenborough as “the jewel in Bristol’s crown,” the Downs is now at the centre of a community storm. On one side: a growing number of van dwellers trying to survive a brutal housing crisis. On the other: frustrated residents worried about fly-tipping, public safety, and environmental damage. With more than 1,000 signatures collected and emotions running high, the debate over “van dwellers Bristol” has ignited more than just council inboxes.
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You know the drill: the alarm blares at silly-o’clock, coffee’s brewing, and you’re itching to point the van’s nose towards Cornwall. Then—click-click-click—your leisure battery mutters nah, pal. We’ve all been there, spanner in hand, wishing we’d spent ten minutes checking things the night before.
To save you from dawn-of-departure drama, I’ve pulled together a no-nonsense, slightly cheeky road-trip safety check that covers everything from fan belts to fairy lights. Follow this guide and you’ll roll out of the drive confident your rig can handle whatever the UK’s roads (and weather) throw at it.
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Finding campervan overnight parking in Scotland just got a lot simpler — and far more affordable. Thanks to Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme, there are now around 50 forest car parks where self-contained vans can legally stop overnight for just £10 a night, or £40 for a week. That’s a big deal if you’ve ever been caught between “no overnight parking” signs and overpriced sites.
It’s a real step forward for affordable, responsible van life. These sites are dotted across the country, so whether you’re hugging the North Coast 500 or just meandering through the Highlands, it adds a bit of freedom to your trip. It also supports local councils and businesses, rather than some of the big faceless campsite chains, which is a nice bonus.
My tip? Mix it up—use these spots to cover your essentials and save a bit of cash, then treat yourself to a wild spot with a view when the weather’s right. Scotland’s always had the scenery—now it’s starting to have the infrastructure to match. Cheers to that.
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When most people think of van life, they imagine waking up to stunning mountain views, sipping a hot brew with the back doors wide open. And sure, sometimes it’s like that. But most of the time? You’re brushing your teeth with half a bottle of water while trying not to knock over your portable toilet.
It’s a lifestyle that teaches you quickly: small habits make a massive difference. Here are five van life habits I’ve picked up that genuinely make day-to-day living smoother—and might just save your sanity on the road.
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Van life presents its fair share of challenges, and one of the most daunting is the ongoing quest for a suitable place to park for the night. Often, you may stumble upon the perfect spot, only to realize you lack the app needed to pay for it—and to make matters worse, your mobile signal is weak. To ease your journey, here’s a list of apps designed to help you find and pay for parking with ease.
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In this blog post I’ll share common beginner misconceptions and simple lessons about what I’ve learned starting out in Van life at a the age of 48 including expectations vs. reality, managing daily routines, plus unexpected benefits and challenges.
When I first started van life, one of the biggest challenges was finding safe, legal, and quiet places to park up for the night. I relied heavily on just one app Park4Night.—until I realised there were plenty of options and other smart techniques to make overnight stays a breeze. Here’s what I wish I’d known:
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