Discovering Britain by Van
Honest write-ups from the road — stopovers, places worth stopping for, and the stuff nobody else tells you about van life in the UK.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or just after a good read about life on the road, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find reviews, stopover guides, and articles from real van travels across the UK.
Latest Posts
Halletts at Portland Bill Camping
9 September 2025
I’d heard Halletts Camping at Portland Bill mentioned a few times by fellow travellers, mostly for the views and how close it is to the lighthouse, so I was keen to see whether it really was as simple and scenic as people said. This isn’t a polished campsite with neat pitches and long lists of
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Holmsley Campsite
8 September 2025
Holmsley Campsite sits within the New Forest, just outside Burley, with direct access onto open heathland straight from the entrance. It’s a Forestry England site, and one of the first things you notice is how much it feels part of the wider landscape rather than separated from it. Booking was simple and quick through the
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Finding Love When You Live on the Road
7 September 2025
When it comes to actually finding love while travelling, van life can make things feel a bit more complicated. Most people start life on the road for freedom, adventure, or a bit of space to figure things out. Romance is not always part of the plan. But the need for connection does not disappear just
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Upper Linacre Reservoir
7 September 2025
A peaceful Derbyshire stop with clear parking advice, easy walking routes and realistic tips for campervans, including where day parking works best. It’s especially useful if you want a straightforward leg-stretch between longer drives.
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Broken Road, Castleton
17 August 2025
I used Broken Road as a quick, no-frills overnight stop just outside Castleton on a spring weekend. I wanted somewhere free where I could park up and walk into the village without needing to move the van again, and for that it worked well. It’s easy to find and straightforward to pull into, though you
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Do I Have to Pay Council Tax if I Live in a Motorhome?
17 August 2025
Most vanlifers won’t pay council tax while travelling full-time, but long-term stays on private land or residential sites can change that. This article explains when it applies and what councils usually look at.
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10 Must See places in Rotherham
6 June 2024
Planning a day out in South Yorkshire? This guide rounds up ten places in and around Rotherham, from family attractions and country parks to historic houses and peaceful ruins, with clear ideas for what each offers.
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Crocs Baya
29 May 2024
Crocs have always had a slightly complicated relationship with the public. I’ll admit, I was initially sceptical and, if I’m honest, a bit snobby about them myself. Going from quiet disdain to genuine loyalty was not something I expected. That changed after trying a pair of knock-off Crocs and realising, rather reluctantly, that they were
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The Tension Between Local and VanLife Communities: Understanding the Dislike
16 May 2024
In recent years, camper van and motorhome travel has become far more visible across the UK and beyond. More people are choosing slower, self-contained travel, drawn by the freedom of setting their own pace, staying closer to nature, and carrying the essentials with them. For many, it feels like a more flexible way to travel
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Can You Live in a Van Permanently? A Comprehensive Guide to Van Life
14 May 2024
Living in a van full-time is absolutely possible, but in practice it looks very different from the version often presented online. At its best, it offers a simpler way to live, lower fixed costs, and the freedom to move with the seasons or follow a slower route from place to place. For some people, that
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