There are plenty of gorgeous holiday locations in the UK, from national parks, such as the Lake District, to the Welsh mountains, and from glittering Scottish lochs to numerous sweeping sandy beaches scattered across England. With staycations on the rise, what better way to spend a week or two of summer than holidaying in the UK. But, instead of opting for a traditional static caravan or holiday cottage accommodation, why not try something a little different: renting a campervan.

Homemade campervans are on the rise, with campervan specialist Quirky Campers at the forefront of the trend. The company hosts the annual festival Camp Quirky, where attendees are encouraged to camp in their own self-made van conversions and engage with a community of happy campers. Attendees can witness all types of vehicles, from ambulances to old army trucks, reborn as holiday campervans, and attend workshops to learn how to construct, insulate, wire and even plumb a home on wheels.

As trendy as it is to build your own campervan, it can be costly and time-consuming. Renting one of these mobile homes, however, is ideal for a holiday.

One of the appeals of having a camper is free overnight parking, and one of the joys of being a full-time ‘vanlifer’ can be discovering and sharing safe camping spots. Sure, campervans are welcome to book into UK campsites, but if you’re looking for a low-cost holiday teetering on the wild side, then seeking out free spots is even better.

A scan of Google maps for car parking spaces is a good place to start. Make sure you physically check out an area to see if a spot is available too, especially if it is an established campervan hotspot. For example, if you were to take a stroll down the Bude canal in Cornwall late afternoon, you are likely to find a line-up of campers already settled for the night.

It’s also vital to investigate your desired area before you park. Is there a “No Overnight” Parking sign? Are you in a residential area and likely to upset the locals? Have you pulled into a car park which is locked overnight? Always remember to respect the rules and play it safe.

If in doubt, check out apps such as vanlifer favourite Park4Night, or wild camping website wildcamping.moonfruit.com to find safe spots to cosy up for the night.

For peace of mind, you can check into a campsite or a designated campervan car park, which invites campers to park responsibly overnight (often for a small fee of £10 per night).

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