I kitted out my little van to sleep in (known as The Red Arrow ) over three years ago. The Red Arrow has been taken the the four corners of the UK on many a weekend trip and for three one-week excursions. We've learnt how to make the most of the limited space and how to camp efficiently, environmentally and stealthily. Here is a few things we've learnt.....
A big advantage of having a bed in your car means breaking up those long journeys. Before leaving home its a good idea to scrutinize Google Earth looking for patches of ground, quiet lay-bys, or secluded country lanes that are remote but handy for our route. Drop some pins of potential places. Sometimes we have to change our plans depending on how the journey goes so we have a handful of potentials pinned just in case. Over time we have built up a map of quiet night spots around the UKs main motorways. For one night stop-offs you do have more options of course - parking in front of a farmers gate is not so much a problem if you get up nice and early and leave without trace.
|  | | Perfect one night stop off |
|  | A Yorkshire over-nighter
on route to the Lakes |
|  | Noting good bivvy sites
|
|
Where to avoid!
Beauty sports around the UK are often owned by organizations like the National Trust. They do not allow overnight parking with good reason. Best avoid places like this.
 |
Areas like this would be overrun if it weren't for the National Trust |
I would suggest avoiding public car parks. Our experience of over-nighting in Cannock Chase AONB was enough to make me never want to sleep in a car park again. It is tempting to head for AONBs like this as on the map it looked scenic and quiet. However in reality on a Saturday night it was definitely not quiet. Boy racers cruised passed all night and strange cars would pull up next to us and park for 10 minutes or so before driving off. Very unnerving. The doors stayed locked!
 |
| Sometimes bite the bullet and stay in a campsite |
On a trip to North Devon we found a great clifftop spot. Camping on cliffs overlooking the wild Atlantic sounded great to us. However with a howling wind it was a turbulent night to say the least. I lay there braced for a piece of sandstone to come crashing through the van window and the suspension rocked all night as winds battered the vehicle. Sacrificing a view and finding a sheltered spot is sometimes preferable.
 |
| Nice idea on paper |
 |
After a poor night sleep
|
Environmental Issues
With increased vans on the road and more and more people wanting the freedom and experience of Van Life it is essential to be extra diligent regarding what you leave behind. It goes without saying that all rubbish be removed but additionally calls of nature should be dealt with responsibly. Don't just go and relieve yourself in some farmers field or by a path that by day might be a popular walkers route. Try to use public toilets (or cafe toilets when buying a coffee - thus contribute to the local economy). If you absolutely have to go for the full "wilderness experience" then make sure you have a trowel for digging a hole, do it as far as possible from paths and property, and always take all paper out with you! Always!
 |
| Protect these beautiful areas! |
Some essentialsThere isn't much sitting room inside a micro-camper so cheap camping chairs like the £10 ones we bought from Decathlon are just essential for morning coffee in the sun.
 |
| Coffee time |
Lots of water! Carrying lots of water means you are more self sufficient. Even if you plan on eating in the pub in the evening, climbing and outdoor pursuits mean carrying water. Carrying several litres for all your cooking, teas and coffees and days on the hill means less messing around looking for water sources and more time getting out climbing.
Finding Camping spots in popular areas
Lake District
A great van-friendly area. Whilst it is busy, if you make the effort you can find places to camp in great surroundings. Its a national park of course so be extra carefully in your footprint. Be respectful of local farmers and do not block gates and keep as low a profile as possible. Having a micro-camper is really beneficial on narrow Lake District lanes and you can usually tuck it in somewhere out of view.
 |
Perfect spot over Buttermere
|
 |
| A Langdale View |
The Peak
Some nice spots up by the Gritstone edges and up and away from the lower dales. These are popular with good reason. It can be a bit more awkward lower down in the valleys.
 |
| Over the Peak |
 |
| Up at Curbar |
Cornwall and Pembroke
Lots of National Trust land. Also lots of MOD land. This can cause a problem and parking stealthily can be more difficult. In the summer months farmers in Cornwall often open fields as "rustic" campsites. These cost next to nothing and have running water and a toilet. Keep your eyes out for the home made signs. Van life around popular surf beaches has taken off massively and, if vans are tolerated, some spots can be packed on weekends
Devon
North Devon is great for rugged coastal sea view camping spots. Dartmoor is nice to overnight camp but noisy teenagers do cruise up to the more popular parking sports (Haytor) and make a racket. Earplugs essential.
 |
Haytor Car park....and Cow (and Pilar)
|
EDIT: Since Covid Dartmoor National Park have clamped down on over-nighting vans. However Devon has plenty of quiet spots away from the Park.
