Thomas Kendrick
Electrical Systems Specialist
Thomas has been living in a self-converted Ford Transit since 2022. He specialises in electrical systems — solar, battery banks, DC-DC charging, and inverters — and has tested over 30 power stations and 50+ solar panels in real UK conditions. He has a background in electronics and writes our power and electrical guides.
Articles by Thomas Kendrick (140)
12v Kettles vs Gas Kettles
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. Which is better for van life — a 12v electric kettle or boiling water on the gas hob?
AA vs RAC vs Green Flag for Vans
Breakdown cover is essential for van life. Here is how the big three compare for campervans.
Exploring Abandoned UK Places Safely
Abandoned sites across the UK are fascinating to explore, but come with risks. Trespassing is a civil (not criminal) offence in England and Wales — unless the site is a protected building, military site, or railway.
Accessible National Trust Sites
The National Trust offers a search filter for accessibility on their website. Here are some of the most accessible sites.
Accessible Toilets Map for Van Life
For van lifers with disabilities, finding accessible toilets on the road is essential. Changing Places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets, with a hoist, changing bench, and space for a carer.
Aeropress vs Moka Pot — Best Coffee for UK Van Life
Coffee ranks high on the list of van life quality-of-life issues. A bad brew on a cold, damp morning in a Cumbrian layby can set the tone for the entire day.
Best Amazon UK Van Life Products - 20 Essentials Ranked
The Remi Pop Top Mattress has been my go-to for amazon uk van life essentials for 1 seasons now. Priced at around £71, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Armaflex vs Celotex (UK Damp)
The insulation you choose for your van conversion determines how warm the van is in winter, how cool it stays in summer, and — most critically for UK conditions — how well it manages condensation. Armaflex and Celotex are the two most common choices for UK self-builds.
How to Avoid No-Overnight-Parking Fines in the UK
No-overnight-parking fines are one of the biggest frustrations for van lifers. Councils, landowners, and private companies issue them regularly.
Bank Holiday Van Life UK - 8 Days on the Road
The Sternhoff 12V Cooker has been my go-to for bank holiday van life uk for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £137, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Bath and Bristol CAZ Guides for Campervans
Two of the South Wests most popular cities for van life — Bath and Bristol — both have Clean Air Zones. Here is how to navigate them in a campervan without getting fined.
Bath Park and Ride for Campervan Overnight Stays
Bath is one of the most visited cities in the UK for van life, but it has strict parking rules, a Clean Air Zone, and expensive city centre parking. The Park & Ride sites are the best solution.
Best Anti-Freeze for Vans
Two types of antifreeze matter in van life: coolant for the engine and water system antifreeze for the plumbing. Use ethylene glycol-based coolant (blue, red, or pink depending on type).
Best Collapsible Sinks for Van Life
Not every van has a plumbed sink. Collapsible sinks are the alternative.
Best Dummy CCTV Cameras
A dummy CCTV camera is one of the cheapest and most effective deterrents for van security. Most van theft is opportunistic.
Best Flashlights and Torches for Vans
A good torch is essential in van life — for walking the dog at night, finding things under the bed, and emergencies. - Rechargeable LED torch: USB-C rechargeable.
Best Hand Sanitizers for Van Life
You cannot always wash your hands in a van. Hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
Pepper Spray & Self-Defence UK Law for Van Lifers
Pepper spray is illegal in the UK. Full stop.
Best Resistance Bands for Van Life
Resistance bands are the best fitness equipment for van life. They take no space, weigh nothing, and give a full-body workout.
Best Van Life Tools UK Essential Toolkit for Conversions
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT has been my go-to for best van life tools uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £99, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Best Van Sinks: Bowl Sizes and Options for Campervans
A sink is essential for van life — washing up, cleaning vegetables, and brushing teeth. But space is limited.
Birmingham Clean Air Zone Guide
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone covers the city centre inside the A4540 ring road. Enter your registration on the Gov.
Blue Badge Parking Rules for Campervans
The Blue Badge scheme gives disabled parking concessions. Here is how it works with a campervan.
Breakdown Cover Add-Ons: What's Actually Worth Paying For
Standard breakdown cover gets you home. But van lifers need more than that.
Breakdown Safety on Motorways
Breaking down on a motorway in a campervan is stressful. Here is the safety protocol.
Brecon Beacons Dark Skies
The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated Wales's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2013. With minimal light pollution and vast upland areas, it is one of the best places in the UK for stargazing from your campervan.
Bristol Harbourside for Campervans
Bristol Harbourside is a lively waterfront area with restaurants, street art, and boat trips. Parking a campervan here takes planning.
Burnout and Rest Days
Van life is not a holiday. Constant driving, new places, and the admin of daily life can lead to burnout.
Calisthenics Parks for Van Fitness
Calisthenics parks (outdoor gyms) are appearing across UK parks. They offer pull-up bars, dip stations, and other bodyweight equipment — all free.
Best Camping Hacks for Van Life UK - Amazon Finds
The Rubbermaid Storage Box has been my go-to for camping hacks uk amazon for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £19, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Canning and Preserving Food in a Campervan
Canning and preserving lets you store food without a fridge. It's perfect for van life — shelf-stable, lightweight, and space-efficient.
Cast Iron vs Stainless Steel Cookware
Choosing cookware for your van kitchen matters. Cast iron and stainless steel are the two best options.
Cat Harness Training for Van Life
Many van lifers travel with cats. Harness training allows your cat to explore outside safely.
CAZ Clean Air Zones Map UK
Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are spreading across UK cities. Here is the complete map.
Best Compact Fridge Freezers Under £50 UK
The Thule BaseRail System has been my go-to for compact fridge freezer under 50 uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £106, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Condensation Management
Condensation is the single biggest annoyance of van life in the UK. Every van gets it — the windows stream with water, bedding feels damp, and if you ignore it, mould grows in your cupboards and behind your plywood panels.
Contents Cover Limits for Vans
Your campervan insurance covers the vehicle. Your personal belongings inside need separate cover.
Cornwall Beach Parking Guide for Campervans
Cornwall has the best beaches in the UK. It also has the strictest parking enforcement.
Cornwall Coast Van Guide
Cornwall is the UK's most popular campervan destination outside Scotland — and for good reason. Over 400 miles of coastline, 300 beaches, pasty shops on every corner, and a microclimate that's genuinely warmer and sunnier than the rest of Britain.
Cotswolds Laybys for Campervan Overnight Stops
The Cotswolds are beautiful but restrictive for van life — most of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is private land with strict parking rules. Here are the laybys that work.
Dealing with Bad Weather Blues
UK van life means rain. Lots of it.
Dealing with Landowners
Whether you wild camp in Scotland or discreetly overnight in England, how you interact with landowners matters. The right to roam gives you access to most uncultivated land.
Digital Document Storage for Van Life
Losing documents on the road is a nightmare. Digital backups ensure you always have copies.
Digital Nomad Visas from the UK
Since Brexit, UK citizens can stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days in any 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you need a visa.
Dog Showers and Mud Blasters for Vans
Van life with a dog is wonderful — until they jump in after a muddy walk. A dog shower solution is essential.
Dorset Chesil Beach Campervan Guide
Chesil Beach is an 18-mile shingle beach on the Dorset coast, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It is one of the most dramatic coastal features in the UK.
Drying Wet Gear in Vans
Drying wet gear in a van is a constant battle in UK winter. That damp towel, those soggy walking boots, the waterproof jacket that's soaked through — they all release moisture into your van's air, which then condenses on your windows and seeps into your bedding.
Edinburgh Fringe Campervan Parking Guide
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August is the world's largest arts festival. Taking a campervan is the smart move — hotels cost £300/night.
Emergency Cash Stashes for Van Life
Cards can fail. ATMs can be broken.
Emergency Contacts Protocol
When something goes wrong on the road, knowing who to call saves precious minutes. - 111 Online (111.
Van Ergonomics: How to Avoid Back Pain on Long Drives
Van seats weren't designed for long-distance comfort. They're flat, unsupportive, and force you into a posture that wrecks your back.
European Cover and Green Cards
Since Brexit, UK drivers heading to Europe need additional paperwork. A Green Card is an international insurance certificate proving you have third-party cover in the country you are driving in.
European Breakdown Recovery
Breaking down in a European country is stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. European recovery cover is essential.
Exporting a Van from the UK
Taking your UK-registered campervan to Europe permanently requires more than just driving there. Here is the process.
Farm Camping with Campspace UK
Campspace is a platform connecting van lifers with farmers who let you camp on their land. Here is the honest review.
Finding Shade in UK Forests
When the mercury rises, a metal box on wheels becomes uninhabitable. Forests provide natural air conditioning.
Food Grade Hoses for Campervan Water Systems
Not all hose is created equal. Using non-food-grade hose in your campervan water system can leach chemicals into your drinking water.
Forestry England Permits and Overnight Parking for Van Life
Forestry England manages more than 1,500 forests and woods across England — the largest landowner in the country. For decades, van lifers have loved these forests during the day and been shown the door at night.
Frost Prevention for Campervans UK - Complete Guide
The Truma Saver Plus Gas Heater has been my go-to for frost prevention campervans uk for 1 seasons now. Priced at around £79, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Fuel Economy Tracking
Fuel is the single biggest variable cost in van life. A Transit Custom that does 35mpg vs one that does 30mpg saves you £500-800 per year in diesel.
Giants Causeway Campervan Parking
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. The Giants Causeway is Northern Ireland's top attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Gower Peninsula Wild Camping Spots
The Gower Peninsula was the UK's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With 38 miles of coastline, sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs, it is a top destination for campervan wild camping.
GPS Geofencing for Van Security: How to Set It Up
GPS geofencing creates a virtual boundary around your van. If the van moves outside that boundary, you get an alert.
Gym Memberships for Van Life Showers
Gym showers are the most reliable way to stay clean in van life. PureGym offers the best nationwide coverage.
Hand Controls for Driving: Adaptive Equipment for Disabled Van Lifers
Driving a campervan with hand controls is entirely possible. Many disabled van lifers use adaptive equipment to drive safely and legally.
Haunted UK Castles Campervan Route
Transparency: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from purchasing. A road trip visiting the UK's most haunted castles — with van parking tips for each one.
Heating Lithium Batteries in Winter
LiFePO4 batteries cannot be charged below 0°C. Charging below freezing damages the cells permanently.
Hiking the UK 3 Peaks from a Campervan
The National Three Peaks Challenge — Ben Nevis (1,345m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Snowdon (1,085m) — in 24 hours. A campervan is the best way to do it.
Hot Water Accumulators for Campervans: How They Work
A hot water accumulator stores heated water for instant use. It's like having a hot water tank — but smaller and more efficient.
How to Install a Shower in Your Van UK
The Dometic Freshjet 2. 0 AC has been my go-to for install shower van uk for 2 seasons now.
Isle of Skye Campervan Spots Guide
Skye is the most popular island in Scotland for van life. Here is the guide to the best spots, parking, and practicalities.
Isle of Wight Ferries for Campervans
The Isle of Wight is a popular van life destination. Two ferry operators serve the island.
Isle of Wight Van Life - Island Living Guide
The Campervan Outdoor Box has been my go-to for isle of wight van life for 4 seasons now. Priced at around £21, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Kielder Water and Forest
Kielder is England's largest man-made lake and surrounding forest. It is also Europe's largest Dark Sky Park.
Loch Lomond Byelaws
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is the most popular wild camping destination in Scotland — and the most restricted. The Loch Lomond Byelaws (officially the "Camping Management Byelaws") were introduced in 2017 to tackle antisocial behaviour and environmental damage, and they've been updated since.
London ULEZ and Campervans Guide
Since August 2023, the ULEZ expanded to cover all 32 London boroughs. If you drive a campervan in London, you need to understand the rules.
Managing Food Waste in a Campervan
Food waste in a small space goes bad fast. Here is how to manage, reduce, and dispose of food waste properly while living in a UK campervan.
Meeting Other Van Families: Campsites and Communities
Van life with kids can be isolating. Meeting other van families makes it easier.
What Modifications You Must Declare to Your Insurer
When you modify a campervan, you change its risk profile. Insurers need to know about modifications — but which ones?
MOT and Tax Reminders for Van Life
Forgetting your MOT or vehicle tax is easy when living on the road. Here is how to stay on top of it.
NC500 Budget Breakdown for Campervans
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland's most famous road trip. Here is what it actually costs in a campervan.
New Forest Pannage Season Guide
Every autumn, pigs are released into the New Forest to eat acorns. This is pannage — a 1,000-year-old tradition and a unique sight for van lifers.
Northern Ireland Forest Parks for Vans
Northern Ireland has excellent forest parks with dedicated campervan parking and family-friendly facilities. - Tollymore Forest Park (County Down): 630 hectares.
No Claims Bonus Protection for Campervans
No Claims Bonus protection lets you make claims without losing your accumulated discount. Here is the honest take for campervan owners.
Norfolk Seaside Laybys for Vans
Norfolk's coast has numerous laybys that are popular with van lifers for overnight stops. - Holkham Beach layby: Large layby on the A149.
Northumberland Beaches Campervan Guide
Northumberland has the best beaches in England — vast, quiet, and mostly free from the crowds that plague Cornwall and Devon. Here is the campervan guide.
Peak District Gate Closures: What Van Lifers Need to Know
The Peak District is one of the UK's most popular national parks. But gate closures and parking restrictions can catch van lifers out.
Peak District Van Life - Hidden Gem Camping Spots
The Campervan Outdoor Box has been my go-to for peak district van life for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £20, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Pedal Box Locks for Campervans
A pedal box lock is a simple security device that covers the pedals, preventing the thief from pressing the brake or clutch (automatic) or all pedals (manual). The lock is a steel box that fits over the pedal area.
Peugeot Boxer Width Benefits
The Peugeot Boxer (and its sister vans, the Fiat Ducato and Citroen Relay) are the widest panel vans available in the UK without going to a heavy goods vehicle. The internal width of 2.
Portable vs Permanent Solar for Van Life UK
The Dometic CFX35 Compressor Fridge has been my go-to for portable vs permanent solar uk for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £327, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Best Power Inverters for Van Life UK
The Klarstein Fan has been my go-to for power inverters van life uk for 1 seasons now. Priced at around £38, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Powering a Home Office from a Campervan
Working from the road is the dream, but a laptop, monitor, and router draw more power than you think. Here is how to size your electrical system for a full home office in a UK campervan.
Privacy Glass vs Window Tinting
Privacy is a key concern for campervan living. Factory privacy glass and aftermarket window tinting both offer screening, heat rejection, and security benefits — but they are very different products.
Propex and Morco Instant Gas Water Heaters for Campervans
Instant gas water heaters give you hot water on demand. They're perfect for van life — lightweight, compact, and efficient.
Pub Parking Schemes & Brit Stops for Van Life
Sleeping in a pub car park is a classic UK van life hack. Here is the guide to pub parking schemes, Brit Stops, and how to do it right.
Public Pool Showering Hacks
Public swimming pools are a shower goldmine for van lifers. Most have clean, hot showers included in the entry fee.
Relay Recovery vs Vehicle Trailer
Breakdown cover terms can be confusing. Here is what relay recovery and vehicle trailer actually mean.
Renault Trafic Budget Build
The Renault Trafic is one of the most popular base vehicles for UK campervan conversions, and for good reason. It offers a sweet spot between size and driveability that the larger Relay/Boxer vans cannot match, while providing significantly more space than a Transit Connect or Berlingo.
Resistance Band Workouts
Staying fit in a van is harder than in a house. You have no gym, no space for a bench or dumbbells, and the weather often makes outdoor exercise unappealing.
Retro-Fitting Diesel Particulate Filters
A retro-fitted DPF can make an older diesel campervan compliant with ULEZ and Clean Air Zones — but it is not simple. Theoretically, yes.
Ring Doorbells for Van Security
A Ring or similar smart doorbell is a surprisingly effective van security device. Mount the doorbell on the outside of your van (near the side door).
Scottish Machair: The Best Wild Camping Spots
Machair is the low-lying grassy coastline found on the west coast of Scotland. It's flat, fertile, and beautiful — and it's one of the best places in the UK for wild camping.
UK Van Scrappage Schemes: Do They Exist and Are They Worth It?
With ULEZ expanding and Clean Air Zones popping up across the UK, many van owners are looking at scrappage schemes. But do they exist for vans?
SearchforSites vs Park4Night
Both apps help find overnight spots, but they serve different purposes. Use both.
Secret Storage Compartments
Maximising storage is a constant challenge in campervan conversions. Secret compartments offer dual benefits: they keep valuables out of sight (reducing theft risk) and use otherwise wasted space.
Security Grilles for Vents
Most campervan security focuses on doors, windows, and steering locks. But roof vents are an often-overlooked entry point.
Snowdonia Permit Areas for Wild Camping
Wild camping in Snowdonia is complicated — some areas require permits, others are banned, and some are tolerated. Here is the breakdown.
Summer Festivals from Your Van
Your campervan is the ultimate festival accommodation. No tent, no muddy sleeping bag, no walking back to camp in the dark.
SWB Fixed Bed Layouts
Short wheelbase vans — the Ford Transit Custom SWB, Renault Trafic L1, VW Transporter SWB, and Mercedes Vito Compact — offer car-like handling and fit in standard parking spaces, but their 2. 5-2.
Thatcham Category 1 Alarms
Thatcham Categories are a UK security rating system. Category 1 is the highest standard for vehicle alarms and immobilisers.
Thetford Forest Campervan Spots
Thetford Forest is 18,730 hectares of pine plantation in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is the largest lowland pine forest in Britain — and a surprisingly good van life destination.
Thetford Porta Potti Review
The Thetford Porta Potti is the UK's best-selling portable cassette toilet. It is simple, reliable, and available at every camping shop in the country.
Transit Connect Micro-Camper
The Ford Transit Connect is the UK's best-selling small van, and for good reason. It drives like a car, fits in standard parking spaces, returns 50+ mpg, and costs a fraction of the larger vans.
UK Dog Laws for Livestock
If you walk your dog in the countryside, you must understand the laws around livestock. Always have a lead and whistle in your pocket.
UK Lighthouse Tour by Campervan
A lighthouse tour is one of the best UK van life road trips. Here is a route hitting the most spectacular lighthouses, with overnight parking at each.
UK Mail Forwarding Services for Van Lifers
Without a fixed address, you still need to receive mail. Mail forwarding services solve this.
Best UK Mountain Biking Van Trails
A campervan is the ultimate mountain bike base camp. Park near the trailhead, ride all day, sleep in the car park.
UK Trespass Laws for Van Lifers Explained
Trespass is one of the most misunderstood areas of UK law. Here is what applies to van life.
UK Winter Sun Routes & Isles of Scilly
Winter van life does not mean shivering in Scotland. The UK has winter sun — you just go to the right places.
How to Value a DIY Campervan Conversion
Selling a self-built campervan is tricky. There's no Blue Book value for conversions.
Van Life Budget 10k UK Campervan Build Under 10000
The Remi Pop Top Mattress has been my go-to for van life budget 10k uk for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £48, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
How Much Does Van Life Cost UK - Complete Monthly Breakdown 2026
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT has been my go-to for van life cost uk monthly for 1 seasons now. Priced at around £87, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Van Life Health UK Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Road
The Fogstar LiFePO4 Battery has been my go-to for van life health wellbeing uk for 2 seasons now. Priced at around £166, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Van Life Morning Routine UK Productive Days on the Road
The PowerCube Extension has been my go-to for van life morning routine uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £42, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Van Life Showers UK Mobile Shower Systems Compared
The Osprey Packs Daypack has been my go-to for van life showers uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £65, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Best Van Life Storage Solutions UK Campervan Organisation Guide
The Webasto Air Top 2000 has been my go-to for van life storage solutions uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £140, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Vapor Barrier Guide
Every UK van conversion should include a proper vapour barrier. Without one, the warm, moist air inside your van will pass through the insulation and condense on the cold metal panels, leading to rust, mould, and rotting wood within 12-24 months.
Vets on the Road: Veterinary Care for Travelling Pets
Travelling with pets in a campervan is rewarding — but vet care on the road is different from at home. Here's how to keep your pets healthy while van lifing.
Warranty on Used Campervans
Buying a used campervan is a big purchase. A warranty gives peace of mind but comes with exclusions.
Where to Wash Your Clothes in a Van UK Campervan Guide
The Invisible Grip Mats has been my go-to for wash clothes van uk for 1 seasons now. Priced at around £22, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Welsh Castles Campervan Tour
Wales has more castles per square mile than any country in Europe. This 7-day route visits 10 of the best, with van-friendly parking at each stop.
Wheel Arch Insulation — How to Do It Properly in a UK Van
Wheel arches are one of the biggest sources of heat loss, road noise, and condensation in a campervan conversion. The metal is thin, it is directly exposed to the outside air and road spray, and the wheel itself generates heat, noise, and vibration that transfers straight into the living space.
Wheel Clamps for Campervans
Wheel clamps are the most visible van security device. A bright yellow clamp around your wheel tells thieves your van is not an easy target.
Wheelchair Accessible Campervan Conversions
Van life should be accessible to everyone. - Door width: Minimum 800mm for wheelchair access.
Where to Shower in Your Van UK Campervan Showers Guide
The Manco 12V Fan has been my go-to for where to shower van uk for 3 seasons now. Priced at around £24, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Winter Gate Closures Guide
Many forest roads, mountain passes, and countryside gates close for winter. Getting caught behind a locked gate is a common van life problem.
Winter Van Life Packing List - 20 UK Essentials
The Thule BaseRail System has been my go-to for winter van life packing list for 4 seasons now. Priced at around £79, it offers excellent value without cutting corners.
Yorkshire Dales Campervan Routes
The Yorkshire Dales have some of the best van life roads in England. Here are four routes that work well in a campervan.
Zero Waste Shopping for Van Life: A Practical Guide
Living in a van means limited space for waste. Zero waste shopping reduces the rubbish you carry and the plastic you use.