Get the most out of your campervan as a solo adventurer - A how-to guide

Travelling solo in a campervan, whether you’re travelling solo to explore the UK, a solo female campervan explorer on the adventure of a lifetime, or one man and his dog enjoying the great outdoors together, here’s a guide to making the most of your trip.

1. Itinerary and Route Planning

Solo travellers must plan carefully to hit the open road confidently and enjoy their solo camping experience. Solo van life in the UK is about choosing the best destinations and routes while staying safe and comfortable in your camper van.

Choose a place to visit

Solo camping opens doors to various landscapes. So you might look for natural beauty spots, cultural and heritage sites or even outdoor activities. The great thing about a campervan is it allows you to plan your route around anything you want to do.

• Natural Beauty: Solo van life UK adventurers often enjoy destinations like the Lake District or Snowdonia. These areas offer some of the best solo travel destinations in terms of beautiful scenery and a place to sit, chill and while away for a few hours.
• Cultural Attractions: Cities such as Bath, Edinburgh, and York are perfect for solo travellers interested in history and culture. These cities also allow you to take a break from nature while exploring some of the most rich history in the UK. In Bath, for example, one minute you can look at the Roman Baths, and the next, you can be having afternoon tea at Sally Lunn’s.
• Outdoor Activities: From hiking to kayaking, your solo campervan adventure can be filled with exciting outdoor experiences.

Make sure you plan a route

A solo road trip requires thoughtful route planning:

• Distance and Driving Times: To save money and energy, plan your route carefully, ensuring manageable driving distances each day.
• Potential Road Conditions: Small campervans can be easier to navigate narrow country roads than larger models, so consider road conditions and the size of your vehicle when choosing the best solo campervan routes.
• Maps and GPS: Tools like Google Maps are essential for navigation, but also consider offline GPS maps when visiting remote locations during your solo adventure. Also, consider sites that list more unusual experiences, such as Atlas Obscura.

Know the UK camping laws and campsite-specific policies

When camping in the UK, the laws aren’t always the same from country to country – and they’re not always easy to find – so make sure you do some research and check out any campsite-specific policies to avoid fines.

• Wild camping: Wild camping is effectively prohibited in England and Wales without the landowner’s permission, though it’s more accepted in certain areas of Scotland.
• Overnight stays in truck stops or laybys: Rules around overnight parking can vary depending on where you are in the country. There are often restrictions and guidelines in place, so check before you park. Many laybys have signs to state if overnight parking is prohibited.
• Campsite-specific policies: Many campsites have policies regarding quiet hours, fire safety, and waste disposal. Some sites may also have rules on vehicle size, length of stay, and restrictions on pets. Always review the site’s guidelines before arrival.

Stay on proper campsites

Solo van life in the UK is best enjoyed at well-maintained campsites where solo travellers can feel secure. In addition, Certified Sites (CSs) and Certified Locations (CLs) offer off-the-beaten-track options with smaller sites, often in more rural or harder-to-reach locations.

Caravan & Motorhome Club: Choose from over 2300 campsites, including the smaller CL locations and European options in 16 different countries.

Camping & Caravanning Club: Over 2500 campsites in the UK, including CS sites for small-site adventures. If you want to venture further afield, 18 European countries are available through partner Allcamps to find a pitch or a self-catered stay

2. Essential Equipment and Supplies

Packing the right essentials ensures your solo van life is both comfortable and safe, especially for long road trips.

What equipment might you need?

While you’re living your solo van life, having all the things you need to make your road trip comfortable and easy is the key to a successful adventure.

• Bedding: The living space in the Bailey Endeavour range converts into a double bed at night. Make sure you’ve got a duvet or sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, and anything else you might want to stay warm and comfortable. Thanks to the overhead lockers and low-level storage under the seats, you can stow these items away during the day when they are not in use and get the maximum benefit out of the space in a small campervan.
• Cooking Equipment: The Bailey Endeavour models come with a 3-burner hob with a combination oven and grill and an 84-litre compressor refrigerator, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to cook on your travels. Bring enough cooking equipment and food for your travels, and there will be space to store it in the kitchen units and overhead lockers.
• First Aid Kit: For solo campervan travellers, a first aid kit is essential. Make sure you understand how to use the contents and pack appropriately for things you may need in the event of an accident or injury. Don’t forget your regular medications as well, and if you are travelling with pets, make sure they are catered for, too.
• Clothing: The British climate can be unpredictable, so make sure you have layers that you can easily remove or add. Also, make sure you have waterproofs regardless of the time of year, hats and gloves, a warm coat for chilly days and nights and other essentials such as socks and walking boots if you are planning on being out in nature.

The Bailey Endeavour range has been tested to a Grade III Classification for heating and thermal insulation which means it will keep you warm and cosy all year round. Find out more here about how we cold chamber test to -15 degrees.

What personal items should you pack?

• Clothing: Pack waterproof layers and all-weather gear to be prepared for that predictably unpredictable British weather.
• Toiletries and Medications: Include all necessary medications for your solo trip.

3. Safety and Security

You never know what lies ahead in your adventure, so staying safe is essential when traveling solo in a camper van.

Be ready for emergencies

Solo campervan travellers should always have an emergency plan in place:

• Know Who to Call: Know how to reach local emergency services and always keep a map of your local area with you. You can use this Find a Police Station tool for local support.
• Share Your Itinerary: Let your family and friends know where you’re going, and share your route plan. This is especially true if you’re going to head into remote locations on a solo trip. Even consider sharing your location, just so everyone knows exactly where you are.

Keep yourself and your campervan safe

• Hide Valuables: Always stow away valuables in hidden compartments to prevent theft.
• Safe Parking: Choose well-lit, populated areas to park your van overnight.
• Apps for Safety: Apps like “WalkSafe” or “Shake2Safety” are useful for tracking safe routes, especially for solo female travellers.
• Look for Safety Features: The Bailey Endeavour campervan comes with lots of safety features that are perfect for your solo trips. It includes ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for keeping your vehicle stable on the road. There is even a reversing camera to assist with parking.

4. Budget and Finances

When hitting the open road, estimate:

• Fuel Expenses: Figure out how much getting to your destination is likely to cost. There are several fuel calculators available.
• Accommodation Fees: Make sure you know how much your campsite is going to cost before you pitch up.
• Food and Activities: Factor in costs for food and solo camping activities like hiking or visiting parks.

Solo van life can sometimes come with unexpected expenses — flat tyres, windscreen wash fluid or even higher-priced fuel than you were expecting. Set aside an emergency fund to cover things like vehicle repairs or medical needs during your solo campervan adventure.

5. Health and Wellness

• Physical Health: Always pack necessary medications, a first-aid kit, and any health supplies for managing injuries or illnesses. Stay hydrated, stretch often, and rest to avoid strain from long drives or outdoor activities.
• Mental Wellness: Solo travel is a chance for you to check in with yourself. If you feel like it, take some time to do mental wellness activities like journaling, reading, or meditating. Going about your solo van life with a dog is another great tip — who doesn’t love our four-legged friends?

Final Thoughts

Solo van life offers incredible freedom for solo adventurers looking to explore the world. With a little planning, knowing your route, taking the essentials and focusing on your safety, you can enjoy the best solo campervan experience.
For additional resources and tips on solo camping, solo van life, or how to get started with your campervan for solo travel, visit Bailey of Bristol’s Beginner’s Guides.

Ready to start your own campervan adventure?

Explore our full range of campervan models at Bailey of Bristol and find the perfect one for your adventure. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned explorer, our guides offer expert advice to help you hit the road with confidence. Check out our campervans today.

FAQs

How do you choose the right campervan for solo travel?

When choosing your perfect campervan for solo travel, consider size, fuel efficiency, and storage. A small campervan is often best for ease of parking and driving. Consider the Bailey Endeavour models that are packed with features ideal for a solo adventure, such as a full kitchen and bathroom.

What basic campervan maintenance or fixes should you know?

You should know how to change a tyre, check oil and coolant levels, and replace fuses. It’s also useful to understand how to jump-start your battery and inspect for leaks or tyre wear. Keeping a basic toolkit onboard ensures you’re prepared for minor repairs. In the habitation area when you are not using your campervan ensure that you have emptied both fresh and wastewater tanks (especially in winter to prevent freezing), and the toilet cassette has been emptied and sanitised ready for the next use. When you are driving, ensure you are not using the gas bottle and it has been turned off.

What are the best ways to meet other solo travellers or campervan communities?

Join campervan or solo travel groups on social media platforms, attend campervan meet-ups, or stay in communal campsites like Caravan & Motorhome Club sites. Apps like Meetup or specific camping apps can also help you find and connect with fellow solo travellers on the road.

Where to park overnight and find good facilities while travelling solo?

Stay at campsites managed by the Caravan & Motorhome Club or Camping & Caravanning Club. These are great because they make sure every site is up to a certain standard. Each one is guaranteed to have amenities like water, waste disposal, and electric hook-ups. Apps like Park4Night can also help find safe, legal parking with all your essential facilities across the UK.

What essential items should I pack for solo campervan trips?

Pack a bedding, first aid kit, food, personal essentials and any basic tools you might need. While you won’t forget your clothes, always take waterproofs, walking shoes and any medications you need.