Fancy a taste of life on the open road – but with all the comforts of home? Then a camper van break might just be what you need.
Van life is all the rage.
But if you’re not ready to sell up and heave all your belongings into the back of a long wheelbase transit then why not try it out for a few days.
Roadsurfer, Europe’s largest camper van company, have a base near Edinburgh with a massive range of vehicles from cool, Instagram-ready VW vans for hipster couples to vans that can accommodate the family.
More than 90 per cent of their clients are from overseas, looking to explore Scotland at their own pace.
But rentals are becoming increasingly popular with UK-based travellers, many trying out van life for the first time.
We picked up a beautiful Fiat-based Couple Cottage model, pictured, and – perhaps controversially – shunned Scotland for the delights of Northumberland, which even in summer is way less crowded than the Lake District.
We booked three nights at Dunstan Hill, a pretty Caravan Club site with great facilities. Our Bedlington whippet Bruce loves the beaches in Northumberland.
Beautiful Embleton Bay in Northumberland
Having a ball… Bruce at his favourite beach, Embleton Bay
We spent each morning walking the sands at Embleton Bay.
I’ve been to beaches from Cape Cod to California but there’s something so special about the ones in Northumberland.
I even tried a swim in the sea (to the amusement of several anorak-clad dog-walkers).Lovely and bracing – but I wish I’d remembered to dig out my wetsuit before setting off!
The van was an absolute delight – plenty of room, with everything you need to set up a wee home from home.
The double bed was really comfortable, the mini kitchen perfect for rustling up breakfast (nothing like sitting outside with a grilled cheese sandwich after a six-mile walk!) and there was even a dining table and stylish bathroom with toilet and hot shower.
Van life… Roadsurfer has models to suit all families
We were mostly happy enough to stay at the campsite and tour on foot, but the van has everything you need to live comfortably for days at a time should you want to go totally off-grid.
It was big but never felt like I was out of my comfort zone driving it.
Northumberland has so many stunning places to visit.
The beach and castle at Bamburgh has to be one of the most glorious seasides in the UK, Holy Island is a must visit – and you must try the kippers at Craster!
For Harry Potter fans there’s the chance to visit glorious Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the movies.
We loved our Northumberland break and the taste of van life – who knows, it might become a full-time lifestyle one day!
