What you'll need to travel around the UK
Essentials
Other than the route itself, deciding what to take on your campervan journey can make or break the trip. This categories below will help guide you in this effort, allowing you to stay calm knowing you’ve got everything covered. Thank us later!
Lets get started
Kitchen
1. Kettle – This the essential of essentials. Because using as little gas is one of your goals when travelling in a campervan, a kettle enables you do this guilt free.
2. Knives – This ultimately comes down to preference. Pack what you use most at home and a corkscrew for the special moments.
3. Saucepans – ‘The Old reliable,’ we prefer the campervan version which has a removable lip and can be stored easily through stacking.
4. Washing up bowl – Any will do, if you are tight for space (usually the case when travelling), get a collapsable one.
5. Flask and water bottle – we recommend both of these for excursions because it’ll save you money on coffee and tea.
6. Glasses – We recommend a glass per person, and an extra in case you have a guest. (If you know you’ll be having more than one guest at a time then whatever works best.)
7. Plates – Remember you are travelling in a van! Always pick plastic or bamboo plates for this reason. Like the glasses, go for one per person plus one extra for a guest.
8. Campervan grill – this will increase the variety of meats you can cook. Find one that is foldable and you’re good to go.
Gadgets and Gizmos
1. A good camera – We recommend Nikon or Canon cameras because they are good quality and if looked after, it will be perfect for capturing all your travel memories.
2. TV stick – This is perfect for if have wifi and prefer not to go for the satellite option.
3. Drone (optional) – We love a drone! However, we also understand that you may not want/need the footage a drone will produce. Click here if you want to find out more about drones
4. Go pro (optional) – If you plan on anything from hikes to river rafting, this might be a good option. We recommend.
5. Tripod – If you want to take group pictures on your journeys then we recommend a good tripod.
Campa care
1. Collapsable broom – if you can’t find one of these a dust pan and brush should do the trick.
2. Pegs and a washing line – Realistically, this will only be for swimwear and a towel in summer. As a consequence of this, get something with rails which you can tighten so your budgie smugglers don’t go flying.
3. Bucket – This will be needed to empty out old water and potentially a container for your washing up utensils. As usual, we recommend the collapsable versions for practicality.
4. Water carrier – This will be used to carry the water refills for your tank. We recommend one spare five gallon carrier (don’t fret too much you’ll be able to refill at your campsite.)
5. Electrical cable and blue fittings – Sometimes we don’t get the best spaces when we arrive at campsites. This will allow you to hook up to the campsite’s electricity, even if it is miles away.
6. Groundsheet – this is for your seating area under your awning. It should be waterproof and keep the dirt and mud off your outdoor furniture.
7. Doormat – Other than the fact this alone turns your campervan into your home, it stops you trailing mud through your van. To put it simply, it’s a must have.
8. Disinfectant and rubber gloves – just as you’d have for your own loo, this helps keep it nice and clean.
9. Fresh water tank cleaner – look at our ‘how to’ to make sure you can do this on the go.
10. Hand held vaccum – while this seems like a luxury, it’ll be easier to use than constantly using a dust pan and brush.
11. Sterilising tablets – even if you don’t use your water for drinking, you’ll be using it for washing up so best be safe than sorry.
12. Pet paw cleaner – If you have a pet and value your couch/bed, this is an essential.
13. Hose pipe – Are you thinking “Why do I need one of these? The campsites will have them.” Well, most people do. And, you never know how hygienic others are… so we advise you get one.
Clothing
1. Cold weather gear – depending on when you are travelling and the duration of your travel.
2. Hot weather clothing and swimwear – depending on where, when and what you’re doing.
3. Shoes – this depends on what you’ll be doing. We always bring comfy trainers and flip flops but if you’re walking in forests or on mountains bring hiking shoes. The same applies to if you plan on running or/and exercise, bring what you feel you need to exercise.
4. First Aid Kit – This is the law when travelling in a campervan. For some of us who have regular headaches, we would’n’t dream of travelling without paracetamol, ibeprofane etc although for others it’s easier to forget. Get a first aid kit that is designed to deal with RTA Truama and add whatever you feel will meet your needs for the duration of your journey. This should include; antiseptic wipes, Deet, Diaralyte, suncream, plasters, painkillers and antihistamines.
5. Personal Toiletries – Bring what you’d usually have at home (it’s easier to bring a manual toothbrush but if you really want to pack your electric one see advice below.) Packing an electric tooth brush while travelling.
6. Towels – One for showering and an extra if you are going swimming. We recommend microfibre because this tends to dry the quickest.
The Legal side of things....
1. Fire Extinguisher
2. Torch
3. A Safe
4. Warning triangle
5. Head light Adapters
6. GB Sticker / EU number plates (needed if you travel into Europe.)
7. First Aid Kit
8. Breathalyser
9. CO2 Alarm (It is very important you fit a carbon monoxide alarm to monitor for any issues with the gas fed equipment, especially in such a confined space. THIS IS ESSENTIAL!!
10. Smoke and heat alarm – must have motorhome and campervan equipment to keep you safe while you travel.
