The summer may be behind us but it doesn’t signal the end of campervan trips – autumn’s blaze of colours are waiting to be enjoyed.

I have friends who live in Australia and one of the things they miss the most is the change in seasons – the big differences you get as you move through spring, summer, autumn and winter.

In their part of Australia it tends to stay hot, and then just gets a little less hot – unlike here in the UK, of course. I love the spring especially after a cold winter, and I also really love campervanning in autumn too.

That crisp fresh air and the long clear night skies that are ideal for stargazing, especially on campsites well away from any light pollution of towns and cities. And then there’s the chance to cosy-up inside your warm campervan as the late afternoon light quickly fades away with a hot cup of tea.

Then there are the bracing walks with a rewarding drink at the end at a traditional local pub a short stroll from the campsite – and ideally with a roaring log fire.

On a practical level, campsites may be quieter and pitch fees are likely to cost you less. Do remember though your choice of campsite will be more limited since many close for the winter.

Top tips for autumn adventures

I have enjoyed campervanning all year round and here are a few tips I would share to ensure you are prepared for autumn trips in the van.

Check the heating before setting off. It’s easy to assume everything is okay in the campervan but it is worth switching on the heating before setting off, especially if you’ve not used it since earlier in the year.

Avoid getting bogged down by booking a hard standing pitch. If there has been quite a lot of rain, the ground may be wet and muddy, which means you may struggle to drive away again the next day. Many campsites would not want you to pitch on grass anyway when the ground is wet just in case and also because they won’t want the ground churned up by your tyres.

Arrive before dark. The transition from dusk to darkness is quicker at this time of year and it will be so much easier to get your campervan set up during the daylight hours. But if you do arrive once the sun has gone down…

…Remember to take a torch. It will also be useful for that walk to and from the cosy pub. Spare batteries are also worth packing.

Keep an eye on your leisure battery. Cold weather drains batteries faster and so it’s best to check it more frequently. It may well be worth booking a pitch with a hook-up to ensure you have that aspect covered, depending on your van’s electrical set-up.

Keep wet kit outside. This is where drive-away awnings are great because they are ideal places to air your wet boots and jackets without adding an extra element of dampness to the inside of the van itself. Not to mention mud.

Think layers. Hill walkers and hikers talk about ‘layer management’. Two or three layers of tops will be better than one big jumper because they will trap warm air.

Remember to pack your sense of adventure. It will be colder, darker and damper but the rewards are there to be enjoyed – autumn is a wonderful time to spend in the countryside courtesy of your campervan.