Despite having vast experience of travelling and being with us for a few weeks now, our new Head of Community & Events, Erin had yet to spend a night away in a CamperKing campervan. To change this, we thought the Club CamperKing event at the Caravan and Motorhome Club's pop-up campsite at the Beaulieu Estate would be Erin's perfect opportunity to experience a CamperKing campervan for herself! Here, Erin tells us all about her experience...
"At the end of July, I had the opportunity to embark on an exciting adventure - my first weekend camping in a CamperKing campervan! I packed my bags, packed the van and prepared for a weekend of fun new experiences across two locations. The first stop was the beautiful New Forest.
For the first few days of the trip, I was camping solo in the van, so I decided to take Big Ted along for some company on the drive. I found the campervan easy to drive and loved that it had plenty of space to fit all my equipment, this made for a pleasant journey down to the campsite.
Arriving at the New Forest, I was captivated by the lush greenery, towering trees and the wild animals roaming. Staying on the Caravan and Motorhome Club pop-up campsite at the Beaulieu Estate, I set up my pitch and couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity and convenience of campervan living. Within just a few minutes of preparation, I had transformed the van into my own cosy sanctuary. It felt like my own little home on wheels, providing me with all the comforts I needed while still allowing me to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors.
As night fell, I gathered with fellow campers, sharing stories and laughter. It was a beautiful reminder of how camping can bring people together, creating lasting memories and forming new friendships.
"Waking up to the gentle sunlight, my first morning got off to a lovely start. I stepped outside the campervan and enjoyed the fresh morning air and dew-covered grass. With only a few other campers awake, it was so peaceful!"
Throughout the weekend, I explored the New Forest and Beaulieu estate, including a visit to the British Motor Museum on site. I also spent time in the van relaxing, getting to know all of its features and picking up tips and tricks of the campervan life from the knowledgeable Club CamperKing members who I joined on this trip.
As my first leg of the journey in the New Forest came to an end, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this experience and to have got my trip off to a great start (even if it did rain all day on the Sunday!).
My next stop was in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where I continued for another two nights, this time taking my partner with me. I felt so confident when setting up, as I had already learnt so much about the van over the last few days. So much so, my partner sat back and relaxed, as I had it all under control!
After a peaceful night's sleep, we enjoyed the ease of one moment having the bed set up, to then quickly being able to get ready, pack up and drive away for the rest of the day. The numerous plug sockets and the wireless charging pad meant we were able to have multiple devices charging, whilst the plug sockets were also great for my hair appliances for use whilst getting ready.
Both my partner and I love a BBQ, so we loved cooking outside the campervan on our Cadac grill and enjoyed eating dinner whilst watching the sun go down.
Overall, my first time in a CamperKing campervan was an opportunity to embrace simplicity, be immersed in nature, and create cherished memories. Whether it was enjoying conversations with like-minded campers or exploring the local surroundings, every moment was filled with great fun and new adventures.
Camping in a campervan is something I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable getaway. It opens up a whole new world of exploration and freedom, giving people the chance to disconnect from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with nature's wonders. My partner and I enjoyed it so much, we are already planning a longer trip away in a few weeks' time. I can’t wait!
Here are some of my top tips for camping in a campervan for the first time:
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Be organised - decide where you are going to keep items, such as in storage boxes or a particular cupboard, so that things don’t go ‘walk-abouts’. This will save you from searching!
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Pack your campervan with essentials that can ‘live’ onboard: You’ll pack and unpack your campervan before and after trips, but there are some things that can live permanently in your campervan. That way, you’ll never find yourself searching for the little essential things you might just forget to pack next time
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If you wish to do your hair or makeup, bring a mirror - this meant I could get ready for the day in multiple locations within the van
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Be prepared for the weather. Someone said to me during the trip, "there is no such thing as bad weather when camping, just bad clothes”. If you want to make the most of your campervan in all weathers, get yourself prepared for all weather conditions
