In June 2022, John (36) and Emily (37) James sold their home for about 155,000 euros and purchased an abandoned motorhome park in Wales for 100,000 euros. The 1.2-hectare (3-acre) site, previously used by miners, had been closed since 1989.
After the purchase, the couple had about 600 euros (or 500 pounds, according to other sources) left. For the first three years, they lived in an old 1989 caravan without a refrigerator or running water, with a toilet that had to be emptied manually. They spent 50,000 euros from savings on renovations, following YouTube tutorials, and fully restored three caravans, built a house, installed solar panels, and a wood-fired sauna.
The couple continues to develop the campsite, planning to add a shower, laundry, and an open-air cinema. Their story has garnered over 291,000 followers on TikTok and 202,000 on YouTube.