VanLife Fest returns to North Yorkshire amid surge in motorhome interest

Cheshire Police's rural crime team seized a touring caravan at an address in Warrington after an examination revealed it had been stolen from Bedfordshire in 2019. The caravan, valued at around £7,300, is being returned to the relevant insurance company. Police are tracing the chain of ownership to determine when the caravan's identification markings were altered, and have advised second-hand buyers to check VIN numbers against paperwork and inspect security labels.

Redline Campers, the brand from Daventry-based Venture Caravans & Motorhomes, will unveil a new model at the Motorhome & Caravan Show, taking place at the NEC from 13 to 18 October 2026. Based on the latest Volkswagen Transporter, the new model features a GRP roof, a 100% cotton roof canvas by French tent manufacturer Cabanon, and the Régis Rive bed previously exclusive to the Explorer. The launch coincides with the brand's tenth anniversary, which will be marked in 2027. The Explorer will make its NEC debut, and updated Sport GT and Sport GT XS models will gain a lithium leisure battery and an elevating roof bed platform.

Tom Lear from Bristol began building a house on a trailer at age 17 while working as a carpentry apprentice. Construction took three years using recycled materials and wood scraps. The house measures 12.5 sq m, with dimensions of 5 m long, 2.4 m wide and 4.5 m high. Costs totaled €7,000. It includes a kitchen, living area and a loft bed, and is insulated. The flatbed trailer was donated. At 20, Lear became a homeowner without loans or rent. The house has the necessary permits for mobility.

The new Swift Voyager 584 motorhome, based on a Ford Transit, offers a blend of luxury and value, according to Nick Harding. The 584 model features a fixed single beds and large garage floorplan, popular in Europe, and is priced from £67,495. It is a full four-berth, but the target audience is likely couples who might occasionally take grandchildren. The coachbuilt bodywork is wood-free with GRP panels and Styrofoam insulation, backed by a 10-year warranty. The Winter Pack, including heated underslung water tanks and en-route heating, is standard. The Ford 155bhp engine provides ample power; the automatic transmission option costs £1,795 and reduces payload by 53kg to 371kg. Standard cab features include air conditioning, tyre pressure monitoring, reversing camera, and a Zenec Xzent infotainment system with 9in touchscreen. Options include a microwave pre-fitting at £185 and a Thule two-bike rack at £315.

Bristol-based Project Van Rambo Ltd has converted a 2007 Ford Transit MWB Hightop into a camper van named August, using reclaimed and recycled materials. The vehicle, which had covered 160,000 miles (257,495 km) when purchased, received extensive mechanical repairs and a repaint in Chinese Green Tea. The interior includes reclaimed birch ply walls, upcycled Amtico vinyl flooring, and a handcrafted kitchen with a copper sink and two-hob gas stove. The seating area converts into a bed for up to three people.

Gwynedd Council in north Wales has launched a pilot network of four motorhome stopover sites called Arosfan. They are located in Cricieth, Llanberis, Pwllheli and Caernarfon near Snowdonia National Park (Eryri). The project is funded by the Welsh government and responds to a rise in wild parking by motorhomes. Rules require parking in the centre of the allocated bay to ensure at least 6 metres between vehicles, reducing capacity compared with standard sites. Access is limited to self-contained motorhomes with onboard toilets; external equipment, barbecues and camping activities are prohibited. The fee is £16.50 per night from 16:00 to 10:00, with a maximum of two consecutive nights and a seven-day gap before returning to the same site. Spaces are not reservable or transferable.